Astronomy programs for high school students often focus on observational astronomy, astrophysics concepts, and data analysis techniques used in space science. As a participant, you may conduct telescope observations, analyze astronomical datasets, or explore topics such as stellar evolution, planetary systems, and cosmology. Some programs also introduce computational tools for modeling astronomical phenomena. Through collaborative activities and research-style projects, you’ll learn about how astronomers study the universe.
Why should you choose a program in Virginia?
Virginia hosts several universities, observatories, and research institutions involved in astronomy and space science. Institutions such as the University of Virginia, George Mason University, and other research centers offer outreach programs and summer workshops for high school students. These programs may include telescope observations, astrophysics lectures, and hands-on data analysis projects. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 14 astronomy programs for high school students in Virginia.
You can also check out this guide on online astronomy research programs for high school students.
14 Astronomy Programs for High School Students in Virginia
1. Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS)
Location: Online + NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: ~120 students selected for summer academy out of ~330 who completed the online course
Dates: Online: November – April; Summer Academy: June/July (7 days)
Application Deadline: August 15 – October 26
Eligibility: Virginia high school sophomores with a minimum 2.7 GPA; U.S. citizenship required for the summer academy at NASA Wallops
VSCS is a free two-part program run by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium in partnership with NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. The online phase consists of five sequential modules covering Earth and airborne science missions, including orbital and suborbital payloads, high-altitude balloon science, sounding rockets, and unmanned aerial systems. You’ll learn how science drives engineering decisions in NASA mission design. If you’re a top-performing student during the online course, you will be invited to a seven-day residential summer academy at NASA Wallops, where you’ll work in teams to complete a mission design project and tour active launch facilities.
2. Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS)
Location: Online + NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: ~180 students selected for summer academy from ~485 who completed the online course
Dates: Online: November – April; Summer Academy: June/July (7 days)
Application Deadline: August 15 – October 26
Eligibility: Virginia high school juniors and seniors (16+) with a minimum 2.7 GPA; Must have interest or aptitude in math, science, engineering, or technology; U.S. citizenship required for summer academy
VASTS is a free semester-long online STEM program culminating in a seven-day residential summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. The online component consists of seven modules focused on human spaceflight and the science of a crewed mission to Mars, covering topics in orbital mechanics, life support systems, radiation, propulsion, and mission design. If you perform well in the online course, you will get to attend one of three summer academies at Langley, where you will work in teams to design and defend a human Mars mission to a panel of NASA engineers and scientists. Top-performing scholars earn five transferable dual-enrollment college credits through Virginia Peninsula Community College at no cost: three credits for the online course (Introduction to Aerospace Engineering) and two for the summer academy.
3. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (in-person, hybrid, or remote options available)
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for 3 college credits; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: December 8 – February 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 15+ (remote/computer lab internships) or 16+ (wet lab internships)
ASSIP is an 8-week summer research internship where you will work one-on-one with GMU faculty mentors on original research projects. Astronomy is an active research track, and past projects have involved observational astronomy, statistical analysis of astronomical data, and space science research using NASA datasets. By the end of the program, you will have to present your work so far at the ASSIP Research Symposium. Accepted interns earn 3 transferable undergraduate credits in COS 120: Introduction to Research through George Mason University.
4. National Space Club and Foundation: Scholars Program
Location: NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend provided
Cohort Size: Up to 55 students total across both sites
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: High school rising juniors or seniors (16+) with a minimum GPA of 3.0; Must live within 50 miles of NASA Goddard or NASA Wallops; U.S. citizenship or eligible work status required for NASA sites
The National Space Club and Foundation Scholars Program is a six-week paid summer internship that places you with NASA scientists and engineers at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center or NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. Available tracks include earth and space systems science, computer science, and engineering. Almost all placements involve computer applications and data analysis. The Wallops site covers rocket science, earth observation missions, and space launch operations.
5. NASA Goddard: Space Club Scholars Program
Location: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD OR NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend provided
Cohort Size: ~25-30 students
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (16+) with a GPA of 3.0+; Must live within commuting distance; U.S. citizenship/work authorization required
The Space Club Scholars Program places high school students at NASA Goddard or NASA Wallops to work directly with scientists and engineers on real-world space science and engineering projects. You’ll engage in hands-on work across areas such as astrophysics, Earth science, satellite systems, and data analysis. Projects often involve coding, modeling, or analyzing datasets from active NASA missions. Alongside project work, you’ll attend seminars, career talks, and lab tours that provide insight into NASA’s research infrastructure. The program culminates in a final presentation where you’ll showcase your work to mentors and peers.
6. UVA Advance Pre-College Program: Astronomy Elective
Location: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 4 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are highly motivated academically; One teacher/counselor recommendation is required
UVA Advance is a four-week residential pre-college program where you take one core course and one elective alongside UVA Summer Session students for six transferable undergraduate credits. Elective options have included astronomy and astrophysics courses taught by UVA faculty. You’ll live on UVA’s historic campus in Charlottesville, participate in college life through dining halls, libraries, and student services, and complete a college readiness seminar covering admissions, goal-setting, and essay writing. UVA’s Department of Astronomy has active research in stellar astrophysics, near-field cosmology, and instrumentation, and UVA Advance students have access to campus facilities.
7. VSGC’s Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST)
Location: Multiple universities across Virginia
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Limited spots per university site
Dates: 3 days in summer (varies by site)
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders with a minimum 2.7 GPA in Virginia; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
BLAST is a free three-day residential STEM experience held at one of five partner universities: Old Dominion University, Radford University, UVA, Virginia Tech, or William & Mary. The program includes interactive demonstrations, lab tours, hands-on STEM activities, and guest lectures from university faculty across disciplines, including astronomy, engineering, physics, and biology. You’ll explore potential STEM career paths and gain exposure to college campus life. BLAST is specifically designed to reach students from underrepresented communities in STEM and is funded by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium. While the program covers multiple STEM disciplines rather than astronomy exclusively, astronomy and space science are consistent components of the curriculum at multiple host sites.
8. Young Scholars NASA Data Science and Research Paper Program
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (hybrid)
Cost: Varies; Need-based scholarships available
Cohort Size: First 50 students
Dates: June 13 – August 29
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served; Register early
Eligibility: High school students
GMU’s Young Scholars Program is a summer research and paper-writing program focused on NASA space data science and statistical analysis, run through George Mason University’s Schar School. The program is structured around three core components: learning NASA data science tools and statistical methods, including Bayesian statistical analyses, applying those tools to real astronomical and space science datasets from NASA missions, and writing a formal research paper under faculty guidance. As a participant, you will develop skills in data analysis, scientific writing, and research communication across an approximately eleven-week period combining online instruction with on-campus sessions at GMU’s Fairfax campus. The curriculum covers observational astronomy, statistical modeling, and space science research methodology, with datasets drawn from active NASA missions. The program concludes with students’ papers posted on the GMU Schar School Young Scholars Journals page.
9. Virtual Virginia: Astronomy
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free for Virginia public school students (paid option for others)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round (semester-based or summer session)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in Virginia with strong academic performance in physics and mathematics; Rising juniors and seniors preferred
Virtual Virginia’s Astronomy course is a structured online academic program covering core topics such as stellar evolution, planetary science, cosmology, and observational astronomy. The curriculum includes guided lessons, simulations, assignments, and assessments aligned with state academic standards. As a participant, you will explore how astronomers study celestial objects using telescopes, satellites, and computational tools. The program is instructor-led and provides a formal academic framework rather than a short-term workshop experience.
10. James Madison University: Science Explorers
Location: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Cost: ~$400 – $800 (varies by session); Scholarships may be available
Cohort Size: ~20-30 students per session
Dates: Multiple 1-week sessions in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; Priority by May
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (varies by program track)
Science Explorers at JMU is a hands-on summer program where you will participate in lab-based activities across disciplines, including physics, astronomy, chemistry, and engineering. Astronomy-related sessions may include telescope observations, space science experiments, and data interpretation exercises. The program emphasizes experiential learning through faculty-led workshops and campus lab access.
11. iSTART Valley Space Technology Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid sometimes available
Cohort Size: ~25-40 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The Space Technology Program by iSTART Valley is a virtual, project-based learning experience focused on space science, satellite systems, and emerging aerospace technologies. As a participant, you will work on guided projects such as mission design, satellite modeling, and space data analysis while receiving mentorship from professionals in the field. The curriculum integrates technical skills with conceptual understanding of modern space exploration.
12. NANOGrav Pulsar Search Collaboratory (PSC)
Location: Virtual + Partner schools
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: School/team-based participation
Dates: Year-round program
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (typically via teacher or school participation)
The Pulsar Search Collaboratory is a citizen science and research program where you’ll analyze real radio astronomy data to identify pulsars, or rapidly rotating neutron stars. As a participant, you’ll work with datasets from major radio telescopes and learn how astronomers detect and study these objects. You’ll also contribute to ongoing astrophysics research and may even receive credit in scientific publications for discoveries.
13. VALHEN STEM Academy
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 29 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 9 – April 11
Eligibility: Rising Virginia high school juniors; The program targets Latino/a high school students, but eligibility is through VALHEN partner schools
The VALHEN STEM Academy is a three-day residential STEM immersion program at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. The program is run in partnership between GMU’s College of Science and VALHEN (Virginia Alliance of Latino/a Higher Education Network). For over three days, you will tour GMU research labs, attend faculty-led sessions on topics including physics, astronomy, chemistry, and engineering, participate in team-based STEM challenges, and hear from GMU student mentors and faculty about research and college pathways.
14. NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)
Location: Virtual (in-person available)
Cost: $2,000; Scholarships offered
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June – July 21 (virtual project work)
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in U.S. schools
NASA SEES is a summer intern program administered by the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research, which places you in a virtual research experience, where you’ll work alongside NASA scientists across multiple NASA centers. You will be assigned to a research team and spend approximately six weeks working remotely on NASA Earth and space science projects, covering topics such as land use, vegetation monitoring, urban heat, coastal change, and atmospheric science using satellite remote sensing data. The program culminates in a one-week in-person Summer Institute held on the UT Austin campus, where you’ll present your research findings, attend scientific lectures, and engage with NASA scientists and university researchers in person. Students also have the opportunity to co-author a research paper with their NASA mentor team, depending on project outcomes.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like astronomy and planetary science, 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 – NASA