15 STEM Internships for High School Students in Oklahoma

A STEM internship in high school is a practical way to move beyond classroom theory and work on problems, whether involving coding, lab research, or engineering design. Through a STEM internship, you'll build technical skills, get a sense of what different STEM careers look like, and add to your college applications.

What STEM internships are available for high school students in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma has STEM internships in aerospace, energy, and biotechnology. The state's network of technology centers and research universities connects you to work in areas like aviation maintenance, renewable energy systems, and biomedical research. Many programs also offer industry-recognized certifications or college credit, which adds value beyond the experience itself. 

We compiled a list of 15 STEM internships for high school students in Oklahoma, focusing on programs that are reputable and accessible.

1. Fleming Scholars Program

Location: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Stipend: At least $5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohorts
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school seniors who are Oklahoma residents at the time of graduation, are at least 16 years old, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

This program places you in a professional biomedical laboratory at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, where you will work on an individual research project under the mentorship of senior scientists. You will gain hands-on experience performing bench research while learning core laboratory techniques, experimental design, and data analysis. The program includes weekly seminars and professional development workshops that introduce you to careers in biomedical research and scientific communication. You will develop research communication skills by writing an abstract summarizing your project and delivering a formal scientific presentation on your findings. In addition to lab work, the program incorporates social and cultural activities that encourage collaboration among scholars. 

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (Spring: January; Summer: May; Fall: September; Winter: November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks

This selective virtual internship program places you on a real project team at a high-growth startup, allowing you to gain hands-on experience in a professional setting. You will work on industry-relevant projects in areas such as technology, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and related fields. The program matches you with fast-growing, well-funded startups, offering exposure to dynamic work environments and real business challenges. Throughout the program, you will receive structured mentorship from both a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach who will provide guidance and feedback. The internship emphasizes independent problem-solving, collaboration, and professional accountability. Each cohort concludes with a formal presentation of your project deliverables to the host company. Apply now!

3. Stillwater Medical Foundation High School Fellowships

Location: Stillwater Medical Center, Stillwater, OK
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 4 students per summer
Dates: 6 weeks between June and July
Application Deadline: First Monday of April
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors living in the Stillwater Medical service area

The SMC Foundation High School Fellowships Program offers a structured, paid opportunity for you to gain early exposure to healthcare and community-focused careers. Through the program, you will participate in professional development activities, mentorship, and experiences designed to build workplace readiness and leadership skills. Fellows are introduced to real-world healthcare environments and learn how hospitals and health systems serve their communities. The program emphasizes career exploration, communication skills, and personal growth while connecting you with professionals across multiple disciplines. You will also develop a clearer understanding of postsecondary pathways in health and STEM-related fields.

4. Tinker Air Force Base Pathways Internship

Location: Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK
Cost/Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies annually based on funding and departmental vacancies
Dates: Year-round or summer (Flexible based on student's academic schedule)

Application Deadline: Varies as per the internship
Eligibility: Ages 16+; U.S. citizen; Enrolled in high school with minimimum 2.0 GPA

The Tinker Air Force Base Pathways Internship allows you to explore STEM careers by working alongside professional defense teams. This program covers diverse topics, including aerospace maintenance, sheet metal mechanics, and aircraft systems technology. You will get to repair vital aircraft components, assist with technical inspections, shadow senior maintenance engineers, and help streamline industrial workflows. Unlike typical programs, this is a paid federal position that can lead directly to a permanent civilian career once you graduate. By participating, you will develop technical troubleshooting, collaborative problem-solving, and professional workplace skills. It is an incredible opportunity to gain real-world experience and serve your country while still in high school.

5. Francis Tuttle Technology Center Internship Program

Location: Multiple campuses in Oklahoma City and Edmond, OK (Rockwell, Danforth, Reno, and Portland)
Cost/Stipend: Paid and unpaid options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; typically 15–25 students per career track
Dates: August – May

Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Through the Francis Tuttle STEM internship program, you dive into fields like engineering, computer science, and biosciences by working with professionals at companies such as Boeing or OG&E. Your experience will involve activities like troubleshooting robotic systems, testing software for bugs, and creating physical prototypes for projects. The program places you in professional environments typically reserved for college students, providing a distinct head start on your career. While there, you develop technical proficiency alongside essential skills like collaborative project management and critical thinking. This immersive experience ensures you graduate with the practical expertise and confidence needed to excel in competitive university programs.

6. Native OKStars Research Internship

Location: OSU Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 15–20 students
Dates: Typically, early June – mid-July

Application Deadline: Typically, late April
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, specifically for Native American students

In this program, you will explore diverse topics, including forensic sciences, biomedical research, data mining, and athletic training, with a specific focus on addressing tribal health disparities. Throughout the summer, you will conduct laboratory experiments, attend professional development workshops, shadow tribal healthcare providers, and present your original findings at a formal research symposium. This program is unique for its one-on-one mentorship with Native medical students and the integration of cultural components specifically tailored for American Indian high schoolers. By participating, you’ll develop critical skills in scientific data analysis, advanced laboratory techniques, and professional networking within the healthcare community.

7. Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden – Junior Curator Teens Program

Location: Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Cost/Stipend: $15 uniform shirt cost / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; roughly 50-60 students
Dates: October 4 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–17 on August 1

This youth program offers hands-on exposure to zoo, garden, and conservation-related careers through direct involvement with daily operations at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. As a Junior Curator, you will assist zoo staff with animal and plant care while learning about conservation, wildlife education, and professional responsibility. The program emphasizes long-term engagement, requiring you to complete structured training, attend monthly meetings, and participate in conservation-focused activities throughout the year. You will also interact with zoo guests, helping educate the public about wildlife and environmental stewardship. The experience develops practical life skills like teamwork, communication, and accountability in a real-world setting. 

8. Rose State College STEM Peer Mentor/Internship

Location: Rose State College Campus, Midwest City, OK
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 10–15 students
Dates: Typically, early June – late July
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-April
Eligibility: Local high school juniors and seniors with a 3.0+ GPA and STEM interest

In the Rose State College STEM Peer Mentor and internship program, you will explore technical subjects including engineering, data science, and computer programming. As a participant, you'll lead concept-based study sessions, assist with lab activities, and engage in professional networking workshops. The program focuses on helping high school students transition to college through direct peer-to-peer modeling and industry partnerships. By working in state-of-the-art facilities, you gain a practical understanding of how STEM applies to real-world challenges. This experience ensures you are well-prepared for both higher education and the modern technical workforce. 

9. OMRF Teen Leaders Program

Location: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; no more than 3 students per school
Dates: September – April (monthly sessions; does not meet in December)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Oklahoma high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

The OMRF Teen Leaders Program is a leadership and outreach initiative designed for high school students who want to develop leadership skills while engaging with science-driven community impact. Through workshops, group activities, and mentorship, you will build skills in teamwork, project management, public speaking, and civic engagement. Although the program is not science-intensive, it provides exposure to biomedical research at OMRF, including opportunities to meet scientists and learn how research translates into impact. A central component of the program is a collaborative capstone project in which you and your peers design and host a fundraising event to support OMRF’s mission.

10. OU Health – Club Scrubs

Location: OU Health Campus, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; 40–80 students per session
Dates: Academic year (weekly meetings on Tuesdays)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: All high school students

Club Scrubs is a hands-on, interactive program designed to introduce you to a wide range of health and medical careers. Through regular meetings on the OU Health Campus, you will engage with current OU Health students, faculty, and staff to learn about different healthcare fields and professional pathways. The program emphasizes experiential learning, allowing you to explore topics related to medicine, health sciences, and STEM through guided activities and discussions. You will also gain exposure to higher education environments and learn what it takes to pursue postsecondary training in healthcare. Participation is competitive and requires acceptance into the program, reinforcing commitment and engagement.

11. OU Health – SPARK Summer Program

Location: OU Health Campus, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 20–30 students per session
Dates: Summer (usually a 1-week intensive)
Application Deadline: Typically, spring
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors

The SPARK Summer Program is an in-person enrichment experience that introduces you to careers in medicine through hands-on activities and interactive discussions. During the program, you will engage with faculty from multiple medical specialties, gaining insight into clinical practice and medical education pathways. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, allowing you to explore medical concepts in a structured academic environment. You will also have opportunities to ask questions, learn about different specialties, and better understand the daily work of healthcare professionals. The program takes place on the OU Health Campus, offering direct exposure to a real medical setting. 

12. Oklahoma Science Training & Research Students (OKStars) Summer Research Program

Location: OSU Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 15–20 students per summer
Dates: June 1 – July 10
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors

The OKStars Summer Research Program is an intensive, six-week biomedical research experience that immerses you in a college-level research environment. You will work closely with a faculty mentor as part of an active research team, contributing to ongoing projects using modern laboratory instrumentation and analytical methods. Research areas span biomedical sciences, forensic sciences, data analytics, and athletic training, depending on faculty participation. The program includes weekly lunch-and-learn sessions focused on academic and professional development topics such as resume writing, research presentation, and college and medical school preparation. You may also have opportunities to present your work at OSU research events alongside medical students and graduate researchers. 

13. Youth Medical Mentorship (YMM) After-School Programs

Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (in-person; some activities may be hybrid)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; 30 students per after-school session
Dates: Year-round (program runs across the school year)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: All high school students

The Youth Medical Mentorship Program is a structured, academic-year initiative designed to introduce you to careers in medicine and healthcare through mentorship and hands-on learning. The program pairs you with medical students or healthcare professionals who guide you on academic planning, career exploration, and professional development. The curriculum includes interactive workshops, clinical exposure activities, and discussions focused on health equity, medical pathways, and community impact. You will also gain insight into college preparation and the steps required to pursue medical or health-related careers. The program emphasizes long-term mentorship and peer support, helping you build confidence and clarity around future goals.

14. FAA Volunteer Service Program

Location: Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rate not specified; cohort size varies based on the needs of individual FAA departments
Dates: Year-round (Flexible; includes Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter sessions)

Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old who are U.S. Citizens

Through the FAA Volunteer Service Program in Oklahoma, you can immerse yourself in a professional STEM environment at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. This program covers diverse topics, including aerospace engineering, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, and aviation safety research. You will participate in activities like operating advanced flight simulators, touring the FAA Academy hangars, and observing aircraft crash scene investigations at the boneyard. The program provides an opportunity to work alongside federal experts in a real-world setting while earning valuable educationally related work experience. By the end, you will have gained essential skills in technical problem-solving, critical thinking, and professional communication.

15. Science Museum Oklahoma Teen Apprentice Program

Location: Science Museum Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 15–25 students
Dates: Year-long (Starts in Summer; includes monthly Saturday meetings)

Application Deadline: Late Spring
Eligibility: Students aged 13–17

In the Science Museum Oklahoma Teen Apprentice Program, you dive into a year-long STEAM journey that connects classroom learning with professional museum work. You explore all STEAM disciplines: science, technology, engineering, art, and math, while assisting with hands-on camps and tinkering workshops. You get a chance to design teen-only museum nights and gain exclusive access to world-class exhibits. You'll work alongside professionals to facilitate interactive demonstrations and manage maker spaces for visitors. These activities sharpen vital skills in critical thinking, public communication, and teamwork. Ultimately, you gain a professional edge and a clear vision for your future career in the sciences.