STEM programs give you a way to test what you’re learning instead of just understanding it in theory. You could help in building a robot, analyzing biological data, experimenting in a lab, or working through real engineering challenges. The hands-on exposure makes it easier to figure out what actually interests you – whether that’s medicine, computer science, environmental science, or something more specialized. You can also start developing skills that matter across all STEM fields, like problem-solving, data interpretation, and technical communication. Many programs bring you into contact with researchers, faculty, or industry professionals, which adds context to what these careers actually look like day to day.
Why should you choose Tampa, FL?
Tampa stands out for the concentration of STEM experiences in one place, especially around university campuses and research centers. You’ll find programs that range from robotics and cybersecurity to biomedical engineering, marine science, and applied research, often with access to real labs, equipment, and field sites. That variety makes it easier to try different paths without committing too early to one area. The setting also allows for more applied learning, whether that’s working on engineering builds, analyzing environmental systems, or exploring healthcare-related technologies. Students based in the area can take advantage of consistent access to these opportunities, while those coming from outside get exposure to a well-connected academic and research environment.
To help you navigate what’s available, we’ve put together 15 STEM programs in Tampa, FL that balance practical experience with structured academic learning.
15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Tampa, FL
1. High School Student Internship Program in Integrated Mathematical Oncology
Location: Moffitt Cancer Center at USF Campus, Tampa, FL
Stipend: $1,000 scholarship
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older and enrolled in grade 11 or below
This program introduces you to cancer research through a combination of mathematical modeling and biological analysis. Working closely with a faculty mentor, you will develop an individual research project that connects quantitative methods with real biomedical questions. You will need to maintain detailed records of your work through lab journals or digital documentation. There will be regular discussions with mentors who will guide you in refining your methods, interpreting results, and adjusting your research direction. As the program progresses, you’ll prepare a structured scientific report summarizing your findings. The experience concludes with a formal presentation in which you present your work to researchers and peers.
2. USF Upward Bound Math and Science (USF UBMS)
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Six weeks in the summer + 18 Saturdays and after-school sessions during the academic year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Local high schoolers living in low-income households or who are potential first-generation college students, attending Brandon High School, Jefferson High School, or Leto High School; Check this page for the detailed eligibility criteria
The USF Upward Bound Math and Science program builds a long-term academic support structure around your interest in STEM while introducing you to university-level learning environments. During the summer component, you will participate in intensive coursework alongside hands-on lab sessions that expose you to scientific research and applied mathematics. Your interactions with faculty, graduate students, and STEM majors give you insights into academic pathways and expectations in these fields. The program extends beyond summer, with continued academic support through tutoring sessions, seminars, and campus-based activities during the school year. You will also engage in college readiness work, including test preparation, application guidance, and financial aid planning.
3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Opportunities throughout the U.S., including in Tampa; you will be assigned a mentor in your area within a 45-minute distance from your home
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; Dates are flexible
Application deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors + recent graduates who are at least 16 years old and live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program connects you with a professional scientist to explore aquatic ecosystems through direct field and laboratory work. Your experience is shaped by your mentor’s ongoing research, which may involve collecting data in rivers, lakes, or coastal environments. The fieldwork often includes activities such as surveying fish populations, assessing habitats, or monitoring water quality, giving you practical exposure to ecological methods. You may also assist with laboratory tasks like analyzing samples or organizing research data. Through regular interaction with your mentor, you learn how research questions are developed and tested.
4. Summer P.A.Y.S. (Preparing Area Youth for Success)
Location: Local employers across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, FL
Stipend: $15/hour
Dates: Six weeks in the summer; dates vary by role and employer
Application Deadline: Opens February 7
Eligibility: Hillsborough or Pinellas County residents who are 15 – 24 years old; Must meet low-income or employment requirements
Summer P.A.Y.S. places you in a structured work environment where you can explore STEM-related roles while building transferable workplace skills. After being matched with a local employer, you will contribute to projects aligned with your interests, which may include areas like technology, engineering, or healthcare operations. The program emphasizes practical responsibilities, so you can gain experience with task management, communication, and professional expectations. Alongside your work placement, you’ll participate in workshops focused on career readiness, leadership, and skill development. The guidance from supervisors and program staff will help you understand how different industries operate and what entry-level roles involve.
5. USF Biomedical Engineering Camp
Location: USF Tampa’s College of Engineering, Tampa, FL
Cost: $1,350; Optional residential add-on available at additional cost
Dates: July 13 – 17 | July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Not specified; Registration opens February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
The USF Biomedical Engineering Camp introduces you to how engineering principles are applied in medical and healthcare settings through hands-on experimentation. Working with faculty, you’ll explore how biological signals are measured and analyzed using tools commonly found in clinical environments. You design and test bioelectrical systems, gaining insight into how devices used in cardiology or neuroscience are developed. There will be collaborative projects that will encourage you to apply concepts while working through real design challenges.
6. USF High School Robotics Camp
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $999.99
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Not specified; Registrations open on February 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th graders
The USF High School Robotics Camp focuses on building and programming autonomous systems using a combination of hardware and software tools. You will work with platforms like Raspberry Pi while learning how sensors, actuators, and circuits interact within a robotic system. The program emphasizes hands-on construction, so you will assemble and test your own robot while applying coding concepts in Python and Linux environments. As you progress, you’ll explore how robots respond to real-world inputs and refine their behavior through programming adjustments. You will have exposure to industrial robotics tools, which introduces you to how automation is implemented in professional settings. Lab-based activities simulate real engineering workflows, helping you understand system integration and testing.
7. USF After-School Robotics Program
Location: USF Tampa – College of Engineering, Tampa, FL
Cost: TBA
Dates: Spring sessions; Dates TBA
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
The USF After-School Robotics Program allows you to explore robotics concepts over an extended period while balancing school-year commitments. The sessions combine theoretical instruction with practical building tasks, helping you understand how mechanical and electrical systems function together. You’ll design and assemble robots while learning about components such as motors, sensors, and circuits. There will be coding lessons that will introduce you to control logic, enabling you to program robots to complete specific tasks. The program also incorporates digital fabrication, allowing you to create custom parts using 3D design tools. As you advance, projects become more complex, encouraging problem-solving and iterative improvement.
8. USF CyberCamp
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $650
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: Not specified; Applications open on February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
USF CyberCamp introduces you to cybersecurity through a flexible, workshop-style format that mirrors professional conferences. You can choose from multiple breakout sessions each day, allowing you to explore topics such as networking, hardware security, and web vulnerabilities based on your interests. Hands-on labs focus on practical skills, including analyzing systems, identifying weaknesses, and understanding how digital infrastructure is protected. You will have interactions with professionals from different sectors that help you see how cybersecurity is applied across industries. The program also highlights emerging areas like AI in security and social engineering tactics, concluding with a competitive challenge where you apply your skills in a simulated environment.
9. USF Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration
Location: USF St. Petersburg campus, FL (~30 minutes from Tampa)
Cost: $1,495
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: Not specified; applications open on February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
The USF Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration program introduces you to marine science through a combination of fieldwork and research-based learning. You will explore coastal ecosystems while practicing techniques used in oceanographic studies, such as data collection and environmental analysis. The activities may include examining marine organisms, studying water conditions, and observing ecological interactions in natural settings. A key component of the program is hands-on experience aboard a research vessel, where you’ll participate in data gathering and interpretation. You will have visits to labs and marine-focused organizations to provide insight into scientific careers and research pathways, while conversations with professionals help contextualize what you learn in the field.
10. USF Aerospace Engineering
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $1,450
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Not specified; applications open on February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
The USF Aerospace Engineering program introduces you to flight principles through a mix of theory and applied engineering tasks. You’ll explore aerodynamics, propulsion, and control systems while working on hands-on projects that simulate real engineering challenges. The activities include experimenting with flight models, analyzing airflow, and understanding how design choices affect performance. You’ll also interact with flight simulators and drone systems, which help illustrate how control mechanisms function in practice. Further, you get to work with fabrication tools and design software that mirror professional workflows in aerospace engineering. The program concludes with a project showcase where you present your design outcomes.
11. USF Anatomy of a Roller Coaster
Location: USF Tampa Campus and Busch Gardens, FL
Cost: $795
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Not specified; Applications open on February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
The USF Anatomy of a Roller Coaster program uses amusement park engineering to teach core physics and mechanical concepts. You will explore how forces such as gravity, friction, and momentum influence motion and safety in roller coaster systems. There will be hands-on projects that involve building and testing small-scale models to understand how different design elements interact. You’ll also examine how braking systems and structural components are engineered to manage speed and stability. A field-based component allows you to observe real roller coasters and analyze their design from an engineering perspective. The final project requires you to design and model your own roller coaster based on engineering principles.
12. iD Tech Summer Camps
Location: 75+ locations across the U.S., including USF in Tampa, FL
Cost: Starting at $1,079
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort size; up to 8 students per instructor
Dates: Week-long camps from June – August
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Students aged 7 – 17
iD Tech Summer Camps introduce you to a range of STEM disciplines through structured, project-based learning on a university campus. Depending on your chosen track, you may focus on coding, robotics, game development, or digital design. Small group instruction allows for consistent feedback as you work through hands-on assignments. You’ll apply technical concepts by building projects such as simple games, programs, or physical prototypes. The curriculum is designed to progress from foundational skills to more complex applications over the course of the session. Instructors guide you through problem-solving processes that reflect real-world workflows. By the end of the program, you will complete a project that demonstrates your understanding of the subject area.
13. USF STEM for Scholars Summer School
Location: Manougian STEM Education Center at USF, Tampa, FL
Cost: Free for a select group of applicants + winners of the Hillsborough County Math Bowl; $500/week for others
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 17
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The USF STEM for Scholars Summer School focuses on introducing you to advanced scientific concepts through research-oriented learning. You will engage with topics such as machine learning, quantum information, and bioinformatics while exploring how these fields connect to current research. You’ll also examine how mathematical modeling is used to address real-world challenges in areas like epidemiology. Alongside academic content, the program includes guidance on college preparation, including application strategies and research opportunities. You’ll also engage with instructors, which helps clarify complex topics and their applications.
14. Eckerd Pre-College Program: Marine Science
Location: Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL (~25 minutes from Tampa, FL)
Cost: $2,250; scholarships available
Dates: Session I: June 14 – 19 | Session II: June 21 – 26
Application Deadline: Opens in January
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11 and 12 in the fall; Selected candidates must pass a pool swim test
The Eckerd Pre-College Program in Marine Science introduces you to coastal ecosystems through a mix of field exploration and laboratory analysis. You will participate in activities such as observing marine organisms, collecting environmental samples, and studying ecological patterns. There will be fieldwork in local marine environments, which helps you understand how data is gathered in real research settings. The laboratory sessions focus on analyzing samples and identifying species, reinforcing connections between observation and scientific interpretation. You will also engage with topics across marine biology, geology, and chemistry, providing a broad perspective on ocean science.
15. Eckerd Pre-College Program: AI, Ethics, and Technology
Location: Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
Cost: $1900
Dates: June 21–26
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served
Eligibility: Students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade in the fall
The Eckerd Pre-College Program in AI, Ethics, and Technology explores how emerging technologies intersect with societal and ethical considerations. You will examine how artificial intelligence is applied across domains such as cybersecurity, media, and business systems. There will be hands-on activities that include building simple digital tools or projects that demonstrate how AI functions in practice. The discussions focus on evaluating the impact of technology, including questions around privacy, bias, and decision-making. You will also interact with professionals who will offer different perspectives on how technology is developed and regulated. You’ll also explore how AI influences communication, behavior, and information systems.
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: Eckerd College