14 STEM Internships for High School Students in Georgia
STEM internships let you move beyond high school coursework and see how science, technology, engineering, and math are applied in professional settings. You might write code, run lab trials, assist with engineering design, or work on data analysis. You’ll build both technical skills and transferable ones like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. That kind of experience adds to your college applications by showing a deep interest in STEM and the ability to work with advanced concepts.
What STEM internships are available for high school students in Georgia?
Georgia has a range of options at universities, research centers, healthcare systems, and industry partners. Major institutions like Georgia Tech, Morehouse School of Medicine, and the Georgia Youth Science and Technology Centers connect you to both academic and applied learning environments. There are tech opportunities in Atlanta and aerospace work in Middle Georgia, covering areas like robotics, drones, public health, and clean energy. Many programs offer technical certifications and help you build a professional network.
We put together a list of 14 STEM internships for high school students in Georgia that offer varied areas of focus.
1. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft campus, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 100–150 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who have completed precalculus or an equivalent course and who live and attend school within the Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett County School Districts
This STEM internship for high school students in Georgia places you in a small project pod where you work through a real product challenge from definition to solution. You focus on understanding user pain points, clarifying unspoken needs, and explaining the reasoning behind proposed features rather than just building code. You will gain exposure to how software engineering, product management, and UX design intersect during the early design phase. The structure emphasizes collaboration, feedback, and iterative thinking rather than individual competition. You also participate in discussions that introduce different technology areas and workplace practices used across teams.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Several cohorts year-round, including Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer (May), Winter (November), Fall (September), and Spring (January)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships allow high school students to complete a defined project for a startup over multiple stages, with clear checkpoints and deliverables. You begin by scoping the problem, then move through drafting, revision, and final presentation phases. Regular sessions with a company coach and a Ladder Coach guide your progress and help you break large tasks into manageable pieces. The work emphasizes applied problem-solving, written and verbal communication, and adapting feedback into revised outputs. The structure mirrors how project-based work is handled in fast-moving technical and business environments. Apply now!
3. Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA / virtual
Stipend: $2,400; none for the virtual track
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Between 14–17%; 12–14 students (additional 30 for the virtual track)
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program; U.S. citizens or permanent residents for the in-person track; virtual track open to international students
This STEM internship for high school students in Georgia provides a deep dive into the biological and clinical aspects of cancer research within Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute. It matches you with a principal Winship physician or researcher to work 40 hours a week in research laboratories or clinical settings. Most of the work will be lab-based with hands-on training in molecular biology techniques, but the program also includes didactic lectures on oncology, bioethics, and experimental design. The program concludes with a research symposium where you present your data poster to the Emory scientific community.
4. Atlanta Botanical Garden Summer High School Internship
Location: Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: $12/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, 10 students per summer
Dates: June 2 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from a Metro Atlanta Title I school who are 16 or older by the start of the program | Able to work outdoors in a variety of conditions and inclement weather | Capable of lifting 40 lbs | Eligible to work in the U.S.
This internship centers on plant science, conservation, and public education. You will work with professionals on tasks that may include research support, cultivation, or maintenance of living collections. You’re expected to keep a journal to document observations and connect daily work to broader scientific concepts. A personal project runs alongside your regular responsibilities, requiring independent planning and follow-through. You’ll then present your methods and findings at the final presentation. Among STEM internships for high school students in Georgia, this program uniquely blends biology, environmental science, and applied conservation work.
5. Georgia Tech Project ENGAGES
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15–20 scholars each year
Dates: Year–long program starting June 1
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from specific Atlanta Public Schools who will be 16 years old by the start of the program | Overall GPA of 83 (3.0) or above and science course GPA of 83 (3.0) or above
Project ENGAGES combines structured research training with long-term participation in a research group. You begin with a boot camp focused on core scientific skills, then transition into conducting your own research under faculty mentorship. The program includes hands-on lab work as well as opportunities to observe and participate in experiments using advanced equipment. Over time, you take increasing responsibility for designing, executing, and presenting your research. Your work culminates in a formal presentation that requires you to explain methods and findings clearly.
6. TAG-ED High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Across Georgia
Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 50–100 students
Dates: 8 weeks (June – July)
Application Deadline: Typically, in April
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 17+
The TAG-Ed Summer Internship enables you to jumpstart your career, pairing you with Georgia companies for hands-on technology and engineering experience. Throughout the program, you will work on corporate projects, develop technical prototypes, and participate in professional mentorship sessions. Its unique AI-matching system ensures your specific skills in coding or biotechnology are paired with the right industry host. By engaging in these statewide placements, you’ll sharpen technical abilities in data analysis while mastering professional communication and teamwork. This eight-week commitment offers 200 hours of workplace exposure to strengthen your resume. You’ll finish the summer with a strong professional network and a clear understanding of your future STEM career path.
7. Emory University NextGen High School Internship Program
Location: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~20 students
Dates: June 1 – July 8
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
The NextGen internship program is designed to provide exposure to multiple areas of STEM rather than focusing on a single track. You will rotate through lab and clinical environments, allowing you to compare how research and applied science function in different settings. Classroom-style instruction in topics such as genetics is complemented by experiments and shadowing experiences. Guest speakers and site visits add context about how STEM fields connect to education and careers. The structure supports varied learning backgrounds by combining lectures, hands-on work, and observation.
8. UGA Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: UGA Athens, Griffin, or Tifton, GA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20–25 students/location
Dates: June 1 – July 10
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Students who have completed their sophomore year, are at least 16 years old, and have completed at least one high school science course including laboratory, and one semester of algebra
Managed by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, this STEM internship in Georgia pairs high school students with faculty mentors for six weeks of intensive laboratory research. You will work on projects ranging from plant genetics and food science to entomology and environmental engineering. Beyond lab work, you participate in field trips to industry sites and attend workshops on scientific communication and college preparation. The program is designed to move students beyond classroom activities into independent data collection and analysis. At the end of the summer, every Young Scholar must complete a research paper and present their findings at a final summit.
9. Georgia Cancer Center High School Summer Research Experiences
Location: Augusta University, Augusta, GA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~20 students
Dates: June 3 – July 15
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
Georgia Cancer Center High School Summer Research Experiences immerses you in ongoing biomedical projects alongside active research teams. Your work may involve lab-based experiments, data analysis, or computational approaches, depending on the project area. You learn core concepts in cancer biology while seeing how different scientific disciplines contribute to a single research question. Mentorship plays a central role, with regular guidance on research methods, documentation, and interpretation of results. Professional skill development is built into the experience, including how to engage with research communities.
10. Grady Health Teen Experience and Leadership Program (TELP)
Location: Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; large cohorts of students each year (close to 700)
Dates: May 26 – July 14
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: 10th to 12th-grade high school students aged 14–19
TELP exposes you to healthcare through a mix of clinical and non-clinical rotations. You will observe how different roles contribute to patient care, operations, and community health outcomes. Workshops and learning labs introduce core concepts while emphasizing communication and leadership skills, while guest speakers provide insight into varied career paths across healthcare disciplines. An optional research component allows you to explore health challenges and propose solutions. The program is structured to help you understand healthcare as an interconnected system rather than a single profession.
11. EarthCare: The Leadership Challenge for the 21st Century
Location: Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 85 students
Dates: June 7 – 12
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Georgia
EarthCare: The Leadership Challenge for the 21st Century is an all-expenses-paid residential program operated by 21st Century Leaders in partnership with Georgia Power. It focuses on environmental and engineering challenges through a leadership-development lens. You will participate in workshops and group exercises that examine sustainability issues from technical and organizational perspectives. Much of the learning happens through discussion, scenario analysis, and team-based problem solving. Interactions with professionals center on how STEM knowledge informs real-world decision-making. Preparation activities before the program encourage goal-setting and reflection. Compared to traditional STEM internships for high school students in Georgia, this program prioritizes systems thinking and leadership skills.
12. GTAE Science, Technology, and Engineering Program (STEP) Program
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 50 students
Dates: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Georgia residents who are at least 16 years old by the program’s start
STEP is a high-intensity two-week program that places you on an open-ended engineering challenge connected to an active research area. You will work in a team to define the problem, explore possible approaches, and design a prototype while faculty mentors help guide your technical decisions. The experience emphasizes iterative design, testing ideas, and adapting when assumptions fail. Your work will be documented throughout and shared through a formal poster presentation. This STEM program for high school students in Georgia focuses on research-driven engineering and collaborative problem-solving.
13. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 27 slots
Dates: June 23 – 27; July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who are 16+ on the camp start date
This program immerses you in public health by simulating how the CDC staff conducts disease investigations and approaches real-world challenges. You will participate in group work and projects to analyze data, participate in mock outbreak scenarios, and practice communicating findings to different audiences. Activities introduce topics like epidemiology, surveillance, and health policy through applied exercises, along with working collaboratively, learning to solve problems as a team of “disease detectives.” The curriculum shifts each year to reflect current public health challenges, so each camp’s activities may be different.
14. North Georgia Wildlife Park Internship
Location: North Georgia Wildlife Park, Cleveland, GA
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically small cohorts
Dates: 3-month internships available year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
The North Georgia Wildlife internship for high school students is a hands-on immersion into zoology and animal husbandry that emphasizes daily responsibility for animal care and education tasks. It is a field-based experience where you are involved in the daily care of exotic and livestock species. You learn how feeding, enclosure maintenance, and handling protocols connect directly to animal health and safety. Educational outreach and visitor engagement are integrated into the experience, connecting science knowledge to public communication. Your days will involve repeated animal care tasks, which means learning through consistency, observation, and adjustment.
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