15 Competitive Winter Programs for High School Students

Key Takeaways

• These 15 winter programs span a wide range of fields, from biomedical research at Fox Chase Cancer Center and PSI to legislative work through the U.S. Senate Page Program and museum careers at The Met.
• Program formats vary considerably, from structured lab-based research like the UCSD BioImaging & 3D Printing course to policy and legal internships like the ACLU SoCal Advocacy Program and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office internship.
• Many of these programs, including Girls Garage, the Fox Chase Immersion Science Program, and PSI, are free to attend, while others charge fees ranging from a modest application cost to several thousand dollars.
• Several programs, like the Met High School Internship and the Student Historian Internship Program, provide a stipend, and the U.S. Senate Page Program stands out with substantial compensation for its highly selective legislative placement.
• If you want a longer, mentored research experience that results in an independent paper rather than a winter placement, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offer a mentored path toward a formal academic paper across 600+ specializations, including data science, political theory, and machine learning.

15 Competitive Winter Programs for High School Students

If you want to know how you stack up against other serious students, not just how you’re doing in your own school, a competitive winter program is worth thinking about!

These programs are selective and intense, so your short winter break goes toward real problem-solving instead of passive downtime. You’re up against other committed students from day one, working through challenges that don’t have an easy answer waiting at the back of a textbook. That kind of pressure takes real preparation, but it also means whatever you walk away with, a ranking, a result, a completed project, actually means something.

Why should you participate in a competitive winter program?

A competitive winter program makes the most of a short break by turning it into a real test. Depending on the subject, you could train for a math or science olympiad, compete in a coding or robotics event, or work through a research-based challenge evaluated by real judges. By the end, you’ll have something concrete to show, evidence of what you’re capable of under genuinely competitive conditions.

This also matters a great deal for college applications. A strong result in a competitive program tells admissions officers you can perform against a serious, often national or international field, which stands out far more than grades by themselves. Along the way, you build skills like quick thinking, precise problem solving, and composure under pressure, exactly the traits colleges and employers say they’re looking for.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 competitive winter programs for high school students! If you are interested in medicine, you can check our blog on medicine winter programs for High school students here.

1. Girls Garage’s Construction + Community Program

The Girls Garage Construction + Community Program is a free program for high school girls and gender-expansive youth interested in architecture, engineering, construction trades, and design. The program teaches practical building skills through real community service projects created at no cost for local organizations. You gain experience using professional construction tools, learning building techniques, and understanding how the built environment is designed and constructed. Alongside technical training, the program emphasizes teamwork, leadership, collaboration, and discussions around equity, inclusion, and community impact. It is designed for students considering future studies or careers in architecture, design, or the skilled trades while demonstrating how construction skills can be used to support and strengthen communities.

2. Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Immersion Science Program

The Fox Chase Cancer Center Immersion Science Program (ISP) is a fully funded biomedical research program that introduces high school students to cancer research through laboratory training and independent investigation. During weekly Saturday sessions, you’ll combine lectures with hands-on laboratory work while exploring topics such as how nutrients influence cancer-related biological pathways. Working in the Fox Chase Cancer Center teaching laboratory, you conduct research projects, learn modern biomedical techniques, and collaborate with professional scientists. The program concludes with a research presentation where you share the results of your independent projects. With only 16 students admitted per cohort, the program offers a highly personalized research experience for students from the Philadelphia tri-state region.

3. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! 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 you can use to improve future projects. Apply here!

4. UCSanDiego BioImaging & 3D Printing (BI3DP)

The UC San Diego BioImaging & 3D Printing (BI3DP) course, part of the Bioengineering Broad Overview and Techniques (BE-BOAT) program, introduces high school students to the rapidly evolving fields of biomedical imaging and 3D printing. Through guided, hands-on activities using home laboratory kits, you learn how biological images are captured, stored, visualized, analyzed, and transformed into three-dimensional printable models. The course combines experimental work with pre-lab planning, data analysis, and post-lab discussions to build a strong foundation in bioengineering principles and experimental design. You’ll also remotely create anatomical plates and medical models using 3D printing technologies while developing image analysis skills and presenting your findings to strengthen scientific communication. The program prepares participants for more advanced bioengineering and research opportunities.

5. Miami-Dade State Attorney High School Volunteer Internship Program

The Miami-Dade State Attorney High School Volunteer Internship Program provides high school students with firsthand exposure to the criminal justice system and the work of a prosecutor’s office. After completing initial training, you’ll assist prosecutors and legal staff with a variety of responsibilities, including legal research, reviewing case materials, evaluating evidence, and supporting victim services. You may observe bond hearings and court proceedings, interact with victims and witnesses, and learn how criminal complaints move from investigation to filing. The program also introduces you to important concepts such as due process, victims’ rights, case preparation, and evidence evaluation. 

6. Conservation Leadership Program: Ocean Literacy

The Conservation Leadership Program: Ocean Literacy is a 12-week interdisciplinary course that explores the connections between ocean science, climate change, human health, and environmental conservation. Through four immersive workshops at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, you’ll learn how oceans regulate Earth’s climate, support ecosystems, and influence public health while examining the impacts of pollution and climate change on marine environments. You’ll work alongside Scripps researchers and environmental organizations, gaining hands-on experience with professional tools such as ArcGIS, remote sensing technologies, environmental monitoring systems, and scientific diving equipment demonstrations. 

7. U.S. Senate Page Program

The U.S. Senate Page Program is a highly selective program for high school juniors that provides firsthand experience with the U.S. legislative process. Sponsored by a U.S. senator, you’ll work in the U.S. Senate by delivering legislative materials, preparing the Senate Chamber for sessions, assisting during roll call votes, and supporting senators and staff as debates take place. You’ll witness how bills and amendments move through Congress while gaining practical insight into constitutional law, public policy, and the legislative process. In addition to your Senate duties, you’ll attend the Senate Page School each day, where academic coursework complements your work experience. 

8. Internship with Congressman Jim Himes

An internship with Congressman Jim Himes provides high school and college students with practical exposure to congressional work, public policy, and constituent services. As an intern, you’ll assist with research, draft correspondence, and support constituent casework, helping you understand how federal policies and legislation affect individuals and local communities. Working in the Bridgeport or Stamford district office, you’ll observe how legislative priorities are translated into administrative action and how congressional staff respond to public concerns. The experience also offers insight into the responsibilities of elected officials, including policy development, constituent advocacy, and government operations. 

9. ACLU SoCal Advocacy Internship and Externship Opportunities

The ACLU SoCal Advocacy Internship and Externship Program introduces students to civil rights law, public interest advocacy, and policy work through hands-on experience with the ACLU of Southern California. As an intern, you’ll support legal, policy, and advocacy teams by conducting legal research, analyzing legislation and public policies, and assisting with reports, educational materials, and know-your-rights resources. The program demonstrates how legal strategies, policy advocacy, and community organizing work together to address issues such as racial justice, immigrant rights, educational equity, and police accountability. Throughout the experience, you’ll collaborate with professionals across different disciplines while developing skills in legal research, policy analysis, writing, and nonprofit advocacy.

10. Wolfram Science Winter School

The Wolfram Science Winter School is an intensive academic program that introduces students to the core ideas of Wolfram Science and their applications across physics, mathematics, biology, computation, artificial intelligence, philosophy, and other foundational fields. Through lectures, guided readings, discussions, and research exercises, you’ll explore topics such as simple programs, metamathematics, adaptive systems, the Wolfram Physics Project, and ruliology. You’ll learn to design computational experiments using the Wolfram Language, analyze complex systems, and apply computational thinking to scientific questions. The program culminates in the creation of a computational essay and a presentation that communicates each participant’s findings and insights. This experience provides a foundation for future independent research and advanced Wolfram research opportunities.

11. Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI)

The Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI) is a biomedical research program that introduces high school students to the scientific research process through lectures, mentorship, and research-focused coursework. Meeting weekly from January through May, you learn how to read and evaluate scientific literature, analyze experimental design, and understand how biomedical research is conducted. You’ll be paired with a research mentor who guides you as you present a published research paper in a journal club format and develop an original research proposal. You may also choose to continue into an optional summer laboratory or clinical research internship, culminating in a scientific poster presentation. 

12. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Joint Enrollment Program

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Joint Enrollment Program allows high school students to take fully online, college-level courses while still in school. You can enroll in up to two courses per quarter, earning five college credits for each completed course that may later count toward a SCAD degree. The program offers a broad selection of subjects, including advertising, drawing, digital communication, camera techniques, writing, fashion, design, business, economics, and mathematics. Alongside live virtual instruction from SCAD professors, you also engage with classmates through online discussions and Zoom sessions while accessing the university’s academic resources.

13. The Met High School Internship Program

The Met High School Internship Program is a paid internship for New York City high school students in grades 10 and 11. The program introduces you to museum work by connecting you with professionals across departments such as curatorial, education, design, imaging, social media, and other creative fields. Through one-on-one mentoring and small cohort activities, you’ll develop workplace skills, build professional networks, and gain practical experience while exploring how museums operate behind the scenes. The internship is designed for students with a wide range of interests, not just those pursuing art, and encourages you to discover how your own interests connect with careers in museums and cultural institutions.

14. Student Historian Internship Program

The Student Historian Internship Program is a research-focused internship for high school students at The New York Historical Society. As an intern, you’ll use the institution’s museum and library collections to conduct in-depth historical research and transform your findings into creative digital projects that serve as public educational resources. Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with professional staff to learn about museum studies, library research, digital humanities, and history while collaborating with fellow interns on research and project development. The internship emphasizes extensive research, writing, and historical analysis, helping you strengthen your historical thinking, communication, and digital media skills through academically rigorous, hands-on work.

15. UMBC Winter Session Courses

The UMBC Winter Session Courses allow academically strong high school students to enroll in official University of Maryland, Baltimore County courses through the university’s concurrent enrollment program. Offered in an accelerated winter term, these college-level classes cover more than 100 subjects, including biology, computer science, mathematics, and the humanities. You’ll complete the same coursework as UMBC undergraduates, earning official university credits that may transfer to future degree programs. While many courses are available to local students, online options make the program accessible to learners outside Maryland. The condensed schedule provides an opportunity to experience the pace and expectations of university academics before graduating from high school.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of competitive winter programs are available to high school students?
You’ll find a mix of formats, including biomedical research programs like the Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Immersion Science Program and PSI, policy and legal internships like the U.S. Senate Page Program and the ACLU SoCal Advocacy Program, and specialized STEM courses like the UCSD BioImaging & 3D Printing course and the Wolfram Science Winter School. There are also museum and humanities-focused options, like The Met High School Internship Program and the Student Historian Internship Program, if you’re interested in fields outside STEM or policy.

Do you need prior research or professional experience to apply?
It depends on the program. Some, like the Fox Chase Immersion Science Program, require you to have completed high school chemistry and biology before applying, while others, like the Girls Garage Construction + Community Program, don’t list specific technical prerequisites. Policy and legal internships, like the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office program, generally require a time commitment and background check rather than prior subject-matter expertise.

Are there free options available?
Yes, several programs on this list don’t charge a fee. Girls Garage, the Fox Chase Immersion Science Program, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office internship, the Conservation Leadership Program, and PSI are all free to participate in. UMBC’s Winter Session Courses are also free, giving you access to college-level coursework without tuition costs.

Which programs offer stipends or paid positions?
Several of these programs compensate participants. The U.S. Senate Page Program offers a substantial annual stipend for its highly selective legislative placement, The Met High School Internship Program provides an $1,100 stipend, and the Student Historian Internship Program offers $1,200. Congressman Jim Himes’ internship also offers a need-based stipend, depending on your circumstances.

Which programs are restricted to specific regions or metro areas?
Many of these programs have geographic requirements. The Fox Chase Immersion Science Program is limited to the Philadelphia tri-state area, PSI is limited to the Portland metro or Oregon area, and both The Met and Student Historian Internship Programs require NYC metro residency. Others, like the U.S. Senate Page Program and UMBC’s Winter Session Courses, draw from a wider or even national pool of applicants.

Is there a way to pursue independent research beyond a structured winter program?
Yes. If you’re looking for a competitive, mentored research program beyond a fixed winter placement, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs lets you engage in advanced research and develop a 20-page research paper on a subject of your choosing, with guidance from a professor or PhD scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback, and covers over 600 research specializations. You can find the application here.

When should you apply?
Deadlines for these programs are spread throughout the year, so it helps to plan ahead. The Student Historian Internship Program has one of the earliest deadlines at August 23, followed by The Met High School Internship Program (October 27) and PSI (December 1). The ACLU SoCal Advocacy Program and the UCSD BioImaging & 3D Printing course both close in December, while the Fox Chase Immersion Science Program runs slightly later, with an application window from mid-October to November. Horizon, by contrast, has multiple deadlines throughout the year across its Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts, giving you more flexibility if you miss an earlier cutoff.

Image source: Bentley University