14 STEM Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
If you’re a high school student interested in STEM, joining a structured program can be a worthwhile way to explore the field. STEM programs for high school students help you understand how scientific and technical concepts are applied in a practical environment. These programs often include coursework, lab activities, and mentorship that introduce you to areas such as engineering design, data analysis, and scientific research. As a participant, you’ll gain exposure to how professionals think, experiment, and solve problems. You’ll also learn how to conduct experiments, read and write research papers, and present your work to your audience.
New Jersey is an excellent place for STEM programs for high school students, as it is home to many universities, research centers, and organizations. It provides access to campus facilities and exposure to current developments in technology and science. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 14 STEM programs for high school students in NJ (New Jersey).
1. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Remote or in-person at NASA centers across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Spring/Fall: 16 weeks | Summer: 10 weeks (May – August)
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are full-time students aged 16+ years with a GPA of 3.0+
NASA Internship Programs offer high school students the opportunity to work with scientists, engineers, and other professionals on projects spanning research, engineering, technology, and administrative areas. You can engage in tasks such as conducting experiments, analyzing data, developing software or hardware solutions, and supporting mission operations. Internships cover a wide range of STEM fields, as well as communications, business, and policy-related work. You will collaborate with teams on ongoing projects and gain hands-on exposure to processes involved in space exploration and aeronautics research. Some programs include mentorship from professionals in your field, providing guidance as you contribute to live NASA projects.
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. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, NJ (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 5–6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Local high school students, age 16+ years by June 15; must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) allows high school students to work on campus alongside Princeton faculty on active research projects in science or engineering. You engage in ongoing research projects, where you contribute to experiments, data collection, and analysis while learning about laboratory methods and scientific problem-solving. Each project follows a customized schedule over the summer, typically lasting 5–6 weeks during normal business hours, and you work closely with mentors to understand the research goals and outcomes. The program emphasizes direct lab engagement, requiring you to complete a two-page research summary report at the end of the internship. All activities are conducted on campus.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Waksman Student Scholars Program
Location: Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited; space is based on participating schools and labs
Dates: Year-long; begins with summer institutes and continues during the school year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the participating high school and the Rutgers schedule
Eligibility: High school students enrolled through participating schools
The Waksman Student Scholars Program at Rutgers University engages high school students in a year-long molecular biology and bioinformatics research project that begins with a summer institute and continues through the academic year at your school. You collaborate with teachers, fellow students, and research scientists to study genes using laboratory methods such as DNA purification, PCR, restriction digests, and gel electrophoresis. Once you isolate and analyze DNA samples, you compare gene sequences using bioinformatics tools and databases commonly used by research scientists. The project findings contribute to GenBank, where your published DNA sequence is listed under both the student’s and teacher’s names. Throughout the year, you continue your research in a class or club setting, expanding the scope of the investigation and performing data analysis. The program emphasizes authentic research collaboration and the publication of original genetic sequences.
6. Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science (MINDS)
Location: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks during July – August
Application Deadline: May (tentative)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from underprivileged backgrounds, minimum GPA of 3.0
The MINDS Program at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine is a program that allows high school students to examine how social and environmental factors influence health outcomes through coursework and discussions on the social determinants of health. You participate in research focused on health disparities in New Jersey and develop a project under the guidance of faculty mentors. The program combines virtual and in-person components, allowing you to attend seminars, clinical shadowing sessions, and site visits to local healthcare institutions. You also receive CPR/BLS certification and SAT preparation support as part of the experience. Throughout the internship, you work closely with peers and professionals to understand the connection between medicine, research, and community impact. The program concludes with presentations that showcase your research findings and learning outcomes.
7. NJIT – Forensic Science Initiative
Location: In-person at NJIT campus, Newark, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Registration Fee: $50; Tuition: $1,525 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Summer: July to August
Application Deadline: Specific deadlines that are not publicly disclosed
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors enrolled in a dual-credit forensic science course.
The NJIT Forensic Science Initiative (FSI) is a summer program designed to help high school students understand the practical applications of forensic science. You will engage in activities across multiple disciplines, including Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, Crime Scene Investigation, and Forensic Law. In NJIT's state-of-the-art laboratories, you will participate in simulated crime scene analyses and laboratory experiments, complemented by field research conducted at notable sites in the Greater Metropolitan Area. Beyond the technical skills, FSI emphasizes professional development through workshops on college preparation, SAT/ACT strategies, and crafting personal statements.
8. Kean University’s Group Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Kean University, Union, NJ (STEM Building)
Cost/Stipend: 4-week session: $2,500; 2-week session: $1,250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July (4-week and 2-week sessions)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Group Summer Scholars Research Program (GSSRP) offers high school students STEM research experiences under the guidance of faculty and graduate student mentors. You will participate in projects spanning across fields such as Scientific Computation, Cancer Biology, Machine Learning, Developmental Biology, and Modern Drug Discovery. The program develops skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and research documentation, while emphasizing collaborative problem-solving and teamwork. You will attend workshops on scientific instrumentation, professional skills, and STEM career pathways. You will also present your findings through reports or mini-seminars. Throughout the program, you will see how academic and industry research labs operate, from initial hypothesis formation to final discovery.
9. NJCCIC High School Cybersecurity Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Basics: July 14–18; Advanced: July 21–October
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Current NJ high school students, grades 9–12; Advanced program requires prior cybersecurity experience or prior NJCCIC internship
The NJCCIC internship program offers high school students the opportunity to explore cybersecurity through structured virtual sessions. If you are new to this field, the High School Cybersecurity Basics program introduces you to foundational concepts over a one-week cohort, where you collaborate with peers and complete guided exercises during morning or afternoon sessions. For students with prior experience, the High School Advanced Cybersecurity program allows you to engage in cybersecurity research and advanced topics over several weeks, including weekly virtual meetings and scheduled activities throughout the month. Both programs focus on practical hands-on exposure to cybersecurity tools and methods.
10. Colorado School of Mines: Computer Science Internship Program
Location: In-person and remote options
Cost/Stipend: $100 nominal fee for C4G track; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 6
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a strong interest in computer science and mathematics; no prior experience required
The Colorado School of Mines Summer Computing Internship is a 6-week program where you get to work on collaborative computing projects under the guidance of an undergraduate mentor. The program offers multiple tracks, including Computing for the Good (C4G), which focuses on technology that benefits communities, and DECtech, which emphasizes outreach and education. Faculty members also offer 2 to 4 research-focused internships for community college and high school students to assist with ongoing computer science studies. Depending on your placement, you may work on tasks such as software design, data analysis, or algorithm development, while learning how computing contributes to problem-solving in academic and social contexts. The internship can be completed either remotely or in person, depending on project type and availability.
11. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free; $300 of needs-based grant available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 2 weeks from July–August
Application Deadline: Spring (varies annually)
Eligibility: Current 9th to 11th graders
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a two-week virtual experience where you explore computer science and its applications through instructor-led lessons and hands-on project work. You attend daily live sessions to learn programming fundamentals, such as logic, loops, conditionals, and user-centered design. Using these concepts, you collaborate with your peers to create a playable game or interactive project from concept to final presentation. The curriculum also includes workshops on career exploration, where professionals from partner tech companies discuss their work and answer questions about the industry. You participate in community events that showcase how coding connects to creativity, problem-solving, and social impact. The program concludes with a showcase where you present your project and reflect on the design process. A limited number of needs-based grants are available to support participation.
12. Partners In Science – Liberty Science Center
Location: In person at research labs and college/university partner sites
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided upon successful completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 8-week summer program
Application Deadline: Mid-December
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Partners in Science connects high school students with mentors working in scientific, healthcare, and technical fields. As a participant, you are placed in a university or college laboratory contributing to a research project. During the program, you learn techniques such as experimental design, data analysis, and instrumentation. You also receive training in science communication, where you practice writing research summaries, delivering presentations, and discussing results. The program focuses on active participation in laboratory research and engagement with current investigations led by professional scientists.
13. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school seniors (for the summer after graduation)
The PPPL High School Summer Internship allows high school students to work alongside scientists and engineers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory on research projects related to plasma science and fusion energy. You will be paired with a mentor who guides you through a defined project that may involve experiments, data analysis, simulations, or engineering design. The program begins with orientation sessions and short workshops that introduce you to PPPL’s research environment and core scientific concepts. Throughout the internship, you will attend lab meetings, record and analyze experimental results, and gain insight into the daily operations of a national laboratory.
14. Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students
Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Mid-July – Mid-August
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S residents and who are at least 17 years old by July 1
The Coriell Summer Experience gives high school students the opportunity to explore genetic research in a professional biomedical setting. Over four weeks, you work alongside scientists and technicians to learn laboratory techniques such as DNA extraction, cell culture, and karyotyping. You also get to observe how biobanks operate and understand their role in advancing medical research. The program includes seminars on current scientific topics and opportunities to interact with professionals in the field. You conclude your experience by presenting what you’ve learned to Coriell staff and fellow participants.
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