If you’re a high school student in Philadelphia, PA looking for an accessible way to explore STEM outside the classroom, there’s tons of local options you can consider! Your interest could lie in conducting lab research, building data projects, or engaging with faculty mentors—these programs help you develop an advanced skillset that strengthens your academic foundation and future career potential. Many of these opportunities emphasize real-world applications, allowing students to move beyond the classroom and explore professional STEM environments early on.
The STEM programs below are offered by leading universities, research centers, and nonprofit organizations throughout the city. If you live in and around the area, participating in a local program is a more affordable alternative to out-of-state summer programs, reducing travel and housing costs without compromising on quality. To help you choose the right program, we’ve narrowed down the options to the top 15 STEM programs for high school students in Philadelphia, PA, below.
15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Philadelphia (PA)
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June)
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort—Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); August 24 for the upcoming Fall cohort
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
If you’d like to pursue a research-based academic experience during high school, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor over 12 weeks. You can choose to explore a topic in STEM, such as engineering, neuroscience, or computer science, or even delve into interdisciplinary areas like data science or bioethics. With guidance from your mentor, you’ll develop a research question, conduct a structured inquiry process, and write a formal research paper. The entire program takes place online, and the level of academic rigor is modeled after the kind of research done in top-tier universities. You’ll also have the option to earn college credit through the University of California at San Diego for your completed work. You can apply here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); August 31 for the upcoming Fall cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI gives you the chance to explore artificial intelligence through a structured online experience developed by Harvard graduates. If you’re just getting started with AI, the AI Scholars Program introduces you to concepts like supervised learning, neural networks, and ethical issues in AI through guided sessions and mini-projects. If you already have some coding experience or a background in data science, the AI Fellowship allows you to work with a mentor on a self-driven research project, which you can later prepare for publication or submit to Veritas AI’s research showcase. You’ll also get exposure to peer-reviewed research and collaborative projects. Check out some examples of previous projects here.
3. UPenn Summer Academies
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949 (scholarships are available for select Philadelphia students)
Dates: July 5 – 26
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students
The University of Pennsylvania’s Summer Academies let you study scientific research topics in depth through immersive three-week courses taught on campus. Whether you’re interested in the brain, biology, physics, chemistry, or infectious diseases, there’s a specialized academy for each area, including Neuroscience, Biomedical Research, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Experimental Physics. Each academy blends lectures by Penn faculty, lab experiments, and small group investigations, giving you a feel for what undergraduate-level study in STEM looks like. Programs are open to high school students from around the country, and you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion at the end. While the courses are academically rigorous, they also incorporate a strong collaborative element.
4. The Wistar Institute – High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: SEPTA passes to defray the cost of traveling; stipend of $1,500
Dates: July 7 – 31; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: At least 16 years old by program start date | Have completed at least one high school science course | (Priority to students enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia)
At the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, you can gain firsthand experience in biomedical research through a four-week summer fellowship that places you in a working research lab. Students also contribute to Wistar research in its state-of-the-science Training Lab. You’ll be introduced to lab techniques, scientific literature, and ongoing research topics, all while contributing to real projects happening at the institute. The fellowship includes seminars on career paths in science, discussions on research ethics, and a final presentation where you share your work with peers and Wistar scientists.
5. Drexel University – BIOMED Summer Academy
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA (In-person, commuter, and residential options)
Cost: $1,500
Dates: Session I: July 7 – 11 | Session II: July 14 – 18 | Session III: July 21 – 25 | Session IV: July 28 – August 1
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Drexel University’s BIOMED Summer Academy gives you a close-up look at the field of biomedical engineering during a one-week, in-person summer program in Philadelphia. Through hands-on lab work, faculty-led workshops, and industry site visits, you’ll see how engineering principles are applied to solve real health challenges, like developing medical devices or bioimaging techniques. The program includes tours of research labs, sessions on tissue engineering, and exposure to Drexel’s ongoing biomedical innovations. Admission is selective and based on academic performance and teacher recommendations.
6. Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $7,299 – $9,799 (full and partial scholarships are available)
Dates: June – July, depending on chosen program
Application deadline: April 2
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 10-11 with a strong background in math and coding
If you are interested in exploring industries at the intersection of science and business, the Data Science Academy focuses on skills like data visualization, wrangling, and machine learning, showing how data is used to solve real-world problems. The Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI) takes this further by blending business studies with engineering, offering credit-bearing courses and field trips that highlight how innovation and entrepreneurship intersect. For those drawn to creativity and product development, the Product Design Academy provides a three-week, studio-based experience where you identify customer needs, create prototypes, and present a finished product. Across these programs, you gain exposure to college-level coursework, collaborative projects, and academic life at Wharton.
7. MathILy at Bryn Mawr College
Location: Bryn Mawr College, near Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $5,300 (financial aid is available)
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application deadline: April 29 (rolling)
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14–17, preferred
MathILy is a five-week summer program that allows you to explore advanced mathematics through problem-solving, discovery, and proof-based learning. Instructors guide you by providing frameworks, but much of the work comes from you as you develop conjectures, test them, and build rigorous arguments. The program is designed for students who are curious and motivated to go beyond standard high school math, with topics that introduce new ideas and challenge you to think critically. Participants come from across the country and occasionally from abroad, creating a collaborative environment where you work alongside peers with similar interests. While the focus is on serious mathematics, the program also emphasizes creativity and enjoyment, providing a holistic learning experience.
8. Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP)
Location: University of Pennsylvania’s campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9000 + $90 non-refundable application fee (limited financial aid may be available)
Dates: July 6 – 25
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 15 years old | Minimum 3.0 GPA
ESAP is a three-week program where you can study engineering in a university setting while earning college credit. You choose one course from areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, computer science, computer graphics, nanotechnology, or robotics, each of which combines lectures with labs and project-based learning. The program is designed to give you both theoretical knowledge and practical exposure, with faculty guiding you through coursework that reflects the pace and expectations of college classes. Projects play a central role, and you complete either a team-based or individual project that demonstrates what you have learned. Alongside academics, you live on Penn’s campus in Philadelphia, giving you access to its facilities and community.
9. Drexel University College of Medicine – Neuroscience Camp
Location: Drexel University Queen Lane Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $2,500
Dates: July 21 – August 1
Application deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a background in biology, chemistry, or research
At Drexel University’s College of Medicine, the Neuroscience Camp introduces you to how the brain and nervous system function by blending lectures, labs, and field trips over a structured summer session. You’ll learn from faculty and graduate students about brain anatomy, sensory processing, neuropharmacology, and even emerging topics like brain-machine interfaces. The program includes live demonstrations of brain activity and hands-on lab work, including molecular neurobiology techniques and data analysis. In addition to in-class learning, you’ll visit the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Franklin Institute to see neuroscience applications in action. By the end, you’ll complete a small lab project and present your findings.
10. Villanova Pre-College Summer Academy
Location: Villanova University Campus, near Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Residential: $8,000 | Commuter: $6,000
Dates: June 30 – July 28
Application deadline: April 6
Eligibility: Open to exceptional high school juniors and seniors
Villanova University’s Pre-College Summer Academy allows you to take a real college course and earn credit while experiencing life on a university campus. The four-week program is open to high school juniors, seniors, and incoming college freshmen, and you’ll enroll in one three-credit academic course—options range from cybersecurity and programming to bioengineering and communication studies. You’ll also participate in a one-credit seminar called College Pathways, which focuses on college-level academic skills and self-advocacy. This combination gives you both subject-specific knowledge and preparation for future college experiences. You’ll live on campus, take part in activities with your cohort, and complete a final project that ties together what you’ve learned.
11. Temple Summer Academy
Location: Temple University’s Main Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $3,200
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11–12
Temple Summer Academy is a college-level program for rising juniors and seniors that combines credit-bearing coursework with hands-on workshops and campus life. As a participant, you’ll take one undergraduate course for 3 or 4 credits. Topics vary, but all count toward Temple’s General Education requirements. In addition, you’ll choose two non-credit workshops that let you explore different academic areas through project-based learning. The schedule mirrors a typical college experience, and you’ll have the option to live in dorms or commute from home. Successful completion of this four-week program with at least a B in your credit course qualifies you for a Temple tuition grant, offering $1,000 annually if you enroll as an undergraduate later on. Workshops and courses are taught by Temple faculty and supported by student staff.
12. Temple University – Pre-college Summer Intensives and Institutes
Location: Temple University’s Main Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $1,300 for each two-week session
Dates: Session I: July 7 – 18 | Session II: July 21 – August 1
Application deadline: May 29
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 with a minimum of 3.0 GPA
Temple University’s Pre-College Summer Intensives and Institutes allow you to keenly focus on a single subject area through full-day, non-credit workshops that run for two weeks during the summer. Unlike broader programs, these intensives are designed to immerse you in one topic (whether that’s health sciences, design, business, or another field) using project-based learning and interactive instruction. You’ll attend daily sessions on Temple’s Main Campus, and you can choose to live on campus or commute. The experience includes opportunities to use university resources and participate in field trips or social activities that build community among students.
13. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: No cost; interns receive a stipend.
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school students in the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ, with work authorization in the U.S.
If you’re a high school student from an underrepresented background in science and interested in biomedical research, the Monell Science Apprenticeship Program is a good option to consider. Based in Philadelphia, this highly competitive program runs for at least seven weeks and includes paid full-time research with a mentor at the Monell Chemical Senses Center. You’ll develop a research project, analyze data, and present your findings at a closing symposium, all while learning about careers in science and medicine. The program also features enrichment sessions on topics like research ethics, public speaking, and scientific writing. Throughout the summer, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with scientists from different institutions who share their career journeys in fields ranging from neuroscience to epidemiology.
14. Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) – University of Pennsylvania
Location: Various departments at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: No cost
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Philadelphia rising 10th and 11th-grade students
The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) is designed for Philadelphia high school students interested in exploring college and career pathways in fields like medicine, engineering, applied science, nursing, dentistry, or law. Over four weeks in the summer, you’ll be paired with one of the professional schools at the University of Pennsylvania for a hands-on academic experience that includes workshops, lectures, and mentoring. You’ll also receive support with college preparation, including SAT practice, personal statement writing, and study skills. The program aims to boost access to higher education and help you build networks with faculty, graduate students, and peers. Once you are selected for the program, you’ll attend in-person sessions at the campus and also take part in a college fair and closing symposium.
15. sci-MI Neuroscience Mentorship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: July 1 – August 10
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students (preference for students underrepresented in neuroscience or without prior research experience)
The sci-MI Neuroscience Mentorship Program is a free, virtual summer experience for high school students interested in immersive neuroscience research. For five weeks, you’ll work on an independent project in neuroscience using publicly available resources like open-access research articles and data analysis tools. Each student is paired with a volunteer mentor who offers weekly guidance, and the program includes group journal clubs and recorded lectures that introduce you to foundational neuroscience concepts. You’ll read and present scientific papers, develop your own research questions, and write a final paper summarizing your findings. At the end of the program, you’ll present your project in a short virtual symposium.
For more information on STEM programs for high school students, you can also refer to other great posts on Horizon’s blog.
Image source – Temple University