If you are interested in physics, it helps to see how concepts move from equations to real-world use. Physics programs for high school students in Washington offer you that transition.
These programs are structured to help you work through ideas using experiments, tools, and guided learning. These programs help you build skills like analysis, data handling, and problem-solving. You may work in labs, run simulations, or take part in small research tasks. This gives you outcomes you can include in college applications, such as projects or reports.
What kinds of physics programs for high school students in Washington are there?
Washington has universities, research labs, and science-focused institutions that run physics programs for high school students. Many of these programs are designed around small groups and structured sessions, which makes it easier to stay engaged and get feedback. Choosing a local physics program in Washington also helps reduce the extra costs of housing and travel while still giving you access to structured learning.
To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 best physics programs for high school students in Washington!
15 Physics Programs for High School Students in Washington
1. Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of the Navy Laboratories, United States (multiple locations)
Cost: Free (stipend provided: $4,000–$4,500)
Program Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Deadline: November 1 (application window: August 1 – November 1)
Eligibility: High school students (Grade 10–12), age 16+, U.S. citizens (Some labs make exceptions for 15-year-olds)
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program is a research program where you work inside the Department of the Navy laboratories on real scientific projects. You assist scientists and engineers by analyzing data, running experiments, and contributing to ongoing research tasks. Your work may involve studying materials, testing systems, or examining technical problems related to defense technologies. You follow structured research methods and use professional lab tools. The experience focuses on how real research is conducted in a government lab setting. By the end, you complete assigned research tasks and understand laboratory workflows.
2. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes – Physics
Location: Online (Stanford University)
Cost: $1,700 tuition + $35 application fee
Program Dates: June 22 – August 14
Deadline: May 11 for the summer term (Financial Aid Deadline: April 27)
Eligibility: High school students meeting advanced physics and math prerequisites
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes Physics course is an advanced academic program where you study university-level physics topics. You cover areas like thermodynamics, relativity, quantum mechanics, optics, and classical mechanics using mathematical approaches. You solve problem sets that involve calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. The course follows structured lectures, readings, and assignments similar to undergraduate classes. You apply formulas to analyze physical systems and derive results. By the end, you complete rigorous coursework that prepares you for higher-level physics study.
3. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics
Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland
Cost: None
Program Dates: July 6 – July 17
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 15 years of age by June 1 can apply
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory program introduces you to space science through mission-based learning. You study planetary science, spacecraft systems, and NASA mission design frameworks and work in teams to design a space mission, assign roles, and build a model spacecraft. You apply constraints similar to real mission planning and justify your design choices. The program includes lab visits and demonstrations to show how research is conducted. By the end, you present your mission design and understand how space systems are developed.
4. Summer at Lakeside
Location: Lakeside School, Seattle, Washington
Cost: $2,400
Program Dates: June 22 – July 31
Deadline: May 15 (non-Lakeside students); June 1 (final registration)
Eligibility: Students entering Grades 9–12; prerequisites: Biology and Algebra II or Geometry
Summer at Lakeside offers a physics course where you study core topics like motion, force, energy, momentum, circuits, and magnetism. You perform lab experiments to collect and analyze data from physical systems and build models, test hypotheses, and interpret results based on observations. The course combines theory with experimentation and focuses on data-driven conclusions. You also work on assignments that require a written and verbal explanation of results. By the end, you complete lab-based projects and understand how physics concepts apply to real systems.
5. University of Puget Sound’s Summer Academic Challenge (SAC)
Location: University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Mid-June to Mid-July (4 weeks)
Deadline: June 1 (Parent section and references due June 8)
Eligibility: Grades 7–12, public school students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds, full attendance required
The University of Puget Sound Summer Academic Challenge is a project-based STEM program where you work on a central theme through group activities. You build models, run experiments, and analyze data connected to topics like environmental science or design. You collaborate with others to complete structured projects and present your findings. The program includes workshops and field-based learning experiences. You apply problem-solving and research methods across different subjects. By the end, you will complete a group project and present it formally.
6. High School Intern Program – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), United States
Cost: A stipend is paid
Program Dates: Summer (June – August) or Academic Year (August – May)
Deadline: March (summer); June (academic year)
Eligibility: High school students; must be 18+ for laboratory work
PNNL High School Intern Program places you in a national laboratory where you assist with research or technical projects. You work with scientists, engineers, or business teams, depending on your placement. Tasks may include data handling, research support, or analysis of ongoing projects. You also attend workshops, lab tours, and career sessions. The experience focuses on workplace skills and professional communication. By the end, you contribute to a real project and understand how a research lab operates.
7. UW Summer Stretch
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (Robinson Center)
Cost: $1,450
Program Dates: June 29 – July 23
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students entering Grades 7–10
UW Summer Stretch at the University of Washington is a short academic program where you take a college-level physics course in a structured classroom setting. You attend daily lectures and work through assignments focused on core topics like mechanics and basic electricity. You solve quantitative problems, apply formulas, and build conceptual understanding rather than just memorizing theory. You study alongside a small group of peers, with regular coursework that reflects introductory university expectations. The program includes supervised residential living, giving you a sense of managing time between classes and independent study.
8. Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS)
Location: The Museum of Flight
Cost: No cost (online phase); $1,850 for summer residency (financial aid available)
Program Dates: November to March (online phase); July–August (summer residency)
Deadline: Applications close in early winter
Eligibility: High school juniors in Washington State
Washington Aerospace Scholars is a highly selective program combining an online college-level course with an optional summer residency focused on aerospace and space science. You’ll study air and space vehicle design, NASA missions, and Earth science through structured lessons, projects, and problem-solving tasks. High-performing students earn University of Washington credits and advance to a residency where they collaborate with STEM professionals, engineers, and scientists. The program builds strong analytical, technical, and teamwork skills through real-world aerospace challenges.
9. University of Washington Summer Sessions (High School Students)
Location: University of Washington
Cost: Varies by course (tuition-based)
Program Dates: June – August
Deadline: Rolling based on course registration timelines
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who have completed Grade 8
University of Washington Summer Sessions (High School Students) at the University of Washington is a college-level academic program where you enroll in real university courses, including introductory physics, alongside current UW students. You attend regular lectures, complete assignments, and work through coursework that mirrors first-year college expectations. In physics courses, you study core topics like mechanics and foundational concepts through structured problem-solving and class instruction. You choose from a wide range of subjects but typically take 100-level classes suited for beginners in college academics. The program runs in short summer terms, with a defined schedule and academic workload.
10. UW in the High School (Science Courses)
Location: University of Washington (courses offered at participating high schools across Washington)
Cost: Varies per course
Program Dates: Academic year (aligned with school calendar)
Deadline: Based on school enrollment timelines
Eligibility: High school students in Washington (Grades 9–12)
UW in the High School allows you to take university-level science courses, such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, and climate science, directly at your high school while earning University of Washington credit. You’ll study topics like galaxies, global warming, human physiology, and scientific problem-solving through structured coursework and assessments. The program emphasizes conceptual understanding, research skills, and real-world scientific applications. You’ll gain access to university resources like libraries and academic support, enhancing your learning experience. This program helps you build a strong academic foundation and prepares you for advanced STEM studies and college-level expectations.
11. CWU College in the High School (CiHS)
Location: Central Washington University (offered at participating high schools across Washington)
Cost: Varies
Program Dates: Academic year (aligned with school schedule)
Deadline: Based on school registration periods
Eligibility: High school students in Grades 9–12 in Washington
Central Washington University College in the High School is a dual-enrollment program where you take college-level physics courses like introductory mechanics while staying in your high school classroom. You follow the same curriculum and expectations as university courses, working through topics such as kinematics and dynamics with a mix of algebra-based problem solving and lab-style investigation. You apply physics concepts to real-world systems, design and analyze solutions, and engage in inquiry-based learning rather than passive theory. Classes are taught by trained high school instructors but aligned with Central Washington University standards, with assignments and assessments reflecting college rigor. By the end, you earn transferable college credits.
12. UW ASM Materials Camp (High School)
Location: University of Washington
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July (one-week program)
Deadline: Mid-March
Eligibility: High school sophomores in the greater Seattle area
UW ASM Materials Camp at the University of Washington is a free, short summer day camp where you explore applied physics through materials science using hands-on lab work and real-world experiments. You test how materials behave by bending, stretching, and breaking them, and study how properties change under different conditions. You work in small teams with engineers and researchers, using tools and instruments to investigate concepts that connect physics with chemistry and engineering. The program includes demonstrations, lab activities, and problem-solving tasks focused on how materials are designed and used in everyday technology.
13. SPARK Summer Internship Program (SPARK SIP)
Location: Greater Seattle Area, Washington (in-person/remote options)
Cost: $25 application fee; stipend varies by project
Program Dates: June – August (8–12 weeks)
Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: High school students in Grades 9–12; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SPARK Summer Internship Program is a Washington-based initiative that connects high school students in the Greater Seattle area with industry experts, university professors, and mentors to work on real STEM projects. You apply to specific internship projects; you can apply to up to five, and are matched based on your interests and academic background. Projects span fields like data science, engineering, AI, robotics, and physics, with each project defining its own scope, required skills, and time commitment. You work directly under a mentor from a startup, established company, or academic institution, and contribute to a real deliverable by the end of the summer. The program has been running for over ten years and is known for pairing students with mentors who take their contributions seriously, with some students going on to publish IEEE conference papers based on their summer work. By the end, you will have completed a project contribution and gained professional experience in a research or industry setting.
14. MIT OpenCourseWare – Thermodynamics and Climate Change
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students around the world with proficiency in programming and basic calculus
Massachusetts Institute of Technology OpenCourseWare Thermodynamics and Climate Change, offered through MITES Semester, is a six-month virtual course where you study thermodynamics in the context of climate systems. You learn the three laws of thermodynamics in detail and apply them to understand how energy use and industrial activity affect the climate. The course covers topics like entropy, enthalpy, energy conversion, artificial photosynthesis, molten salt storage, heat pumps, and metal air batteries. You also study how the carbon cycle interacts with human energy consumption over different timescales. You use Python to model and analyze thermodynamic systems and complete coding-based assignments. By the end, you work on a final project that applies these concepts to a real-world climate or energy problem.
15. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Online (Stanford University – Physics Department & KIPAC)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 6 – July 24
Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9–11), open internationally
Stanford SPINWIP is a physics program where you study modern physics topics like quantum mechanics, astrophysics, cosmology, and quantum computing. You attend lectures by researchers and work in small groups guided by mentors. You also learn Python and apply it to physics-based problems and simulations. The program combines conceptual understanding with computational work. You take part in discussions and academic sessions related to physics careers. By the end, you will have completed coding tasks and physics-based projects.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like physics, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image Source – University of Washington