15 Science Internships for High School Students in Chicago
Participating in an internship during high school can be a valuable way to strengthen your academic profile, gain hands-on experience, and explore potential career paths. Internships help you develop real-world skills that go beyond the classroom and show future colleges or employers that you’re motivated, responsible, and serious about your interests. Whether you're considering a future in healthcare, technology, environmental science, or research, working in a professional setting early on can give you a clearer sense of direction and improve your readiness for college-level work or jobs down the line.
For students drawn to scientific fields, science internships for high school students in Chicago offer a range of opportunities–from cancer research and data science to neuroscience and ecology. These programs not only provide practical exposure but also help you build connections with mentors and peers who share similar interests.
In this blog, we've curated a list of 15 of the most well-regarded and accessible science internships for high school students in Chicago to help you take that first step toward a future in STEM.
15 Science Internships for High School Students in Chicago
1. UChicago Medicine’s ResearcHStart
Location: Various colleges in Chicago
Stipend: Taxable stipend of $3,000
Cohort Size: 30 participants
Dates: Second week of June – first week of August
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) residing in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
If you're a high school student from the Chicago or Urbana-Champaign area interested in biomedical research, the ResearcHStart program allows you to work full-time in cancer research labs over the summer. The program explores topics such as cancer immunology, pharmacology, and health disparities through lab work, lectures, and guided mentorship. You'll attend workshops focused on skill-building and career planning while also participating in a faculty-led lecture series centered on cancer science. By the end of this science internship for high school students in Chicago, you’ll share your findings in a symposium attended by peers, scientists, and your community.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
In the Ladder Internship program, you will collaborate with fast-growing startups on real-world projects across industries like technology, AI, healthcare, and marketing. This remote, eight-week program pairs you with both a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach who guides your learning and supports your development. You’ll contribute to ongoing company tasks, attend regular virtual meetings, and receive feedback on your work. Many startups in the program are actively scaling, offering you a front-row view of entrepreneurship in action. Although it's not exclusively focused on science, the program includes roles in health tech and AI/ML that can overlap with scientific interests.
3. NM GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program
Location: Various locations across Chicago
Stipend: $1,200; Additional stipends up to $2,000 available for qualifying students based on financial need and placement site
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Two-year program with monthly sessions; Fall session begins November 15
Application Deadline: August 4 – September 29
Eligibility: First-year applicants must be 15+, entering sophomore or junior year of high school, and have an academic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale
The Discovery Program by Northwestern Medicine is designed for students looking to explore healthcare careers. The program includes monthly sessions throughout the school year, covering topics like clinical diagnostics, EMR systems, and healthcare leadership. You’ll attend hands-on workshops, engage in guided discussions, and receive mentorship from professionals in medicine and related fields. In addition to healthcare exposure, the program incorporates leadership training and service projects that build both professional and personal skills.
4. Fermilab TARGET Program
Location: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia
Stipend: Paid
Cohort Size: Approx 10-15 interns
Dates: June 17 – July 26 (tentative)
Application Deadline: November 13 – February 5 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
The TARGET Program at Fermilab is a competitive six-week summer internship designed for Illinois students who show a strong interest in fields like physics, computer science, and engineering. As an intern, you’ll spend your days divided between working on a supervised research project and attending daily STEM and leadership workshops. Fermilab, a major particle physics lab under the U.S. Department of Energy, gives you access to cutting-edge technology and mentorship from professionals working in quantum science, AI, and accelerator physics. The experience culminates in an oral presentation, giving you a chance to articulate your findings and reflect on your work. Here’s more information on this program.
5. Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)
Location: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia
Stipend: $500 weekly
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 13 – March 1
Eligibility: High school seniors or rising graduates enrolled in an Illinois high school; Must be U.S. citizens
PRISM is a four-week summer program for high school seniors and recent graduates that rotates through different scientific themes each week, offering exposure to particle physics, AI, quantum mechanics, and engineering design. As a participant, you’ll engage in hands-on activities, expert-led workshops, and even get access to exclusive tours of the lab’s research facilities. One of the key outcomes is a research abstract and final presentation, helping you build communication and presentation skills. You’ll also be paired with mentors to help guide your exploration of STEM fields and career pathways.
6. UChicago’s DSI Summer Lab
Location: University of Chicago
Stipend: Paid
Cohort Size: Approx. 10 high schoolers
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Chicago current high school seniors starting college in the fall
The Summer Lab at the University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute is an immersive, paid research program where you’ll collaborate with researchers on projects in fields like biomedical science, public policy, and environmental studies. The program welcomes high school and college students from the Chicago area to explore data-driven research while developing practical skills in coding, analysis, and scientific communication. Each participant is matched with a mentor and joins a lab team for eight weeks, working on a specific research question. The science internship for high school students in Chicago includes lectures, cohort events, and professional development activities that help you navigate a future in data science or computational research.
7. UChicago Medicine’s SHE (Summer Healthcare Experience) in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500 taxable stipend
Cohort Size: Up to 20 trainees
Dates: 2 weeks in July
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: High school students in Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County, Indiana
The Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology is a two-week virtual program created for Chicago high school students who want to explore the intersection of science and medicine. The curriculum centers on oncology and includes genetics-based research projects, clinical case studies, and lectures led by University of Chicago faculty. You’ll attend daily sessions focused on cancer biology, diagnostics, and treatment, while also participating in career-building workshops and panel discussions. The program also provides a home laboratory kit to support hands-on learning. By the end of the two weeks, you'll have a broader understanding of how research connects to patient care and how professionals across disciplines collaborate to fight cancer.
8. After School Matters
Location: Various locations in Chicago
Stipend: $15.80/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not mentioned
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students (14-18) who are Chicago residents and attend a Chicago Public High School
After School Matters offers Chicago teens paid internship opportunities across several interest areas, including STEM, visual arts, communication, and culinary studies. You can choose from three formats—apprenticeships, assistantships, or internships—depending on your age and experience level. If you join a STEM-focused internship, you’ll work on hands-on projects in areas like information technology, environmental science, or applied sciences. ASM also emphasizes personal development, giving you a chance to build self-confidence, explore your community, and make meaningful connections with peers and mentors. Regardless of the type of internship you choose, you’ll receive compensation for your time and effort.
9. Adler Planetarium Summer High School Internship
Location: Adler Planetarium
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend unspecified
Cohort Size: Approx. 20 interns across roles
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12
At the Adler Planetarium, the summer high school internship gives you an inside look at how a museum dedicated to science and space operates. This full-time program places you in roles where you might support visitor engagement, assist with high-altitude balloon experiments, or help create science education exhibits. You’ll work alongside professional museum staff, collaborate with other interns, and develop leadership and problem-solving skills throughout the summer. The science internship also includes networking opportunities and professional development sessions to help you think about future careers in STEAM fields. By participating, you not only get to explore your interest in science and astronomy but also gain experience in public engagement and behind-the-scenes museum operations.
10. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Location: NASA centers or virtual
Stipend: Paid and unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Fall: May 16; Spring: September 12; Summer: February 27
Eligibility: Full-time high school students over 16 years of age with a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships where high school students like you can contribute to ongoing projects in space science, engineering, robotics, and other technical areas. These internships take place at NASA centers across the country, with some virtual options available, and are open year-round. As an intern, you’ll be matched with a mentor and take part in tasks like analyzing satellite data, designing experiments, or studying microbial life in space environments. Through OSTEM, you’ll gain hands-on research experience while developing skills in problem-solving and scientific inquiry. Participation also connects you with a national network of scientists and engineers working at the forefront of discovery.
11. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Various locations; Will be within a 45-minute commute of your home
Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: About 3%, with 27 students making it to the final cohort each year
Dates: June – August (flexible)
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen (16+)
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a summer internship that matches you with a fisheries professional for an eight-week mentored experience in aquatic science and conservation. Depending on your placement, your work could include field tasks like fish population surveys, water quality testing, habitat restoration, and even snorkeling, as well as lab and data work. This program is available to high school students across the country and aims to promote greater awareness of careers in fisheries science and natural resource management. The mentorship element ensures you’re learning directly from professionals actively working in the field.
12. Columbia Brain Seminar for Teens and Opportunities for Research Mentorship (BrainSTORM)
Location: In-person, virtual, or hybrid; Location varies
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Up to 25 students (mentorship program)
Dates: Seminar Series: September – May; Mentorship Program: June – May
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: High school students
The BrainSTORM Program from Columbia University invites high school students to dive into neuroscience through a two-part experience: monthly virtual seminars and a research mentorship. The seminar series features topics like epilepsy, memory, brain injuries, and research design, with guest speakers from various neuroscience fields leading each session. If selected for the mentorship portion, you’ll be paired with a professional to work on a guided research project throughout the academic year. These projects may be done virtually or in person and culminate in a research symposium with poster presentations.
13. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) – Virtual Experience
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Eligibility: U.S. and Canadian high school juniors and seniors
The JHIBS program offers a virtual research experience for high school juniors and seniors interested in the neurological sciences. You’ll attend educational sessions on topics such as neuroanatomy, brain imaging, and experimental techniques, while also engaging in professional development and mentorship. The curriculum is designed to give students exposure to what it means to conduct research in neuroscience, even if they have limited prior experience. While you won’t be conducting hands-on experiments, the program helps build foundational knowledge in brain science and provides opportunities for networking with experts and fellow students. A certificate of completion is awarded at the end of the internship.
14. sci-MI Neuroscience Mentorship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: July 1 – August 10
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; Students underrepresented in neuroscience or without prior research experience are preferred
If you are curious about how the brain works and want to explore neuroscience research in a flexible, virtual setting, the sci-MI Neuroscience Mentorship Program could be a strong fit. This five-week summer experience is designed around independent research, weekly lectures, and journal clubs. You’ll work with open-access scientific resources and collaborate with mentors and peers to complete a project on a neuroscience topic of your choosing. Each student gives a final presentation and writes a research paper that can be used for school projects or academic applications. The program is free and built around the idea of making STEM education more accessible.
15. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote
Cost: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old for remote internships and at least 16 years old for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University is a research-driven opportunity where high school students collaborate directly with faculty mentors from the university and partner institutions. Over the course of eight weeks, participants build skills in scientific writing and communication, gain experience with advanced laboratory tools and technologies, and take part in forums and meetings that highlight different STEM career paths. The program concludes with a poster presentation, and exceptional projects may even lead to publication in scientific journals or presentations at professional conferences.
Image Source - Fermilab Logo