If you're a high school student considering a computer science degree, a summer program can help you gain hands-on experience and strengthen your skills before college. Whether you're interested in coding, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, web development, UX/UI design, or software development, these programs provide a structured environment where you can learn from experts, collaborate with peers, and take on challenging projects.
Participating in a summer program can introduce you to new technologies and trends in computer science, broaden your academic understanding, help you explore career options, and enhance your college applications.
Many credible organizations and universities offer free virtual summer programs for high school students. Whether you're seeking a pre-college experience, an internship, or an opportunity to learn, there's likely a summer program available to fit your interests.
In this blog, we'll discuss 17 free online computer science summer programs for high school students.
17 Free Online Computer Science (CS) Summer Programs for High School Students in 2024-2025
Subject Areas: Computer science, environmental health and engineering, international relations, chemistry, machine learning, philosophy, behavioral economics, psychology, political theory, history, biophysics, data science, neuroscience, biotechnology, sociology, physics, network science, 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 for Horizon Labs are flexible, but you must submit your application at least 4 weeks before your preferred start date.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record (GPA >3.67/4.0) can apply. Most accepted students are typically in 10th or 11th grade. Only a few tracks have formal prerequisites; more information can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in various subjects including data science, machine learning, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, political theory, biomedical engineering, and more. You can choose between quantitative or qualitative research tracks. For students interested in computer science, course options include Data Science and Machine Learning, Machine Learning and Social Media, Cybersecurity, or Algorithms and Data Structures.
Once you choose a subject track and research type, you will be matched with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a prominent university who will guide you during the research process. You’ll get to produce a 20-page university-level research paper, which can be submitted for publication in reputable journals.
The program will allow you to engage in specialized research with expert guidance. You’ll also receive a letter of recommendation and project feedback, which can be useful for future research or college applications. You can apply here!
Subject Areas: Data science, computer science, engineering, psychology, medicine, environmental science, gender studies, biology, chemistry, physics, economics, entrepreneurship, business, international relations, and more.
Location: Virtual
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Application Deadline: Four annual cohorts run in the fall, spring, summer, and winter.
Dates: Vary based on the cohort.
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school or planning to start college as freshmen in the fall with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4 can apply. No prior knowledge of the chosen field of interest is necessary.
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit initiative to support gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Originating from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, which offers personalized research opportunities for high school students, this foundation provides similar access to independent research experiences at no cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is similar to the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In this flagship program, high-achieving high school students are paired with Ph.D. mentors to work one-on-one on an independent research project. Throughout the 12-week program, you will develop a research paper on a topic of your choice from areas like psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
This program is a great option for students interested in interdisciplinary research who want to develop an individual research paper.
3. Veritas AI
Subject Areas: Data science, AI, machine learning, and programming.
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship): $6,900. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. You can apply here!
Dates: There are several cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students interested in AI who possess a basic understanding of Python or have completed the AI Scholars program are eligible to apply for the AI Fellowship program.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs specifically designed for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is for students who want to study AI, machine learning, and data science. This 10-session boot camp covers the basics of AI and data science while offering students the chance to work on real-world projects.
For more advanced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase provides the opportunity to collaborate one-on-one with mentors from top universities on an individualized project. A key feature of this fellowship is access to an in-house publication team that can help you get your work published in high school research journals. The program supports interdisciplinary exploration, allowing students to apply AI to diverse fields like finance, medicine, sports, and environmental science. You can also explore examples of past student projects here.
Subject Areas: Technology, medicine, engineering, healthcare, AI, business, marketing, sustainability, environmental science, machine learning, journalism, computer science, media, and more.
Location: Remote
Cost: Starts at $2,490; financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort.
Dates: Programs lasting 8–16 weeks, with multiple cohorts, are available throughout the year, including in the spring, summer, fall, and winter sessions.
Eligibility: The program is open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to working 5–15 hours per week for 8–16 weeks.
Ladder Internships is a selective program founded by Harvard alumni that connects high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide for virtual internships. You can choose from a variety of fields, including technology, machine learning, AI, computer science, engineering, environmental science, sustainability, business, marketing, healthcare, medicine, media, journalism, and more.
The startups involved in Ladder are high-growth companies, typically raising over a million dollars in funding. Past founders have included YCombinator alums and founders who have raised over $30 million or worked at major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. As an intern, you’ll contribute to meaningful projects that align with the goals of the startup or nonprofit and present your work at the program’s conclusion.
The internship offers personalized training in communication, time management, and other essential skills, along with group training sessions with fellow interns. You'll be matched with a manager at the startup and a Ladder coach who will serve as an additional mentor. To explore the available opportunities, you can review them through the application form.
Subject Areas: Software engineering, data engineering, machine learning, AI, data science, social media content generation, and market research.
Location: The program is virtual, with additional opportunities available in the Greater Seattle area, WA.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Some projects offer stipends.
Application Deadline: April 22 (tentatively). Applications for summer 2025 will be available in March or April 2025.
Dates: The duration varies based on the opportunity, typically ranging from May to August for approximately 8 to 12 weeks.
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and live in the United States are eligible to apply.
The Spark Summer Mentorship Program offers high school students hands-on, immersive internships. When applying, you can select between 1 to 5 projects that align with your interests. SparkSMP offers a range of remote projects that will allow you to apply concepts from machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data visualization to real-world scenarios. In 2024, students interested in computer science had the opportunity to participate in the Data Engineering and AI for Real World Problems track, where they worked on AI/ML applications, data pipelines, and predictive analytics to solve industry challenges.
The program will allow you to interact with and learn from industry leaders, university professors, and mentors from a range of organizations. Research topics for 2024 include extreme weather conditions, software engineering, detecting tick-borne infections and cancers, ML workflow, quantum technologies, CHIPS/semiconductors (GaN/AIGaN), low-temperature electronics, competitive analysis, market research, data engineering and AI, social media content generation, and more. The program is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 3-5%.
Subject Areas: Engineering, space science, technology, ecology, outreach and communications, aeronautics, astronomy, space microbiology, and robotics.
Location: Interns may work either remotely or on-site, depending on the project, at any of NASA's 10 field centers located throughout the country.
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate; interns may receive a stipend that varies based on their academic level and the session duration.
Application Deadline:
- Spring 2025: August 23, 2024
- Summer 2025: February 28, 2025
- Fall 2025: May 16, 2025
Dates: These internships are available in three sessions, with specific dates varying based on the opportunity:
- Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December)
- Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May)
- Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, they must be full-time students (from high school through graduate level) or part-time college students enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours, and they must be at least 16 years old at the time of application, with no exceptions.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school and college students at various locations across the U.S. Interns receive training, mentorship, and career development while working alongside professionals in fields such as science, engineering, finance, IT, and business. These internships cover a variety of subjects, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, astronomy, technology, space microbiology, robotics, ecology, and communications. Students interested in computer science can apply to opportunities like ESEA - Equity Strategies for Emerging Aviation, focusing on the advancements in electric propulsion and automation that could reshape transportation for people and cargo.
You’ll get to participate in tasks such as designing experiments, analyzing mission data, and developing new technologies. You might work directly with a researcher or in small groups on current NASA projects, which could involve recording and analyzing data, tracking celestial bodies with advanced telescopes, and supporting mission preparations. You will also get to attend lectures by astronauts and experts in astronomy. These experiences will help you develop skills valuable for future undergraduate studies and careers. You can explore available internships by using the 'Filter' option to find those open to high school students.
Subject Areas: Electronic engineering, AI, machine learning, game development, coding, quantum computation, hardware development, and more.
Location: The program is available virtually or in person at MIT in Cambridge, MA.
Cost: The program costs $1,750 for participants from families with an income exceeding $150,000. However, for those from families earning less, participation is free.
Application Deadline: March 31 (tentatively)
Dates: July 8–August 4 (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 who attend school in the U.S. are eligible to apply. Most accepted students are typically in the 11th grade.
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) provides hands-on STEM courses in a workshop format, covering various topics. Among the online computer science courses offered are Serious Games Development with Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (CogWorks), and Quantum Software.
- In the "Serious Games Development with Artificial Intelligence" course, you will learn about game design and AI by modifying games that simulate real-world situations like disease spread or self-driving cars. After mastering the basics of game design and coding, you will create a game modification to explore a research question, analyzing how computers handle moral dilemmas and comparing their responses to human decision-making.
- The "Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (CogWorks)" course will introduce you to the foundational technologies of AI, from natural language processing to machine cognition. The course is structured in modules where you’ll get to implement algorithms in these core areas.
- In the "Quantum Software" course, you will delve into quantum computation by completing coding exercises and developing a quantum algorithm as a software program.
BWSI offers a great opportunity to enhance programming skills, learn from MIT Lincoln Laboratory faculty, and collaborate with peers. Current course offerings are available here.
Subject Areas: Biology, engineering, linguistics, philosophy, computer science, technology, and design.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate in this program, but it is an unpaid internship. In certain cases, need-based financial assistance may be offered.
Application Deadline: The extended deadline is typically in March.
Dates: June 17–August 9 (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 years old, as well as community college students under the age of 21, are eligible to apply.
Stanford’s Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (SHTEM) Summer Internship provides high school and community college students with the opportunity to collaborate in project groups on research topics. Each group is mentored by students, faculty, and staff from the Stanford Compression Forum, with most research conducted remotely. Regular communication between participants, mentors, and group members is maintained throughout the program. You can expect to dedicate approximately 30–40 hours per week to the work.
This program emphasizes the broad spectrum of research topics in engineering while integrating the humanities and human-focused aspects into STEM research. You will get to engage in interdisciplinary projects across areas such as biology, computer science, philosophy, design, technology, engineering, and linguistics. The internship concludes with group presentations on the projects and findings. Through this experience, you will build technical skills and a collaborative mindset. Typically, around 60 students are accepted into the program.
Subject Areas: Planetary science, mathematics, biology, engineering, chemistry, data analysis, computer science, physics, information technology, and cybersecurity.
Location: Virtual or in-person at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: February 15 (tentatively)
Dates:
- Summer session: June 25–August 22 (tentatively)
- Academic year session: September 16, 2024–May 2025; the exact dates are TBA.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, aged 15 or older, with a minimum GPA of 2.8, are eligible to apply. The applicants must also be permanent residents of the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan region.
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory gives high school juniors and seniors a chance to explore STEM careers before deciding on a college major. During the program, you will be paired with lab staff to collaborate on projects, address challenges, and develop both technical and interpersonal skills. The program offers both in-person and virtual internships, with virtual experiences conducted fully online, except for in-person tasks like onboarding, equipment returns, and troubleshooting.
When applying, you will choose an area of interest, but mentors and projects are assigned by the program. Available subject areas include biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, information technology, cybersecurity, mathematics, data analysis, physics, and planetary science. Your primary area of interest will determine which mentors review your application, but your secondary area of interest may be considered if the project requires specific skills. With an acceptance rate of 15%-20%, this program offers a solid opportunity for students to explore different STEM fields and gain hands-on experience.
Subject Areas: Web development, mobile app development, machine learning, data science, software engineering, UX design, UI design, programming, and graphic design.
Location: Virtual or in-person at multiple locations.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Typically in late March; TBA for 2025
Dates: In 2024, multiple 2-week sessions were available between June and August; dates for 2025 are yet to be announced.
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens aged 13–18 with an interest in technology are eligible to apply. No prior coding experience is necessary.
Kode with Klossy offers free, two-week coding camps aimed at students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM. You can choose from four courses: Web Development, Mobile App Development, Machine Learning, or Data Science.
In the Web Development course, you'll learn to build responsive and user-friendly websites using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. The Mobile App Development course focuses on creating fully functional iOS apps using Xcode and Swift. The Machine Learning course provides a foundational understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts. In the Data Science course, you'll analyze data using SQL, Python, and data visualization tools, and create a chatbot with Python. All courses cover core concepts in UX/UI design, programming, and graphic design. Additionally, you'll have opportunities to connect with women in tech through speaker sessions that provide insights into the industry.
Subject Areas: Data science, computer science, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, environmental science, finance, business, forensic science, geography, mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, and health.
Location: Internships are offered in fully remote and hybrid formats. In-person opportunities are also available at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate in the program, except for a $25 application fee, which may be waived based on financial need. However, transport and housing are not covered. The internship is unpaid.
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025 ASSIP program will open on December 2, 2024, and close on February 2, 2025.
Dates: June 18–August 8, 2025
Eligibility:
- Interns for remote internships must be at least 15 years old by the program start date.
- Interns for in-person or hybrid internships in computer labs must also be at least 15 years old by the program start date.
- For in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships, interns must be at least 16 years old by the program start date.
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program provides high school students with the opportunity to collaborate directly with faculty researchers at George Mason University to develop their research projects. This 8-week internship will allow you to gain practical experience with advanced equipment and technologies, improve your scientific writing and communication skills, explore various STEM career paths through professional discussions and meetings, and apply creative thinking—an essential component of innovative research.
For those interested in computer science, available research areas include electrical and computer engineering, information science and technology, serious games development, cybersecurity engineering, digital innovation, and more. Past computer science-based projects include research on Automated Visual Understanding and Detection of User Interface Dark Patterns, Correcting Visual Design Errors in Presentation Slides, and Harmful Terms in Computing: Detection and Correction. You can review previous research projects from the Department of Computer Science, School of Computing here.
Subject Areas: Data science, artificial intelligence, coding, cyber security, web development, game design, and UX design.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Both programs are free (For the Summer Immersion Program, there is a $300 need-based grant for eligible students in the United States).
Application Deadline: Applications generally close in March; TBA for 2025
Dates:
- Summer Immersion Program: June 14–June 28 | July 8–July 19 | July 29–August 9 (tentatively)
- Self-Paced Summer Program: July 1–August 9 (tentatively)
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students in grades 9–11 can apply for the Virtual Summer Immersion Program, while those in grades 9–12 are eligible for the Self-Paced Summer Program. Students, including alumni, can apply regardless of their prior coding experience.
Girls Who Code offers free virtual programs for high school students to help them develop the computer science skills needed for careers in technology. Through these programs, you can learn about various tech roles, engage with industry leaders, and connect with peers who share similar interests. Additional benefits include professional networking opportunities, financial grants, and technical support.
The 2-week Summer Immersion Program (SIP) features live, virtual classes hosted by companies such as MetLife, Bank of America, Logitech, and Synchrony. You will get to explore the tech industry, game design, the design process, and UX basics. In the Self-Paced Program, you will study topics like cybersecurity, web development, artificial intelligence, and data science while learning coding languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. These programs will teach you to build websites, apps, and games addressing issues like climate change, cyberbullying, and illiteracy.
Subject Areas: Biomedical engineering, technology, AI, healthcare, and research.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: There is no fee to apply to or participate in this program; it is an unpaid internship.
Application Deadline: March 31 (tentatively); the applications for Summer 2025 will open in January.
Dates: June 17–June 28 (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 in fall 2025 who are U.S. citizens and at least 14 years old by the start of the program are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applicants with strong skills in math or computer programming, and/or experience with a healthcare-related project.
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging offers a two-week summer internship for high school students interested in technology and artificial intelligence (AI). This internship provides foundational knowledge in AI, specifically its applications within the healthcare sector. As an intern, you will attend lectures on AI in healthcare and engage in research projects to develop relevant skills.
The program is both intensive and immersive, with support from Stanford AI research engineers. You will also participate in mentoring activities with Stanford students and researchers and collaborate in group sessions for research projects. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to attend Virtual Career Lunch and Learn sessions featuring guest speakers from academia, industry, nonprofits, and government, providing insights into various career paths and networking opportunities. Around 25 students are admitted to the program. The internship aims to inspire students to create AI solutions that advance healthcare. Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion.
Subject Areas: Astronomy, remote sensing, space geodetic techniques, engineering, astronomy, and planetary science.
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 (tentatively)
Dates:
- Completion of SEES distance learning modules: May 1–July 1
- Remote project work guided by mentors: June–July 6
- Virtual projects: July 7–July 20 (tentatively)
- SEES 11th-grade Virtual Science Symposium: July 22–July 24 (tentatively)
- SEES 10th-grade Virtual Science Symposium: August 5 (tentatively)
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.
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program offers opportunities for high school students interested in pursuing STEM careers. If selected, you will gain access to SEES virtual learning activities by May 1, which must be completed by July 1 to maintain eligibility for the internship. Interns, both on-site and virtual, will collaborate with NASA experts on data analysis and visualization, gaining practical experience in authentic NASA research. Each year, project themes vary, with some focusing on artificial intelligence. Virtual internships generally follow specific timelines outlined in the project descriptions.
Throughout the internship, you will examine NASA data related to remote sensing, mission design, ice sheets, gravity fields, and other topics while being mentored by NASA scientists. Researchers at UT/CSR conduct NASA-supported studies in astronomy, remote sensing, and Earth systems, along with additional projects in engineering and planetary science. Project teams from 11th grade will present their findings in the Virtual SEES Science Symposium in July, while 10th-grade teams will present in August.
Subject Areas: Space biology, computational biology, and bioinformatics.
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 2024 for details about the 2025 application process. Typically, applications remain open for 3-4 weeks during January or February.
Dates: July 1–July 26 (tentatively); the specific program dates for 2025 will be announced in January 2025.
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years old by December 31, 2025, and entering their junior or senior year of high school in Fall 2025. 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.
Sponsored by NASA’s Ames Research Center, GL4HS is a virtual program that deals with omics-based bioinformatics research, including the analysis of complex biological data such as genetic codes. Throughout the program, you will learn about bioinformatics, scientific concepts, and critical thinking through interactive classes like "Molecular Biology and the Omics Revolution," and you will apply this knowledge during hands-on computer lab training with NASA’s GeneLab Data System.
You will investigate organismal physiology in microgravity and NASA’s life sciences programs, engaging with scientists and industry experts through guest lectures, networking opportunities, and virtual field trips. Additionally, the program includes a research competition in which the best team is chosen to present at the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research conference. This four-week summer program operates virtually from 8 AM to 3 PM (Pacific Time), Monday through Friday. The 2023 cohort included 27 students from across the country, making the application process quite selective.
Subject Areas: Computer science, programming, conditionals, loops, Java, I/O, and more.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Enrollment for this course is offered on a rolling basis.
Dates: Self-paced, requiring approximately 88 hours to complete.
Eligibility: The course is open to high school students and is designed for beginners.
Princeton University's "Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose" course will introduce you to the fundamentals of programming and help you explore the role of computer science in today's world. This course includes material from the first half of the textbook Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach.
You’ll start with essential programming concepts such as variables, conditionals, loops, arrays, and input/output. As the course progresses, you'll learn about functions, recursion, modular programming, and code reuse, and also get an introduction to object-oriented programming. Using the Java programming language, you will acquire basic computational problem-solving skills applicable in various modern computing contexts. The course is divided into 10 modules, covering topics like programming concepts, conditionals, loops, arrays, functions, libraries, abstract data types, and programming languages.
Subject Areas: AI and its applications, machine learning, and Python programming.
Location: Virtual via edX
Cost: The course costs $299 with a certificate and is free without a certificate.
Application Deadline: Enrollment for this course is offered on a rolling basis.
Dates: The program is self-paced and lasts 7 weeks, requiring 10 to 30 hours of work each week.
Eligibility: This course is open to all but prior programming experience in Python is required.
The “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python” course offered by Harvard University explores the essential concepts and algorithms of modern artificial intelligence, focusing on foundational ideas behind technologies like game-playing engines, handwriting recognition, and machine translation. In this course, you will participate in hands-on projects that will allow you to incorporate these concepts into your own Python programs. Through these projects, you will gain practical experience with graph search algorithms, classification, optimization, machine learning, and large language models.
The course will introduce various AI principles and teach you to use machine learning libraries. This combination of theory and practice will provide you with the knowledge necessary to design intelligent systems. By the end of the course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of AI and its applications, allowing you to create and optimize intelligent systems independently.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.