15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Canada

If you are in high school and interested in exploring science-related fields, STEM programs are an excellent way to learn more, gain practical experience through projects, and build a stronger foundation for your career. Whether you’re interested in studying engineering, medicine, biotechnology, genealogy, or math, these programs can help you learn through lectures, research work, projects, and lab work. High schoolers in Canada can access several STEM programs that offer structured learning and opportunities to collaborate with peers and mentors. 

To help you choose the best program, we’ve curated a list of the top 15 STEM Programs for high school students in Canada.

15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Canada 

1. High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS)

Location: University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Stipend: Approx $15/hour for 30-35 hours/week
Cohort size: 25-30 students
Dates: July 3 – August 14 (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Grade 11 students; Eligible to work in Canada; Reside in or north of Red Deer

The High School Youth Researcher Summer (HYRS) Program is a 6-week internship at the University of Alberta for students interested in exploring health and medical sciences. During the internship, you’ll work on emerging health technologies through lab work, research, and data analysis. Some projects you can expect to work on include preparing health data for machine learning applications, increasing acceptance of digital health solutions, and computer modeling for drug discovery. The program includes career exploration activities and skill development workshops. 

2. Ladder Internship Program

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

3. University of Toronto Blueprint

Location: University of Toronto, St George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free (accommodations and travel expenses not included)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Black students in grades 10 and 11

The University of Toronto hosts Blueprint, a 4-week program for Black students interested in exploring science, engineering, and allied fields. You’ll explore various engineering fields by taking courses such as Engineering and Human Health, and Mechatronics and Automation. You’ll study fundamental engineering concepts, learn the engineering design process, and participate in lab work. The program extends through the year, where you’ll have access to workshops, professional development training, and college application prep.

4. Veritas AI 

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available. 
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. 

Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here. 

5. FriYAY: CS for Girls

Location: Science Venture, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: September 23 - November 11 (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 - 12; girls and inclusive to youth who identify as non-binary, two-spirit, trans, and genderqueer 

University of Victoria’s Science Venture hosts FriYAY Club, where high school students can learn about coding and technology through activities. This STEM program for high school students in Canada takes place weekly, and each session introduces a new STEM topic, which you’ll explore through projects such as designing games and building circuits. You’ll learn how to tackle real-world problems through creative solutions while developing technical skills, experimenting, and building collaborative skills working with like-minded peers. 

6. Cumming School of Medicine Summer Studentship Program

Location: Centre for Health Informatics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Summer (8 weeks) 
Application Deadline: December 23
Eligibility: High school students

The Centre for Health Informatics' Summer Studentship is a program for students interested in data science and health informatics. You’ll gain health research experience while working alongside a researcher on a topic of your interest. Some projects you can work on include data visualization, health services, and health informatics. You’ll follow lab protocols, maintain a 35-hour work week, and work on a research report on your work. 

7. Queen’s Summer Engineering Academy (QSEA)

Location: Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
Cost: $250/week for junior programs; $300/week for intermediate; $450/week for senior courses + option to add accommodations & meals (extra CAD 1,050 + HST per week)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Week-long program that takes place in the summer (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 to 12 for the senior program; grade 9 students can apply through the intermediate program

The Queen's Summer Engineering Academy (QSEA) offers a practical learning experience for students interested in Engineering. You’ll explore engineering pathways through experiential activities and collaborative projects. QSEA offers different programs based on the engineering disciplines you’re interested in exploring, including Mechatronics and Robotics, Electrical and Computer, Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, Mining, Geological, Biomedical, and Engineering Chemistry. Depending on the course, you’ll be developing prototypes, working in labs, and learn from experts in the field while developing collaborative, communication, and critical thinking skills. 

8. Pre-University STEM Innovation Summer Program

Location: Various university campuses across Canada
Cost: Varies based on the program
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Varies based on location; typically July - August
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students from grades 9-12 for the high school cohort

The STEM Innovation Summer Program is an exploratory program for high school students in Canada who are interested in exploring pathways in medical science, engineering, math, robotics, and AI. You’ll attend college-level classes, work on projects, and collaborate with like-minded peers. Depending on the course you choose, you’ll get to develop technical skills, work on problem-solving, and gain practical experience through project work. You’ll also get a preview of college life, interact with professors and researchers, and figure out where your interests lie. 

9. Youth Summer Program

Location: University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Cost: Approximately $1668 per module for the Med program
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Program runs through the summer; typically July-August
Application Deadline: Applications are processed on a rolling basis and close around April
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12, based in Ontario

The Youth Summer Program, hosted by the University of Toronto, offers a summer experience for students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. This STEM program for high school students in Canada covers a diverse set of topics, such as Human Physiology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Forensics, and Microbiology. You will learn about the medical field through lab experiments, talking to researchers and experts, and attending interactive sessions. The program includes career exploration, college prep, and professional development.

10. Spark Lab Summer Program

Location: York University, Toronto, ON
Cost: CAD 495.00 per week
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Weekly sessions from July 7 to August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12

Spark Lab Summer Program helps high school students explore and gain experience in STEM through exploratory projects. In the program, you’ll explore various concepts in physics, biology, and chemistry through experiment-based lab work. You’ll work under the mentorship of grad students and professors. The program includes team-based activities with like-minded peers, career exploration, and a tour of college facilities and labs.

11. Pickering STEM Summer Camp

Location: Pickering College, Newmarket, ON
Cost: $7,450 ($7,250 with early bird discount)
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 29 - July 25 | July 27 - August 22
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis; early deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 12 and 16; international students welcome

Pickering College offers a summer camp experience for students interested in exploring STEM career pathways. You’ll learn about STEM by working on challenges, building your own prototypes, and working on collaborative projects. You’ll delve into topics such as 3D printing,  Internet of Things, robotics, coding, and geocaching technologies. Projects you’ll work on include creating 3D-printed designs, programming IoT devices, designing VR simulations, using GPS for geocaching, racing sustainably powered vehicles, and competing in a robotics showcase. The program also features planned weekly excursions to historically significant sites and on-campus activities, which help you develop your creativity, collaboration, and leadership skills. 

12. Quantum School for Young Students

Location: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate: Up to 200 students
Dates: Online: August 11–15 | Optional in-person lab day: August 18
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students

The Quantum School for Young Students, hosted by the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, is an enrichment program for high-school students. In the program, you’ll explore quantum physics through lectures, group discussions, and problem-solving. You’ll also get access to networking and mentoring with leading quantum researchers. This STEM program for high school students in Canada explores both theoretical and experimental sides of quantum by helping you develop a mathematical understanding and providing tools to understand the field better. 

13. Western Engineering Summer Academy (WESA)

Location: Western University, London, ON
Cost: $350
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Program takes place over 3 sessions - July 14 – 18; July 28 – August 1; August 11 – 15
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising Grade 7 to 12 students

The Western Engineering Summer Academy (WESA) is a summer STEM program for high school students in Canada that allows you to explore engineering through experiential learning. You’ll learn about various disciplines of engineering through practical projects. The program features collaborative activities and challenges that allow you to develop teamwork alongside like-minded peers. You’ll get a glimpse into college life through facility tours, meeting faculty, and experiencing what it's like to study engineering. 

14. Geneskool Summer Science Program 

Location: Program location varies over 4 university locations
Cost: Registration fee is $350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Four one-week sessions are available between July and August
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students entering Grade 9 or higher in the fall

The Geneskool Summer Science Program is an exploratory program for high school students interested in exploring the fields of molecular biology and biochemistry. The program includes instruction in topics such as biotechnology, genomics, blood typing, microbiology, and microscopy. You’ll learn about various concepts through lectures, conduct university-level experiments, collaborate with peers on activities, and receive mentorship. The program also includes interactive sessions and guest lectures on new concepts. 

15. Catalyst Summer Program

Location: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Cost: $715; Bursaries available to reduce cost; overnight accommodations cost extra
Acceptance rate: 25 spots per session
Dates: Session I – July 7-18 | Session II – July 21-August 1 | Session III – August 11-22
Application Deadline: January 13
Eligibility: High school student in grade 10 or higher

The Catalyst Summer Program is a 2-week leadership program for students interested in STEM career pathways. During the program, you’ll work on collaborative projects rooted in engineering, science, entrepreneurship, and research. You’ll practice design thinking and problem-solving while developing technical skills through work on practical projects. Additionally, the program features talks and workshops designed to help you develop leadership and professional skills. 

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