15 Space Science Summer Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student curious about space, summer programs can be a smart first step towards exploring the field. Space science summer programs for high school students give you practical experience and a chance to meet mentors who work in the field. Many top colleges, organizations like NASA, and private outreach groups run summer academies, research internships, or online challenges related to space science. Participating in these programs can give you experience in areas like robotics, coding, satellite design, and astronomy. If you’re planning to apply to competitive colleges, participating in a summer program can help you stand out by signalling a deep interest in space science and learning.
Below, we have listed 15 space science summer programs for high school students.
15 Space Science Summer Programs for High School Students
1. NASA High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Both online & in-person at Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 270
Dates: Late October – Early April (online course) | June and July (on-site summer experience)
Application Deadline: September 24
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US citizens and Texas residents
The NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program is a year-long STEM learning experience specifically designed for Texas high school juniors. You start with a five-month online course covering space exploration, aeronautics, Earth science, and mission design. The highest achievers from this online phase are invited to a five-day virtual summer experience ("Moonshot") where they work in teams on Artemis-themed mission planning, mentored by NASA scientists and engineers. You build skills in coding, CAD, engineering, and scientific thinking, and complete design challenges and have discussions with NASA engineers and scientists. The best teams may earn an on-site visit to Johnson Space Center.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available / None
Cohort Size: 70 - 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts, such as spring, summer, winter, and fall available throughout the year; Summer Cohorts I and II start on June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Summer Cohort I: May 11; Summer Cohort II: June 23; apply here
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Through Ladder Internships, you work directly with startups, nonprofits, and research labs on meaningful projects. Ladder’s startups are backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have experience at companies like Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. You can explore areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, and space-related fields, depending on your mentor's availability. The program focuses on real-world work, so you learn how to manage tasks, solve problems, and present results. You also gain access to mentors who guide you through the internship and share insights from their own fields. Since many projects are remote, you collaborate with peers and professionals from around the world.
3. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) by JINA-CEE
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 24-36 students
Dates: July 20 – 25
Application Deadline: Typically early March
Eligibility: All high school students based in the United States
In this program, you spend a week at FRIB, a top nuclear physics lab, where you learn how atomic nuclei are connected to the universe’s origin. You will experiment, build models, and run simulations in labs, attend lectures by researchers, and explore concepts such as nucleosynthesis. You will meet scientists and peers deeply interested in astrophysics and work on group tasks and present your findings. By the end of the internship, you will leave with hands-on experience and a new grasp of nuclear science and cosmology. The program is fully funded, residential, and selective.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available
Cohort Size: 400+ students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Summer Cohort I starts June 2 and Summer Cohort II starts July 14
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; May 11 (Summer Cohort I); June 23 (Summer Cohort II); apply here
Eligibility: High school students
In the Lumiere Scholar Program, you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor from a top university to design and complete an independent research project. You gain hands-on experience in research methods, writing, and analysis while exploring fields like astrophysics, engineering, or space science. The program is flexible and conducted online, making it accessible from anywhere. Throughout the internship, you collaborate closely with your mentor, get structured feedback, and end with a polished paper or presentation. This mentorship-driven experience helps you develop research skills, engage in meaningful projects, and strengthen your academic profile with work that reflects scholarly standards. You may also be eligible to earn a UCSD credit.
5. Summer Science Program in Astrophysics
Location: Various universities
Cost/Stipend: $9,800; financial aid is available; free for students with families earning under $75,000 annually
Cohort Size: Around 36 students per site
Dates: Starts in mid to late June and ends in August
Application Deadline: January 24 (international students), February 21 (domestic students)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are in the process of completing any level of high school physics and precalculus by June | Be between 15 and 18 years of age
The Summer Science Program (SSP) in Astrophysics is a prestigious, intensive residential summer program for high school juniors interested in space and STEM research. You will join a small team and take images of near-Earth asteroids using professional telescopes. You will write code to determine their orbits, meet professors, scientists, and mentors who guide your research, attend guest lectures, go on field trips, and do recreational activities with your peers. You also get personal attention in a grade-free, honor-code environment. At the end of the program, you will produce real-world data and analyse it.
6. Stanford Online High School Summer Program - Life in the Cosmos
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $6,195; financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Around 15-30 students
Dates: Year-long
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Current sophomore, junior, or senior at the time of application | At least 16 years old at the start of the program and not more than 19 by the program end
The Stanford Online High School Summer Program "Life in the Cosmos" is a year-long astrobiology course designed for high school students who want to explore the possibility of life beyond Earth. This program situates Earth within the vast universe by examining the scientific and philosophical aspects of life in the cosmos, teaching you about astrobiology, scientific instruments, pattern designing, and citizen science projects informed by NASA research. You explore the origins of life, design prototypes for space challenges, and join citizen science tied to NASA projects. You also read and write stories about stars and tackle the ethics and science of space exploration.
7. Yale Young Global Scholars - Innovations in Science & Technology
Location: Both virtual and in-person at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Cost: $7,000 + $80-$95 application fee; financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Approximately 1,800 students each year
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 3; Session II: July 5 – 17; Session III: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: January 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors globally aged between 16-18, and must be a first-time participant
This two-week academic summer experience is designed for high school students interested in exploring a wide array of STEM fields like physics, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, astronomy, engineering, neuroscience, immunology, psychology, and earth science. In this program, you explore astronomy through lectures and seminars, and build critical thinking and analytic skills by working in teams. You will be part of small-group discussions and hands-on activities, where faculty and experts guide you through big questions about finding new planets, editing genes, and solving pollution. You also attend interactive lectures such as “Dwarf Galaxies, Dark Matter, and the Milky Way” and workshops on quantum mechanics and AI.
8. ASTRO 1105 The Universe (Cornell Pre-college)
Location: Online (asynchronous)
Cost/Stipend: $5,820 ($1,940 per credit for three credits); financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Around 35 students
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: All high school students
This online course is designed to introduce high school students to astronomy and the origins of the universe. You explore key topics such as the history of cosmic discoveries, the life cycle of stars, the structure of galaxies, and the expanding universe through a mix of lectures and multimedia resources. Activities include analyzing real astronomical data, participating in interactive discussions in small groups, solving problem sets related to cosmic phenomena, and engaging in critical thinking exercises about the universe’s mysteries. Unique to this program is its small discussion sections, which foster personal interaction and deeper understanding. You develop skills in scientific observation, data interpretation, and logical reasoning.
9. REACH (Research Experiences in Astronomy at CIERA for High School Students)
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost/Stipend: $2,500 for Core Program + $1500 for REACH Further; partial or full tuition waivers are available
Cohort Size: About 50 - 55 students
Dates: Core Programs (Session 1: June 16 – July 3; Session 2: July 7 – 25); REACH Further (Session 1: July 7 – 25; Session 2: July 28 – August 15)
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12
In this program, you spend three weeks at CIERA, learning astronomy research in teams. You begin with hands-on training in Python programming, data visualization, astro imaging, and high-performance computing, which you apply to mini-projects tied to real CIERA research. You also engage in social activities like solar observing, college panels, and group games. A small group may continue with REACH Further, working one-on-one with a scientist mentor on a deeper project and presenting findings. The program welcomes beginners, offers financial aid, and builds both research skills and peer connection in a supportive, focused setting.
10. Science Camps of America - Science Camp for Teens
Location: Pahala, Hawaiʻi Island
Cost/Stipend: Deposit of $375 + $2,895 per 10-day session; discounts and limited scholarships are available
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: July 1 – 10; Session 2: July 11 – 20
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students aged 13-17 in grades 8-12 at the start of the camp
The Science Camps of America - Science Camp for Teens is an immersive summer program held on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, where the natural environment becomes the classroom. You explore diverse ecosystems, land, sea, air, and space, and learn field methods in ecology, marine science, botany, oceanography, and climatology. You hike, snorkel, and observe habitats up close, work with instructors in small groups, and enjoy a supportive environment. You experience hands-on science in nature and connect with peers who share your curiosity. The camp values inclusion and offers aid to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
11. Penn Arts & Sciences - Experimental Physics Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: $10,050 + $100 application fee; limited scholarships available for select students from the School District of Philadelphia
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students | Minimum 3.5 GPA
The Penn Arts & Sciences - Experimental Physics Research Academy is a fully residential summer program for high school students interested in modern physics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum dynamics, and astrophysics. In this program, you spend three weeks at Penn exploring how physics explains the universe, during which you will attend lectures. You will be part of laboratory sessions where you practice experimental design, data analysis, and coding for simulations, and create scientific arguments. You also meet researchers and attend site visits in campus labs. You present findings to peers and faculty in group projects, sharpening communication skills.
12. Advanced Teen Astronomy Camp in Arizona
Location: Mt. Lemmon Observatory
Cost/Stipend: $1,900; scholarships are available
Cohort Size: Around 25 students
Dates: Week-long camp held typically in late June
Application Deadline: On a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 18
The Advanced Teen Astronomy Camp in Arizona is a week-long summer program held at the Mount Lemmon Observatory near Tucson, where you will use research-grade telescopes and modern instruments. You propose your own observing or imaging project, such as tracking asteroids, classifying spectra, or photographing variable stars. You will work with astronomy graduate counselors and Dr. Don McCarthy in small teams and visit the world’s largest telescopes (like the Large Binocular Telescope) and the University of Arizona’s Mirror Lab. Throughout the internship, you learn how to analyze data, write reports, and present your findings to peers.
13. Columbia University’s Astronomy and Astrophysics
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $12,764; Commuter: $6,310 + $80 application fee
Cohort Size: 20 - 40 students
Dates: July 22 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically mid-April
Eligibility: All high school students
Columbia University’s Astronomy and Astrophysics summer program is an in-person pre-college course held on Columbia’s campus in New York City. In this program, you study astronomy and astrophysics, and trace the universe from ancient astronomy to exoplanets, black holes, cosmology, and dark energy. You will learn through lectures, discussions, and problem-solving that cover Newton’s laws, light, nuclear physics, orbital dynamics, and star life cycles. You will use math to explore sun behavior, galaxies, element formation, and the expansion of space, and work alongside peers in small classes and access university resources.
14. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Across various NASA centers in the U.S.
Stipend: Paid based on their academic level and session duration
Cohort Size: 2,000+ students annually
Dates: Summer internships run 10 weeks from late May/early June to August
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students | U.S. citizen | At least 16 years old at the time of application | 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
As a NASA intern, you will collaborate closely with NASA scientists and engineers on actual challenges across various fields such as aerospace engineering, planetary science, systems design, and data science. Your projects might involve designing spacecraft components, running simulations, analyzing mission data, or contributing to the development of new technologies. You will have the opportunity to engage in active research projects and utilize advanced NASA laboratories and technologies. This experience helps you gain hands-on research skills and technical expertise, while also learning to operate within collaborative, high-pressure scientific environments. The internship program is mentor-driven, focusing on practical problem-solving and effective professional communication.
15. Space Exploration: The Road to Mars (Rice University)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,795; need-based scholarships are available
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students ages 13 and up
This program by Rice University is an online course designed for high school students interested in space science. In this program, you explore the history of space exploration, key missions like the moon landings, and current plans to explore Mars. Throughout the course, you analyze spacecraft designs, create your Mars mission plan, and collaborate with peers through mentor-guided projects. The program's unique features include personalized mentor support and a flexible online format that allows you to learn at your own pace. The program helps you develop critical thinking, scientific analysis, and project management skills, all highly valued in college admissions.
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