In high school, winter break can be a great time to explore your interests in STEM beyond the classroom, and structured programs can help you do just that! Winter STEM programs, often hosted by universities, research institutes, and organizations, allow you to work on meaningful projects, engage with emerging technologies, and learn directly from experienced mentors.
As a participant, you will learn how to build technical skills, use professional tools and software, and address real-world challenges in areas such as coding, robotics, biomedical research, environmental science, and data analysis. Like summer opportunities, winter programs follow structured curricula, provide mentorship, and often award certificates or college credit upon completion.
To help you with your search, here is a curated list of 13 winter STEM programs for high school students. Whether your interests lie in math, engineering, physics, biology, chemistry, or technology, the options here can help you prepare for future academic and career opportunities in your preferred field.
1. UC San Diego’s Academic Connections Research Scholars: Bioengineering Track Winter Session
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: $2,700
Dates: January 10 – March 1
Application deadline: December 18
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 and up, with a minimum GPA of 3.0
UCSD’s bioengineering courses provide high school students with a hands-on introduction to the field through live online sessions, home lab exercises, and flexible office hours. As a participant, you will gain practical exposure to biomedical imaging, 3D printing, experimental design, and data analysis while completing guided laboratory exercises, including remote printing of anatomical models. Coursework integrates literature review, study design, and scientific writing, designed to prepare you for advanced research projects and science fair submissions. Weekly lectures, lab meetings, and homework will help reinforce critical thinking and technical skills. You will collaborate in teams on bioengineering investigations, receive mentorship from experienced faculty, and present your findings, building scientific communication, problem-solving, and project management skills in a fully remote research environment.
2. UMBC’s Pre-College Program – Winter Session
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD
Cost: $439 – $6,426, based on credits and student location
Program dates: January 5 – 23
Application deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors seeking concurrent enrollment; applicants must be academically strong students comparable to average admitted first-year students
UMBC’s Winter Session allows high school students to enroll in college-level courses led by UMBC faculty while completing their secondary education. As a participant, you will experience rigorous academic coursework across STEM and other disciplines, gaining exposure to college-level study and interactive learning. The program emphasizes critical thinking, practical application of knowledge, and academic engagement, while also providing opportunities to explore areas of personal interest and earn college credit. Throughout the program, you will have access to university resources such as libraries, labs, and advising services, which will help support your academic growth and college readiness.
3. Cornell University’s Online Courses for High School Students
Location: Online
Cost: $1,940/credit + $75 application fee
Program dates: January 2 – 17
Application deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Rising or current high school juniors and seniors, ages 15–19
Cornell University’s Winter Session Online Program allows high school students to get a taste of Ivy League college coursework from anywhere. As a participant, you can choose STEM courses and earn 3–12 credits that appear on an official Cornell transcript while improving study skills and exploring potential majors. Courses are taught by Cornell instructors and delivered synchronously or asynchronously through Canvas while enabling interaction with faculty and peers via discussion boards, video conferencing, and email. The program supports academic growth, college preparation, and connection with a global cohort of motivated students. The program can help you build a foundation for future undergraduate study.
4. Northwestern Precollege Online Program: Engineering Course
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895; need-based scholarships available
Program dates: Multiple sessions of varying lengths available each year
Application deadline: Typically, one week before the chosen session starts
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
Northwestern’s Engineering Course introduces high school students to fundamental engineering principles across civil, mechanical, biomedical, and materials disciplines. You will learn through realistic case studies, apply creative and analytical thinking, and explore how engineers collaborate to solve complex problems. The course includes 20 – 30 hours of video lectures, multimedia activities, and simulations, culminating in a capstone project in one engineering specialty. You will receive mentorship from Northwestern faculty and earn a Certificate of Completion. This program can help you develop critical thinking, technical knowledge, and practical problem-solving skills, while offering the flexibility to study online at your own pace.
5. Dartmouth Precollege Online STEM Programs
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895/course; need-based scholarships available
Program dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
Dartmouth Precollege Online allows high school students to explore STEM fields from anywhere in the world. You can explore disciplines like regenerative medicine, biology, or psychology while accessing opportunities to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills. Each course includes flexible video lessons, interactive assignments, and mentorship from Dartmouth instructors. You will complete a final capstone project in your chosen STEM field, receive detailed feedback from mentors, and showcase your work. The experience can help you build independent learning abilities and gain early exposure to college-level STEM, providing a foundation for future scientific study. You will also earn a Dartmouth Certificate of Completion.
6. University of Washington’s AI4ALL
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program dates: September 8 – January 26
Application deadline: July 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, high school seniors, and college freshmen; the program is primarily meant for students from traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM/AI
AI4ALL@UW Winter Workshop is designed to introduce high school and early college students to data science, machine learning, and geographical information science over a 20-week online program. During the program, you will analyze real-world data, collaborate in small groups, and explore the societal impact of technology decisions through a non-ableist, equity-focused framework. Instruction is led by UW faculty, researchers, and undergraduate mentors from the Taskar Center for Accessible Technology and the Institute for Foundations of Data Science. As a participant, you will gain hands-on AI experience, build analytical and technical skills, and examine the ethical implications of AI. The experience can prepare you for future STEM or interdisciplinary study as well as cross-cultural collaboration as you work alongside a diverse cohort of peers.
7. Internships @ American Psychological Association
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid and unpaid (academic credit-based) opportunities available
Program dates: Year-round opportunities, including in winter
Application deadline: Varies by opportunity
Eligibility: Students who are enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution, eligible to work in the U.S., and living in states where APA is registered; applicants under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit.
APA Internship Program offers high school students remote, paid, and academic credit opportunities to explore psychology in professional settings. Depending on your placement, you will gain exposure to departments like policy, research, communications, operations, publishing, or education. You will participate in hands-on projects, workshops, and group activities, receiving daily guidance from supervisors. The program also provides exposure to professional practices, networking opportunities, and insight into non-traditional psychology careers. You will find opportunities to develop skills in research, communication, and project management while also learning about career paths in psychology.
8. NJIT Saturday Morning STEM High School Sessions
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $399
Program dates: January 18 – February 15
Application deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
NJIT offers year-round STEM learning opportunities for middle and high school students. Its Saturday STEM sessions cover topics such as robotics, computer science, and engineering. Depending on your grade level, you will learn how to decrypt code while exploring cybersecurity or dive into the world of forensic sciences. Each session combines instruction with exercises such as challenges and projects to help you practice what you learn. The sessions also offer opportunities to build creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through collaborative assignment work.
9. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center Camps
Location: Online
Cost: $420/camp
Program dates: Camps available on demand all year round, including in winter
Application deadline: None
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; specific grade level requirements vary by camp
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center offers year-round, on-demand virtual camps to middle and high school students. Each camp covers topics in genetics and biology. With each on-demand camp, you get access to pre-recorded video sessions and a lab kit (mailed to you) containing lab materials and workbooks. Depending on the camp you choose, you will engage in activities such as using bioinformatics tools to analyze DNA sequences and identify species, isolating your own DNA to explore genetic polymorphisms, or performing a mock blood spatter analysis. These camps can offer you insight into biotechnology, cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology. You will also participate in video calls with instructors to discuss your assignments and class topics.
10. Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI)
Location: Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR
Cost: Free
Program dates: January – May
Application deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old
PSI introduces high school students to the scientific process, biomedical research, and mentorship from OHSU and Portland-area research faculty. During the 16-week course, you will attend weekly lectures, analyze published research, develop research proposals, and participate in journal club presentations. The program offers opportunities to refine critical thinking, resilience, and professional growth. As a participant, you can choose to continue engaging with the program through summer internships, where you will gain hands-on laboratory or clinical research experience, culminating in a poster symposium to showcase your work.
11. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program dates: One to nine months, with a commitment of 8 hours/week; dates are flexible based on your schedule
Application deadline: Open all year round
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 3.25 or higher; college students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher can also apply.
EnergyMag provides high school students with hands-on experience in renewable energy and energy storage through its virtual internships. As an intern, you will conduct research, analyze scientific or business challenges, and produce reports under mentorship, gaining practical problem-solving experience. You will communicate with professionals, develop technical and analytical skills, and strengthen your research and professional writing abilities. The program offers flexible schedules, allowing you to participate in the winter. Successful participants receive a Letter of Accomplishment summarizing their work. Although unpaid, the internship can help you build real-world research and reporting skills and gain exposure to energy innovation.
12. Rice University Precollege Online STEM Programs
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795/course; need-based scholarships available
Program dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling; applications accepted year-round
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
Rice University’s Precollege Online Program provides high school students with flexible STEM enrichment courses across subjects such as genome engineering, physiology, space exploration, engineering, psychology, and medicine. As a participant, you will get access to video lectures, guided mentorship, and hands-on assignments, including a capstone project that will help you demonstrate your learning. Mentors offer personalized support and feedback, helping you build confidence and deepen your understanding of each topic. Completing a course earns you a Rice University Certificate of Completion, which can be added to college applications. This program lets you explore multiple STEM fields at your own pace while applying scientific concepts in real-world contexts.
13. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Programs
Location: Online
Cost: Tuition varies by course; financial aid available
Program dates: Varies by session; winter courses start in January
Application deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 2 – 12 who are advanced learners; applicants seeking financial aid should be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
CTY Online Programs offer academically advanced high school students the opportunity to explore rigorous STEM courses in a virtual classroom. You will engage in interactive lessons, complete assignments, and receive detailed feedback from expert instructors while collaborating with a global community of peers. The courses are designed to challenge and develop your critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. These programs can let you explore topics such as space colonization, web design, and crime scene investigation, helping you build knowledge and prepare for future academic success.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Rice University