15 Summer Science Programs for High School Students in New York

If you’re a high school student, summer programs can be a smart way to gain practical experience in a field and build useful skills. These programs typically involve experiments, coding games, engineering challenges, and collaborative projects. They provide industry exposure through field trips and opportunities to interact with professionals, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and application.

There is a range of summer science programs for high school students in New York hosted by universities, research institutions, and scientific organizations. You will be exposed to cutting-edge research, advanced laboratory facilities, and mentorship from STEM professionals affiliated with universities like NYU and Columbia. These programs also help save travel and housing costs because they’re local. To help you choose, we’ve rounded up 15 summer science programs for high schoolers in New York, including some virtual options that you can apply to.

1. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: Rockefeller University, New York City (RockEDU Science Outreach Labs)
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipends may be awarded to students experiencing financial hardship
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program

The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a prestigious, team-based mentored research program for high school juniors and seniors, typically held during the summer at Rockefeller University in New York City. In this program, you work in small teams on real research guided by leading scientists and engage in lab techniques, data analysis, and the process of asking and answering scientific questions. You collaborate with peers, meet graduate students and postdocs, and learn how science moves from ideas to experiments. The experience includes mentorship, journal clubs, and presentations, giving you insight into professional research culture. 

2. Ladder Internships – Health & Medicine Track

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring; Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Summer Cohort I: May 12; Summer Cohort II: June 23
Eligibility: High school students who can contribute 10-20 hours/week for 8-16 weeks

In Ladder’s Healthcare & Medicine Track, you work remotely with startups or nonprofits focused on health-tech, patient care, or medical innovation. You’ll be part of meaningful projects that involve improving digital tools, patient workflows, or health education, and present your results at the end. You get paired with both a Ladder Coach and a career mentor at your host organization. Alongside project work, you build skills in communication, time management, and problem-solving through group workshops. By the end of the internship, you’ll have a portfolio-ready deliverable that reflects your hands-on experience. You can apply here.

3. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate: Moderately competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are New York residents

At NYU’s ARISE program, you spend seven weeks working in faculty labs contributing to ongoing projects. Graduate researchers and faculty will mentor you, and you will learn technical skills in areas like biomedical engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and data science. You learn technical skills, data analysis, and lab practices while receiving mentorship from graduate students and professors. Weekly seminars introduce you to STEM careers and ethical issues in research, and you also attend workshops on college readiness and science communication. This summer science program for high school students in New York emphasizes teamwork, and you present your findings at a symposium to peers, mentors, and family.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Medicine track

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Summer Cohort I: May 11; Summer Cohort II: June 23
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week intensive research experience designed to introduce high school students to academic research. In the Medicine track, you work directly with a PhD researcher from a leading university to design and complete an independent research project. You learn how to frame research questions, analyze data, and present findings in a professional format. The program pairs you with a mentor who guides you through every stage, from literature review to final paper or presentation. You also gain access to peer communities and publishing opportunities. By the end, you may be eligible to receive UCSD credit.

5. NASA’s OSTEM Internships

Location: Across various NASA centers in the U.S. and virtually
Stipend: Paid based on their academic level and session duration
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students | U.S. citizen | At least 16 years old at the time of application | 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale

In this program, you’ll work on real NASA projects under guidance from professional mentors in engineering, science, IT, business, or other areas. Your projects might involve designing spacecraft components, running simulations, analyzing mission data, or contributing to the development of new technologies. You may also help with design tasks, lab experiments, programming, or supporting operations in non-STEM roles like accounting or communications. The program’s special initiatives include the Pathways program, fellowships, Jet Propulsion Laboratory placements, and international internships. You will develop technical skills in coding, research, and data analysis, as well as career readiness with teamwork, communication, and project management.

6. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program

Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,200 stipend 
Acceptance Rate: Around 2%
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school junior with a 3.5 GPA in science subjects | At least 14 years old | Legally allowed to work in the U.S | Living within 25 miles of MSK’s Manhattan campus in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut

In the Summer Student Program, you work alongside MSK scientists on real cancer research projects. You spend eight weeks in a lab, learning techniques in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry. Mentorship is a key part of the program, as faculty and graduate students guide your day-to-day work. You also attend seminars, participate in journal clubs, and visit different research facilities across the center. At the end of the program, you present your findings in a poster session, gaining valuable experience in science communication. You will develop problem-solving abilities as you adjust your approach and interpret results based on feedback.

7. Baruch College STEM Research Academy

Location: Baruch College, New York City (CUNY campus)
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,575 stipend
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Mid-July – mid-August
Application Deadline: Typically December
Eligibility: NYC public high school sophomores or juniors | Overall 80+ average

The Baruch College STEM Research Academy is a highly selective and rigorous two-semester program designed for New York City public high school students, primarily in 10th or 11th grade, who have a strong interest in STEM fields. It introduces you to college-level research while you’re still in high school. Over six weeks, you work with faculty mentors on projects in biology, chemistry, or environmental science where you learn how to develop hypotheses, design experiments, analyze data, and present scientific findings. The program culminates in a six-week summer research internship during which students work closely with CUNY faculty mentors on real research projects.

8. NYU GSTEM

Location: New York University, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York City
Cost: $5,500; optional housing with meal plan: $3,840 available; financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade high school students (rising seniors) in the U.S.

NYU’s GSTEM program allows you to carry out real-world STEM research with NYU faculty and graduate students. Over six weeks, you work on a mentored research project in areas like computer science, engineering, neuroscience, or data science. You also take part in professional development workshops, site visits to labs and tech companies, and networking sessions with women working in STEM fields. By the end of the summer science program for high school students in New York, you will present your research at a symposium, gaining both technical knowledge and confidence in science communication.

9. NYU Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300 + $638 housing fee + $398 mandatory meal plan
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 16 – 27; July 7 – 18; July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th-grade students who are 15+ and have a strong math background

The SPARC program (Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding) is a two-week, full-day summer program offered by NYU Tandon School of Engineering. It introduces you to robotics, automation, and coding through hands-on learning. Over three weeks, you work in teams to design and build robotic systems while learning programming skills in Python and Arduino. Faculty, graduate students, and industry mentors guide you through workshops and labs, ensuring you get both technical skills and problem-solving practice. You also attend site visits to local tech companies, where you see how robotics is applied in real industries. At the end, you present your projects to peers and mentors. 

10. STEM Research Academy at New York City College of Technology

Location: New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn
Cost/Stipend: None / $1,575 stipend
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 26 – August 15
Application Deadline: December 13
Eligibility: NYC public high school sophomores or juniors | Completed spring course

The STEM Research Academy at New York City College of Technology (City Tech) is a free, two-semester program for NYC public high school sophomores and juniors, especially targeting students from schools underrepresented in STEM fields. It allows you to explore scientific research in a college setting where you work alongside faculty mentors on projects in biology, chemistry, physics, or computer science. The program is designed to build foundational research skills such as formulating questions, designing experiments, conducting literature reviews, and analyzing scientific data through lab and fieldwork in biology or chemistry.  You attend workshops, collaborate with peers, and take part in research activities that mirror college-level work. 

11. Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program

Location: New York University, New York
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: July 6 – 26
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who are US citizens or permanent residents, and at least 16 years old 

The Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program introduces you to university-level science through lectures, labs, and research activities. In this program, you will explore topics such as biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and physics while working with NYU faculty and graduate students. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on experiments, giving you practice in data collection, analysis, and problem-solving. Group projects and discussions build collaboration skills, and mentorship helps you understand how science is applied in real-world research. You can also take part in presentations, gaining confidence in communicating scientific ideas. 

12. Cooper Union Summer STEM

Location: 41 Cooper Square, East Village of Manhattan, NY
Cost: 3 weeks: $1,950; 6 weeks: $3,950; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 3- and 6-week classes starting July 7
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: 9th–12th graders in the current academic year should reside in New York City or within its five boroughs | High school students who have completed grades 9-11 can be from anywhere in the world

The Cooper Union Summer STEM program offers high school students in New York City a chance to engage with college-level engineering and design through three- and six-week courses. Whether new to the field or building on prior knowledge, you can choose from introductory topics like engineering problem-solving approaches or advanced subjects such as data visualization, embedded systems, and computational physics. These courses emphasize collaborative learning, with group projects and direct exposure to faculty and student research, providing real-world applications of STEM concepts. The program replicates the academic rigor of undergraduate engineering studies, allowing you to explore the practical side of theoretical science in a hands-on environment.

13. NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)

Location: NYU and New York City College of Technology (CUNY), Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $200; financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: Typically early July – early August
Application Deadline: Typically late June
Eligibility: High school students who are New York residents and enrolled in grades 8 – 12 | B average in Math, Science, and English

STEP gives you exposure to science, technology, and health fields while supporting your academic growth. In this program, you will take part in hands-on workshops, research projects, and enrichment classes that strengthen skills in math, science, and writing. Faculty and graduate students mentor you, offering insight into college pathways and STEM careers. The program also includes site visits, guest lectures, and community service activities, helping you connect learning with real-world impact. During this summer science program, you work closely with peers on collaborative projects and present your work. The program aims to prepare students from historically underrepresented ethnic groups for success in STEM.

14. Columbia S-PREP

Location: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / Paid for participating in the BRAINYAC program, amount not specified
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: 7-12th graders who maintain at least an 80% grade average, particularly in math and science

The Columbia State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a free academic and college preparatory program designed for students in grades 7 through 12 who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine or related STEM fields. The curriculum includes rigorous enrichment courses in subjects such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Brain & Cognitive Science, Physics, Psychology, Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Statistics. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through lectures, laboratory sessions, and group activities, combined with college preparation and career guidance. It includes guest lectures, site visits to labs and medical centers, and opportunities to connect with professionals. 

15. American Museum of Natural History Science Research Mentoring Program

Location: American Museum of Natural History, Manhattan, New York City
Cost/Stipend: None / $2,500 stipend
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: 3 weeks in August
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders in NYC | Passing classes for the last three semesters | Enrolled in specific programs or partner schools

In this program, you join museum scientists on real research projects in fields like astrophysics, genetics, and conservation biology. You learn how to collect data, use lab equipment, and analyze results while working closely with mentors. Weekly workshops help you strengthen skills in coding, science communication, and research methods. You also go on site visits, attend special lectures, and connect with a community of peers who share your interest in science. At the end of the program, you present your findings to scientists, educators, and family members.

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