As a high school student interested in physics, internships give you the opportunity to explore advanced topics like astrophysics, quantum mechanics, engineering, computational modeling, and materials science in a real academic or research setting. Instead of only learning theory, as an intern, you will build foundational STEM skills in coding, data analysis, lab work, instrument handling, and structured problem-solving. Physics internships can also introduce you to how research works at the university or lab level, helping you understand the expectations, rigor, and workflow of higher-level STEM environments.
Why choose California for an internship?
California is a great place to pursue physics internships, thanks to its concentration of research universities, national laboratories, and science-driven organizations. The state offers exposure to cutting-edge work across physics and engineering fields, often in collaboration with academic and industry researchers. For students living in California, local internships can also be a practical and cost-effective choice, reducing travel and housing expenses while still providing access to highly regarded programs.
To help you find the right opportunity, we have highlighted 15 physics internships for high school students in California. These options have been selected for their academic rigor, hands-on experience, and access to real research environments.
For more science internships, you can check out this blog.
15 Physics Internships for High School Students in California
1. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple AFRL sites across the country, including California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend amounts start at $501.60/week and vary based on location and educational level (check details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Admissions are competitive; details not specified
Dates: Start dates vary based on the AFRL sites and/or projects; a minimum commitment of eight weeks is required.
Application deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students who are U.S. citizens
The AFRL Scholars Program offers high schoolers the chance to work directly inside U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory facilities on real, physics-driven research projects. As a participant, you will work with scientists and engineers on research within aerospace physics, optics, propulsion, aerodynamics, materials science, and applied electromagnetics. Your work may involve experimental testing, data analysis, computational modeling, or supporting prototype development, depending on the lab and research focus. Rather than classroom-style learning, the program immerses you in active defense and aviation research environments where physics principles are applied to real-world problems. This experience also provides early exposure to advanced physics research, federal laboratories, and STEM pathways connected to aerospace, defense, and applied science.
2. UC Santa Cruz Science Internship Program (SIP)
Location: University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $68 application fee + $750 deposit + $4,250 tuition; optional housing costs are $7,350 (for full-time students) and $5,250 (for weekly commuters). You can check additional transportation costs here. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 8 + online research work: June 15 – 19
Application deadline: February 28; applications open on January 16.
Eligibility: High school students (who are not graduating this summer) between the ages of 14 and 17 at the start of the program
The UC Santa Cruz SIP is a summer-long research internship that places high school students directly into active university research projects, including those in physics and related engineering fields. Over roughly eight to nine weeks, you will work alongside UCSC faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers on ongoing studies. Physics-focused projects may involve experimental work, data analysis, computational modeling, or applied physics research, depending on the lab. The program begins with a virtual research preparation phase before transitioning to full-time, in-person lab work, helping you build the technical and research skills needed to contribute meaningfully. Throughout the internship, you will gain firsthand exposure to real research workflows, collaboration in academic labs, and the expectations of university-level scientific work.
3. California Science Center Community Teen Interns
Location: California Science Center, Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: $17.87/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive admissions
Dates: Year-round commitment (seven hours/ week during the school year + up to 35 hours/week in the summer)
Application deadline: Applications typically open in August; you can check the website for updates.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, with a minimum GPA of 2.0, who live within 0–3 miles of the Science Center and are allowed to work in the U.S.
The California Science Center Community Teen Interns program offers high school students a hands-on way to engage with applied physics through museum-based STEM education. As an intern, you will lead interactive demonstrations and exhibit-floor activities that connect physics concepts, such as mechanics, energy transfer, fluid dynamics, and motion, to real-world phenomena. You will explore physics-focused pathways in aviation (flight, forces, propulsion) and marine science (pressure, buoyancy, waves), using simulations, dive shows, and live demonstrations to explain science to the public. The role emphasizes inquiry-based learning, helping you translate abstract physics ideas into clear, engaging explanations for diverse audiences. Alongside content knowledge, you will build communication, leadership, and facilitation skills while supporting exhibit development and community science events.
4. Summer Research Connection (SRC) @ Caltech
Location: Caltech labs, Pasadena, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots available
Dates: Six weeks in summer
Application deadline: Typically late March
Eligibility: High school students from Pasadena Unified School District high schools who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program and have a demonstrated interest in STEM subjects
SRC at Caltech is a six-week, lab-based research program where high school students take part in real physics-driven research projects alongside Caltech scientists. As a participant, you will be placed in a small research team and work in an active Caltech lab on work within astrophysics, applied physics, robotics, or computational modeling, depending on the lab assignment. As a participant, you will help collect experimental data, run simulations, analyze results, and understand how physical principles are applied in cutting-edge research. The program emphasizes collaboration, scientific inquiry, and exposure to how physics research is conducted at one of the world’s leading institutions. You will also present your research at the end of the program, building technical understanding and scientific communication skills.
5. Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Multiple labs across the U.S., including in California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend for new participants: $4,000 | Stipend for returning participants: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 students placed across labs; California-specific numbers not available
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and are 16 years of age or older
SEAP is an eight-week summer research internship that places high school students in Department of the Navy laboratories across the U.S., where many projects are strongly grounded in applied physics. Depending on the lab, you may work on problems related to materials physics, electromagnetics, acoustics, optics, fluid dynamics, or aerospace and mechanical systems used in naval technology. You will assist with real research tasks such as data collection, experimental testing, modeling, simulation, or analysis, often working with the same tools and methods that professional physicists and engineers use. Throughout the program, you will receive mentorship from Navy scientists and engineers, helping you explore how physics principles translate into defense and engineering applications. The experience can also expose you to large-scale, mission-driven research environments where physics supports navigation systems, sensors, propulsion, and advanced materials.
6. QCaMP (Quantum, Computing, Mathematics, & Physics)
Location: Various locations, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Alameda County, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends provided for participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies each year
Dates: June 29 – July 24
Application deadline: April 3; applications open on February 2.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have a basic knowledge of algebra
QCaMP is an in-person, project-based program designed for high school students interested in quantum physics and its applications in computing. You will learn core concepts from quantum mechanics, such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum states, and see how these principles differ from classical physics. The program combines physics instruction with computing fundamentals, allowing you to design and build quantum circuits and run them on real quantum computers. Through guided projects, worksheets, and hands-on activities, you will explore how quantum phenomena are used to solve computational problems.
7. Berkeley Lab’s Experiences in Research (EinR)
Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (hybrid or virtual)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $500/week available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12, ages 16 and up
Berkeley Lab’s EinR program offers high school students the opportunity to work directly with scientists and engineers on real-world research projects at a national laboratory. If you are interested in physics, placements here may involve work within areas like experimental physics, materials science, energy systems, computational modeling, or data analysis tied to the physical sciences. Over six weeks, you will contribute to ongoing projects, engaging in tasks like coding simulations, analyzing experimental data, supporting lab experiments, and/or reviewing scientific literature. The program emphasizes close mentorship, allowing you to learn how physics research is conducted in a professional research environment. The experience concludes with a poster symposium where you will present your work and develop scientific communication skills.
8. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: ASDRP Research Laboratory, Fremont, CA
Cost: $1,070; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by cohort and year
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring and summer
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; priority is given to students with socioeconomic difficulties and who need representation in the STEM field
ASDRP is a year-round research program that allows high school students to conduct authentic, mentor-guided research in physics and related STEM fields. If you are interested in physics, you can join specialized research clusters such as astrophysics, where projects may focus on topics like gravitational waves, pulsar detection, fast radio bursts (FRBs), and observational astronomy. You will work under the guidance of experienced scientists and engineers, using real datasets from organizations such as NASA and ESA, rather than simulated exercises. The program emphasizes research design, data analysis, computational methods, and scientific writing, helping you understand how physics research is conducted at a professional level. Your work will culminate in formal research papers and presentations, offering you exposure to science communication before college.
9. Internships @ Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; student will receive stipends (amount varies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies based on the opportunity
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 or above, with a GPA of 2.5 for clerical and labor-intensive internships and 3.0 for all other internships
The Student Intern Program at Sandia National Laboratories offers high school students the chance to work in a nationally recognized research environment. As an intern, you may contribute to projects in areas such as plasma physics, radiation science, high-energy physics, fusion energy, or materials physics, depending on your placement. You will work alongside professional physicists and engineers, assisting with experiments, simulations, data analysis, or modeling tied to real national security and energy challenges. The experience can help you learn how physics is applied in large-scale research facilities and gain experience in using advanced instrumentation and computational tools.
10. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Commuter: $5,675 | Residential: $13,274; need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: March 9; application window opens on December 15.
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 (outstanding 9th graders may be accepted on a case-by-case basis) with a minimum 3.8 academic weighted GPA
The UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program offers high school students the chance to engage in university-level physics research over the course of six weeks. You can choose a physics-focused project to work closely with a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty mentor on topics that may include condensed matter physics, materials science, applied physics, computational modeling, or related engineering-physics areas, depending on the year’s available mentors. Your work may involve data analysis, simulations, theoretical modeling, or lab-based investigation, with expectations similar to those of an undergraduate researcher. The program begins with a virtual orientation before transitioning to full-time research, which requires a significant time commitment each week. Alongside research, you will attend lectures that expose you to cutting-edge scientific work across campus and present your findings at a formal research symposium, gaining experience in scientific communication and academic presentation.
11. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Location: Various labs across the U.S., including in California
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipends available (amount varies by role)
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 – 10 weeks from May to August; dates vary by location
Application deadline: Varies by role
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S.; additional eligibility requirements vary by location.
AEOP offers high school students the opportunity to engage in STEM research at defense laboratories or universities through its internships. Sponsored by the U.S. Army, the program will connect you with university researchers and Department of Defense experts, giving you the opportunity to work on projects in physics, engineering, or other technical and scientific disciplines. As an intern, you will also gain hands-on experience in lab work, data analysis, and using advanced lab equipment. You will contribute to projects that support national security and scientific advancement and get to connect with researchers to explore career paths in STEM.
12. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Year-round engagement, starting in June
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: 9th and 10th-grade students who attend an SFUSD school, have a minimum 2.5 GPA and a C or higher in science and math, have a valid work permit, and can commit to 2–3 years of attendance; students from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply
The CiS program is a year-round internship that allows you to engage with STEM through hands-on learning, teaching, and research. You will work on interactive physics demonstrations and museum exhibits related to mechanics, optics, energy, and environmental physics while helping communicate these concepts to the public at the California Academy of Sciences. The program also includes outdoor fieldwork and project-based research, allowing you to explore topics like biophysics, climate systems, and environmental measurement. Additionally, you will attend regular workshops that can help build scientific reasoning, data interpretation, and science communication skills. As you progress, CiS offers pathways into research teams, exhibit development, and leadership roles, making it a long-term science-focused experience rather than a short-term internship.
13. Summer Internship Program @ The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy
Location: Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy, Marina, CA
Cost: $3,000 tuition fee, which is waived for Monterey County residents
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Flexible dates; students are expected to be available for at least 10 weeks
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Current high school students and college students
The Summer Internship Program at the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy (MIRA) is a 10-week, in-person internship for high school and college students interested in astronomy and astrophysics. You will work one-on-one with MIRA’s astronomers on active physics-based research projects, applying concepts from optics, radiation, gravitation, and data analysis. Research areas include star formation, gravitational lensing, stellar atmospheres, asteroseismology, comets, near-Earth asteroids, and astronomical instrumentation. Your work may involve analyzing telescope data, running computational models, or contributing to observational studies using real NASA and observatory datasets. This program can offer a deep, hands-on introduction to astrophysics research and how physics is applied to understanding the universe.
14. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory’s Summer Internship Program
Location: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not mentioned
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 12 weeks from May until September
Application deadline: Varies based on the opportunity
Eligibility: High school (ages 18 and up), undergraduate, and graduate level college students who are authorized to work in the U.S.; applicants must pass a basic background check to qualify.
This program gives you exposure to real-world physics research at one of the world’s leading accelerator laboratories. As an intern, you may support SLAC projects related to particle accelerators, detector systems, beam physics, or advanced instrumentation, depending on departmental needs. Physics-focused work can include data processing, basic programming, experimental support, or assisting researchers in analyzing results from particle and photon experiments. Alongside hands-on tasks, you will attend seminars and lab tours that explain how accelerator physics, materials science, and high-energy physics research are conducted at scale. This program can help you understand how fundamental physics concepts translate into large, complex research facilities and technologies.
15. Exploratorium’s High School Explainers
Location: The Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 130 positions/ year
Dates: Year-round and summer positions; dates vary
Application deadline: Applications open in July for the school year program and in March for the summer program; you can check the website for updates.
Eligibility: High school students who are 15–18 years old (returning Explainers can be up to 20 years old)
The Exploratorium’s High School Explainer Program is a hands-on science internship where you get to learn and teach STEM. As an Explainer, you will work directly with museum visitors, running interactive exhibits and demonstrations, including events focused on core physics concepts such as motion, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and energy. You will receive more than 60 hours of structured training in scientific content, inquiry-based explanation, and public communication before and during your time on the exhibit floor. The program emphasizes learning by doing—asking questions, testing ideas, and helping others explore phenomena through real experiments rather than lectures. The program can offer you exposure to applied physics, science communication, and informal science education.
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 – Caltech logo