If you’re a high school student in Virginia looking to build advanced technical skills and explore real-world applications of STEM, a summer program is a solid way to start. You’ll work on hands-on projects, tackle real-world challenges, and see how fields like computer science, engineering, biotechnology, and environmental science come to life.
Whether you want to deepen your coding knowledge, experiment with innovative engineering designs, or explore cutting-edge scientific research, these programs offer the necessary tools and mentorship. You’ll learn to code in languages like Python and Java, work on engineering projects, conduct lab experiments in biotechnology, and analyze environmental data while working alongside experts.
Here’s a list of 9 STEM summer programs in Virginia designed to help you take that first step!
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks); $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available.
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I priority application deadline is March 9!
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous online research program designed for high school students who want to explore advanced, college-level research. Founded by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, the program pairs you with PhD mentors from top universities for one-on-one guidance as you develop an independent research paper in your chosen subject area.
Along with individual mentorship, you will also receive support from writing coaches to strengthen your research writing skills. The program covers a wide range of subjects like mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, engineering, and environmental studies. At the end of the program, you will present your work at a symposium and explore opportunities for publication.
2. Veritas AI — AI Scholars Program
Cost: $2290 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: The summer early admission application deadline is March 23
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI Scholars Program is a 10-week online boot camp designed to help high school students learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Through a structured curriculum, you will explore various AI applications while working on real-world group projects. The program combines expert instruction with hands-on experience, giving you a solid foundation in AI concepts and practical skills.
You will receive direct mentorship from experts who will guide you as you build your own AI projects. For more advanced students, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers one-on-one mentorship on individual projects, along with support from an in-house publication team to help you pursue publication in high school research journals.
3. NOVA Bridge Programs
Cost: Students may also receive a $200 stipend
Program Dates: Late June to mid-August
Application Deadline: March 9
Location: Northern Virginia Community College
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors
NOVA’s Bridge Programs are designed for high school juniors and seniors who are undecided about their post-high school plans and wish to explore technology career pathways. The programs emphasize four key areas: Engineering Technology (ET), Data Center Operations (DCO), Information Technology (IT), and Computer Science (CS).
During the program, you will engage in hands-on activities such as cybersecurity labs, computer assembly, and pneumatic system exercises. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to visit tech companies and academic partner sites, including George Mason University engineering and computer science labs, AWS, Micron Technology, and local data centers, to gain real-world insights.
4. ODU Stem Summer Institute (SSI) Program
Cost: $1,000 (scholarships available)
Program Dates: June 22 – 27
Application Deadline: April 4
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
Eligibility: Rising 6–12th graders
STEM Summer Institute is a one-week residential program designed for rising 6th through 12th graders who want to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Through hands-on research and classroom projects, you will get a practical introduction to fields like bioenergy, materials engineering, and medicine.
You’ll join a track based on your grade level, starting with STEM Exploration for 6th and 7th graders and progressing to more advanced tracks like Technology Exploration and Research in Bioengineering for older students. Each track offers age-appropriate projects, research, and industry exposure.
5. George Mason University Focus Academy
Cost: $500
Program Dates: June/July; Check the website for updates
Application Deadline: June 1
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Eligibility: High school students
FOCUS Academy at George Mason University is a week-long residential summer camp for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. Through hands-on workshops, leadership training, and college prep sessions, you’ll gain practical skills and explore different STEM fields.
Each day focuses on a new STEM discipline, and the program wraps up with a group poster session where you present your work to faculty and family. You’ll attend sessions on SAT prep, goal setting, and hear from women working in STEM. All sessions are led by George Mason University faculty and other discipline-specific experts, ensuring that you receive structured, in-depth instruction in STEM.
6. Virginia Tech Explore Science Summer Camp
Cost: $1,100 (scholarships available)
Program Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: Rolling
Location: Virginia Tech
Eligibility: Rising 9-10th graders
Explore Science Summer Camp at Virginia Tech allows you to study a wide range of scientific disciplines through practical, hands-on activities led by expert faculty. You will develop skills like scientific analysis, problem-solving, and experimental design while exploring topics such as neuroscience, nanoscience, food microbiology, crime scene investigation, and game theory.
If you want a more focused experience, you can also explore their specialized camps: Data Science to Solve Real World Problems, Explore Physical Sciences Camp—Understanding the Nonliving World, and Explore Life Science—Understanding Our Living World.
7. George Mason University Game & Technology Academy
Cost: $2,745 (scholarships available)
Program Dates: July 6 – 12 (Session 1); July 13 – 19 (Session 2); July 20 – 26 (Session 3)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Location: George Mason University
Eligibility: High school students
The Game & Technology Academy at George Mason University is a one-week residential program where you can learn game design and related fields through hands-on workshops and interactive sessions. You will build skills in game artistry, programming, data analysis, and animation with courses like 3D Modeling with Blender, Game Programming with Unity and C#, and Machine Learning/AI with Python.
You can choose specialty tracks, including Art, Modeling & Animation for 3D Games, Game Programming & Design, and Machine Learning/AI with Python. The program also offers the chance to earn one college credit per week, with credits included in the tuition.
8. VCU Allied Health Career Exploration (AHCE)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 9 – 20
Application Deadline: April 1
Location: VCU Health Campus.
Eligibility: High school seniors
The Allied Health Career Exploration (AHCE) Program at VCU College of Health Professions is a two-week residential summer program for 12th-grade students and college undergraduates interested in exploring various health careers. You will learn about fields like clinical laboratory sciences, physical therapy, occupational therapy, radiation sciences, and health administration.
The program includes full-day sessions with hands-on activities, admissions guidance, and workshops on healthcare topics, interviewing skills, and resume development. You will also meet professionals and faculty from each discipline, gaining practical insights into different health professions.
9. UVA Advance Pre-College Program
Cost: $6,995 (need-based scholarships available)
Program Dates: July 12 – Friday, August 8
Application Deadline: March 15
Location: University of Virginia
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
UVA Advance is a pre-college program by the University of Virginia, designed as a four-week summer residential experience for high school juniors and seniors in Virginia. The cohort size is limited to 60-65 students. You can enroll in two undergraduate courses – one core course developed specifically for UVA Advance students and one elective available to all Summer Session students. You can browse through the course catalog here.
Core classes include Environmental Sciences: Introduction to Oceanography, Global Studies: Global Sustainability, and Statistics: Introduction to Data Science with Python. The elective courses include Intro to Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe, and Physics of Sports.
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: George Mason University
