12 Summer Internships for High School Students in Idaho
If you’re a high school student looking to explore potential career paths, a summer internship can be a good decision. Summer internships for high school students provide experience in workplace environments, helping you understand what different subjects are like beyond the classroom. They help you strengthen essential skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, that will be useful no matter which industry you end up in.
What summer internships are available for high school students in Idaho?
Idaho is home to many state universities, research labs, startups, and community programs that involve high school students in practical projects. You have access to a range of internship opportunities across fields. Many programs offer close mentorship from industry professionals, which can help you make decisions about your future academic and career paths. Smaller organizations often give you more responsibility and exposure to company leadership, so we’ve included a mix of organizations in this list.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 12 summer internships for high school students in Idaho.
1. GEM High School Internship
Location: Idaho State Museum, Boise, Idaho
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: November - June
Application Deadline: September
Eligibility: High school students
In the GEM High School Internship, you will work at the Idaho State Museum and learn how museum teams operate. You collaborate with professionals such as historians, curators, and designers while contributing to activities including exhibit design, family programs, and event support. Throughout this experience, you develop practical skills in communication, organization, and collaboration. The program also includes visits to other Idaho State Historical Society sites, such as the Old Idaho Penitentiary, which helps you understand how historical content is preserved and shared. Additionally, you may also attend discussions from guest speakers and participate in research that explores stories from Idaho’s past.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (students can participate from anywhere)
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on program type; 100% financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter cohorts
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary based on cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships connects you with a remote placement at a fast-growing or early-stage start-up. You work directly with a company manager in fields such as technology, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, or consulting. Your day-to-day responsibilities involve contributing to ongoing active projects, allowing you to apply practical skills in a real-world workplace environment. Since many partner companies are growing rapidly and supported by notable funding, giving you exposure to work in a fast-paced professional environment. Over the course of the program, you’ll also collaborate with professionals, build workplace skills, and complete a final presentation summarizing your work. The fully remote format allows you to participate from anywhere while gaining meaningful hands-on experience. Apply now!
3. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) High School Internship
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 - 8 weeks starting in June
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Full-time high school students (minimum GPA of 3.0)
As a high school intern at the Idaho National Laboratory, you will work alongside scientists, engineers, and operations staff on projects related to energy, national security, and STEM research. You begin your internship by defining your project scope with a mentor, which helps you understand your responsibilities and the resources that are available. Throughout the internship, you participate in hands-on tasks that may include research support, data organization, basic laboratory support, or operational projects, depending on your placement. You also have the opportunity to attend weekly seminars, tours, and networking sessions that introduce you to different areas of the laboratory. Mentorship is a core part of the experience, and you will receive regular guidance from your assigned supervisor.
4. Teen Action Team Summer Internship (Communities for Youth)
Location: Boise, Idaho
Stipend: $1,000 as stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 10 interns
Dates: June 17 - August 7 (must attend 8 of 10 scheduled dates plus 20 additional hours)
Application Deadline: May 10
Eligibility: High school students
In the Teen Action Team Summer Internship, you will work with communities for youth staff and community partners on projects that support youth mental health and well-being in Boise. Your tasks may include helping create digital media such as social content, how-to videos, or online resources that promote youth social connection. You also assist with event planning, visit youth-focused spaces around the city to provide feedback, and help test youth-focused materials for clarity and accessibility. Part of your role involves reaching out to other teens, gathering their perspectives, and contributing to ideas that can guide future youth engagement efforts. You spend most of your time collaborating with peers and adults, giving you experience in teamwork, communication, and community-based project development.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Available across the U.S.
Stipend: $3,000 as stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June - August (8 weeks; flexible schedule)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week program that offers you a paid opportunity to explore environmental science through field experience. You’ll spend your time working alongside fisheries biologists and mentors on activities such as fish sampling, habitat assessment, and water quality monitoring. Throughout the internship, your mentor guides you through the entire research process, including collecting data, organizing, and interpreting. You also get exposure to various career paths in fisheries biology and conservation. The program demonstrates how hands-on fieldwork contributes to broader environmental management and conservation efforts.
6. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Local nonprofit partners across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend provided, exact amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 students annually
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; summit takes place between July 21 - 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. and reside in an eligible location
In this eight-week internship, you will work with a local nonprofit on community-focused projects while building your collaboration and leadership skills. Throughout the internship, you work alongside nonprofit staff to learn how social impact organizations operate on a day-to-day basis. You also participate in sessions on topics such as civic engagement, public service, and ethical decision-making. A key component of the program is the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you meet students from across the country and learn how different sectors address community challenges. Your participation includes a stipend and covers all associated program costs.
7. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Multiple NASA centers across the U.S.; virtual options also available
Cost/Stipend: Free; interns receive a stipend based on academic level and program duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: Summer (early June - August; 10 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Full-time high school students aged 16 years or older, must be U.S. citizens, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Through the NASA OSTEM Internship Program, you will work with NASA scientists and engineers on research and engineering projects. Depending on your assignment, you may contribute to design experiments, review mission data, or support the development of tools and technologies used in space exploration. Projects cover a wide range of fields such as aerospace, planetary science, robotics, ecology, and technology development, with each focusing on a defined research objective. Throughout the internship, you’ll build technical and analytical skills while observing how NASA teams approach scientific and engineering challenges. By the end of the program, you’ll gain direct experience with NASA’s work and contribute to ongoing research and exploration efforts.
8. HOIST – Helping Orient Indian Students and Teachers into STEM
Location: University of Idaho, Moscow Campus and McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS)
Stipend: Stipend provided upon successful completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; limited to students from 11 Tribal Reservations with a U of I MOU
Dates: July 6 - 18
Application Deadline: Check program website for details
Eligibility: Native American high school students who have completed at least 9th grade; graduated seniors planning to attend U of I are also eligible
HOIST is a summer program designed for Native American students who are interested in exploring STEM fields while preparing for college and building connections with mentors and peers. You’ll participate in academic courses that strengthen core skills in math, science, and English, along with STEM internships that place you alongside university researchers and local professionals. The program includes hands-on workshops, field trips, and guest lectures to provide real-world learning experiences. Cultural enrichment and recreational activities are integrated to support holistic development and community connection. Overall, HOIST focuses on empowering native students through culturally grounded STEM education, mentorship, and community engagement.
9. Two Birds Summer Internships (One Stone)
Location: One Stone, Boise, Idaho
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; two separate teams of interns
Dates: Design internship: June 12 - 23; video internship: July 31 - August 11
Application Deadline: Design internship: June 10; video internship: July 15
Eligibility: High school students (rising 9th - 12th grade) and recent high school graduates
In the Two Birds Summer Internships, you will work on creative projects for local clients in areas such as graphic design, video production, and audio content. In the design internship, you focus on developing brand identity through typography, imagery, marketing, and visual storytelling. In the video internship, you plan, produce, and edit professional videos that communicate a client’s message and story. You spend most of your time collaborating in small teams or working independently, supported by professional tools, software, and mentorship. The program also includes client interactions and opportunities to develop communication, problem-solving, and project management skills. Overall, this internship offers hands-on experience in creative industries while helping you to build a professional portfolio in a structured environment.
10. Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars (ISAS)
Location: University of Idaho (summer academy) plus online course
Cost/Stipend: No cost specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies
Dates: Summer academy held in July
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors in Idaho
This program allows you to take an online, NASA-developed STEM course through Idaho Digital Learning. You will complete eight instructional units and a semester-long project that builds understanding of core STEM concepts and their connections to space science and Idaho’s STEM ecosystem. Throughout the course, you will work with master educators who guide your learning and provide feedback on your work. Based on your performance, you may be selected for a week-long residential summer academy at the University of Idaho, where you collaborate with STEM professionals and take part in hands-on activities. During the academy, you join a team-based human mission to Mars simulation along with workshops led by mentors and educators.
11. Project SEARCH (Coeur d’Alene Public Schools)
Location: Kootenai Health, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Full academic year (three 9 - 10 week internship rotations)
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Students ages 18 - 21 years who qualify for Special Education services | Are eligible for deferred graduation and vocational rehabilitation
In this one-year transition program, you will build practical skills that prepare you for competitive community employment. You spend part of your day in the classroom learning about employability, communication, and independent living, while the rest of your day is dedicated to internship rotations across different hospital departments. These placements provide hands-on experience in a real workplace environment, including nutrition services, housekeeping, transportation, supply management, and patient support, while working with a skills trainer and on-site mentors. Throughout the year, you receive step-by-step guidance on performing tasks independently and understanding workplace expectations. You also take part in job development activities that help you prepare for employment after graduation. By combining classroom learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience, the program helps you build the confidence and routines needed for long-term workforce success.
12. BSD Student Energy Internship
Location: Boise School District (virtual meetings plus districtwide collaboration)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1 from each school in the Boise school district
Dates: Meets six times a year
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Secondary students; ideal interns are 8th or 11th graders
In this internship, you will act as an interface between your school’s Green Team lead and the district’s Sustainability Team, focusing on how your building uses energy. You review monthly energy data, interpret the key takeaways, and share findings with your green team so they can take action. You also help promote energy-efficiency activities within your school, gaining experience in communication and environmental leadership. Each month, you join a virtual meeting with interns from other schools to learn from energy consultants, receive districtwide updates, and share observations from your campus. The role is designed to build practical skills in data analysis, sustainability practices, and collaboration, with structured guidance from teachers and consultants as you contribute to ongoing district initiatives.
Image Source - Idaho National Laboratory logo