High school biology programs extend beyond standard classroom learning. Instead of only reading about cells, ecosystems, or genetics, students engage in hands-on experiments, fieldwork, lab activities, and more. Some programs focus on areas like marine biology, biotechnology, or public health, highlighting biology’s diversity and intrigue. Participating also gives a clearer idea of what studying biology in college entails. While some biology programs will have you sitting in college-style lectures, others will be in the form of internships that involve on-the-job training. Most programs integrate both theoretical knowledge and practical experience to prepare you for careers in biology and related fields.
Why should you choose a program in South Carolina?
Choosing a biology program in South Carolina can have its advantages. For starters, the state has a wide range of ecosystems, including coastal marshes, marine environments, forests, and freshwater systems. You could explore marine labs in Charleston, study wildlife in state parks, or practice biomedical research at major medical centers. The variety will also give you the opportunity to dive into different branches of biology without traveling far from home. South Carolina also has several well-established universities, research institutions, and science organizations that host outreach programs for high school students.
Here are 15 biology programs for high school students in South Carolina. There are various options in healthcare, environmental science, or genetics; the next step is for you to figure out which would be the best fit for you.
15 Biology Programs for High School Students in South Carolina
1. College of Charleston STEM 360
Location: College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
Cost: $300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 18 students
Dates: July 13 – 17 | July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders
Part of the College of Charleston’s STEM Outreach programs, STEM 360 is a five-day program that lets you dive into various STEM fields. This will include options such as biology, marine biology, environmental sciences, and many more. As a participant, you’ll get the chance to attend college-level classes taught by university professors. This experience will help you understand what studying a specific subject at college entails. Additionally, the program will feature site visits to locations such as The Grice Marine Laboratory.
2. Converse University Science, Technology, Arts, and Research Scholars (STARS)
Location: Converse University, Spartanburg, SC
Cost/Stipend: Not publicly available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; special preference is given to students who are enrolled or have completed AP Biology and AP Chemistry
Dates: June 2 – July 9
Application Deadline: Not publicly available
Eligibility: 10th to 12th graders from Spartanburg County high schools
The STARS program aims to enhance your curiosity in scientific research by having you participate in a guided research project at a Converse laboratory. You will be paired with a professor from the university who will provide you with one-on-one mentorship in conducting research in fields such as biology, biochemistry, psychology, and more. The program will host workshops where you’ll learn how to write research proposals, design experiments, and present your research in a professional setting. You will also become familiar with lab safety protocols.
3. SC CHEER Youth Enjoy Science Program
Location: MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, SC
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and an interest in biomedical or cancer research; you should be from one of the schools listed here
Focusing on biomedical and cancer research, the SC CHEER Youth Enjoy Science is a two-year program that includes seven-week research internships during two summers and educational activities over the academic year. The goal of the program is to give you exposure to conducting research in professional labs while equipping you with the skills essential to the science and healthcare fields. The curriculum will focus on topics such as cancer education, scientific communication, leadership development, and health disparities.
4. Clemson Summer Science for High School Students (Bioengineering)
Location: Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Cost: $1,400 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: More than 100 participants across the many pre-college programs offered at the university
Dates: One week in the summer
Application Deadline: Opens January 12
Eligibility: Rising 7th through 12th graders who are less than 17 years old
In this program, you will explore how science and engineering concepts are being used to address health issues across the bioengineering field. You will be scheduled for surgery classes and lab sessions that cover a wide range of topics, such as bioinstrumentation, atomic force microscopy, cell culture, and histology, which will give you a deeper understanding of the role of a bioengineer. In the process, you will also learn the functionality of some of the biomedical instruments, devices, and implants.
5. South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics: Summer Research
Location: Various labs across the world
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not publicly available
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders from South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville, SC
Conducted during the summer months, this six-week research program opens doors for participating students to conduct research in university and corporate R&D labs worldwide. You will have the opportunity to be mentored by national and international academics and professionals. The mentors will guide you through the research process and assist you in writing your research paper. As a result, you will gain knowledge in scientific and discovery methods, along with the specific subject area of your research, like biology.
6. South Carolina Aquarium High School Intern Program
Location: South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston, SC
Stipend: $10/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 interns
Dates: Training classes: January – April (One Saturday per month) | Internship: Late May – December
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: 11th graders in the Charleston area
This is a two-part program hosted throughout the year, starting with training sessions in the spring and an internship across the summer and fall months. If you are one of the 20 students selected for the training program, you will attend classes focused on animals and ocean science. There will also be career development and team-building activities. Upon completion, the program will interview and select 10 of the 20 students to intern at the aquarium alongside biologists and teachers. You will also be responsible for the aquarium’s Teen Job Shadow Days.
7. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Various locations across the 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: More than 850 students have participated in the program since 2001
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; you and your mentor can finalize the exact dates
Application Deadline: November 21 – January 25
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders who are at least 16 years old; open to students from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program aims to increase interest among high school students in pursuing careers in fisheries and aquatic science. Because it is offered by the American Fisheries Society, the organization will match you with a mentor, typically a fisheries professional within a 45-minute commute of your location. Your role will include responsibilities such as surveying fish populations, examining specimens under a microscope, testing water quality, processing data, and more.
8. Presbyterian College Pharmacy Summer Camp
Location: Presbyterian College (PC School of Pharmacy and Undergraduate Campus), Clinton, SC
Cost: $200 for commuting campers and $400 for residential campers
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 14 – 20
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders
This summer camp gives you hands-on experience in the pharmaceutical industry by having you work in pharmacies, labs, and patient rooms. It offers a wide range of activities, including compounding an acne cream, making medicinal gummy bears, building a calorimeter, and more. You will work next to industry professionals such as pharmacists, biomedical scientists, and medicinal chemists. The program will give you a deeper understanding of how pharmaceuticals are connected to other fields such as medicine, research, and public health.
9. Camp Wildwood
Location: Kings Mountain State Park, York County, SC
Cost: $300 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 96 campers
Dates: June 21 – 27
Application Deadline: Typically opens mid-November
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders
If you’ve always wanted to help conserve wildlife, consider this program. Professional natural resources staff will teach you fundamental concepts about wildlife and natural resources. It also covers how to use and manage these resources responsibly. As a camper, you’ll participate in activities related to fisheries, forestry, wildlife, and more. The program aims to boost your self-confidence, leadership, and initiative.
10. GoSciTech – Residential Camp
Location: South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville, SC
Cost: Varies by the course; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: Week 1: June 14 – 19 | Week 2: June 21 – 2 | Week 3: July 5 – 10; there is no limit to how many weeks you can attend, and you can enroll in one course per week
Application Deadline: March – May 15; applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Courses available for rising 8th through 10th graders with an average grade of B+ or higher
This one-week residential program introduces students to fundamental science and technology concepts. Staying on the GSSM campus, participants will engage in laboratory activities and gain a firsthand experience of student life there. The program features a variety of courses led by experts, including university professors, industry specialists, and other professionals. Courses include biology topics such as anatomy & physiology, veterinary medicine, genetics, next-generation bioengineering, and microbiology.
11. South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Program (Summer Health Careers Academy)
Location: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
Stipend: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: April 8
Eligibility: Recent high school graduates who are at least 18 years old, live in South Carolina, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0; you also need to meet other requirements based on your chosen track, as listed here.
This program is designed for students aiming to enter the healthcare field, offering opportunities to explore careers in medicine, dentistry, and nursing. It provides guidance on choosing educational and career paths, along with tips for success. Participants will also engage in activities like simulations, telehealth, and anatomy sessions. The program particularly targets students from underserved regions to help address the shortage of medical professionals in those areas.
12. Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeships
Location: Varies by the internship, and additional classes are held at Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC
Cost/Stipend: Varies by the internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the internship
Dates: Varies by the internship
Application Deadline: Varies by the internship
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders plus recent high school graduates from the Tri-County area (Berkeley County, Charleston County, or Dorchester County); check out the more detailed eligibility requirements here.
This two-year apprenticeship program offers job opportunities across various organizations and provides work experience and training in the field of your choice. There are options like Medical Laboratory Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Pre-Nursing Patient Care Technician – Hospital track, and more. In addition to the two years of paid internship, the program offers other benefits such as one year of college credit at Trident Technical College, national credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor, and more.
13. Clemson University Summer Scholars (Microbiology)
Location: Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Cost: $1,400 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: June 7 – 12
Application Deadline: Opens January 12
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders who are less than 17 years old
This pre-college program introduces you to some of the important concepts in microbiology, particularly focusing on microorganisms in the healthcare industry. Over the course of the program, you will learn how microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites cause infections and how to eradicate them. You will also explore the different techniques used to stop or reduce the transmission of infectious diseases.
14. Clemson University Summer Scholars (Genetic Horizons)
Location: Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Cost: $1,400 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: June 21 – 26
Application Deadline: Opens January 12
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders who are less than 17 years old
Students explore the importance of genetic research in this course. You will learn how cells interact with each other and learn more about DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis. The curriculum will also engage you in lab activities such as RNA/DNA chemistry, genetic engineering, bacterial transformations, protein synthesis, and many more. You will specifically get to take a DNA sample from your fingerprints and study ways to modify them so they can be used in medical and agricultural fields.
15. NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1,000 students
Dates: June 1 – August 28
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15, or until 1,000 applications are received, whichever occurs first
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders, or graduating seniors who are US citizens or permanent residents, have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0, and have been enrolled in at least one high school biology course
Offered by NASA, this 12-week program gives you the opportunity to dive into space biology research and deepen your understanding of the field. The syllabus will specifically cover the impact of biological systems on spaceflight conditions. You will also be introduced to omics-based research and gain knowledge in genetic sequences, protein interactions, and other biological data. As a result, you will become familiar with analyzing large-scale data, encouraging you to consider careers in bioinformatics and computational biology.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, 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!
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