15 Science Programs for High School Students

Participating in science programs as a high school student is a good opportunity to gain practical experience in the field and observe the work conducted by professional scientists. These programs help you develop skills early, gain exposure to research tools, and explore various career pathways. You’ll establish valuable mentorship relationships with professors, graduate students, or professionals working in STEM fields. Participating in a selective science program can also boost your college applications by demonstrating your interest and ability in the field.  

If you’re someone who loves biology, chemistry, space, engineering, technology, or other science fields, then programs like these can be a great way to learn more. Many science programs are designed and hosted by top universities, hospitals, and industry-leading organizations, giving you a glimpse into what advanced science looks like. In this list, we’ve narrowed down the top 15 science programs for high school students.

15 Science Programs for High School Students

1. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)

Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $75 nonrefundable application fee; Unpaid 
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 100 students
Dates: 5-6 weeks in the summer 
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors (16+); Must have at least 740 or higher PSAT Math Scores, 700 or higher Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Scores, 33 or more ACT Math scores, and at least 34 verbal scores

RSI begins with intensive STEM courses led by MIT professors, followed by five weeks of original research conducted in collaboration with scientists. As a participant, you will address advanced challenges in fields such as molecular biology, chemistry, and astrophysics, tailored to your interests. By the conclusion of the program, you will produce a report resembling a scientific paper and deliver a professional presentation of your findings. Aside from research work, you’ll also go on field trips to cultural attractions and science and technology facilities in the Boston Area. As one of the most selective science programs for high school students, completing RSI indicates a strong academic background.

2. Ladder Internships Program

Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Depends on cohort
Eligibility: High school students

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program designed for motivated high school students. As a participant, you’ll spend eight weeks interning with high-growth start-ups across various industries, including technology, deep tech, AI/ML, health technology, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. The start-ups involved in the program typically have experienced significant growth, often raising over one million dollars. During your internship, you’ll collaborate closely with your managers on real-world projects and present your work to the company. 

3. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee; $500 stipend
Cohort Size: ~50 students
Dates: June 8 – July 30 
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors (16+)

During the SIMR program, you will conduct lab research in areas like genetics, neurology, cancer, and immunology. You’ll learn lab methods such as pipetting, cell culture, and analyzing biological samples, depending on your mentor. Aside from this, you’ll attend guest talks from scientists and clinicians who work directly with patients or study new treatments. The program ends with a poster session where you present your findings. It’s a good introduction to what it’s like working in medical research long-term.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available 
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Current high school students in good academic standing 

During the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you will work one-on-one with a Ph.D. researcher to explore science topics in depth and produce an independent research paper. Your mentor will guide you through developing a research question, designing methods, and analyzing results, similar to college-level research. You can choose topics from fields like chemistry, physics, psychology, and computer science, and more, allowing you to tailor the project to your interests. Additionally, you may have the option to submit your paper to journals or competitions. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here. 

5. DACCPM Summer Research Program

Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX
Stipend: $3,600 
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 17 – January 14
Eligibility: High school students (18+)

The DACCPM Summer Research Program is a biomedical initiative that provides hands-on experience in cancer research, laboratory technologies, and clinical science. As a participant, you will be mentored by a medical researcher, complete an individual project, and present your work at the conclusion of the program. Weekly professional workshops are designed to enhance skills in scientific writing, explore graduate school pathways, and emphasize laboratory safety protocols. You will also have the opportunity to publish an abstract of your work. The program is especially beneficial for individuals interested in pursuing careers in healthcare or oncology.

6. Simons Summer Research Program

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: <5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors (16+); U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The Simons Summer Research Program provides opportunities to join research teams in fields like molecular biology, pharmacology, computer science, and astronomy. With guidance from faculty mentors, you will develop laboratory skills and analyze data in ways that mimic college research experiences. Additionally, you will prepare a formal abstract and create a professional poster for your research presentation. Due to its competitive nature, participation in this program reflects a high level of aptitude and preparedness for a science-focused college pathway.

7. Washington University Young Scientist Program (YSP)

Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Stipend: $4,500
Cohort Size: 15-18 students
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Rising seniors in the St. Louis area

Washington University’s Young Scientist Program (YSP) provides you with full-time access to biomedical laboratories and mentorship from graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. You will design experiments, analyze samples, and develop scientific writing skills throughout the program. Weekly sessions focused on career development and college readiness will help you explore various pathways within STEM fields. Ultimately, you will present your research findings at a symposium attended by professional researchers. This program offers a highly supportive environment for those interested in gaining practical experience in laboratory research.

8. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, or Farmington, CT
Stipend: $7,000 
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: May 30 – August 7 (Bar Harbor, ME); May 30 – August 10 (Farmington, CT)
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school seniors (18+); U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program emphasizes research in genetics and genomics, providing an opportunity to engage in biomedical discovery. As a participant, you will design experiments, collect data, and gain insights into how genetics impacts disease. Mentors will support you throughout the entire scientific process, including data analysis and presentation skills. Additionally, the program includes seminars that explore various career options in science. 

9. MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES)

Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA (virtual options available) 
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Late June – Early August (duration varies by program)
Application Deadline: November – February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents

MITES provides an opportunity to explore science and engineering disciplines through lab work, research projects, and activities through three different programs: MITES Saturdays, MITES Semester, and MITES Summer. As a participant, you will take courses in areas such as engineering design, machine learning, bioengineering, physics, and more, tailored to your current skill levels. You’ll also get to attend field trips, lab tours, and group challenges that demonstrate how scientists translate ideas into real-world innovations. You will be in a collaborative environment with motivated peers, fostering opportunities to learn from others. 

10. STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES)

Location: UT Austin, Austin, TX (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Around 10%
Dates: June – July; See details here 
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: U.S. current high school sophomores or juniors (16+)

SEES provides opportunities to explore Earth and space science topics through satellite data and NASA tools. As a participant, you will develop skills in coding, climate analysis, remote sensing, and environmental science while collaborating on a team project led by experts. During the on-site segment, you will gain exposure to real NASA facilities and learn about careers in space-related fields. The final symposium offers a chance to present your research to scientists and peers. This program is ideal for individuals interested in climate science or pursuing a future career with aerospace organizations.

11. Stanford University: SHTEM Summer Internships

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $95 nonrefundable application fee; Travel stipend may be offered to select students; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors (14+) 

The SHTEM internship offers you the chance to participate in interdisciplinary research projects that combine science, technology, the humanities, engineering, and mathematics (STHEM). You’ll work 30-40 hours weekly under Stanford faculty and grad-student mentors while exploring research fields such as linguistics, psychology, and imaging. Each project teaches problem-solving, collaboration, and how to apply academic concepts in real situations. The program ends with a presentation where you showcase the progress you made. This is one of the best science programs for high school students who want to build a strong science-focused experience for their college applications.

12. NYU ARISE

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000 
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 6 – February 21
Eligibility: NYC rising juniors and seniors 

The ARISE program assigns you to research laboratories that focus on fields such as robotics, chemical engineering, bioengineering, and other technological disciplines. It provides training in fundamental skills before you start to engage in hands-on scientific work. You’ll also attend communication workshops designed to enhance confidence in conveying scientific concepts. The program concludes with a poster presentation event, offering valuable experience in scientific presentation skills. Additionally, college support resources are available throughout the program to assist you in planning your future endeavors in STEM fields.

13. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 24 students
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Opens mid-December 
Eligibility: First-generation and low-income high school juniors in Northern California

The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a five-week on-site, full-time program that supports low-income, first-generation students interested in medicine and public health careers. As a participant, you’ll experience clinical exposure through hospital internships and learn how science applies to patient care. You’ll also collaborate with faculty and healthcare professionals while completing a real public health research project that tackles health disparities in local communities. You’ll attend seminars covering college readiness topics like leadership, admissions guidance, and scientific communication. By the end, you'll have a college-level research paper and final presentation, which is a strong accomplishment for future STEM applications.

14. NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS)

Location: Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Year-long; More info here
Application Deadline: September 27
Eligibility: Texas high school juniors

HAS offers insights into engineering and space missions through online modules developed by NASA. As a participant, you will engage in design challenges and exercise your creativity through mission planning activities. Outstanding performance in the online course may lead to an invitation to participate in a summer program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. During this experience, you will collaborate with a team to develop a space exploration plan under the guidance of NASA scientists. The combination of coursework and practical hands-on activities provides an engaging opportunity for those interested in space.

15. The Summer Science Program (SSP)

Location: Various university campuses across the U.S.
Cost: $9,800; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~10%; 35 students
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer 
Application Deadline: International: January 24; Domestic: February 21 
Eligibility: Current high school juniors aged 15-19; Prerequisites vary by track

SSP is one of the nation’s oldest residential STEM education programs that gives you the chance to participate in five weeks of science research. As a participant, you can choose from five tracks: Astrophysics, Synthetic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Bacterial Genomics. During the program, you will collect real-world data, conduct experiments, and apply university-level science concepts daily. You will also collaborate in team-based environments, fostering communication and time-management skills. Guest lectures and field trips provide exposure to professional scientists.

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