Research camps for high school students provide an environment for participants to explore specialized fields, often through collaboration with researchers and guided problem-solving sessions. These camps emphasize learning through technical application and conceptual exploration, which allows you to approach real-world challenges creatively and methodically.
Compared to residential or online programs, research camps offer a focused learning community that encourages interdisciplinary connections, nurturing an analytical mindset. By concentrating on research, you will acquire a refined skillset that could be pivotal for your future academic and professional growth.
In this blog, we’ll list 6 awesome research camps for high school students running. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
Subject areas: STEM, Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Theory, History, and more
Location: Virtual
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! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
2. NASA Space Center University Martian Program
The Space Center University Martian Program is a 5-day camp at NASA’s Space Center in Houston where students design a mission to Mars and build a robotic rover. You will explore the unique conditions of the Martian environment by designing and testing materials that withstand extreme temperatures, including constructing thermal shields for heat resilience and cryo-capsules to protect against severe cold. Through these projects, you will gain hands-on research experience and insight into NASA’s engineering work in planetary exploration.
Subject Areas: Aerospace Engineering
Location: NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost: $779.95 for groups with less than 20 students, $679.95 for groups of more than 20 students. Note that you’re required to deposit a $300 non-refundable administration fee to secure your reservation
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Program Dates: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 15–18
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, designed by Harvard and Oxford researchers, gives high school students the opportunity to work closely with a PhD mentor on independent research. Throughout the program, you’ll receive guidance to craft a college-level research paper, with additional help from writing coaches.
You can select from a wide array of subjects, such as mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, astrophysics, and more. The program concludes with a symposium where you can present your research, and there is an opportunity for publication.
Subject areas: STEM, Social Science, Humanities
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May
Program dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
4. Science Camps of America Overnight Summer Camp
Science Camps of America offers science programs for students aged 13–17, with tracks in Land and Sea or Air and Space. You’ll have the chance to collect biodiversity data, identify reefs, and construct and launch model rockets. These hands-on summer camps in Hawai’i allow you to explore marine biology and astronomy while exploring the island’s natural landscapes. The camps also include recreational activities like snorkeling, swimming, and hiking.
Subject Areas: Geology, Oceanography, Marine Science, Botany, Forestry, Ecology, Biology, Astronomy, and Climatology
Location: Pahala Plantation Cottages, Pahala, HI
Cost: $2,795. Scholarships available
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Program dates: Land and Sea camp: July 1 – 10 | Air and Space camp: June 11 – 20
Eligibility: Students must be ages 13–17 entering grades 8–12
5. NASA GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS)
NASA offers research-oriented summer camps designed for high school students interested in scientific exploration. One of these camps is the GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS), a 4-week virtual program for rising juniors and seniors focused on space life sciences. You will engage with complex biological data, explore genetic codes, and conduct bioinformatics research. This camp provides a solid introduction to computational biology research and data analysis.
Subject Areas: Genetics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Space Life Sciences
Location: Online
Cost: No cost, stipend provided
Application Deadline: Updates on the application cycle will be posted in December
Program Dates: Program dates will be posted in January
Eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens who:
- Are at least 16 years old by December 31
- Are entering junior or senior year of high school in Fall
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Have completed at least one biology course
6. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Stanford University’s SUMaC program provides a challenging curriculum for high-achieving high school juniors and seniors interested in mathematics. You’ll study advanced topics like abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology, building a solid foundation for exploring complex mathematical concepts. You’ll also participate in guided research projects, examining both contemporary research and the historical evolution of significant mathematical theories and their relevance across various scientific domains.
Subject Areas: Mathematics, Algebraic Topology, Number Theory, Abstract Algebra
Location: Virtual or Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $3,550 (online), $8,250 (residential). Need-based financial aid is available
Application deadline: February 1
Program dates: Session one (online): June 17 – July 5 | Session one (residential): June 23 – July 19 | Session two (online): July 8 – 26
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with experience writing and reading mathematical proofs
Image Source – NASA Logo
