If you’re a high school student interested in STEM, there are a range of online programs you can participate in to enhance your knowledge and build new skills. Your options include conducting independent research in fields like chemistry and mathematics to learning how to code.
Online programs offer you the flexibility to learn from home while having a meaningful academic experience. Some programs also include live sessions with mentors and peers, making sure you have the chance to interact with professors and peers with similar interests. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Here are 10 rewarding STEM summer programs for high school students.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Subject Area: Multidisciplinary (AI, engineering, biology, physics, and more)
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
High school students can collaborate one-on-one on an independent research project with a professor or professional researcher through the Horizon Academic program. Horizon promotes the development of critical thinking, advanced research skills, and in-depth knowledge of your chosen field—whether you’re delving into quantum mechanics or investigating AI ethics.
With the help of a professor or PhD scholar, this program offers you a great chance to pursue a research program in extremely specialized fields. Each student in the program receives a letter of recommendation from the instructors as well as thorough project feedback that they can use for future assignments and college applications. They also get practical experience with academic writing, modeling, and simulation using programs like Python and MATLAB. Click here to apply if interested.
2. Stanford AI4All
Subject Area: Artificial Intelligence, medicine, sociology, economics, computer science
Cost: $4,000. Financial aid available
Program Dates: July 8 – 26
Application Deadlines: March 25
Eligibility: Rising 10th-grade students
Stanford AI4All is a three-week summer program designed to teach the principles of artificial intelligence and its practical applications to high school students from a variety of backgrounds. The program’s objectives are to demystify AI and inspire students to consider careers in technology and research, especially those who are historically underrepresented in the field. You’ll participate in lectures and research projects to learn about how AI can be used to reduce poverty, respond to disasters, and improve medical care. The program also offers mentorship by researchers.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Subject Area: Computer science, biology, engineering, physics, and more
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Lumiere guides students through independent research projects in a variety of STEM fields by matching them with researchers at the PhD level. Whether you’re studying microfluidics in biology or genetic algorithms, this program places a strong emphasis on developing robust research methodologies.
Established by scholars from Harvard and Oxford, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs students with a PhD mentor one-on-one to explore the frontiers of their field of interest and develop an autonomous research project. Additionally, you will learn how to write formal research papers using LaTeX and analyze data using R. Apply here.
4. Stanford University Math Camp (SUMaC)
Subject Area: Mathematics, abstract algebra, number theory, combinatorics, algebraic topology
Cost: $3,550. Need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: June 17 – July 5 | July 8 – 26
Application Deadlines: February 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
Stanford University’s Mathematics Camp offers an online version which is a great opportunity for high school students who want to explore mathematical ideas beyond what is usually taught in the classroom. You can choose from one of two courses: ‘Abstract Algebra & Number Theory’ and ‘Algebraic Topology.’ You’ll participate in live classroom discussions and solve problem sets with Stanford students guiding you. In the number theory section, you’ll examine the limitations of straight-edge and compass constructions, error-correcting codes, cryptography, and more. The algebraic topology class will teach you how to use algebra to analyze the topological properties of shapes.
5. MIT PRIMES USA
Subject Area: Theoretical mathematics
Program Dates: January – December (year-long program)
Application Deadlines: November 18
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores who live in the U.S. further than 50 miles from Boston. It’s also recommended that students meet one of the criteria listed here, such as having a recommendation from a college math professor or having previously participated in a summer math program
MIT PRIMES USA gives you the chance to work on original math research projects under the supervision of MIT mentors and faculty. By emphasizing pure mathematics topics like algebra, number theory, and combinatorics, the program pushes you to go far beyond the traditional curriculum and explore new areas of mathematical inquiry. This is a competitive program, and students have to solve a challenging problem to be accepted. Previous years’ problems have covered monotonic functions, matrices, and Hamiltonian paths. Accepted students begin by reading the mathematical literature in their field of interest before conducting research with the support of an MIT faculty member and submitting a final research paper.
6. Stanford Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Math & Physics
Subject Area: Advanced mathematics and physics (linear algebra, multivariable calculus, quantum mechanics, special relativity)
Cost: $1,600 + $35 application fee. Need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: January 27 – May 16
Application Deadlines: January 6
Eligibility: High school students, including international students, who have completed the required prerequisites for their course
Stanford Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Math & Physics Courses offers advanced math and physics classes to high school students. The math program includes classes in multivariable differential calculus, modern algebra, complex analysis, and number theory. In the physics program, you’ll learn about the kinetic theory of matter, Hilbert space structure of qubits, Green’s functions, and rigid body dynamics. The classes are self-paced and include ungraded practice problems as well as graded midterms and finals. You’ll earn Stanford University Continuing Studies credit for participating.
7. Johns Hopkins Explore Engineering Innovation
Subject Area: Engineering (civil, chemical, electrical/computer, mechanical), materials science
Cost: $3,575 + $247.12 lab kit fee + $50 application fee. Scholarships available
Program Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadlines: May 17. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, so it’s best to apply early
Eligibility: Current high school students and recent graduates who meet the academic prerequisites listed here
The Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation program offers a college-level course in fundamental engineering subjects. You will attend lectures, solve problems, and learn to approach issues from an engineering perspective. JHU ships lab kits so you can participate in the activities from home. Activities include building a stable bridge, testing the material of spaghetti, and using a bioreactor to link heat transfer and chemical reactions.
8. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Subject Area: Computer science, web development, mobile app development, Artificial Intelligence, data science
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 14 – 28 | July 8 – 19 | July 29 – August 9
Application Deadlines: March 22
Financial Assistance: Free program with a $300 need-based stipend available for U.S. students
Eligibility: Female and non-binary high school students in grades 9-11
This two-week intensive program aims to introduce female and non-binary high school students to the fundamentals of computer science and programming. You’ll get to design your own computer games using a JavaScript library working with teachers and peers. You will also learn the basics of UX design. Girls Who Code also offers career mentorship sessions with their corporate partners, including Logitech, Bank of America, and Metlife.
9. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (Spark SMP)
Subject Area: Software engineering, machine learning, data engineering, materials science
Cost: Free. Some internships provide a stipend
Program Dates: Varies according to internship, typically 8-10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadlines: Applications will open in March/April
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and reside in the U.S.
Spark SMP is a selective summer internship program for high school students. Previously, students interested in STEM could use ML workflow packages like Raven to solve an identification problem for the University of Washington. For students who want to learn more about semiconductor physics, the University of Washington offered a remote technical writing internship. The role involved reading research papers and white papers to produce a materials science document.
10. Rosetta Institute’s Molecular Medicine Workshops
Subject Area: Molecular biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, medicine, biomedical research, pharmacy, nursing
Cost: $430 – $1,050, depending on the workshop. Limited financial aid available
Program Dates: Vary according to workshop, but typically 2 weeks between June – August
Application Deadlines: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 12-18. Check specific requirements for the workshop you’re interested in
The online molecular medicine workshops at the Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research cover cellular and molecular medicine, medicinal chemistry, and medical bioinformatics. You will learn about molecular pathways, protein synthesis, and gene expression. You will learn how to analyze large biomedical data sets online in the Medicinal Bioinformatics course, building data analysis skills that you can use in future research projects. In Medicinal Chemistry, you will discover how drugs are designed, including drug resistance and safety.
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