If you’re a high school student in Pennsylvania interested in STEM, joining a local program can be one of the most affordable and accessible ways to understand how science, technology, engineering, and math are applied in real settings. Without interfering with your school year, these programs give you exposure to scientific methods, lab work, and research through guided projects and mentorship.
If you’re based in Pennsylvania, you can access many local options hosted by universities and research centers like Penn State, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pennsylvania without spending money on housing and travel. These programs often take place during the summer or after school and focus on topics such as computer science, robotics, biology, or environmental studies.
By joining one, you can apply what you’ve learned in school to real work, learn how research is conducted, and develop problem-solving and teamwork skills. Staying within the state also helps reduce travel costs and gives you early exposure to local academic networks that could help later in college or research.
With that, here are 13 STEM programs for high school students in Pennsylvania!
13 STEM Programs for High School Students in PA (Pennsylvania)
1. CS Scholars @CMU
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; travel assistance available
Program Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors (must be 16 by June 20); U.S. citizens or permanent residents demonstrating financial need
CS Scholars is a four-week, residential computer science program that introduces high school students to college-level computing concepts through project-based learning. You’ll study programming fundamentals in Python, including algorithms, data structures, and debugging techniques, while also completing a group research project that applies computer science to real-world social or technical challenges. The curriculum includes daily lectures, hands-on labs, and seminars led by Carnegie Mellon faculty and industry professionals. Students also participate in math reinforcement sessions, college readiness workshops, and field trips focused on innovation in computing.
2. Summer Institutes and Intensives
Location: Temple University, Main Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $1,300 per two-week session; lunch and mentorship included | Financial aid available
Program Dates: Vary by program; one- and two-week sessions throughout the summer
Application Deadline: Opens in December; priority deadline March 1; final deadline May 1
Eligibility: High school students with an interest or prior experience in the selected subject area
Temple University’s Summer Institutes and Intensives are short, non-credit programs designed for high school students interested in exploring college-level academics through hands-on, project-based learning. These one- or two-week workshops are held on Temple’s main campus in Philadelphia and cover fields such as computer science, engineering, architecture, and environmental science. Each program combines lectures, labs, and collaborative projects to simulate the rigor and structure of college coursework. You’ll work in small teams, guided by Temple faculty and undergraduate mentors, to solve real-world challenges and present final projects at the end of the session.
3. Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP)
Location: William Tennent High School, Warminster, PA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: Saturdays, January 17 – March 28, Symposium: April 18
Application Deadline: October 6
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area students in grades 9–12, age ≥14 by January 3; completion of Biology or Chemistry preferred; full attendance required
TRIP is an 11-week, hypothesis-driven lab internship guided by Fox Chase Cancer Center mentors. You’ll formulate a research question on topics such as diet, environmental stress, or genetics and study effects on organismal development or behavior. Training covers experimental design, safe use of common lab equipment, data collection, and quantitative analysis, with iterative troubleshooting built in. You’ll document methods and results, practice scientific communication throughout, and deliver a final talk at a public symposium summarizing design, data, conclusions, and future work.
4. Temple Summer Academy
Location: Temple University, Main Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $3,200; includes tuition, two workshops, mentorship, and activities | Financial aid available
Program Dates: Four-week session (dates released December 1)
Application Deadline: Priority – March 1 | Final – May 1
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 11 or 12
Temple Summer Academy is a four-week pre-college program where you’ll take one undergraduate-level course (3–4 credits) and two non-credit workshops in different academic fields. STEM options include biology, health and medicine, and environmental science, offering structured exposure to college-level lab work and project-based learning. The curriculum combines lectures, hands-on assignments, and group projects to simulate a university classroom environment. Students who earn a grade of B or higher receive a $1,000 annual tuition grant toward future Temple enrollment.
5. Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,250 (fee covers all tuition, room/ board, meals, course materials, and program-related trips)
Program Dates: July 13 – July 31
Application Deadline: Priority – January 31 | Final – February 28
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 with a GPA ≥ 3.0 and strong performance in math and science; international students are eligible
ESAP is a three-week residential program for students interested in advanced engineering fields. You’ll take a college-level course in one of several disciplines, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, computer science, or nanotechnology, taught by Penn Engineering faculty. The curriculum combines lectures, lab sessions, and team-based projects emphasizing computational design, prototyping, and data analysis. With small class sizes (1:19 instructor ratio) and dedicated teaching assistants, students gain hands-on experience using university lab resources while earning college credit.
6. Penn Summer Science Initiative (PSSI)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors within commuting distance of Penn; must have completed chemistry and/or physics; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only
PSSI is a four-week intensive program in materials science sponsored by Penn’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC). You’ll attend lectures from Penn faculty, complete lab experiments, and gain exposure to advanced tools such as scanning electron microscopes, x-ray diffraction systems, and mechanical testers. Projects focus on materials characterization, analysis, and data interpretation, with accompanying workshops on scientific writing and lab reporting. The program focuses on research methodology and hands-on experimentation, providing a solid foundation for students considering engineering or physical science majors.
7. STEM Summer Enrichment Program
Location: Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free; transportation not provided
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors in the local area
The STEM Summer Enrichment Program (STEM-SEP) at Penn State Harrisburg gives you a free, two-week opportunity to explore science and engineering through hands-on learning. Each day, you’ll take part in lab experiments, demonstrations, and team projects that introduce you to biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and different branches of engineering. You’ll work with Penn State faculty and staff, build problem-solving and data analysis skills, and present your findings at the end of the program.
8. University of Pennsylvania Pre-College Programs
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Tuition varies by course credit; financial aid is available
Program Dates: Residential: June 30 – August 8, Online: Session I – May 26 – July 1 | Session II – July 2 – August 7
Application Deadline: Typically spring; dates announced annually
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th grade students; international students welcome
Penn’s Pre-College Programs allow high school students to earn undergraduate credit through rigorous, college-level coursework taught by Penn faculty. You’ll enroll in 1–1.5 course unit classes across disciplines like computer science, physics, biology, and engineering, either on campus or online. Residential participants live in Penn housing and attend in-person lectures alongside undergraduates, while online students complete asynchronous or live virtual courses.
9. MathILy – Intensive Mathematics Program at Bryn Mawr College
Location: Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based; financial aid available
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Rolling, applications open fall–spring
Eligibility: Mathematically advanced high school students with strong problem-solving ability
MathILy is a five-week residential summer program held at Bryn Mawr College. It is for high school students with a strong interest and preparation in mathematics. The program focuses on topics such as combinatorics, graph theory, and discrete mathematics. You work in small groups and participate in interactive sessions. Instructors present problems and guide discussions. You develop and prove your own mathematical conjectures. The program includes daily problem sessions, individual work, and guest lectures.
10. Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)
Location: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: Session 1: June 29 – July 12 | Session 2: July 13 – July 26
Application Deadline: Varies by district nomination timeline (typically spring)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors nominated by districts within the Lehigh University School Study Council (LUSCC)
The Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) introduces students to advanced concepts in engineering, technology, and applied science through a two-week residential experience. You’ll engage in lab-based projects and discussions on topics such as robotics, nanoscience, 3D printing, earthquake mitigation, and bioengineering. Guided by Lehigh faculty and student mentors, participants work in teams to design, test, and present solutions to complex engineering problems.
11. Surgery Live! – Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts (with UPMC)
Location: Whitaker Center, Harrisburg, PA (in-person at Select Medical Digital Cinema) or Virtual (classroom webinar)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (group field-trip program)
Program Dates: Sessions scheduled by procedure
Application Deadline: Rolling (inquire to schedule)
Eligibility: High school classes/clubs (teacher-led); virtual option available for broader access
Surgery Live connects you to a real-time operating room using high-definition telepresence. Before the procedure begins, a facilitator explains the disease being treated, the surgical tools used, sterile technique, and the roles of the operating room team. During the surgery, such as a colectomy, cholecystectomy, robotic hysterectomy, prostatectomy, hernia repair, or Watchman implant, you observe each step of the procedure, including imaging and device use. You can ask questions through a moderated Q and A with the surgical team. The session focuses on applied anatomy, surgical decision-making, minimally invasive and robotic techniques, and professional communication in clinical settings.
12. Pre-College Workshops
Location: Temple University, Main Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $1,300 per two-week session; includes two workshops, seminars, lunch, and mentorship | Financial aid available
Program Dates: Two sessions (dates released December 1)
Application Deadline: Priority – March 1 | Final – May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Temple University’s Pre-College Workshops are two-week, non-credit programs where you take two academic workshops and attend daily college readiness seminars. You choose one morning and one afternoon workshop from over 25 options, which may include subjects like health science, environmental studies, engineering, and other STEM and humanities topics. Each workshop uses hands-on, project-based learning to simulate college-level coursework. You work in small groups, solve problems, and present your work. In addition to academic sessions, you participate in daily seminars focused on college preparation and professional development.
13. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) – Virtual
Location: Online (hosted by Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD)
Cost/Stipend: $500 stipend
Program Dates: July – August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
JHIBS is a neuroscience research internship that introduces students to key areas of brain science through live lectures, virtual lab simulations, and mentorship from Johns Hopkins researchers. Over five weeks, you’ll study neural anatomy, imaging methods, and experimental design while developing analytical and data interpretation skills. The program also includes professional development sessions on research ethics and academic communication. You will conclude by presenting your findings through a virtual poster or oral presentation.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, 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 – Carnegie Mellon University