15 STEM Programs for High School Students in PA (Pennsylvania)
If you’re a high school student interested in exploring science, technology, engineering, or math, joining a STEM program is a good option. STEM programs for high school students often combine projects with mentorship from college faculty or industry experts, helping you build technical skills and make meaningful connections. 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.
Pennsylvania offers a variety of programs and internships for high schoolers through top universities and organizations. Spanning a range of fields, including engineering, biology, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, material science, and nautical science, these programs offer great resources to accelerate your academic and professional growth. To help you get started, we’ve compiled the 15 best STEM programs for high school students in Pennsylvania.
1. Penn Summer Science Initiative (PSSI)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 14 students per cohort
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors/seniors with chemistry and/or physics courses, and must be within daily commuting distance of Penn’s campus
The Penn Summer Science Initiative (PSSI) is a 4-week materials science course for high school students sponsored by the NSF-funded MRSEC. During this program, you will spend your days in lectures, lab workshops, and seminars that help to sharpen your technical and writing skills. Activities include microscopy, x-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and mechanical testing. In addition to lab work, you will visit Penn’s GRASP Lab for robotics, the Singh Center for Nanotechnology, and the SIG Center for Computer Graphics. Additionally, you will work on reports and projects outside of class, preparing you for real academic experiences.
2. Ladder’s Tech Internships
Location: Remote
Stipend/Cost: Varies depending on the program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies depending on the program type
Dates: Vary depending on the program type
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students and undergraduates
Ladder’s Tech Internships give you the opportunity to work with real startups and companies on active projects in fields like software development, AI, data science, and product design. You will work in small teams and receive guidance from industry mentors who offer feedback and career advice. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, so you gain experience in coding, analyzing data, or contributing to product solutions that companies actually use. Since projects are remote, you will collaborate with professionals and peers from around the world, preparing you for global collaboration. By the end of the program, you will have portfolio-ready work and professional connections that will help to build your academic and career goals.
3. Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College CS Scholars and AI Scholars Program
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 20 to July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students in 10th and 11th grade must be 16 years of age
Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College CS Scholars and AI Scholars Program offers an intensive, supportive environment to study computer science and artificial intelligence. Through this STEM program for high school students in PA, you will attend daily classes taught by faculty, explore key coding concepts, and work on real-world projects. You can also take part in workshops that build your communication and teamwork skills. The program also connects you with mentors, giving you guidance on academics and careers. You collaborate with peers from across the country and share your work in presentations. Site visits and networking events provide valuable professional exposure.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Applies; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: None
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world, AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
With Veritas AI, join a program designed to introduce you to the world of artificial intelligence through hands-on projects and mentorship. You will learn essential skills in Python, machine learning, and data analysis, and use them to solve real-world problems. Working in small groups, you will be guided by mentors from top universities and the tech industry. The program emphasizes collaboration, allowing you the chance to brainstorm, build, and present projects with peers. Unlike typical online courses, Veritas AI focuses on practical outcomes, with your project becoming a strong addition to your portfolio.
5. Pre-health program for Underrepresented Leaders in STEM Education
Location: Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA (in-person and remote)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: As many students as possible
Dates: September 8 to December 8 (Only Mondays)
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students from grades 9-12
The PULSE program offers high school students an opportunity to explore medicine, biomedical sciences, and health care systems through a semester of structured learning. Each year focuses on a specific medical theme, but core activities remain the same: lectures from faculty, mentorship from medical students, and professional development workshops. Through this STEM program for high school students in PA, explore biomedical research, engage in discussions with practicing clinicians, and learn how health systems operate. The program also emphasizes diversity, aiming to create opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
6. Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 75 students per cohort
Dates: July 6-26
Application Deadline: Priority Deadline on January 29 & final application on April 2
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI) is a 3-week, for-credit STEM program for high school students in Pennsylvania that combines engineering and business. You can take courses taught by Penn Engineering and Wharton faculty, attend guest lectures from industry leaders, and work with peers on a team project. Your group designs a prototype and develops a go-to-market plan, which you present to faculty and entrepreneurs. You will also visit companies like Comcast and Morgan Stanley to see how technology and business strategy come together in the real world.
7. Summer Institutes and Intensives by Temple University
Location: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $1,300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session I: July 7 - July 18; Session II: July 21 - August 1
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10, 11, or 12
Temple’s Summer Institutes and Intensives offer a 2-week immersive program where you focus on one academic field. You will be part of a full-day, non-credit workshop, engage in project-based learning, and collaborate in small groups. Throughout the program, you will receive mentorship from Temple undergraduates, guidance from faculty, and support from graduate students. The schedule combines structured classes with time for field trips, studio work, and independent projects.
8. Engineering Summer Academy at Penn by the University of Pennsylvania
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,000 plus $90 as a non-refundable application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 60 students in Artificial Intelligence, 32 students in Generative Artificial Intelligence for Biological Design, 42 students in Biotechnology, 32 students in Computer Graphics, 60 students in Computer Science, 45 students in Nanotechnology, and 50 students in Robotics
Dates: July 6 – 25
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students in 9th-11th grade with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and strong performance in math and science subjects; international students can apply
At the Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP), you will study college-level engineering through an intensive 3-week program. In this STEM program for high school students in Pennsylvania, you must choose from six tracks, including Biotechnology, Computer Graphics, Nanotechnology, and more. You will participate in hands-on projects, collaborate in labs, and work directly with Penn faculty and researchers. The program also includes site visits, exploring current industry challenges, and presenting your final project at the program showcase.
9. High School Program in Biomedical Research
Location: Wistar Institute, University City District, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $1500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 students per cohort
Dates: July
Application Deadline: Details about the application deadlines will be posted in January
Eligibility: High school students must be at least 16 years of age and have successfully completed at least one high school science course
The High School Program in Biomedical Research at The Wistar Institute is a 4-week fellowship where you gain real laboratory experience. Through this STEM program for high school students in PA, you will work in state-of-the-art training labs, practice biomedical research techniques, and even contribute to ongoing projects. The program includes reading scientific literature, exploring career paths, and a final presentation of your research. With guidance from Wistar scientists, you will receive personalized mentorship and daily exposure to professional lab research environments.
10. Lehigh University's Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)
Location: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100+ students per cohort
Dates: Session 1: June 29 - July 12; Session 2: July 13 - July 26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from underrepresented/underserved communities
At Lehigh’s Summer Engineering Institute (SEI), you will spend 3 weeks living on campus while exploring different fields of engineering. Through this STEM program for high school students in PA, you will learn problem-solving skills, take part in lab experiments, and work on design projects that mirror real engineering challenges. Faculty and college mentors provide guidance as you test ideas, collaborate with peers, and present your work. Beyond the classroom sessions, you may participate in site visits and connect with industry professionals.
11. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: New participant: $4,000; Returning participant: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 300 students per cohort
Dates: 8 weeks, dates vary depending on the location
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S citizens and have completed Grade 9, and are 16 years of age
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) gives you the chance to work alongside Navy scientists and engineers on real-world research. Over the course of eight weeks, you gain hands-on lab experience in areas like robotics, cybersecurity, marine science, and engineering design. With the guidance from mentors, you can contribute to ongoing projects, analyze data, and learn professional research methods. You may also attend site tours and technical briefings, giving you insights into defense-related applications of STEM.
12. STEM Summer Enrichment Program
Location: Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 - 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students currently in the 10th and 11th grades
Penn State Harrisburg’s STEM Summer Enrichment Program is a 2-week workshop designed to strengthen your STEM knowledge through hands-on learning. In this STEM program for high school students in PA, you will participate in experiments, field trips, and projects across fields like biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, and engineering. Sessions include demonstrations and training materials that help you build practical skills while exploring different STEM fields. You will also practice creating scientific presentations, giving you an experience that mirrors real academic and professional settings. Supported by grants, this program provides access to resources at no cost.
13. Pre-College Residential Programs by The University of Pennsylvania
Location: The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Applies according to your college credit, plus $1,500 as a nonrefundable enrollment deposit to secure your seat
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Academically curious high school students
Penn’s Pre-College Residential Program gives you the chance to live on campus and take credit-bearing courses alongside undergraduate students. You can choose from a wide range of subjects, including STEM, and gain college-level academic experience in small seminars or larger lectures. You also have access to Penn’s libraries, labs, and campus resources. The residential experience allows you to build connections with peers from across the world while living in university housing. Outside the class, you can participate in co-curricular activities, academic support sessions, and cultural trips across Philadelphia.
14. Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP)
Location: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Free
Dates: Saturdays from January 17th through April 18th
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area students who are 14 years of age and are currently enrolled in grades 9-12; completion of at least one high school Biology or Chemistry course is preferred
The Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP) is a STEM program for high school students in PA that lets you work in a real laboratory and design and carry out your own independent research project. You will learn how to ask scientific questions, conduct experiments, analyze data, and present your findings to peers and mentors. Along the way, you gain hands-on training in lab techniques and receive guidance from experienced scientists. The final symposium lets you present your research to family, faculty, and the public, giving you the experience of a true scientific conference.
15. Surgery Live by Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and UPMC
Location: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: $25 per student
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Students are divided into groups of 20
Dates: Various surgery dates from February to June
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
In Surgery Live, you can watch real surgical procedures streamed from UPMC Pinnacle Hospitals to Whitaker Center’s Select Medical Digital Cinema. You can follow the surgery in real time while listening to surgeons narrate the process. You can ask questions directly to the medical team, giving you a rare chance to learn about anatomy, surgical techniques, and decision-making in healthcare. This program goes beyond a typical classroom lecture as it brings you inside an operating room environment.
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