15 STEM Programs for High School Students in NYC (New York City)
Getting involved in a STEM program as a high school student can help you learn more about subjects that interest you and build useful skills for college. You’ll gain experience with tools and methods used in science, technology, engineering, and math while practicing collaboration, problem-solving, and communication. These experiences can give you a clearer sense of your academic interests and possible career paths, as well as prepare you for the type of work you might encounter in college or the workplace.
New York City offers unique advantages if you’re interested in STEM. The city has many universities, research labs, museums, and startups that host programs for high schoolers. Whether you want to study neuroscience in a university lab, design a digital game at a museum, or gain exposure to AI research, there are opportunities to match a wide range of interests. To help you explore your options, here are 15 STEM programs for high school students in NYC worth checking out.
15 STEM Programs for High School Students in NYC (New York City)
1. Applied Research In Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 6 – February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who live and attend school in NYC
Through ARISE, you’ll spend ten weeks at NYU combining training with hands-on research in one of more than 80 labs. The program begins with workshops on lab safety, research skills, and college-level writing, before transitioning into six weeks of active research alongside faculty and mentors. You’ll log around 120 hours of lab time while contributing to real projects in fields across science and engineering. In addition to technical skills, you’ll develop presentation abilities, practice public speaking, and share your work at both an NYU colloquium and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Four cohorts annually: spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships connects you directly to start-ups, where your contributions focus on real projects that companies need. Over eight weeks, you’ll dedicate time to tasks such as coding, strategy development, market analysis, building MVPs (minimum viable products), and more. Unlike classroom-based programs, this experience puts you in a workplace setting where your work adds value to the organization. You’ll also practice professional skills such as presenting research, designing pitch decks, and collaborating with mentors. The internship format provides a clearer understanding of how technology and business intersect, particularly at the early stages of a company.
3. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipends may be awarded to students experiencing financial hardship
Cohort Size: 32 students
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
SSRP is a STEM program for high school students in NYC where you’ll join a research team modeled after the structure of an actual lab. Each group of students works under the guidance of multiple mentors from the Tri-Institutions: Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell. Early in the summer, you’ll learn core lab techniques and get oriented to your team’s chosen research area. Soon after, you’ll identify a question within that field and spend several weeks experimenting, gathering data, and refining your approach. The program concludes with a symposium where you’ll present your team’s findings.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; The AI Fellowship requires completion of AI Scholars or prior experience with Python
Veritas AI focuses on artificial intelligence, giving you the chance to learn key concepts and apply them through project work. The program offers two main tracks: in AI Scholars, you’ll collaborate with a small group to build a guided project, while in the AI Fellowship, you’ll work one-on-one with a mentor to design a novel AI model. Both paths emphasize building a strong foundation in AI while applying Python to solve real-world problems. You’ll practice not just coding but also explaining your project and documenting your work. By the end, you’ll have a tangible outcome that shows your ability to combine technical knowledge with creativity.
5. High School Catalyst Program
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center labs, NY
Stipend: A stipend may be provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: Typically late March
Eligibility: NYC area high school students from underrepresented backgrounds
In the Catalyst Program, you’ll be paired with a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher to complete a six-week biomedical research project. You’ll work about 25 hours each week in the lab, attend team meetings, and participate in journal clubs, panels, and workshops that mirror the activities of professional scientists. Your mentor helps you learn new experimental methods, interpret results, and understand the broader research field. By the end of the summer, you’ll present your research at a closing ceremony and student symposium. For high school students interested in medical research, this STEM program in NYC offers an in-depth look at how scientists approach discovery.
6. Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,880 (commuter); $10,705 (residential); Scholarships are available
Cohort Size: 25 students/class
Dates: July 6 – July 24 and July 17 – Aug 14
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates
SHAPE is a three-week pre-college engineering program at Columbia University that allows you to take one intensive, project-based course in areas such as robotics, data science, or biomedical engineering. You’ll select a subject for the session and spend your time learning directly from faculty while applying concepts to real design challenges. Alongside your main course, you’ll also take electives and workshops that help you build technical and problem-solving skills. Company visits and interaction with Columbia students provide additional insight into engineering careers and study paths.
7. STEM Research Academy
Location: City University of New York (CUNY) or City College of New York (CCNY) labs, NY
Stipend: $1,575 (tentative)
Cohort Size: 25 students in spring; 10 of whom will be accepted to the internship
Dates: Spring session: February 11 – May 22; Summer internship: June 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: New York City Public High School 10th or 11th-graders. See here for detailed eligibility requirements
If you’re looking for a long-term introduction to scientific work, the STEM Research Academy is one of the more structured STEM programs for high school students in NYC. It combines a semester-long course with a summer internship to give you extended exposure to research. In the spring, you’ll take a 45-hour science course at City College that introduces you to research design and lab practice. If you complete the course successfully, you can continue into a five-week summer placement where you work in a CUNY or CCNY lab under faculty guidance. The summer internship requires regular lab hours and ends with a poster presentation both on campus and at the American Museum of Natural History.
8. NY BioForce
Location: Various academic/industry labs and healthcare institutions in NYC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: April 5 – August 15 (spring training + summer internship)
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: 11th or 12th graders attending a NYCDOE public or charter high school with demonstrated educational and/or economic disadvantage
New York Bioforce is a STEM program for high school students in NYC that combines structured training with an intensive summer internship. In the spring, you’ll spend about 100 hours in Saturday sessions and evening seminars focused on research skills, lab safety, and professional development. By summer, you’ll transition into a six-week placement at a research lab or health care institution, working about 25 hours a week under the guidance of a mentor. Past placements have included labs at Columbia Engineering, Weill Cornell Medicine, and industry partners like the New York Proton Center. The program concludes with a poster session at the American Museum of Natural History, where you’ll present your internship findings.
9. Science Research Mentoring Program
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Stipend: $2,500
Cohort Size: Around 60 students
Dates: August – June (SRMP Summer Institute + one-year mentored research experience)
Application Deadline: Opens in January
Eligibility: New York City 10th or 11th-graders. You can find additional criteria here
SRMP is a year-long opportunity to take part in authentic research at the American Museum of Natural History. You’ll meet twice a week with peers and a scientist mentor to contribute to a project that has never been done before, such as analyzing DNA from unusual species or interpreting telescope data from space. Over the course of the year, you’ll build technical skills like coding, lab work, and data analysis while also learning to communicate your findings through writing and presentations. You’ll also become part of the Museum’s professional community, with access to special events and activities. By the end, you’ll complete and present your own research, gaining experience in both science and professional communication.
10. Biorocket Research Internship Program
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Cohort Size: 12 students
Dates: Spring: February 25 – May 21; Summer: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: November 1 – January 10 (tentative)
Eligibility: NYC public and charter high school students aged 16 and up
Biorocket runs for six months and gives you the chance to dive into genetic engineering and biology research. You’ll gain experience in core lab techniques while designing and carrying out a group project with your peers and mentors. This STEM program also includes unique elements like improv-based communication training, lab tours, and field trips to connect you with New York’s science and biotech community. Along the way, you’ll learn how to explain your research to different audiences and share your work with friends and family.
11. Summer STEM
Location: The Cooper Union, New York, NY
Cost: $1,950 (3 weeks); $3,950 (6 weeks); Financial aid is available
Cohort Size: 18-24 students/class
Dates: Multiple sessions from July 6 – August 13
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9-11
At Cooper Union’s Summer STEM, you can choose from a variety of three- or six-week courses that mirror the work done by first- and second-year engineering students. Topics range from embedded systems and computational physics to design thinking, sustainability, and interactive art with Arduino. Each course emphasizes project-based learning, where you’ll apply classroom concepts to hands-on prototypes and experiments. The program includes a final presentation session where you’ll showcase your work to guests. This is one of the STEM programs in NYC that allows high school students to experience the pace and expectations of college-level engineering.
12. Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-11 who live in New York City or Nassau County
CS4CS is a summer program centered on the fundamentals of cybersecurity. You’ll explore topics like cryptography, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and data privacy while practicing coding and security analysis in hands-on activities. The program also includes theater-based workshops that help you strengthen your communication skills. With lessons ranging from white-hat hacking to real-world case studies, you’ll gain an overview of how cybersecurity affects both technology and society. CS4CS provides a structured way to develop both technical and problem-solving skills.
13. GSTEM
Location: New York University, New York City, New York
Cost: $5,500 + $3,840 housing/meal plan (optional); Financial assistance is available
Cohort Size: 40 students
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 1 – March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors with a high aptitude in STEM
GSTEM is a six-week STEM program for high school students where you’ll work one-on-one with a professor or researcher on a project in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics. You’ll spend time in real labs learning methods like coding, data analysis, and lab techniques while also strengthening your writing and presentation skills. Some past student projects have included topics like quantum chemistry, motion detection in digital images, or the effects of caffeine on attention. By the end, you’ll present your findings at a symposium, gaining valuable practice in explaining research to a broader audience.
14. STEM Matters NYC
Location: Parks and experiential learning sites in Manhattan/Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 2- and 3-week programs between July 7 and August 15
Application Deadline: Typically in April
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12 who attend NYC public schools
Through STEM Matters NYC, you’ll explore science and engineering in hands-on ways that bring classroom concepts into the real world. Programs take place at parks, learning centers, and partner sites across Manhattan and Brooklyn, letting you engage directly with environments tied to what you’re studying. Depending on your interests, you might investigate marine biology, animal science, aerospace, or mechanical engineering. The program is structured as multi-week sessions, so you have time to dive deeper into a specific field. If you’re looking for STEM programs for high school students in NYC, this option connects you with science through active exploration.
15. Tech Scholars
Location: The New York Historical, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Approximately 15-20 students
Dates: Podcasting: February 16 – 20; Web Design: April 6 – 10
Application Deadline: Applications open early December
Eligibility: NYC area high school students, as well as students in areas of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey
At Tech Scholars, your projects combine history, technology, and storytelling. This program highlights a unique blend of humanities and STEM for high school students in NYC. You’ll research topics such as social change, influential figures, or overlooked narratives, then turn your findings into digital products like podcasts or websites. Each program focuses on a different skill set: one might have you coding in HTML and CSS, while another emphasizes audio editing for podcast production. You’ll leave with a finished project that demonstrates both technical and research abilities.
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