15 Data Science Programs for High School Students in Boston

Key Takeaways

• These 15 programs cover a wide range of data science applications across Boston’s universities, from machine learning and self-driving cars at Harvard to biostatistics at StatStart and mathematical modeling through MIT PRIMES, alongside Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs, which offers a virtual research track for students who want a fully remote option.
• Several programs, including Harvard’s Data Science in Action, Northeastern’s YSP, MIT PRIMES, and MITES Summer, are free to attend and some also provide a stipend, while others, like WPI’s Frontiers Program and Wentworth’s ImpactLab, charge tuition running into the thousands.
• Many programs are restricted by residency or income eligibility, such as Northeastern’s YSP requiring Massachusetts residency and StatStart prioritizing first-generation or low-income students, so it’s worth checking these details before applying.
• Program formats vary considerably, from short two-week intensives like Wentworth’s ImpactLab to longer five- or six-week programs like MITES Summer and the UMass Boston AI Institute Summer Camp.
• Nearly all of these programs are hands-on and project-based, having you work directly with datasets, machine learning models, or statistical methods rather than relying on lecture-only instruction, and most conclude with a presentation or research symposium.

If you’re a high schooler interested in data science, consider participating in a data science program, as they provide exposure to the statistical, computational, and analytical methods used to work with data. You’ll also learn about programming languages like Python or R and use tools commonly employed in the field, including pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, and data visualization software. These programs often cover topics like data collection, data cleaning, exploratory data analysis, statistical inference, and data visualization. 

Why should you choose a Program in Boston?

Boston is one of the leading centers for education, research, and technology in the United States, making it a strong location if you are interested in studying data science. The city is home to reputed universities and research institutions such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston University, Northeastern University, and Tufts University that often conduct research in fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistics, computational biology, and data analytics. Boston also offers a well-established technology and innovation ecosystem, with organizations and companies in biotechnology, healthcare, finance, robotics, and software development. Many of these sectors rely heavily on data science methods, allowing you to explore how data analysis is applied in different professional contexts. 

If you are interested in exploring data science through university-led courses, research experiences, and specialized summer programs, here are 15 data science programs for high school students in Boston.

You can also check out these guides on free summer programs or STEM internships for high school students in Boston! 

1. Harvard University: Data Science in Action

Data Science in Action: Machine Learning for Self-Driving Cars is a summer program that introduces you to programming and machine learning through a project-based curriculum. During the program, you will learn foundational concepts in statistics, machine learning, and Python programming through lectures and guided exercises. You can work in teams to complete programming tasks that progress from introductory coding exercises to image classification projects. Each team will receive access to hardware, including a Raspberry Pi and materials used to construct a self-driving toy car. You can train machine learning models, including neural networks, to recognize images and apply these models to control the movement of the car. The curriculum also explores applications of machine learning in fields such as biomedicine and public health.

2. 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!

3. Boston University RISE

Boston University RISE (Research in Science & Engineering) explores advanced topics in biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, mathematics, and physics through university-level research. The program offers two tracks. In the Internship track, you can contribute to an ongoing faculty-led research project in a Boston University laboratory under the guidance of researchers and graduate students. In the Practicum track, you will complete collaborative computational research projects while attending seminars led by Boston University instructors. Across both tracks, you will develop research methods, analyze scientific data, and strengthen your scientific communication skills. You can also present your work at the program’s final poster symposium.

4. Northeastern Young Scholars Program (YSP)

The Northeastern University Young Scholars Program (YSP) is a residential summer research program that engages you in STEM research. If you are interested in data science, you can work with research projects that incorporate computational methods, data analysis, machine learning, and mathematical modeling across scientific and engineering disciplines. As a participant, you will work closely with faculty members, researchers, and graduate student mentors while contributing to ongoing research initiatives. Your work may involve analyzing datasets, developing computational tools, conducting simulations, or applying statistical methods to research questions. In addition to laboratory and research activities, you will attend seminars and workshops that examine current developments in science, engineering, and technology. The program also includes visits to research centers and industry organizations in the Boston area and a formal presentation or poster session where you will present your research.

5. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute

The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a four-week summer program that offers project-based coursework in advanced STEM and computing fields. Several BWSI courses incorporate core data science concepts, including machine learning, data analytics, computer vision, natural language processing, and statistical modeling. In programs such as CogWorks, Medlytics, and Remote Sensing for Disaster Response, you will use Python, Git, and machine learning frameworks to analyze and interpret complex datasets from domains including healthcare, satellite imagery, and human-computer interaction. Coursework combines lectures with programming exercises that require you to implement algorithms and computational methods from first principles. You will work collaboratively on technical projects involving tasks such as image classification, language modeling, predictive analytics, and geospatial data analysis. Many courses also incorporate domain-specific challenges, including medical diagnostics, disaster response planning, and the development of AI-powered systems.

6. Boston Leadership Institute: Three-Week Programs

The Boston Leadership Institute’s Three-Week Research Programs are summer STEM programs that allow you to conduct research in fields such as data science, engineering, biology, neuroscience, and applied sciences. These programs incorporate quantitative analysis, computational methods, and data interpretation as part of the research process. You will collaborate with instructors and mentors to investigate scientific questions using laboratory techniques, statistical analysis, and research methodologies relevant to your area of study. 

7. Tufts University Pre-College Programs: Engineering & Computer Science

The Tufts Pre-College Engineering and Computer Science Programs explore topics in data science, artificial intelligence, and computer science through college-level coursework. Courses such as Engineering with Artificial Intelligence examine how data-driven methods, machine learning algorithms, and computational models are used to address problems in engineering and technology. As a participant, you will work with programming languages and analytical tools to process data, build predictive models, and evaluate computational approaches to problem-solving. The curriculum introduces concepts such as machine learning, data analysis, algorithm design, and statistical reasoning through a combination of lectures, coding exercises, and project-based assignments. 

8. Wentworth Institute of Technology: ImpactLab

The Wentworth Institute of Technology ImpactLab: Introduction to Applied AI is a two-week summer program that examines the relationship between data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence through applied coursework and collaborative projects. Throughout the program, you will investigate how datasets are collected, processed, and analyzed to develop predictive and decision-making systems. Coursework explores topics such as statistical analysis, data visualization, supervised learning, model evaluation, and algorithmic design. You will also get to use computational methods to identify patterns in data and assess how machine learning models perform across different applications. Faculty-led sessions also address the limitations, biases, and ethical considerations associated with data-driven technologies. 

9. StatStart

StatStart is a summer program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that covers the principles and applications of statistics, biostatistics, and data science. You will learn the fundamentals of statistical reasoning and develop programming skills using R. Instruction combines lectures and lab sessions covering data visualization, data wrangling, probability, simulation, and introductory statistical modeling. The program also emphasizes reproducible research practices and problem-solving techniques commonly used in data science and biostatistics. You will complete a research project that incorporates statistical analysis and data interpretation, working in small groups with mentorship from Harvard biostatistics graduate students.

10. MIT PRIMES

MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science) covers mathematical modeling, algorithms, machine learning, computational biology, and data analysis through faculty-guided research. As part of this program, you can work on an open research problem with an MIT graduate student or postdoctoral mentor, applying mathematical and computational methods to investigate complex scientific questions. Projects may involve developing algorithms, analyzing large datasets, building mathematical models, or solving problems in computational biology, theoretical computer science, or applied mathematics. You are also required to produce a research paper documenting your findings and present your work at the annual PRIMES conference.

11. WPI Frontiers Program

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Frontiers Data Science: Extracting Knowledge & Insights program is a residential summer program that examines how data can be transformed into meaningful insights through statistical analysis and visualization techniques. You will explore the core stages of the data science process, including data collection, data preparation, exploratory analysis, and the communication of quantitative findings. Through practical exercises, you will analyze datasets, identify patterns and trends, and evaluate how visual representations influence the interpretation of data. You will also develop techniques for presenting quantitative information clearly and effectively to different audiences. 

12. MITES Summer 

MITES Summer is a six-week residential STEM program at MIT that offers the opportunity to study advanced topics in science, mathematics, and computing through intensive coursework and project-based electives. The program’s Machine Learning elective explores how computational models identify patterns, generate predictions, and analyze complex datasets. You can work with programming concepts, statistical methods, and algorithmic approaches used in machine learning and data analysis while completing collaborative projects and technical assignments. In addition to academic coursework, the program includes seminars, laboratory visits, and interactions with researchers and STEM professionals in the Boston area.

13. The PEAAII AI Institute Summer Camp

The UMass Boston AI Institute Summer Camp is a five-week summer program specializing in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. You will learn machine learning, neural networks, computer vision, natural language processing, data visualization, and generative AI. The program also examines research methodology, experimental design, and the ethical considerations associated with data-driven technologies. Faculty mentorship and guided laboratory sessions provide opportunities to explore how data science techniques are applied across scientific research and industry settings.

14. Girls Who Code Pathways

The Girls Who Code Pathways program is a virtual computer science program for high school students to explore coding, data science, artificial intelligence, and related fields through structured coursework and project-based learning. Depending on the program track, you can learn Python programming, data science, cybersecurity, web development, and AI concepts through a combination of live instruction and self-paced modules. In the Data Science + AI pathway, you will work with datasets and computational tools to examine how machine learning and data analysis methods are used to solve practical problems. You will also participate in coding exercises, guided projects, and opportunities to apply computational thinking to topics such as pattern recognition and predictive modeling. 

15. National High School Research Program 

The Coding School National High School Research Program (NHSRP) allows you to develop technical skills in data analysis, programming, and research. You can learn data science concepts and apply them to independent research projects under the guidance of academic, industry, and government mentors. The program covers skills such as coding, data visualization, data cleaning, and data analysis while helping you explore applications of data science across fields such as medicine, finance, and technology. When the program concludes, you can prepare a presentation and share your findings at the National Research Symposium.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of data science programs are available to high school students in Boston?

You’ll find a mix of formats, including project-based coursework like Harvard’s Data Science in Action and MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute, research-intensive placements like Northeastern’s YSP and MIT PRIMES, and statistics-focused programs like StatStart and WPI’s Frontiers Program. Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a different kind of option, letting you conduct independent, mentored research remotely across a wide range of subjects rather than joining a fixed in-person data science program.

Do you need prior programming experience to apply?

It depends on the program. Some, like Harvard’s Data Science in Action, only require basic algebra knowledge and teach Python and machine learning concepts from the ground up. Others, like Tufts’ Engineering with Artificial Intelligence course, expect you to already have some programming background to keep pace with the coursework.

Are there free options available?

Yes, several programs on this list don’t charge a fee. Harvard’s Data Science in Action, Northeastern’s YSP, MIT PRIMES, StatStart, MITES Summer, and Girls Who Code Pathways are all free to participate in, and some of these also provide a stipend to eligible students.

Which programs prioritize first-generation or low-income students?

A couple of these programs specifically focus on expanding access. StatStart at Harvard prioritizes first-generation or low-income students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and Harvard’s Data Science in Action offers a stipend specifically to students from low-income families. These are worth considering if you’re looking for a program designed with financial accessibility in mind.

Which programs are restricted to Massachusetts residents?

Northeastern’s Young Scholars Program requires permanent Massachusetts residency and commuting distance to the university, and MIT PRIMES is limited to students residing in Greater Boston. Most other programs on this list, including MIT Beaver Works and the Tufts pre-college programs, are open to students from outside Massachusetts, including international applicants in some cases.

Is there a way to pursue independent research beyond a structured data science program?

Yes. If you want a mentored research experience without needing to commute to a Boston-area campus, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs pairs you with a professor or PhD scholar to develop a 20-page research paper you can submit for academic publication, entirely online. 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. Northeastern’s YSP has one of the earliest deadlines, running from December 15 to March 2, followed by Boston University RISE (February 4) and MIT Beaver Works (March 30). April and May bring several more deadlines, including WPI’s Frontiers Program (April 30) and both StatStart and Wentworth’s ImpactLab (May 15). 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: Tufts University