If you are curious about all things space, a structured program in astronomy can be a great option to explore in high school. Astronomy programs typically combine classroom learning with hands-on scientific exploration, allowing you to dive into topics such as celestial motion, planetary systems, stellar evolution, galaxies, and cosmology. Many programs also introduce you to the tools astronomers use, including telescopes, astrophotography equipment, and data analysis software.
In addition to learning through lectures and discussions, you may participate in activities like stargazing sessions, research projects, lab experiments, and collaborative investigations. Some programs also offer guest talks led by astronomers, access to observatories, and opportunities to analyze real astronomical data. These experiences can help you understand how scientific discoveries are made while developing research and analytical skills that are valuable for future STEM studies.
Why should you choose a program in Utah?
Utah is a great place for astronomy enthusiasts, thanks to its dark skies and low light pollution, which create ideal conditions for observing the night sky. The state is also home to several internationally recognized dark sky parks and observatories, offering plenty of opportunities for stargazing and astronomical observation. In addition, Utah’s universities, science organizations, and astronomy clubs frequently host educational programs, workshops, and public events that allow you to engage with astronomers and researchers.
To make your search easier, here we have compiled a list of 15 astronomy programs for high school students in Utah.
If you are also looking for opportunities beyond Utah, check out our lists of astronomy research programs and online astronomy programs.
1. University of Utah Youth Camps and Classes: The Universe for Future Scientists
Location: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Cost: $460 ($420 tuition + $40 special fee)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: August 3 – 7
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 14 – 17
This one-week evening astronomy camp introduces you to core topics like galaxies, stars, dark matter, and black holes through lectures and demonstrations led by astronomers from the University of Utah. You will spend the week learning how scientists study the universe while attending evening sessions and exploring the physics behind objects that are usually only visible through telescopes. A highlight is hands-on work at the university’s observatory, where you will learn how to operate telescopes and collect real astronomical data using cameras and spectrographs. The program also includes a field trip to East Canyon State Park, an International Dark Sky Park, where you will observe the night sky in darker conditions than the city allows. If you are curious about how professional astronomers collect and analyze astronomical data, this program gives you an introduction to the tools and methods used in real observations.
2. Utah Valley University Astronomy and Space Science Camp
Location: Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Cost: $149
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June 8 – 11
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 9
This four-day camp introduces students to astronomy and the scientific tools used to study space. You will learn about planets, stars, galaxies, and other objects in the universe while participating in hands-on activities designed to explain how astronomers investigate the night sky. The program also covers telescopes and other observational tools that scientists use to gather data about distant objects. Sessions combine demonstrations, discussions, and interactive experiments that help translate abstract space concepts into practical learning activities. You will spend time exploring how astronomical observations are made and how scientists interpret data from telescopes. For middle and early high school students curious about astrophysics, the camp offers an introduction to space science concepts and observational techniques.
3. Christa McAuliffe Space Center’s Extended Space Mission Camps
Location: Christa McAuliffe Space Center, Pleasant Grove, UT
Cost: $80
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: TBA in December
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 12 – 18
Extended camps at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center offer a longer, more immersive version of the center’s spaceflight simulator experience. You will spend the day preparing for and completing a detailed mission scenario that lasts several hours, working as part of a ship crew operating different spacecraft systems. You may take on the role of a command officer while navigating mission challenges that unfold during the simulation. The camp follows a 10.5-hour format that allows for a deeper and more complex mission than standard simulator camps, giving you more time to develop strategies and teamwork during the flight.
4. Douglas Space and Science Foundation’s Odyssey Space Exploration Camp
Location: Utah Military Academy, Riverdale, UT
Cost: $499 (all inclusive)
Cohort size: 29 students
Program dates: June 16 – 19
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 10 – 15
The Odyssey Camp focuses on planetary exploration and the science behind establishing a human presence beyond Earth. Throughout the four-day program, you will work in teams to research and design a prototype lunar base while learning about the technologies required for space exploration. Activities combine STEM lessons, engineering design challenges, and collaborative problem solving related to space travel. You will also participate in simulated missions that emphasize teamwork and decision-making during space operations. A key part of the program is designing and building a concept for a lunar base using research and engineering principles.
5. AstronomUrs Outreach Astronomy Programs
Location: Different sites in Utah based on requirements
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Flexible
Application deadline: None
Eligibility: K–12 students and community groups in Utah who want to book presentations and stargazing sessions
AstronomUrs is an astronomy outreach group based at the University of Utah’s Department of Physics and Astronomy that organizes educational astronomy activities across the state. The group runs star parties, telescope demonstrations, solar viewing sessions, and classroom presentations on topics like black holes, cosmology, exoplanets, and stellar evolution. One of the main experiences the group offers is observing through professional-grade telescopes during public star parties with instruments ranging from 8-inch to 24-inch telescopes. Instructors and student astronomers also lead presentations explaining how scientists study the universe and how astronomical discoveries are made. Activities can take place at schools, parks, or community events rather than a single fixed campus program. If you’re interested in astronomy but want a more informal learning experience with telescope observing and expert explanations, these outreach events provide accessible exposure to real astronomical topics.
6. Little Beakers Astronomy and Aeronautics Camp
Location: Little Beakers Science Lab, Orem, UT
Cost/Stipend: $200 + 7.45% SLC sales tax
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 12 – 20 students/session
Program dates: June 22 – 26 | August 3 – 7
Application deadline: Enrollment closes 48 hours before the first day of camp
Eligibility: Students, ages 5 – 14+
This five-day science camp introduces students to basic astronomy and aeronautics concepts through hands-on experiments and activities. At camp, you will explore ideas related to space science while conducting interactive demonstrations and projects designed to explain how flight and space exploration work. Camps run in three-hour sessions each day, with both morning and afternoon options available. Activities are designed to keep you actively engaged rather than sitting through lectures. The program focuses on simple experiments and demonstrations that can help you connect astronomy concepts with practical STEM learning.
7. Douglas Space and Science Foundation’s Astronaut Training Camp
Location: Utah Military Academy, Riverdale, UT
Cost: $499 (all inclusive)
Cohort size: 29 students
Program dates: June 9 – 12
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 10 – 15
This four-day residential camp introduces students to the fundamentals of human spaceflight through hands-on STEM classes and team-based missions. During the program, you will work with other campers to learn about the physical challenges astronauts face during space travel and participate in activities designed to simulate space missions. Sessions include collaborative problem-solving exercises, engineering-focused lessons, and structured team-building challenges. You will also complete simulated missions to the Moon that require coordination between different roles and responsibilities. The program combines classroom instruction with mission-style simulations that mirror how real space crews work together.
8. HiSPARC Cosmic Ray Research Program
Location: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Ongoing year-round program
Application deadline: No deadline
Eligibility: High school students and teachers participating through partner schools
HiSPARC (High School Project on Astrophysics Research with Cosmics) connects high schools and universities to study ultra-high-energy cosmic rays using ground-based detectors. In this project, you will work with teachers and researchers to build and operate scintillation detectors that measure cosmic ray air showers when high-energy particles collide with Earth’s atmosphere. The detectors are typically installed on school rooftops and connected to a larger international network that collects data from multiple locations. You will contribute to real astrophysics research by collecting and analyzing cosmic ray data from detectors. The network originally started in the Netherlands and now includes institutions around the world, with the University of Utah helping host and manage parts of the data infrastructure.
9. Utah Physics Circle
Location: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round weekly sessions
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
The Utah Physics Circle is a discussion-based program that allows high school students to attend weekly meetings where they can explore physics concepts through collaborative problem solving. You will analyze real phenomena and the reasoning behind physical models, building a foundation for future astronomy and physics academics. Demonstrations will illustrate various concepts and prompt discussions on how physical systems behave. The program also covers the problem-solving strategies used in physics competitions, such as the F=ma exam.
10. Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival
Location: Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce, UT
Cost: Free with park admission
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June 11 – 13
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to the public (some workshops may have age limits)
The Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival is an annual stargazing event held at one of the darkest night sky locations in the United States. During the festival, you can attend astronomy talks, ranger-led programs, telescope viewing sessions, and hands-on daytime activities focused on space science. The event also includes constellation tours and opportunities to observe celestial objects through telescopes operated by experienced astronomers and astronomy organizations. Nightly telescope viewing sessions are designed to help you observe planets, star clusters, and galaxies under Bryce Canyon’s exceptionally dark skies. Some specialized activities, like astrophotography workshops, require advance sign-up and are limited to small groups. If you are interested in observational astronomy, the festival offers direct access to professional telescopes and guided explanations of the night sky in a national park known for its dark skies.
11. Salt Lake Astronomical Society Star Parties
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Cost: Typically free or donation-based
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open public events
Program dates: Events held regularly throughout the year
Application deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to students, families, and astronomy enthusiasts
The Salt Lake Astronomical Society hosts regular public star parties and educational astronomy events where you can observe celestial objects through telescopes and learn about the night sky. During these gatherings, experienced amateur astronomers guide visitors through constellations, planets, nebulae, and galaxies visible on a given night. The society also organizes solar observing events, workshops, and monthly meetings focused on astronomy education. You will get the chance to use large telescopes at observing sites and learn practical skills such as telescope operation and basic astrophotography.
12. Utah Valley Astronomy Club Star Parties
Location: Various sites in UT
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open public events
Program dates: Held throughout the year
Application deadline: None; open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to students, families, and astronomy enthusiasts
The Utah Valley Astronomy Club hosts public star parties, lectures, and astronomy presentations for people interested in learning more about the universe. These events give you the chance to observe celestial objects through telescopes and learn about astronomy topics ranging from cosmology to astrophotography. During public star parties, experienced amateur astronomers will guide you in observing the night sky and explain visible constellations, planets, and deep-sky objects. The club also organizes guest lectures and presentations that cover modern space science, astronomy equipment, and historical perspectives on astronomy. Monthly meetings are held at the planetarium at Utah Valley University, where you can participate in discussions, presentations, and educational programs focused on astronomy.
13. Stanford SPINWIP (Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: July 6 – 24
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
SPINWIP is a three-week online program for high school students interested in physics and related fields. You will attend lectures led by Stanford faculty members and researchers and learn about topics in astrophysics, cosmology, quantum physics, and quantum computing. You will also learn Python programming and use it to work on physics projects. You will work in small groups led by undergraduates, taking on short projects and problem-solving activities. The schedule additionally includes research talks, coding sessions, group discussions, and a final presentation. Workshops on college preparation and STEM career paths are also part of the experience.
14. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual internships available for Utah students
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for credits; waivers available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP offers online research internships in various fields, including astronomy and physics. You can choose a mentor who is looking for remote interns to work on an astronomy-focused project. Over the course of eight weeks, you will work with your mentor, engaging in research activities and building scientific writing and communication skills. During the program, you will also learn about potential career paths through discussions led by professors and STEM professionals. The program ends with a symposium, where you will learn about the research conducted at ASSIP over the summer. At the end, you will earn three university credits from George Mason.
15. Rice University’s Space Exploration: The Road to Mars
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Multiple course lengths available throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
This fully online course from Rice University takes you through the history, science, and future of space exploration, with a focus on the Moon and Mars. You will study topics like rocket launches, how living in space affects the human body, and the technology behind Mars missions. The course includes about 20–30 hours of video lectures, multimedia activities, and assignments that you can complete on a flexible schedule. You will be paired with a mentor (a Rice University student or graduate) who will provide feedback and guidance throughout the program. The experience wraps up with a capstone project where you will design your own mission to Mars. Upon completing the course, you will receive a certificate from Rice University.
One more option—Horizon Academic Research Program
If you are looking for a competitive mentored research program in astronomy or astrophysics, you can consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It is a selective virtual research program that allows you to engage in advanced research and come up with a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1,000+ high school students so far, offering 600+ research specializations to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image Source – Rice University