If you are interested in physics and want to explore the discipline outside of the classroom, physics programs can be a good place to start. Structured physics programs let you run experiments, work in the lab, and take on hands-on projects that introduce you to topics in astrophysics, particle physics, engineering, or quantum physics not covered in the school curriculum. Many programs also include talks or sessions led by professors and researchers, which can help you to see how physics or related STEM fields are studied at the college level. Overall, these programs can help you understand the subject more clearly and see if it is something you would like to pursue later.
Why should you choose a program in Delaware?
Delaware can be a good option for you if you’re looking for a focused academic environment. The state is home to institutions like the University of Delaware and Delaware State University with strong STEM resources and research facilities. Programs hosted by local universities and organizations will allow you to participate in college-level labs, interact with faculty members, and learn about ongoing research. Some programs host a lot of students in the summer, allowing you to join a diverse cohort of peers, while others are selective and open to a small group of high schoolers, making it easier for you to interact with instructors and ask questions.
To help you find the right option, here we have put together a list of 15 physics programs for high school students in Delaware.
If you are looking for research programs in Delaware, you can check out our curated list of opportunities here. If you are also looking for online physics programs, you can find our selection of virtual opportunities here.
15 Physics Programs for High School Students in Delaware
1. University of Delaware’s Edge Summer College Program
Location: University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost: $5,495 (includes a $100 non-refundable deposit); scholarships may be available upon request.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 25 students/course
Dates: July 19 – August 8
Application deadline: Priority deadline: May 1; applications accepted until program is full.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
The Edge Summer College Program at the University of Delaware allows rising high school juniors and seniors to experience college life while living and studying on campus. During the program, you will take one or two college-level courses taught by university faculty and earn up to six transferable credits. You will also attend a college readiness seminar led by admissions professionals on the application process and college essay writing. Additionally, you will connect with undergraduates and staff, gaining insight into their experiences with leadership and personal growth. To explore physics and related STEM, you can choose the Introduction to Engineering Product Design course, which covers product design, CAD, manufacturing, and design validation. It can also help you learn about forces, materials, spatial geometry, and how products function. Another option is the Introduction to Clinical Medicine course, which explains how X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasound are used in diagnosis through basic ideas from radiation and wave physics.
2. University of Delaware’s Autonomous Driving Academy Pre-College Summer Program
Location: ICAT Lab at STAR Campus, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost: $2,500 (discount of $250 on registering before April 1); partial need-based scholarships available with awards of $625
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 15 years old; preference is given to students with a robotics background, Python proficiency, and some knowledge of C++.
The Autonomous Driving Academy Pre-College Program at the University of Delaware is a five-day noncredit program that introduces you to autonomous vehicle technology. The course will teach you tools like ROS, Python, and C++, and explain the components and systems used in autonomous robots, using concepts from engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, computer science, and programming. You will develop programming skills and learn about sensor systems, vehicle control, and autonomous driving software. You will also get to use and explore concepts in physics while engaging in hands-on work with robotic devices, sensors, and autonomous systems. You will work on team projects, where you will create and refine driving systems that simulate real-world scenarios. The curriculum also explains how vehicles interpret their surroundings using radar, lidar, and cameras, which rely on core physics principles.
3. University of Delaware Dual Enrollment Physics Courses
Location: Online or high schools in DE
Cost: Reduced tuition rates for eligible high schoolers; you can contact your high school guidance counselor or school official for exact details
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies depending on the course; 16 – 80 students/course
Dates: Summer, fall, winter, and spring courses
Application deadline: Varies depending on the session
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from local partner schools who have at least a 3.6 GPA, SAT or PSAT scores of 600 on both the verbal and math sections, and a record of completing rigorous courses such as Advanced Placement, honors, or International Baccalaureate classes (check the individual course pages for specific prerequisites)
The Dual Enrollment Program at the University of Delaware allows high school juniors and seniors from partner schools to take college courses. Participation requires checking with a guidance counselor or school official to confirm that your school is part of the program and to obtain a recommendation. Classes are offered at participating high schools or online, allowing you to earn both high school and university credit at the same time. You can choose the Introductory Physics to dive into topics like force, momentum, energy, and types of motion. Another option is the Observational Astronomy course, where you will use telescopes and cameras to image galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae, as well as learn about light, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics.
4. University of Delaware’s HighRise Materials Laboratory Experiences for High Schoolers
Location: UD Center for Hybrid, Active, and Responsive Materials (UD CHARM), Newark, DE
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Less than 10 students/year
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current local high school sophomores or juniors who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents; suitable applicants are shortlisted by partner organizations.
The HighRise Materials Laboratory program at the University of Delaware CHARM introduces you to materials science through a two-week summer lab experience. The program partners with local high schools and allows you to rotate through soft- and hard-materials laboratories, studying topics such as semiconductors, polymers, nanomaterials, and other advanced materials. You will work with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates, gain early experience in a university research lab, and learn about STEM careers. The program can help you build professional connections and receive guidance for future studies. The curriculum covers physics concepts such as semiconductor properties, nanomaterials at the atomic and molecular scales, and the physical behavior of soft materials like polymers and harder structural materials.
5. University of Delaware’s Environment, Climate, and Ocean (ECO) Camp
Location: Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Wilmington, DE, and University of Delaware, Newark, DE (Technology to Measure our Changing Environment) | University of Delaware, Lewes, DE (Marine Science)
Cost: $425 (Technology to Measure our Changing Environment) | $1,275 (Marine Science)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 10 (Technology to Measure our Changing Environment) | July 27 – 31 (Marine Science)
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 7th–12th-grade students; Junior cohorts are for rising 7th – 9th graders, and senior cohorts are for rising 10th – 12th graders.
ECO Camp at the University of Delaware gives you hands-on exposure to environmental science through the exploration of ecosystems and climate challenges around Delaware Bay. You will participate in classroom lessons, field activities, and visits to environmental and oceanographic research labs. You can choose between two tracks. In the Technology to Measure our Changing Environment track, you will map resources, monitor the environment, and study regional ecological challenges. Here, you will also build and fly drones, explore sustainability projects, evaluate freshwater ecosystems, and examine climate change and environmental impacts. The Marine Science track will allow you to study coastal habitats such as marshes, beaches, forests, dunes, and bays using field tools, underwater robotics, microscopes, and nets. The curriculum will cover applied physics concepts like fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and mechanics, along with topics such as ocean currents, heat transfer, pressure, and movement in marine environments.
6. University of Delaware’s Academic Summer Camps: Destination Mars
Location: University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost: $800 (includes a non-refundable fee of $75)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited cohort size
Dates: July 5 – 10
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 10
The University of Delaware runs various academic camps that cover topics across fields, from science and the environment to engineering and business. These programs range from one day to a full week and focus on hands-on activities and experiential learning. Destination Mars is an overnight academy that explores what living and working on Mars might involve. You will take part in activities such as building advanced rockets, learning about planetary rovers, running computer simulations, and attending talks from guest speakers. The program introduces physics through aerospace and engineering projects. While working on rockets, you will study ideas such as Newton’s laws of motion, thrust, and aerodynamics. Rover activities also offer insights into torque, friction, and mechanical systems, and simulations of model conditions like gravity and atmospheric pressure.
7. Cab Smart Summer Camps: Planetary Systems Science Camp
Location: Conrad Schools of Science, Wilmington, DE
Cost: $325
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 2
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
The Planetary Systems Science camp explores how Earth’s systems shape the planet and connect to space science. Designed for middle and high school students, the camp will help you develop scientific thinking and inquiry through hands-on investigations and data activities focused on how the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere interact and how human activity influences environmental change. You will examine Earth’s surface using mapping and geologic analysis, investigate weather and climate patterns, and study the science behind climate change. You will learn about astronomy by exploring planetary motion, space systems, and Earth’s place in the solar system. While learning about Earth and space, you will also study physics concepts, such as gravitational forces that influence planetary motion, the behavior of gases, and the pressure in planetary atmospheres.
8. University of Delaware’s FORGES Summer Program
Location: UD Center for Hybrid, Active, and Responsive Materials (UD CHARM), Newark, DE
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; 12 students in the past cohort
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Local high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents; check flier for details here.
The FORGES Program at the University of Delaware CHARM is a one-week summer program offering exposure to STEM careers and education pathways. The program is developed with industry partners and departments from the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences. Each day includes workshops, laboratory tours, and conversations with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates from fields such as chemical and biomolecular engineering, biological sciences, materials science, mechanical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, and gene editing. Activities in materials science and engineering will also introduce you to physics concepts as you work with scientists who study mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism. You will gain experience in university laboratories, explore disciplines not always covered in high school courses, and build connections for future studies and careers.
9. Leading Youth Through Empowerment (LYTE) Career Pipeline Internship
Location: Various organizations across Delaware
Cost/Stipend: Free + stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 6 – 8 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Local low-income students in grades 9 – 12 who joined the LYTE Scholars program in middle school
LYTE’s Career Pipeline is designed to prepare you for high-demand careers in Delaware by helping you build professional skills, gain hands-on experience, and start saving for college. Opportunities span areas like science and engineering, business and finance, education, government and public administration, health sciences, IT and computer science, law, and mental health and social services. You will earn certifications and take part in internships with community partners. Depending on your placements, you will join a company or lab, potentially gaining exposure to physics and the application of theoretical STEM concepts to real-world tasks. You will attend career panels, field trips, guest speaker sessions, and networking events, and receive training in financial literacy, workplace skills, and career planning. In the past, students in the Science and Engineering Pipeline visited the University of Delaware for a masterclass focusing on neutrinos, the IceCube Observatory at the South Pole, and its role in high-energy astrophysics.
10. University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials Internships
Location: Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Part-time during the academic semester and full-time during summer and winter breaks; flexible schedule
Application deadline: Varies by opportunity, but applications (to be sent via email) typically close in March
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
This internship program allows you to explore the field of composite materials through hands-on research. Guided by faculty and research staff, you will contribute to projects that may include materials research, characterization, design, manufacturing, evaluation, and additive manufacturing. The work will also introduce you to physics concepts related to solid mechanics, materials science, and thermodynamics by studying how materials behave under stress and transfer energy at small scales. These internships are structured learning experiences that connect academics with real research, networking opportunities, and professional mentorship while still offering flexible scheduling. You may get to present your research at the Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium in August.
11. Cab Smart Summer Camps — Earn Your Wings: Advanced Drone Engineering & Mission Flight
Location: Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Wilmington, DE
Cost: $375
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
Earn Your Wings is an advanced drone camp designed for students who want to develop basic flight skills. You will use drones for mapping, environmental monitoring, and data collection, as well as design and fly through obstacle and rescue scenarios. You will learn about precision flying and mission planning, participate in engineering challenges, and study real-world drone applications. You will also gain insights into automation, coding, and sensor technology. The program focuses on advanced navigation, drone missions, and simulations, allowing you to analyze performance and improve engineering solutions as well as explore careers in aviation, environmental science, robotics, media, and public safety. You will also develop leadership and technical thinking skills, and learn physics concepts such as aerodynamics, flight mechanics, and sensor systems used in drone technology.
12. University of Delaware’s Academic Summer Camps: Destination Moon
Location: University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost: $800 (includes a non-refundable fee of $75)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited cohort size
Dates: July 5 – 10
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 9
The Destination Moon Camp is an overnight program offered by the University of Delaware that allows you to explore what life and work on the Moon could look like. Over a week, you will take part in activities such as building and launching rockets, studying composites, crystals, robotics, and telescope construction. The camp introduces STEM concepts related to lunar missions and often includes projects such as designing digital systems, building robots, and exploring engineering concepts. Through these activities, you will learn about physics principles such as force and motion, and explore technology while experimenting with and testing designs.
13. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11
SPINWIP is a three-week program for high school students interested in physics and coding. You will attend workshops on college planning and career paths, work in small groups led by Stanford University undergraduates, and hear from professors and researchers. The program covers topics such as quantum physics, lasers, light, optics, quantum computing, and cosmology, including dark matter, black holes, and exoplanets. Lectures include worksheets and homework to help you understand the material. You will also learn Python and use tools like Matplotlib, Boolean logic, and NumPy to complete physics projects. After developing coding skills, you can apply them to physics problems. The program will also introduce you to research methods and core physics topics such as electromagnetism. You can review the full syllabus here.
14. Delaware Technical Community College’s Upward Bound Math and Science Scholars
Location: Delaware Technical Community College, Georgetown and Wilmington campuses, DE
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Academic-year program (September – May) + six-week summer program
Application deadline: Typically, April
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 11th-grade students who are under 18 years old and U.S. citizens or legal residents; applicants must meet either the federal Title IV taxable family income eligibility criteria and/or the first-generation college student criteria, with preference given to those who meet both. Individual campuses may also have additional prerequisites.
The Upward Bound Math and Science Center at Delaware Technical Community College is a free pre-college program that helps prepare students for STEM degrees. The program offers academic support to help you complete high school and explore subjects such as math, science, engineering, and technology. During the school year, you will take part in educational activities, cultural events, and campus visits. You will also participate in a six-week summer session that provides academic enrichment, hands-on work in math, science, and technology, as well as job shadowing and career exploration. You may also conduct research with mentor guidance and receive support in science subjects, including physics. These experiences can help you prepare for college majors and careers in fields such as engineering and physics.
15. FAME Delaware Academic Programs: Core STEM Initiative
Location: Classes at John Dickinson High School, Wilmington, DE, and the four-week experience at the University of Delaware’s College of Engineering, Newark, DE
Cost: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – July 30 (summer program); the school year extension runs from October to May
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Local students in grades 7 – 12 with at least a 3.0 GPA, good attendance, and involvement in community activities
FAME Inc. is a non-profit that runs the Core STEM Initiative, which offers more than 220 hours of advanced STEM learning for grades 7 to 12 at John Dickinson High School. The program includes a six-week summer session and a school year extension that meets on the first and third Saturdays from October through May. You will study robotics, test awareness, and college preparation with professors from the University of Delaware College of Engineering. The summer schedule runs Monday through Thursday with classes in math, science, computer technology, and communication, followed by engineering projects and industry tours. If you are in grades 11 or 12, you will also join the FAME UD Experience and take advanced math, physics, computing, and engineering research courses, and stay on campus for four weeks.
One more option—Horizon Academic Research Program
If you are looking for a competitive mentored research program in an area of your choice, you can consider applying toHorizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It is a selective virtual research program that allows you to engage in advanced research and come up with a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1,000+ high school students so far, offering 600+ research specializations to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: University of Delaware