If you are a high school student living in San Francisco interested in tech, you’re in luck! San Francisco is a major hotspot of all things tech. It is home to startups, research labs, and some of the world’s largest tech companies that offer programs and internships for students.
These programs can help you learn how to code, design websites, build apps, or explore areas like cybersecurity, game design, or data science. You may also work with tools like Python, Java, or block-based languages and take part in group projects or individual challenges. Some programs also include workshops on topics like internet safety, ethics in tech, and responsible online behavior.
We’ve put together a list of 10 tech summer programs in San Francisco for high school students!
10 Tech Summer Programs for High School Students in San Francisco
1. Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy
Location: UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost: $5,160 + $25 application fee
Application Deadline: March 10
Dates: June 23 – July 4
Eligibility: High school students who’ve finished 10th or 11th grade by the start of the program, have at least a 3.0 GPA (weighted or unweighted), and are 16 or older.
The Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy is a two-week program for high school students interested in learning computer science. You’ll use the Beauty and Joy of Computing curriculum, the same one taught in Berkeley’s introductory course, to explore key computer science ideas and get hands-on with coding.
Each day, you’ll work on creative coding tasks using Snap!, a block-based programming language. You’ll study core topics like abstraction, Boolean logic, conditionals, functions, algorithms, and recursion. You’ll also look at how computing connects to real-world issues and impacts society. By the end of the program, you’ll build your project, either solo or with a team, based on what interests you.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) Bioengineering Team Internship
Location: Stanford University, Stanford (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost/Stipend: Free with $40 application fee (waivable); $500–$2,500+ stipend based on need.
Application Deadline: February 22
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years old.
The SIMR Bioengineering Team Internship focuses on using technology to solve real medical problems. You’ll work in a small team to design and test a prototype using tools like Arduinos, 3D printers, circuit design software, and basic machine learning. The program emphasizes hands-on work, and you’ll also build skills in technical writing and digital presentation.
Mentors from Stanford help guide your work, and you’ll attend lectures and design reviews throughout the program. You’ll also explore topics like brain-machine interfaces and protein engineering while learning how to read scientific papers and conduct patent searches. The program ends with a poster session where you present your final prototype.
3. The Lawrence Hall of Science Summer Teen Research Programs—Artificial Intelligence for Real-Life Problem Solving
Location: University of California, Berkeley (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost: The program costs $1,465. If you go with the residential option, it’s an additional $1,255, which covers housing, meals, and extra activities on campus.
Application Deadline: Application deadlines are June 16 for Session 1 and June 29 for Sessions 2 and 4. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
Dates: Session 1: June 23 – June 27; Session 2: July 7 – July 11; Session 4: July 21 – July 25
Eligibility: Open to Bay Area students entering grades 10–12; some sessions require prior Python experience.
The Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley offers high school students a one-week summer program focused on how science and technology apply to real-world problems. You’ll get a preview of college life by doing research in university labs, meeting faculty, and exploring STEM careers. Program topics range from biotechnology and climate data to marine biology and artificial intelligence.
In the Artificial Intelligence for Real-Life Problem Solving track, you’ll study the math behind AI, take part in coding workshops, and build your machine learning models. You’ll also visit a robotics lab and explore the ethical side of AI. The week ends with a group presentation where you’ll share your project with other students, faculty, and your family.
4. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Menlo Park, San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free, and students also receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: February 14
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum GPA of 2.0 who live year-round in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, Redwood City, or North Fair Oaks
Meta Summer Academy is a hands-on program where high school students can dive into AI and tech at one of the world’s largest social media companies. You’ll spend around 30 hours a week coding with machine learning and deep learning with guidance from Meta professionals.
In addition to technical work, the program covers topics like financial literacy, media arts, and soft skills such as self-reflection and networking. You’ll explore important areas like AI ethics and how data is used, giving you insight into how these technologies impact digital platforms and apps.
5. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
6. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Horizon Labs and Seminars courses each cost $5,950. Need-based financial aid is available for seminar courses only, with up to 90% of the tuition covered.
Application Deadline: March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)
Dates: The summer cohort starts on June 16. Lab schedules are flexible, but you need to apply at least four weeks before the start date you want.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.67 can apply. Most accepted students are in the 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have specific prerequisites—you can check those out here.
Horizon is a trimester-long online research program where high school students work one-on-one with mentors from top universities. You’ll choose a topic and research method and spend the term developing a full-length research paper with help from a professor or PhD scholar.
Horizon offers both quantitative and qualitative research options. Tech-focused tracks include projects in Python programming, machine learning, gene editing, and computational biology. You might build a model to detect spam, use CRISPR to study diseases, or analyze biological data with computer-based models.
By the end of the program, you’ll complete a 20-page research paper, with the option to submit it to academic journals. You’ll also get a recommendation letter and support for future research or college applications. You can apply here.
7. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Available remotely or in person at one of NASA’s 10 field centers across the country, including the Ames Research Center in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA.
Cost/Stipend: The program is free to join, and interns may be eligible for a stipend based on their academic level and the length of the internship.
Application Deadline: The deadline for the summer session is February 27.
Dates: These internships are offered during the Fall, Spring, and Summer, with exact dates varying by opportunity. The summer session usually runs for 10 weeks, starting in late May or early June and ending in August.
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers high school students hands-on experience in tech-focused fields like AI, machine learning, and software engineering. You’ll work on real NASA projects, such as detecting cosmic rays with the James Webb Space Telescope or improving air traffic systems using AI tools. You may also assist with mission planning, experiment design, or robotics.
The program provides the chance to collaborate with researchers, attend virtual talks from astronauts, and gain insight into the latest space tech. To find internships open to high school students, use the ‘Filter’ feature when searching on NASA’s website.
8. UC Berkeley’s Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology (M.E.T.) Innovation Academy
Location: UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost: $10,499
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: June 29 – July 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
UC Berkeley’s M.E.T. Innovation Academy is a summer program designed for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in technology. You’ll gain hands-on experience in tech by working on a startup project, where you’ll design prototypes and pitch your idea to real venture investors.
You’ll also work with professionals from top Silicon Valley companies like Ambi Robotics and Dolby, learning from engineers, product managers, and marketers. Throughout the program, you’ll strengthen your tech skills, create prototypes at Berkeley’s Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation, and get career advice from experts in the field.
9. NSLC’s High School Summer Biotechnology Program
Location: University of California, Berkeley (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost: $4,295 (Residential program)
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
Dates: July 7 – July 15 | July 19 – July 27
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18 who’ve completed at least one year of high school, including recent graduates
NSLC’s High School Summer Biotechnology Program gives you a chance to dive into the world of biotech with hands-on projects that show how science and tech come together. You’ll explore key topics in molecular and cellular biology, using techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, CRISPR, and ELISA in the lab. You’ll also get a taste of the engineering side, learning about breadboarding, CAD, and 3D modeling.
You’ll work on building and programming an artificial pancreas to monitor blood sugar and even create a prosthetic device that responds to electrical signals from the body. Plus, you’ll use ELISA to detect proteins and antibodies, giving you real-world insight into how scientists study health and disease.
10. The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)
Location: AEOP offers programs in almost every state, including one at the University of California, Berkeley in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA.
Cost/Stipend: The program is free, but it’s designed for commuters—transportation, meals, and housing aren’t included. All interns receive an educational stipend, which varies depending on the location and length of the internship.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Dates depend on the site and will be shared if you’re offered an internship. Most summer internships last 6–10 weeks between May and August.
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply. Some locations may have extra eligibility requirements. You can check the details here.
The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) offers high school students the chance to work with university researchers or Department of Defense (DoD) scientists on real research projects. You’ll get hands-on experience in advanced labs and learn new techniques in top-tier research settings. Along the way, you’ll connect with professionals in STEM fields, including scientists and engineers.
You can apply to multiple labs, with new opportunities available throughout the year. Each lab handles its application process. The research focuses on tackling key challenges in the country, with tech-related projects in areas like spectroscopy, laser cooling, analog systems, and AI algorithms, especially in locations like San Francisco.
Image source – University of California, Berkeley