Math and science summer camps for high school students are designed to give you a structured, hands-on way to work on advanced concepts outside of the classroom. These programs focus on problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and scientific methods, offering you an environment where you can dive into a single subject and sharpen your technical skill set.
Unlike year-long mentorship programs, summer camps are shorter and more intensive. They usually last from one to several weeks, and their curriculum is carefully organized around a specific field, such as number theory, environmental science, or molecular biology. This makes them ideal if you want concentrated exposure to a topic without committing to a long-term project.
In this list, you’ll find 15 math and science summer camps for high school students. Some emphasize rigorous mathematical training, others focus on laboratory or field science, and a few combine both.
1. IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp
Location: Minneapolis, MN, with limited remote options
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 23–27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed single-variable calculus by the end of the school year; graduating seniors are also eligible
This camp is designed for students who want to apply mathematics to real-world problems using modeling techniques. You will learn how to translate scenarios, such as traffic flow, climate effects, or public health dynamics, into mathematical models that can be analyzed and tested. Expect to work intensively on group projects, combining calculus, algebra, and statistical reasoning with computational tools. The program emphasizes collaboration, persistence in problem-solving, and technical communication. A teacher recommendation is required for the application.
2. GirlsGetMath@CSU
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 2–6
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 9–12 in the fall; all genders welcome
This five-day nonresidential camp introduces you to mathematical concepts beyond the high school curriculum through problem-solving, modeling, and computational activities. You will explore how math underlies real-world applications in science, technology, and data-driven fields while working with peers in collaborative groups. Sessions focus on building confidence in mathematical reasoning, learning advanced problem-solving strategies, and engaging with mentors from academia and STEM industries. The program also emphasizes career pathways where quantitative skills are central.
3. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Stanford, CA and Online
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: Session One (Online): June 16–July 4, Session One (Residential): June 22–July 18, Session Two (Online): July 7–25
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are in grades 10–11 at the time of application
SUMaC provides you with an intensive introduction to advanced mathematical topics such as abstract algebra, number theory, and mathematical logic. Through lectures, group problem-solving sessions, and guided research, you will engage deeply with proof-based reasoning and explore both the history and modern developments of mathematical thought. The camp emphasizes mathematical creativity and rigor, while also showing how theory connects to scientific applications. Both residential and online formats give you access to Stanford faculty and peers passionate about higher-level mathematics.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic achievement (recommended unweighted GPA 3.3/4.0); no prior subject expertise required
This program allows you to work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor to complete an independent research project over 12 weeks. You can focus on a wide range of subjects, from mathematics and physics to computer science, engineering, and data science. The research process emphasizes problem definition, literature review, and methodology development, ending with a full-length academic paper. The flexible remote format enables you to learn advanced research tools such as coding, statistical analysis, or data visualization, depending on your chosen field.
5. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program
Program Dates: Spring & Fall (15 weeks), Summer (10 weeks, June–September)
Application Deadline: Multiple cohort-based deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students (typically grades 10–11) with strong academic standing (GPA >3.67/4.0); some tracks may have prerequisites
Horizon is a trimester-long research program where you’ll complete a 20-page research paper under the mentorship of a professor or Ph.D. scholar. You can select from subject tracks ranging from machine learning and data science to political theory and history, with both quantitative and qualitative research pathways available. The program emphasizes research design, data analysis, and academic writing, preparing you to submit work to journals. You’ll also receive extensive feedback and a recommendation letter to support future academic opportunities.
6. Mechanical Engineering (ME) STEM Summer Programs
Location: CSU Fort Collins & CSU Spur (Denver, CO)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: Engineering Your World (Grades 7–9): June 23–27, Creating Your World (Advanced, Grades 7–9): July 7–11, Designing Your World (Grades 10–12): July 14–18
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (rising grades 7–12)
These hands-on engineering programs let you explore design, prototyping, and core STEM concepts in a collaborative setting. Through projects like building mechanical systems, testing materials, and applying physics principles, you will gain practical insight into how engineers solve real-world problems. The advanced middle school track offers additional depth, while the high school program introduces more complex design and analysis challenges. Each camp is led by CSU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering faculty and provides access to university-level labs and equipment.
7. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: UC campuses- Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Cruz
Cost/Stipend: $5,256; financial aid may be available
Program Dates: July 6 – August 1 (UCI, UCSD) and August 2 (UCD, UCLA, UCSC)
Application Deadline: January 8 – February 7
Eligibility: California high school students (grades 8–12), GPA 3.5+ recommended
COSMOS is a competitive four-week residential program that immerses you in advanced STEM topics under the mentorship of UC faculty and researchers. You’ll live on campus and engage in lab-intensive courses that extend well beyond typical high school curricula. Each participating UC campus offers distinct research-driven clusters, reflecting the unique expertise of its faculty and facilities. With a cohort size of ~160–200 students per campus, COSMOS provides you with direct access to hands-on projects, collaborative problem-solving, and exposure to academic and professional STEM pathways.
8. SWiFT: Summer Computer Science STEM Camp
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th graders (Fall); no prior programming experience required
SWiFT is an activity-based summer camp designed to introduce you to computer science and STEM in an engaging, hands-on format. As a participant, you will explore core concepts in coding, engineering, and technology through interactive projects and problem-solving challenges. The program is structured to support beginners, making it accessible even if you’ve never coded before. By working in collaborative teams, you will gain both technical exposure and problem-solving skills that can serve as a foundation for pursuing STEM majors in the future.
9. MathILy: Intensive Summer Mathematics Program
Location: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: Mathematically excellent secondary students with strong curiosity and creativity in problem solving
MathILy is a five-week intensive residential program designed for students who want to dive deeply into advanced mathematics. You will explore discrete mathematics and related areas through a unique structure where instructors set the framework, and you get to make and prove conjectures. The program emphasizes creativity, rigorous proof-based thinking, and problem-solving while fostering a collaborative environment with peers who share your passion for math. With tailored instruction and mentorship, you’ll expand your mathematical toolkit, develop critical thinking skills, and experience what the program calls “mathematical marvelousness”, serious math infused with fun.
10. Mathworks Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC)
Location: San Marcos, Texas
Cost/Stipend: $6,600 (covers room, board, books, and field trips); need-based financial aid and external scholarships available
Program Dates: June 15 – July 26
Application Deadlines: Round 1: February 15, Round 2: March 15, Round 3 (final): April 16
Eligibility: High school students; first-time applicants must apply to the first-year program
The Mathworks Honors Summer Math Camp is a selective, multi-summer residential program designed for high school students passionate about mathematics. Over six weeks, you will immerse yourself in problem-solving, research, and collaborative learning with peers who share your enthusiasm for advanced math. The program fosters a tight-knit community where you can grow as a problem solver, researcher, and thinker while receiving guidance from experienced instructors. With a curriculum that emphasizes both theory and application, you’ll gain skills that prepare you for future STEM degrees and careers. The camp also provides scholarships to ensure accessibility, with support available from Mathworks as well as organizations like the AMS and Mu Alpha Theta.
11. Stanford Introduction to Logic
Location: Online + In-Person (Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; San Francisco Bay Area for select in-person camps)
Cost/Stipend: Varies by offering (online courses are often free or low-cost; camps may have separate tuition)
Program Dates: In-Person Camp for High School Students: June 15 – June 26, Online Camp for High School Students: July 6 – July 17
Application Deadline: Rolling, depending on format
Eligibility: High school students (summer camps); secondary through graduate-level students (online course)
The Stanford Introduction to Logic program offers both online and in-person opportunities for high school students to explore symbolic logic in depth. Through lectures, exercises, and problem sets, you will study the foundations of reasoning and learn formal proof techniques central to mathematics, computer science, and philosophy. The summer camps provide structured, immersive sessions tailored for secondary school learners. Beyond the camps, you can also access the course year-round via Coursera, OpenEdX, and SCPD. This program is widely adopted in high schools and universities, with applications in computer science, mathematics, and critical reasoning. For students looking to strengthen logical thinking and proof-writing skills, this course offers both rigor and accessibility.
12. SAGE Summer Camps
Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, CA); Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore, CA); SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (Menlo Park/Palo Alto, CA)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Lawrence Berkeley Lab: June 9–13, Lawrence Livermore Lab: June 8–14 (Residential Camp), SLAC National Accelerator Lab: June 22–28 (Residential Camp)
Application Deadline: March 15, Recommendation deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students in Northern California; must be under 18
The SAGE (Science Accelerating Growth and Engagement) Summer Camps give you the chance to experience life as a scientist or engineer at a national laboratory. Over one week, you will participate in hands-on STEM projects, professional development workshops, and job-shadowing experiences with researchers. The program emphasizes mentorship, networking, and leadership, allowing you to build connections that can extend into internships, jobs, and leadership opportunities through the broader SAGE Community. With residential and day camp options at Lawrence Livermore, SLAC, and Berkeley Labs, you will gain first-hand exposure to the everyday work of top scientists and engineers while developing skills to prepare you for a future in STEM.
13. AwesomeMath Summer Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based
Dates: Three-week sessions, Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; payment deadlines apply
Eligibility: Middle and high school students with strong math interest (particularly those preparing for AMC10/12, AIME, or USA(J)MO)
The AwesomeMath Summer Program is a three-week intensive program designed for mathematically gifted students who want to sharpen their problem-solving skills. You will take live, instructor-led courses that combine 90-minute lectures with 60-minute problem-solving sessions each weekday. Daily homework, weekly assessments, and detailed feedback ensure steady progress. Courses cover topics in algebra, combinatorics, geometry, and number theory, with an emphasis on contest math. You will also have access to office hours, social activities, and a global community of peers who share your passion for mathematics.
14. √mathroots – MIT PRIMES
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: July 1 – July 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students with strong mathematical potential, especially those demonstrating resilience and initiative in overcoming barriers to learning
√mathroots is a two-week mathematical talent accelerator hosted by MIT PRIMES for high-potential high school students. You will explore advanced problem-solving strategies and creative topics in mathematics guided by MIT faculty and mentors. The program places special emphasis on resilience and resourcefulness, encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to pursue excellence in mathematics. During the 14 days, you will engage in intensive workshops, collaborative problem-solving, and individual exploration of advanced math topics.
15. National Youth Science Camp
Location: Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia with travel to Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: July 10 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school seniors demonstrating excellence in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) and leadership potential
Established in 1963, the National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a prestigious residential STEAM program designed to honor and challenge some of the nation’s top young scholars. You will engage in daily lectures by leading scientists, directed studies with small group mentorship, and informal seminars ranging from technical topics to the arts. The program also incorporates a strong outdoor adventure component, with opportunities to hike, kayak, climb, and explore the Appalachian Mountains. Delegates travel to Washington, D.C. for policy and science engagement, including meetings with congressional leaders and visits to national institutions.
Image source – National Youth Science Academy