If you’re a high school student interested in astronomy, structured programs can help you explore how scientists study space through both observation and data analysis. Many of these opportunities combine lectures with hands-on activities such as telescope use, image analysis, and simulations of planetary systems or stellar evolution. Some programs focus on observational astronomy, where you learn how to collect and interpret data from the night sky, while others emphasize research, allowing you to work with real datasets or contribute to ongoing projects. These experiences provide a clearer understanding of how astronomy and astrophysics are studied beyond the classroom.
Why Should You Choose a Program in Arizona?
Arizona is a particularly strong location for astronomy programs because of its clear skies, high-altitude observatories, and established research institutions. Programs in the state often take advantage of these conditions by incorporating nighttime observation sessions and access to professional-grade telescopes. Many are affiliated with universities or observatories, providing students with exposure to active research environments and mentorship from scientists in the field.
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of 15 astronomy programs for high school students in Arizona.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona’s astronomy programs benefit from the state’s clear skies and high-altitude observatories, with multiple opportunities, including Astronomy Camp and the Flagship Research Program, using professional-grade telescopes at Mt. Lemmon and Steward Observatory
- Programs range from short, accessible experiences like the Evening Astronomy Course ($125) and SkyNights ($60 for youth) to immersive residential research programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of Arizona
- Several free options exist for students seeking flexibility, including Galaxy Zoo’s citizen science project, NASA’s High School Aerospace Scholars program, and the University of Arizona’s Coursera course on modern astronomy
- Virtual research programs like the NASA Data Science Analysis and Scholarly Research Program and SPINWIP allow students to work with real space mission data and produce professional-style research papers without needing to travel to Arizona’s observatories
15 Astronomy Programs for High School Students in Arizona
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas. Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
2. Astronomy Camp
Location: Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $1,900 (Beginning Teen) | $2,000 (Advanced Teen) | need-based scholarships available
Cohort Size: ~30 students per teen session
Program Dates: Beginning Teen: June 4 – June 10 | Advanced Teen: June 13 – June 21
Application Deadline: Not specified (applications typically open in November and fill within 2–4 weeks)
Eligibility: Beginning Teen: ages 12.5–15; Advanced Teen: ages 14–19, and must have completed Algebra II or Geometry
At Astronomy Camp, you’ll spend several days observing the night sky and learning how astronomers study the universe. The program takes place partly on Mt. Lemmon, where you’ll operate research-class telescopes and observe celestial objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Your schedule typically includes observing sessions, lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on projects like building simple instruments or analyzing astronomical data. A central part of the program is using professional telescopes and learning observational techniques alongside scientists and educators. If weather prevents observing, the program shifts to planetarium sessions, simulations, and additional workshops focused on understanding the night sky.
3. Flagship Research Program
Location: Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $460 per student (standard | $390 per student (Title I)
Cohort Size: Group size typically 20 – 50 students
Program Dates: 4-day, 3-night sessions (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grades 8–12
The Flagship Research Program is a short residential experience where you conduct a small research project in the Catalina Mountains. Over four days, you’ll work in groups of about 5–7 students with a graduate student instructor from the University of Arizona to design and carry out an investigation based on a question your group develops. Your work may involve field data collection across the Sky Island ecosystem, using tools such as weather stations, microscopes, soil-testing kits, and biodiversity surveys. A central part of the program is designing your own research question and collecting real data in the field before presenting your findings at a final research symposium. Outside of project time, you’ll attend research talks by PhD students, tour the Catalina Sky Survey facility, and observe the night sky using University of Arizona telescopes.
4. Evening Astronomy Course
Location: Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $125 per student (standard) | $95 per student (Title I)
Cohort Size: 20 – 40 students
Program Dates: Single evening program (specific dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (approximately grades 5–12)
The Evening Astronomy Course is a short program that introduces you to astronomy and the unique environment of Southern Arizona. You’ll start with a guided trip up the Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway, where graduate student instructors explain the geology, ecology, and climate of the Sky Island region as you move through several distinct ecosystems. After reaching the summit, you’ll visit the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory and discover the research conducted there. A highlight of the visit is guided telescope viewing using one of the world’s largest telescopes dedicated to public outreach. The evening also includes discussions about dark sky preservation, light pollution, and why this region has become an important center for astronomy research.
5. NASA ASTRO® Camp
Location: Arizona Space Center, AZ
Cost: $325
Cohort Size: 50
Program Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grades 7–12 (separate sessions exist for younger grades)
NASA ASTRO Camp is a week-long program that immerses you in space science through hands-on STEM activities. Over the week, you’ll explore subjects such as rocketry, planetary systems, robotics, and the science of space travel. The activities usually involve engineering challenges, experiments, and group projects aimed at mimicking astronaut training and space missions. The curriculum was developed in partnership with NASA and focuses on introducing students to core concepts behind space exploration. You’ll spend most of the day working through practical activities rather than lectures, which makes the program more interactive than a typical classroom setting.
6. Astronomy Camp
Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ
Cost: $1,750
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 14 – 19
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18
At Embry-Riddle’s Astronomy Camp, you’ll spend a week exploring modern astrophysics through experiments, telescope observations, and data analysis. The program introduces topics such as stellar evolution, black holes, exoplanets, and gravitational waves while showing how astronomers study these phenomena in practice. Activities may include building models to simulate pulsar emissions, analyzing data on black hole mergers, and observing the Sun with specialized solar equipment. You’ll also visit nearby research sites like Lowell Observatory and Meteor Crater to see how astronomical discoveries connect to real-world locations and instruments. The camp runs as a residential experience with on-campus housing and meals provided.
7. High School Astronomy
Location: Online
Cost: $680 (listed sale price $612)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open to all
Program Dates: Full academic year (2026–2027)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grades 9–12 (designed for homeschool students)
This High School Astronomy class is a live online course where you study astronomy topics over the course of a full academic year. Each week, you’ll attend a live session where the instructor introduces concepts such as celestial motion, telescopes, planets, stars, and galaxies. The course also includes observational activities that encourage you to practice identifying objects in the night sky and to understand how astronomers study them. Students who complete the course can receive one high school science credit as part of a homeschool curriculum. Lessons are based on a structured curriculum and include readings from astronomy textbooks alongside guided discussions.
8. Galaxy Zoo: Tidal Tales
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open participation
Program Dates: Ongoing
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to anyone, including high school students
Galaxy Zoo: Tidal Tales is a citizen science project where you help astronomers study how galaxies collide and evolve. Using high-resolution images from the Euclid mission, you’ll examine galaxy images and identify features such as tidal tails, streams, and other distortions caused by galactic mergers. Your classifications help researchers distinguish real galaxy interactions from visual coincidences in large datasets. Each classification contributes to ongoing astrophysics research and helps scientists analyze thousands of galaxy images that would be difficult to review manually. The project runs through the Galaxy Zoo initiative, which is part of the broader Zooniverse citizen science platform.
9. SkyNights
Location: Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $85 adults | $60 youth (ages 7–17)
Cohort Size: Up to 28 participants per program
Program Dates: Offered throughout the year (individual sessions last ~5 hours)
Application Deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Ages 7+
SkyNights is a public astronomy program hosted by the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter that introduces participants to observational astronomy. During this five-hour evening experience, you attend an astronomy presentation, watch the sunset from a mountain overlook, and explore the night sky with guidance from science communicators. The program also includes telescope observing with the SkyCenter’s large research-grade instruments, such as the Schulman 32-inch telescope. Depending on the time of year, participants may observe planets, star clusters, nebulae, or distant galaxies. While SkyNights is designed for the general public rather than specifically for students, it can still be a valuable experience for high school students interested in astronomy, offering hands-on exposure to telescope observations and night sky exploration.
10. Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF)
Location: Tempe, AZ (Desert Financial Arena); Awards Ceremony in Phoenix, AZ
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate: Selective (qualifiers from regional and local fairs)
Program Dates: March 26 – 27
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Students in Arizona who are first-place winners at school, homeschool, district, county, or regional science fairs
AzSEF is a statewide science fair where you present an independent research project and compete against other top students across Arizona. You’ll arrive with a completed project and spend the event explaining your work to judges, answering questions, and comparing your approach with peers working across different STEM fields, including astronomy-related topics. The structure is focused on project evaluation, with judging sessions followed by an awards ceremony at the Arizona Science Center. Top winners in the senior division advance to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, one of the most competitive high school research competitions globally. While this is not an instructional program, it works well if you’ve already conducted astronomy or space science research and want to present it at a higher level.
11. Education and Public Outreach (EPO) – Vera C. Rubin Observatory
Location: Online
Cost: Free (not specified, but publicly accessible resources)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not applicable
Program Dates: Ongoing (launch aligned with LSST survey operations)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to students, educators, and the general public
This initiative gives you access to real astronomical data and interactive tools connected to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and its upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time. You’ll explore online investigations, datasets, and visualizations that mirror the way astronomers study the universe, including topics such as cosmology and time-domain astronomy. You can work through guided classroom-style investigations or take part in citizen science projects built on platforms like Zooniverse, where you help classify or analyze real data. The most distinctive part is that you’re working with the same large-scale datasets that professional astronomers use, rather than simplified student versions. Since everything is self-paced, you’ll need to be comfortable directing your own learning and staying consistent without a fixed schedule.
12. NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS)
Location: Virtual; Houston, TX (Johnson Space Center for final experience)
Cost/Stipend: Free; final residential experience is fully funded
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Fall – Summer (year-long program)
Application Deadline: September
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are Texas residents and high school juniors
This is a year-long STEM program in which you’ll begin with a five-month online curriculum focused on space exploration, Earth science, and engineering concepts. You’ll complete modules that introduce coding, computer-aided design (CAD), and problem-solving tied to real aerospace challenges. Based on your performance, you may be invited to “Moonshot,” a virtual team-based experience mentored by scientists from NASA, where you collaborate on mission-style projects. Top teams from Moonshot are then selected for a fully funded residential experience at the Johnson Space Center, the most competitive and hands-on part of the program. The structure is fairly rigorous and requires consistent effort over several months rather than a short-term commitment.
13. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 (open internationally; students from underrepresented backgrounds encouraged)
SPINWIP is a three-week virtual program where you’ll explore topics like astrophysics, cosmology, and quantum physics through live online sessions. Your days typically include lectures from Stanford faculty, small-group work led by undergraduate mentors, and hands-on coding projects using Python. You’ll also attend workshops on college planning and careers in STEM, which adds a practical layer beyond just academics. A big part of the experience is working closely with mentors and peers in small groups, which makes the program feel more interactive than a typical online course. The schedule runs for a few hours each weekday, so it’s manageable alongside other summer commitments but still requires consistent engagement. This works well if you’re curious about physics or astronomy and want an accessible entry point into research concepts without needing prior experience.
14. Space Exploration: The Road to Mars
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795 (need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple sessions (2–4 weeks) throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling (varies by session; typically one week before start)
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
This is a short, flexible online course where you’ll explore the science and technology behind space exploration, with a focus on missions to the Moon and Mars. You’ll move through video-based modules covering topics like rocket launches, human spaceflight challenges, and the future of interplanetary travel, while also working with a mentor who helps guide your progress. The course ends with a capstone project where you design your own Mars mission, including objectives, landing strategy, and mission logistics. The structure is fully asynchronous, so you can complete lessons on your own schedule while still getting feedback from mentors.
15. NASA Data Science Analysis and Scholarly Research Program
Location: Primarily virtual; optional in-person at Fairfax, VA)
Cost: Not specified (need-based scholarships available)
Cohort Size: 50 students
Program Dates: June 13 – August 29
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (exact requirements not specified)
This is a multi-month research program where you’ll work directly with real space data from missions like the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and the James Webb Space Telescope. The program is split into phases: guided learning and project selection, hands-on data analysis, and a full research paper and presentation. You’ll spend time analyzing exoplanet candidates, working with tools like Python and astronomy data formats, and even participating in virtual telescope observation sessions through George Mason University Observatory. A key part of the experience is producing a professional-style research paper based on your own analysis, which can be used for competitions or further research opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What astronomy programs are available for high school students in Arizona?
Arizona offers astronomy programs through the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory and Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, NASA-affiliated camps, and statewide science fairs like AzSEF. Virtual options including Galaxy Zoo, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Education and Public Outreach initiative, SPINWIP, and NASA’s Data Science Analysis and Scholarly Research Program are also accessible to Arizona students.
Do I need prior knowledge of astronomy to apply to these programs?
It depends on the program. The Evening Astronomy Course, NASA ASTRO Camp, and SkyNights are designed as accessible entry points that require no prior background. More advanced programs, such as the Advanced Teen session of Astronomy Camp, require completion of Algebra II or Geometry. SPINWIP and the University of Arizona’s Coursera course are both explicitly designed to be accessible without prior research experience.
Are there free astronomy programs for high school students in Arizona?
Yes. Galaxy Zoo: Tidal Tales is a free, ongoing citizen science project. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Education and Public Outreach resources are freely accessible online. NASA High School Aerospace Scholars is free with a fully funded residential component. SPINWIP is also free, and the University of Arizona’s Coursera astronomy course is free to audit.
Which Arizona astronomy programs involve hands-on telescope observation?
Astronomy Camp at Steward Observatory has you operate research-class telescopes on Mt. Lemmon. The Flagship Research Program and Evening Astronomy Course both include observation sessions at Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory. SkyNights offers public telescope observing using the Schulman 32-inch telescope. Embry-Riddle’s Astronomy Camp includes solar observation using specialized equipment, as well as visits to Lowell Observatory.
Which programs let me conduct independent astronomy research?
The Flagship Research Program has you design and conduct your own field-based research project over four days. The NASA Data Science Analysis and Scholarly Research Program involves analyzing real exoplanet data from missions like TESS and JWST, culminating in a full research paper. Students who complete independent research, whether through these programs or on their own, can present their work at the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair.
Are there astronomy programs in Arizona designed to support underrepresented students in STEM?
Yes. SPINWIP specifically encourages applications from students in underrepresented backgrounds and is open internationally to students in grades 9 through 11. Several programs, including Astronomy Camp and the Flagship Research Program, also offer need-based scholarships, and Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter programs offer reduced Title I pricing to expand access for students from lower-income schools.
When should I apply to astronomy programs for high school students in Arizona?
NASA High School Aerospace Scholars closes in September for its year-long program. SPINWIP closes May 1, and the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair requires qualifying through earlier regional fairs before its March event. Astronomy Camp applications typically open in November and fill within two to four weeks, so applying as early as possible is essential. Programs like Galaxy Zoo, the Rubin Observatory resources, and the Coursera course have rolling or no deadlines, making them flexible options to pursue at any time of year.
Image source: University of Arizona