If you’re a high school student interested in tech, fall programs can help you explore the field before joining a more intensive summer program. Technology programs in the fall cover areas like computer science, engineering, robotics, app development, and data science. You might code, build apps, design robots, and learn how tech solves real-world problems while working on projects with other students and mentors.
Why pick a fall program?
Unlike summer programs, which fall between June and August, most fall programs run between September and November/December and are designed to fit easily around school schedules. With smaller class sizes, you’ll have more chances to get feedback, ask questions, and interact with professionals. These programs can also help you build your portfolio, improve your college applications, and prepare for future careers in tech. You’ll gain hands-on experience with tools and languages used in coding, cybersecurity, and digital design. You’ll also learn to use digital tools useful in fields like engineering, business, healthcare, and more.
To get you started, below are the 13 best technology fall programs for high school students worth checking out.
13 Best Fall Technology Programs for High School Students
1. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Programs
Location: Remote or in person at any of NASA’s ten field centers across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Interns may qualify for a stipend based on their academic level and internship duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 5%; 3,000 students annually across centers
Dates: Internships are available in spring, summer, and fall; fall internships usually last 16 weeks, from late August/early September to mid-December
Application Deadline: Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are 16 or older, enrolled full-time as a student, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers internships that give students hands-on experience in fields like science, engineering, business, finance, and IT. You’ll work with mentors such as engineers and research scientists, exploring topics like robotics, aeronautics, ecology, astronomy, and space science. You might design experiments, develop new technology, analyze mission data, or help NASA teams with telescope operations and mission prep. You can also attend virtual talks with astronauts and space professionals. If you’re interested in tech-focused opportunities, you could work on projects like building JWST Cosmic Ray Rejection using machine learning, developing Equity Strategies for Emerging Aviation, or applying AI and ML to Air Traffic Management.
2. Cornell SCE Pre-College Studies: Fall & Spring Study — Introduction to Computing: A Design and Development Perspective
Location: Virtual or in person at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: Tuition is $1,940 per credit hour + non-refundable fees for course materials or supplies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; typically large cohorts
Dates: August 25 – December 20
Application Deadline: August 20
Eligibility: All high school students; you can check the additional prerequisites here
Cornell’s School of Continuing Education allows high school students to take commuter or online courses for college credit alongside college students. If you’re interested in tech, Introduction to Computing: A Design and Development Perspective is a good course option. You’ll study topics like algorithms, iteration, recursion, arrays, exceptions, strings, and object-oriented programming. You’ll learn programming and problem-solving with Python, as well as participate in weekly labs that provide hands-on practice with staff support. You’ll also get to design, code, and test Python programs, use top-down design, and understand basic searching, sorting, and vector computation.
3. Research Scholars at UC San Diego — Bioengineering
Location: Online, hybrid, or in person at the University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: Varies depending on the chosen program and format
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Programs are offered year-round, with sessions in the summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Typically mid-September for fall sessions; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 who are 15 or older (in-person) or 14 or older (online) | Minimum 3.0 GPA
UC San Diego’s Research Scholars Program allows high school students to work on real research projects. You will gain hands-on experience through data analysis, lab work, and research projects, as well as technical and problem-solving skills. If you’re interested in tech, the Bioengineering track will allow you to work on projects involving biomedical imaging, cell and tissue culture, 3D printing, and conduct experiments on skeletal structures. You’ll get to collaborate with lab mentors and faculty investigators on projects ranging from early scientific discovery to biomedical applications. The program wraps up with a poster session, where you will present your research to scientists and professionals.
4. Columbia University’s Academic Year Weekend — Data Science and Machine Learning
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,815 per session for a single course; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: September 19 – December 7
Application Deadline: Typically late August or early September
Eligibility: Domestic and international students enrolled in grades 9–12
Columbia University’s Academic Year Weekend is a 10-week program that allows high school students to take up to four virtual courses. You can also take part in online clubs, workshops, mentoring sessions, and seminars. If you’re interested in technology, the Data Science and Machine Learning course will introduce you to both fields and how they’re applied in everyday life. You’ll explore how these technologies shape everyday life, learn basic Python coding, and work with common machine learning algorithms. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to analyze and present data responsibly and be ready for more advanced study in data science and machine learning.
5. Georgetown University’s Pre-College Cybersecurity Online Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,995 (College Credit Course); $1,895 (Enhancement course); need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Courses of varying lengths are offered year-round, including in the fall
Application Deadline: Each session’s deadline is one week before it begins
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
In this program, you’ll study cybersecurity fundamentals, explore real cyber threats, and hear from professionals at the FBI and CISA. You’ll learn about the history of digital conflict, data protection, AI security, and ethical hacking to get a clear view of how cybersecurity impacts modern technology. You’ll study real cyberattacks, such as ransomware and state-sponsored threats, and learn how to defend against them. The program also explores topics such as data privacy, hacktivism, and AI in cyber warfare, as well as the risks tied to technologies like IoT and smart cities. By the program’s end, you’ll complete a capstone project simulating a ransomware attack on a school system.
6. UCSD Extended Studies — Advanced Machine Learning for High-Schoolers
Location: Virtual
Cost: $390 per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: 3–9 months; each course runs for 3 weeks during the summer quarter and 10 weeks during the fall, winter, and spring quarters
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: All high school students
UCSD Extended Studies offers the Advanced Machine Learning Program for high school students. You will take a 3-course Machine Learning series which explores topics like AI, neural networks, and natural language processing (NLP). You’ll study advanced topics like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), and Radial Basis Function Networks (RBFNs), and learn how they’re used in classification, image processing, and data generation. You’ll also get a thorough introduction to NLP, including sequence modeling with Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) architectures. You’ll have access to course materials for about 3 weeks in the Summer and around 10 weeks in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.
7. Ecampus at Oregon State University — Computers: Applications and Implications
Location: Virtual
Cost: $384 per credit + $30 nonrefundable application fee and additional expenses for books and supplies; you can calculate the total cost here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; cohort size not specified
Dates: September 10 – December 5 (Fall Super Term) | September 24 – December 12 (Fall Term)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the session; you can check here
Eligibility: High school students who meet OSU’s admission requirements for college credit courses
Oregon State University’s Ecampus allows high school students to take online college courses for credit, giving them a head start on college. To apply, you must enroll as a nondegree-seeking student until you’re ready to pursue a full degree. Courses cover areas such as business, biology, chemistry, communication, computer science, English, economics, political science, statistics, and more. If you’re interested in technology-based options, the Computers: Applications and Implications course will allow you to explore different types of computer hardware and software, learn how computers impact our lives, and discuss the ethical side of information technology. You’ll also get hands-on experience with various computer applications.
8. Northwestern University’s Pre-College Online Program — Engineering: Solving Problems Through Design
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Two- and four-week sessions are offered year-round, including in the fall; the next course starts on November 9
Application Deadline: Typically one week before the program starts
Eligibility: Students aged 13 or older
In this program, you’ll learn to think like an engineer by using the design process to solve real-world case studies. You’ll get an introduction to civil and environmental engineering, including the tools, measurements, and methods used to identify problems, as well as the ethical aspects of the field. Mechanical engineering is covered too, including how people interact with machines, creating sketches and prototypes, and testing them. You’ll get to examine engineering solutions for medical patients, including the regulations that ensure safety. You’ll also complete a final capstone project to showcase what you’ve learned and earn a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern University.
9. Students Understanding Principles of Research Education through Medicine, Engineering, and Science (SUPREMES)
Location: Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 13–15 students
Dates: The internship starts in the fall and runs through the academic year, from September to May
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Milwaukee area high school juniors and seniors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher | At least 16 years old | Completed or are currently taking Biology, Algebra I & II, Chemistry, and two years of English/Composition
This program allows you to gain hands-on experience in biomedical and clinical research, as well as technology development, in labs across the Greater Milwaukee Area. You’ll join a research team, explore careers in research and healthcare, and strengthen your knowledge of science and health. If you’re interested in tech, gaining experience in biomedical engineering will allow you to explore areas such as medical device development, diagnostic and therapeutic systems, and biomaterials and prosthetics. You’ll work on your own project, design a poster, write a manuscript, and present your findings at the SUPREMES Symposium. If your data is strong and you stay committed, you may even be listed as a co-author on a published scientific paper.
10. Tech Flex Leaders
Location: Hybrid; virtual and in-person in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 500 students participated in last year’s program
Dates: 9 months; week of September 8 – May 14
Application Deadline: August 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who attend a public or charter school in New York City, Los Angeles County, or Miami-Dade/Broward County
The Tech Flex Leaders (TFL) Program is a yearlong, out-of-school program for students interested in technology, with a focus on AI. In the first semester, you’ll learn web development with HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap, and get an introduction to AI, including how AI tools work and how to use them responsibly. The semester wraps up with a Demo Day Competition, where top teams showcase their projects to a panel of judges. In the next semester, you’ll choose a specialized tech track such as Product Management, Advanced Web Development, Digital Marketing, UX Design, or Data Science. You’ll also participate in career workshops, mentorship sessions, and professional development events with industry experts.
11. UCSD Extended Studies — Android Programming for High-Schoolers
Location: Virtual
Cost: $290 per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: 3–9 months; each course runs for 3 weeks during the summer quarter and 10 weeks during the fall, winter, and spring quarters
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: All high school students
UCSD Extended Studies offers the Android Programming Program for high school students interested in building apps for phones and tablets. You’ll learn to use Android Studio, work with Java, understand Android permission models, and practice debugging and troubleshooting. You’ll start by learning the basics of Android Java programming and getting familiar with Android Studio, the main platform for developing Android apps. You’ll also use the Android Emulator, which simulates devices on your computer so you can test your apps across different phones and tablets. Through multiple projects, you’ll practice coding, designing, testing, and debugging applications. You’ll also learn how to network devices, troubleshoot issues, and gradually build advanced skills in app development.
12. NYU’s Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: October 18 – May 2
Application Deadline: Typically mid-August
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 who live in New York State, have at least a B average in Math, Science, and English, and meet the state’s income requirements
NYU’s Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) helps New York middle and high school students prepare for college and STEM careers through hands-on classes, workshops, and research experiences. You’ll take electives in fields like internet technology, engineering, design, publishing, medicine, and math. You’ll also meet professionals from brain surgeons to engineers and visit labs to see what working in STEM looks like up close. Taught by NYU faculty and students, the program includes core subject instruction, Regents exam prep, enrichment courses in math and science, and college admissions support. You’ll participate in project-based learning and receive mentorship to strengthen your academic and career skills.
13. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars (AFRL) Program
Location: Multiple locations across the United States
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Interns earn weekly stipends based on their education level and the General Schedule (GS) pay scale
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 60 interns
Dates: Fall internships usually take place from September to December
Application Deadline: Fall: January 10
Eligibility: Enrolled or accepted at a school with at least a half-time course load toward a degree or certificate, are U.S. citizens, are at least 16 years old by the application deadline, have a valid government ID
The AFRL Scholars Program offers paid internships for upper-level high school students to work alongside AFRL scientists and engineers on advanced research projects. You’ll gain hands-on experience, receive mentorship, tour AFRL labs, and contribute to real research and technology development. If you’re interested in tech-based projects, you might work with microcontrollers, low-power computers, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and open-source software for data collection and experimental control. You could also contribute to the study of optical properties and performance of dielectric and dielectric/plasmonic metasurfaces.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like computer science, machine learning, AI ethics, cybersecurity, data science, or software engineering, 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 – UC San Diego