If you’re a high school student in Texas and interested in computer science, joining a summer program can be a smart way to build skills and figure out what areas you enjoy the most. Across Texas, many universities and organizations run programs that let high schoolers explore topics like Python programming, web development, mobile apps, robotics, data science, machine learning, and even bioinformatics.
You’ll get to write code, work on hands-on projects, and learn tools like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, Swift, MATLAB, or Simulink. Some programs also introduce you to AI systems, UI/UX design, or data visualization, depending on your interest.
These experiences can give you a serious edge when applying to college or internships, and are more accessible than programs hosted outside the state. You’ll have real projects to show, technical skills on your resume, and a better understanding of what it’s like to study or work in computer science.
To help you choose, we’ve compiled a list of the 16 best computer science summer programs for high school students in Texas!
16 Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – CS Track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in various subjects, including data science, machine learning, computer science, and more You’ll choose a subject track and decide whether you want to do a quantitative or qualitative research project.
If you’re interested in computer science, you can pick from options like Data Science and Machine Learning, Machine Learning and Social Media, Cybersecurity, or Algorithms and Data Structures. In each of these, you’ll build skills like Python programming, statistical analysis, data visualization, and academic writing.
After you choose your track, you’ll be matched with a professor or PhD researcher from a top university who will guide you through the process. You’ll spend the trimester researching, analyzing, and writing a 20-page paper. Horizon also helps you refine your work for publication and provides a recommendation letter that you can use for college or other opportunities.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5950 onwards; financial aid options available
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts. The summer II cohort application deadline is June 22.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic standing (GPA > 3.67/4.0) are eligible to apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites; see here.
2. NASA and UT Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer High School Intern Program
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES) High School Summer Internship is for students interested in STEM careers, especially those focused on computer science. During the internship, you’ll work with NASA experts on data analysis and visualization, using NASA data to study topics like remote sensing, mission design, and AI.
You’ll be mentored by NASA scientists and take part in projects related to Earth systems, planetary science, and engineering. Your work might involve analyzing data on gravity fields, ice sheets, or other areas.
Location: Virtual or in-person at the University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, and the internship is unpaid. Upon completion of the program, both virtual and on-site interns will receive a NASA certificate of completion.
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: May 1 to August 5, including distance learning, mentor-guided projects, virtual work, and grade-specific science symposiums.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old by the start of the program, and who have not previously worked as SEES interns are eligible to apply.
3. 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).
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.
4. NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost, but students will receive a small stipend to help cover miscellaneous expenses.
Application Deadline: You can visit the website in December for details about the application process. Typically, applications remain open for 3-4 weeks during January or February.
Dates: July 1–July 26
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years old by December 31 and entering their junior or senior year of high school in the Fall. They must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and have completed at least one high school biology course.
GL4HS, a virtual summer program sponsored by NASA’s Ames Research Center, focuses on bioinformatics and omics research. You will learn to analyze complex biological data like genetic codes and develop skills in molecular biology, data analysis, and critical thinking. The program includes hands-on training using NASA’s GeneLab Data System to apply what you learn.
You will study how organisms respond to microgravity and explore NASA’s life sciences projects. You can connect with scientists and industry experts through guest lectures, virtual field trips, and networking sessions. The program features a research competition where the top team presents at a national conference on gravitational and space research.
5. NASA OSTEM Summer Internships
The NASA OSTEM Summer Internship is a paid program for high school students aged 16 and above. If you’re interested in computer science, you might work on projects related to robotics, AI systems, or data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or Simulink.
You’ll be guided by NASA engineers and attend weekly seminars that focus on technical communication skills. The internship can be on-site or hybrid, depending on the location. You’ll receive a stipend for your work. The program concludes with a capstone presentation where you share your project outcomes with fellow interns and NASA staff.
Location: NASA centers nationwide (e.g., Houston, TX)
Cost: None. Stipend may or may not be provided.
Application Deadline: Fall: May 16; Spring: September 12; Summer: February 27
Program Dates: Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January — early May); Summer: 10 weeks (late May — August); Fall: 16 weeks (late August — mid-December)
Eligibility: U.S. citizen; full-time grades 10–12; GPA ≥ 3.0; age ≥ 16.
6. Rice University’s PATHS-UP Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Program
The PATHS-UP Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Program at Rice University is a free, three-week program where you’ll study computer science, physics, digital circuitry, and engineering through the lens of healthcare technology. You’ll learn how coding, circuits, and system design connect to real medical tools and devices.
During the program, you’ll take part in hands-on projects using tools like pulse oximeters, GPS modules, accelerometers, and audio systems. The program admits 12 high school students and requires a recommendation or endorsement from a teacher or school official.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: April 4
Dates: June 9 — June 26
Eligibility: Houston-area high school sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. No prior programming experience is needed.
7. Angelo State University’s Code Camp
The Code Camp at Angelo State University is a free, one-week program where you’ll learn the basics of computer programming. You can join either in person or online, depending on what works best for you. During the camp, you’ll use JavaScript to learn core programming skills like writing functions, using loops, and handling user input.
You’ll also explore how to create visual projects like drawings and simple animations. Throughout the week, you’ll work on problem-solving exercises that build your understanding of computational thinking. At the end of the program, you’ll present a final project you built during the camp, sharing your work with peers and instructors.
Location: Online/ Angelo State University Campus
Cost: None
Application Deadline: May 2
Program Dates: June 2–6
Eligibility: Open to all high school students.
8. Anson L.Clark Scholars Program
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a free, seven-week summer research program where you’ll work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on an advanced research project. You’ll also join seminars, group discussions, and field visits that connect you with other students and researchers.
If you choose the computer science track, you might explore topics like machine learning, algorithms, or energy-efficient computing. One past student used machine learning to predict GPU energy use, combining programming, data analysis, and energy modeling.
Location: Texas Tech University
Cost: None. $750 stipend provided.
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: June 22 — August 7
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date and should graduate in the next two years (U.S. and International).
9. UT Austin’s Academy for All
UT Austin’s Academy for All is a one-week summer program where you can choose between two tracks: computer science or game development. Both tracks are taught by university faculty and include hands-on projects and group activities.
In the Standard Edition, you’ll learn C++ programming, basic project management, and explore different careers in technology. One of the hands-on projects includes coding an Arduino to control an LED display, which helps you build both hardware and programming skills.
The Game Development Edition teaches Java programming, 2D game design, debugging, and how to use professional development tools. You’ll work on building your simple games while improving your coding logic and creativity.
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: None. Students may apply for travel scholarships for up to $500 to help pay for transportation to and from Austin if needed.
Application Deadline: While the application deadline is not specified, you can expect it to close a month and a half to a month before the program.
Program Dates: July 6 — 12 (standard) | July 27 — August 2 (machine learning)
Eligibility: Students based in the United States entering grades 11–12 are eligible to apply.
10. Rice University’s Tapia STEM Camps
The Tapia STEM Camp at Rice University is a 6-day residential program where you’ll explore a range of STEM subjects through hands-on courses taught by Rice students. The curriculum is based on research by university faculty and lets you build foundational skills across disciplines. During the program, you’ll work on an independent STEM project and present your findings at the end of the week.
Rice also offers the ELITE Tech Camp, a separate one-week program that focuses on engineering and technology. You’ll study topics like machine learning, AI, data science, 3D printing, and the Internet of Things. The program also includes sessions on how STEM connects to social equity, with guest speakers from both academia and industry sharing their career paths and challenges.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $2,500 per student
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from July to August. More information here.
Eligibility: Open to all students between grades 7–12.
11. UT Austin’s Academy for Women
UT Austin’s one-week summer program is designed for high school girls who want to explore computer science. You’ll learn foundational skills like C++ programming, project management, and problem-solving, with lessons led by university faculty.
During the camp, you’ll work on hands-on projects such as programming an Arduino to create an LED display. You’ll also explore different technologies and tools used in the tech field, with support from faculty members and industry professionals.
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: None
Application Deadline: While the application deadline is not specified, you can expect it to close a month and a half to a month before the program.
Program Dates: June 8–14
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors who identify as female.
12. UT Dallas’ Deep Dive AI Workshop
UT Dallas offers an eight-week summer program for high school students who already have some experience with computer science. The program focuses on AI and machine learning and is taught by graduate students under the supervision of Professor Anurag Nagar.
You’ll work with Python and learn to use tools like NumPy and pandas for data analysis. You’ll explore how to clean and process datasets, build models using decision trees and neural networks, and study deep learning techniques with TensorFlow.
The program also introduces convolutional and recurrent neural networks (CNNs and RNNs), and teaches how to evaluate models using metrics like accuracy and ROC curves.
Location: University of Texas, Dallas, TX
Cost: $1,200 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Rolling admission
Program Dates: June 9–August 1(tentative)
Eligibility: Open to all advanced-level high school students. Prerequisites include familiarity with Python programming and high school-level mathematics.
13. Summer Research Program @ UT Dallas
The Summer Research Program at UT Dallas gives you two ways to explore computer science through research: hands-on lab internships and research-based workshops.
If you choose the Intensive Research Internship, you’ll work 20 to 40 hours a week in a university lab. You might read academic papers, help run experiments or simulations, or build software tools related to the lab’s focus. These internships are in-person, selective, and open to students aged 15 and older.
The Summer Research Workshops are more like informal college courses. You’ll meet at least twice a week, either in person or online, depending on your age and location. Each workshop focuses on a specific topic and usually ends with a final project or short research paper.
Location: University of Texas, Dallas, TX, or virtual
Cost: $1,000 for CS lab | $700 for in-person workshops | $600 for virtual workshops
Application Deadline: Deadline unspecified. Currently not accepting lab applications. More information here.
Program Dates: June 9 — August 1
Eligibility: Students who have completed 10th or 11th grade can apply.
14. UT Austin Academy for Machine Learning
The UT Austin Academy for Machine Learning is a one-week residential summer program for rising 10th to 12th graders. You’ll learn Python programming, data science, and machine learning from university professors and tech professionals.
Using tools like Jupyter Notebook, pandas, and scikit-learn, you’ll build and evaluate your machine learning models. Midway through the week, you’ll work with a team to complete a capstone project where you design, train, and present a predictive model based on real data.
You’ll also take part in sessions on AI ethics, career paths in tech, and visit research labs across campus to see machine learning in action. Only about 30 students are selected to keep the learning focused and personal.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: $2,100 tuition; scholarships available.
Application Deadline: May 11 | June 29. Apply here!
Program Dates: Session 1: June 1–6 | Session 2: July 20–25
Eligibility: Rising grades 10–12 can apply.
15. UT Austin Academy for Robotics
The Academy for Robotics at UT Austin is a one-week residential program for rising 10th to 12th students who want to learn about autonomous systems. Faculty from the Computer Science and Engineering departments lead the program, covering Python programming for robots, sensor integration, and basic AI control techniques.
During the week, you’ll work in teams to design, build, and test robots that can navigate obstacle courses, follow paths, or pick up objects. The program includes a visit to the UT Robotics Lab, where you can watch current research on autonomous robots. At the end, your team will present your project in a final demonstration.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: $2,100 tuition; scholarships available
Application Deadline: May 25 | June 6. Apply here!
Program Dates: Session 1: June 15–20 | Session 2: June 22–27
Eligibility: Rising grades 10–12; no prior robotics experience required
16. Kode with Klossy Summer Camps
Kode with Klossy offers free, two-week summer coding camps for high school students from groups underrepresented in STEM. You can pick from four tracks: Web Development, Mobile App Development, Machine Learning, or Data Science.
In Web Development, you’ll build interactive websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The Mobile App track teaches you how to create iOS apps with Swift and Xcode. Machine Learning covers basic AI and machine learning concepts.
In Data Science, you’ll use Python and SQL to analyze data and build a chatbot. Each track includes UX/UI design basics and programming fundamentals.
Location: Virtual or in-person at multiple locations, including Dallas, TX.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Typically in late March
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions were available between June and August.
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens aged 13–18 with an interest in technology are eligible to apply. No prior coding experience is necessary.
Image source – Kode with Klossy
