If you’re a high school student interested in exploring the latest innovations in medical technology, you should consider participating in a biomedical engineering program! These programs will introduce you to biomedical engineering principles, and their real-world applications including medical device design and tissue engineering.
A biomedical engineering program will allow you to work with experienced engineers, researchers, and clinicians to design, develop, and test the latest medical devices, equipment, and procedures. They will also help you build a strong portfolio highlighting your skill set and ability to work with advanced material that can enhance your prospects in the field.
To help you get started, here are 13 biomedical engineering summer programs for high school students!
Subject Areas: Biology, life sciences, computer programming, machine learning, and scientific computing.
Location: Johns Hopkins Homewood campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: All costs are covered by the program and its sponsors. Participants will earn a stipend of $2,400. Other benefits include an application fee waiver, full tuition, transportation to and from Baltimore, housing, meals, and access to campus facilities such as the Athletic Center and library.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024; Information about applying for the summer 2025 ISPEED program will be available in December 2024.
Dates: July 1–July 26, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are US citizens or permanent residents and 15–18 years old can apply.
Johns Hopkins Biomedical Engineering’s ISPEED program is a residential, four-week summer program for high-school students passionate about exploring biomedical engineering concepts. During the program, you will gain real-world experience in biology and the life sciences in the Cell & Tissue Engineering lab, healthcare design in the BME Design Studio as well as computer programming, machine learning, and scientific computing.
In addition to taking project-based courses, you will engage with faculty and students who are leading the field of biomedical engineering, discover new areas of STEM, and participate in research, hands-on lab work, and presentations. You’ll also get to tour Hopkins labs and attend seminars with STEM professionals. You will learn about the college admissions process, build professional skills, and connect with resources at Johns Hopkins University that will help you in preparing for college.
Subject Areas: Environmental health and engineering, behavioral economics, psychology, international relations, neuroscience, data science, machine learning, network science, biophysics, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, history, philosophy, political theory, sociology, and more!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort.
Dates:
- Summer seminar: June 24–September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar: October 23, 2024–February 19, 2025
- The dates are flexible for Horizon Labs, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biomedical engineering, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. If you’re interested in biomedical engineering, you can learn how machine learning tools and data science techniques help researchers identify patterns and links between genes and disease.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. You can apply here!
Subject Areas: Bioengineering, research, and human health.
Location: Science and Engineering Complex (SEC), Harvard University, Allston, MA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants but housing and transportation to and from the SEC are not provided by Harvard University.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April; TBA for 2025
Dates: July 8–July 12, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Local high school students at least 16 years old can apply.
Harvard University’s BioSTAR summer program offers opportunities to high school students in the field of bioengineering where you will learn bioengineering principles and techniques at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences campus in Allston. You will get to design and perform research experiments in a state-of-the-art research lab in addition to engaging with Harvard researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of how bioengineering has an impact on human health.
Topics covered in the program include 3D culturing of mammalian cancer cells, drug delivery techniques, drug nanoparticle synthesis, cell staining and visualization using fluorescence microscopy, cell viability assay, data collection, and analysis. Please note that this program is highly competitive, so you must apply as early as possible to secure a spot!
Subject Areas: Stem cell and regenerative medicine, bioengineering, immunology, neurobiology, genetics and genomics, bioinformatics, cardiovascular biology, and cancer biology.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend:
- This program is free for all accepted participants except for a $40 application fee that can be waived based on financial need. Housing and meals are not provided.
- All students are given a $500 minimum stipend. Stipends of $2500 and above are available for the participants on a need-based system from special grants.
Application Deadline: February 24, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: June 10–August 1, 2024 (8 weeks); TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged at least 16 with U.S. citizenship or permanent residency can apply.
Stanford’s SIMR is a summer research internship program for high school juniors and seniors that allows them to work on a medical research project with Stanford faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers. You will learn how to conduct a scientific research process with the support of a one-on-one mentor at a research lab within the Institutes of Medicine.
During the program, you’ll get to choose from eight research institutes including stem cell and regenerative medicine, bioengineering, immunology, neurobiology, genetics and genomics, bioinformatics, cardiovascular biology, and cancer biology. If you’re accepted into the program, you’ll be assigned to a specific institute based on your preferences. You can read about the available institutes and their research here. During the first and second weeks, you will be required to attend lectures multiple times a week in the morning and spend the rest of your day engaging in lab work. You will attend a joint lecture once a week in the next couple of weeks of the program. During the last 2 weeks of the program, you will work on your poster for the poster session that will be held on the last day of the program in the evening between 6-8 pm. Only around 50 students are accepted into the program.
Subject Areas: Biomedical engineering, device design, and tissue engineering.
Location: Brown University campus, Providence, RI
Cost: $3,406 (Residential) | $2,816 (Commuter). Scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: May 10, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: June 24–June 28, 2024 | July 08–July 12, 2024. Dates TBA for 2025.
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12 and aged 14–18 years can apply.
Brown University’s Pre-College Programs offer high school students the opportunity to experience college-level courses spanning various fields such as biological and natural sciences, math, political science, business, economics, legal studies, literature, media and communication, medical sciences, psychology, physical sciences, philosophy, arts, engineering, and technology.
The “Engineering Biomedical Systems” course is designed to introduce you to biomedical engineering analysis, specifically focusing on device design and tissue engineering approaches. You will be taught using examples of popular biomedical technologies, including artificial joints and hearts, prosthetics, and insulin pumps. Moreover, you will get to study the differences between tissue-engineered organs and synthetic organ analogs. The course also includes a group design project in which you will be asked to improve upon current biomedical technologies. Design solutions will be based upon readings and a broader literature review, and will build upon hands-on activities and demonstrations presented in class.
6. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Physics Track
Subject Areas: STEM, humanities, and social sciences
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May.
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.
Cost: $2,800 (12 weeks) | $5,400 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, offers high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with PhD mentors to develop an independent research project in their subject area. Selected students will undergo immersive sessions with their mentors, who will help them produce a college-level research paper based on their projects. Support from writing coaches will also be provided, throughout your research experience.
You can choose your subject area, such as engineering/biology, and choose a specific field of interest, such as biomedical engineering!
Subject Areas: Bio- and molecular engineering, chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, machine learning, anthropology, biology, aerospace engineering, and artificial intelligence.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free for all accepted participants; Students will receive a stipend of at least $750.
Application Deadline: March 6, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: June 3–August 9, 2024 (10 weeks); TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 who reside in New York can apply.
NYU's ARISE program offers opportunities for students interested in engineering. You will participate in hands-on laboratory experiences, classroom sessions, and workshops focusing on data collection, ethics, lab safety, and even college admissions preparation. During the program, you’ll receive mentorship from NYU's research faculty which will allow you to engage in relevant research within your chosen STEM domains. The program culminates with you showcasing your research outcomes at a colloquium.
If you’re interested in biomedical engineering, you can choose to work in the Applied Micro-Bioengineering Lab where you will get to develop innovative micro/nanoscale technologies and integrated biosystems in the emerging areas of research of engineering and medicine. Some examples include biomanufacturing organotypic organ-on-a-chip systems for cancer diagnosis and modeling, engineering microfluidic lab-on-a-chip systems for single-cell sensing and immune engineering, as well as biomaterials for tissue engineering and stem cell-based regenerative medicine.
ARISE typically accepts 76 to 80 students into the program. You can check out the research opportunities for 2024 along with the participating professors and their labs here.
Subject Areas: Biomedical engineering, robotics, competitive programming, electrical engineering, sustainable engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, data science, and math.
Location: Columbia University, NY. Housing is not provided as SHAPE is a commuter program.
Cost: $5,500; This amount includes tuition, lab fee, materials fee, and activity fee. Need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: March 26, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: Multiple sessions were available in 2024; TBA for 2025
- Session 1: July 8–July 26, 2024
- Session 2: July 29–August 16, 2024
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and high school graduates can apply.
Columbia Engineering's Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) is a pre-college program geared toward students with a curiosity for STEM. Each 3-week session offers college-level courses in engineering that are project-based and taught by Columbia University’s faculty members. You will choose a subject and participate in one of these college-level engineering courses for the duration of your session. The program also includes electives, college preparation activities, support from Columbia students, and other workshops.
If you’re interested in biomedical engineering, you can choose to attend the Biomedical Engineering: Where Biology, Medicine & Design Meet (Sessions 1 & 2) where you will participate in hands-on laboratory exercises in different areas of biomedical engineering (BME) such as biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and medical imaging. You will explore the engineering design process and various rapid prototyping techniques like 3D printing, laser engraving, etc., and get to construct your very own biomedical device.
Subject Areas: Biomedical engineering, computer science, and life science.
Location: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Cost:
- Early Bird Program Cost (till April 1): $2,050 for one course
- Regular Program Cost (after April 1): $2,150 for one course
There is also a non-refundable $50 application fee for this program.
Application Deadline: June 11, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: Multiple sessions were available in 2024; TBA for 2025
- Session 1: June 23–June 29, 2024
- Session 2: June 30–July 6, 2024
- Session 3: July 7–July 13, 2024
- Session 4: July 14–July 20, 2024
- Session 5: July 21–July 27, 2024
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who have completed at least one year of high school by the start of the program with at least a 2.0 GPA can apply.
UConn Pre-College Summer (PCS) is an immersive summer experience designed for high school students to gain college-level academic experience. Courses are offered in several fields, including STEM, humanities, social sciences, and the arts.
The “Biomedical Engineering” course is an introductory, hands-on course that will give you an overview of biomedical engineering, its principles, and real-life applications. You will learn about these applications that are found in medical device design, disease diagnosis and treatment, prosthetics, and the restoration of the functions of injured organs and tissues. You will get to explore topics such as human motion measurement devices, electro-physiological measurement devices, ultrasonic sensors, and 3-dimensional designing and printing. In this course, you will learn about biomedical engineering and its role in the delivery of healthcare. You will also develop technical communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and analysis skills and have an opportunity to explore various career paths available in biomedical engineering.
Subject Areas: Biomedical engineering
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: No cost to apply or attend; Participants will receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: February 11, 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: June 10–July 26, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors at least 16 years old can apply.
(Priority is given to Durham Public School students but applications from all eligible high school students in North Carolina are accepted).
Duke University’s Research in Engineering Program (DukeREP) is a 7-week program for high school students interested in science and engineering organized by the Biomedical Engineering Department (BME). The program introduces students from diverse backgrounds to scientific research inspiring them to pursue academic and professional careers in STEM. You’ll be required to be on campus for eight hours a day on weekdays, typically from 9 am to 5 pm, for the duration of the program.
During the program, you will work on research projects in Duke BME labs. Research areas include bioelectric engineering, biomaterials, biomechanics and mechanobiology, biomedical and health data sciences, biomedical Imaging and biophotonics, biosensors and bioinstrumentation, computational modeling of biological systems, drug and gene delivery, immune engineering, neural engineering, synthetic and systems biology, and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. You will also get to participate in weekly social activities and seminars that include college advising, professional skills development, and talks by professors and professionals in engineering.
Subject Areas: Biomedical engineering, research techniques, and experimental protocols.
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for 2024; TBA for 2025
Dates: July 1–August 16, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old by the start of the program can apply.
The Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) Program provides research opportunities for academically talented high school students. You will be involved in recent biomedical research, investigating biomedical questions, and developing new methods to study cells, tissues, and organs.
During the program, you will work for about 6 weeks over the summer in the biomedical engineering labs at Tufts, learning about research techniques in a particular field of study along with studying experimental protocols, making predictions, and testing hypotheses. You will observe first-hand the work of professional researchers and get to present your findings to others in the program, parents, and teachers. You’ll be encouraged to use your projects to participate in local and national science competitions such as the Massachusetts State and Engineering Fair, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology, and the Intel Science Talent Search. You will also gain academic guidance from undergraduates and graduate students involved with the program and your research mentors.
Subject Areas: Biomedical engineering, device design, and research.
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: $900. Scholarship options are available.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the seats are filled.
Dates: Two camp options were available in 2024; dates TBA for 2025
- BOLT: June 10–June 13, 2024
- Brain-BOLT: July 8–July 11, 2024
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 in the fall can apply.
The University of Colorado’s BOLT is a camp designed to introduce high school students to biomedical engineering, leadership, and the career options available for STEM-focused students. During the camp, you will collaborate to design, construct, test, and refine a prototype, then participate in a fun yet low-pressure design competition. In parallel, you will learn about biomedical engineering, dive into the theory of general engineering principles, and get a sneak peek of recent research.
There will be many hands-on activities throughout the week such as conducting a CRISPR Cas-9 tissue engineering experiment, working with engineering and clinical faculty to design and prototype solutions for unmet clinical needs, participating in an anatomy experience with the AHEC cadaver lab, and learning to solder, 3D print, and build circuits. This camp will also help you learn how to think creatively, how to interact and empathize with people who may have a disability, and how to apply your ideas to bioengineering problems.
Subject Areas: Biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, and research.
Location:
- Rowan University Biomedical Engineering Laboratory (Glassboro or Camden campus)
- Rowan University Biomedical Sciences laboratory (Camden or Stratford campus)
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Application Deadline: The RISER Scholar Nomination deadline for 2024 was May 17; TBA for 2025. Students must be nominated by their high school teacher for the RISER Program.
Dates: June 17–July 26, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: South Jersey (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem counties) high school rising seniors can apply.
The 2024 RISER (Research Immersion in Biomedical Science and Engineering at Rowan) Summer Program is a volunteer, non-residential program that provides hands-on research opportunities for talented South Jersey rising high school seniors.
As a RISER Scholar, you will spend six weeks in a laboratory working on your guided, independent research project at a Rowan University Biomedical Engineering (Glassboro or Camden campus) or Biomedical Sciences (Camden or Stratford campus) laboratory. Research areas include vascular engineering, biomaterials engineering, regenerative medicine, robotic surgery, immunoengineering and synthetic biology, and drug delivery. The last day of the program will include a culminating Symposium, which will allow you to present your work in front of the host labs, family, friends, and nominating high school teachers. You can check out some highlights from the 2023 RISER Summer Program Symposium here.
Subject Areas: Biomedical engineering, biochemistry, materials chemistry, and scientific reasoning.
Location: Olin/Wellesley, MA (Session 1) | Boston, MA (Session 2)
Cost: $4,297
- Three-Week Tuition: $2,200
- Three-Week Residential Fee: $2,097
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Multiple sessions were available in 2024; dates TBA for 2025
- Session 1: June 24–July 12, 2024
- Session 2: July 15–August 2, 2024
Eligibility: High school students in 10th grade and above who are residents of the Longwood Medical Area can apply.
Boston Leadership Institute’s Biomedical Engineering Program covers the fundamental biological knowledge necessary to develop medical technologies and devices. During the program, you’ll cover topics such as biochemistry, materials chemistry, and scientific reasoning and work with DNA via extraction and transformation into bacteria, as well as practice 3D design and 3D printing. You will explore recent advancements in biophysics, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering, as well as their ethical and societal implications.
In a final group project, you will research a medical, or human need, and propose a technology to address that need. You’ll also get to design an experiment demonstrating how your technology works, culminating in a class presentation. Group research activities include designing and 3D printing your prosthetic devices, studying and researching treatments for glaucoma, proposing a roadside test to determine THC intoxication, designing a device to deliver insulin to type-I diabetics discreetly (via an Apple-watch-like insulin pump), and exploring ways to design bioplastics for patients who need straws in straw-free locales.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.