If you are a high school student in Pennsylvania and want to use your summer to learn how real workplaces function, local internships can be a good place to start. You can explore areas like research, healthcare, business, or public service while working with professionals who do this work every day. Internships give you a closer look at how ideas are applied in real settings and what different careers actually involve.
Throughout Pennsylvania, hospitals, colleges, and companies create spaces for high school students to take part in short-term internships. You might assist in research, support nonprofit programs, or help manage business tasks at a nearby firm. Each role gives you a look at how daily operations run and how your work connects to broader goals.
Doing an internship near home also makes it easier and more affordable. You can learn from mentors, meet professionals in your community, and save on travel and housing costs that come with distant programs. It’s a practical way to use your summer productively while staying close to home.
To help you find the right fit, here’s a list of 13 summer internships for high school students in Pennsylvania!
13 Summer Internships for High School Students PA (Pennsylvania)
1. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee; financial aid available
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: High school students over 14 years old by the start of the program
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship is a cutting-edge opportunity for students interested in the intersection of machine learning and clinical medicine. You’ll begin with foundational lectures on AI in healthcare, then transition into mentored research activities alongside Stanford students and faculty. Group sessions will guide you through applying algorithms to medical data, helping you understand how models are trained, validated, and used in clinical settings. You’ll also attend virtual “Career Lunch and Learns” that introduce you to fields like radiology, biomedical informatics, and computational imaging.
2. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid internship (housing and transportation not provided)
Program Dates: June 15 to July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students from the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program is a full-time, eight-week biomedical research internship for high school students from underrepresented groups in science. As an intern, you work with researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center on independent projects in sensory biology and public health. Your work may include cloning olfactory receptors to study how smell works, designing non-lethal repellents for environmental and health use, or analyzing air chemistry to understand the effects of pollutants. The program ends with a Capstone Symposium, where you present your research findings to mentors, peers, and scientists.
3. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: <3% / 8 students
Program Dates: June 26 to August 14 ()
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors in the U.S. or Canada
Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a highly selective neuroscience internship where you work directly with Johns Hopkins researchers on projects in brain science. You’ll gain experience in experimental techniques, data collection, and statistical software used to analyze results. The program also integrates seminars and professional development sessions, helping you connect lab skills to clinical aspects of brain disorders. You’ll complete a mentored research project and present your findings at a symposium to faculty and peers.
4. Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) High School Summer Internship Program
Location: MWRI or Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; eligible students may receive a $1,800 stipend (based on National School Breakfast and Lunch Program qualification)
Program Dates: Six weeks, 240 hours (beginning mid-June)
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors, at least 16 years old
The Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) High School Summer Internship Program is a six-week internship that places you in biomedical research settings focused on reproductive biology, women’s health, and infant health. You’ll work on an independent research project with guidance from MWRI staff, gaining experience in experimental methods and data analysis. The hybrid structure allows part of the work to be completed remotely, while in-person sessions provide direct lab exposure. The program concludes with a presentation of your research findings to peers and mentors.
5. Bloomberg Arts Internships – Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
Location: Arts and culture organizations across the Greater Philadelphia region
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (stipend amount not specified)
Program Dates: Summer: June 20 – August 15 (8-week term, up to 35 hrs/week)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising seniors can apply
The Bloomberg Arts Internship, run by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, is a paid summer program that places you with local arts and culture organizations to learn how the creative sector works. As an intern, you take part in mentored projects in areas such as arts administration, exhibition planning, marketing, and event coordination, gaining direct experience in how cultural institutions function. Along with your placement, you attend workshops that strengthen your communication and professional skills, helping you set goals, share ideas, and work effectively in a team setting. The program gives you a close look at Philadelphia’s arts community while helping you build skills that are useful in both academic and career paths.
6. High School Program in Biomedical Research – The Wistar Institute
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $1,500
Program Dates: July
Application Deadline: Details announced in January
Eligibility: Students 16+ who have completed at least one high school science course
The High School Program in Biomedical Research at The Wistar Institute is a three-week summer internship that gives you hands-on experience in biomedical science. As one of 12 selected students, you train in lab techniques while contributing to research projects in areas such as cancer biology, vaccine development, and infectious diseases. You learn how to read and interpret scientific literature, conduct experiments in Wistar’s research labs, and receive guidance from experienced scientists. Workshops help you explore different career paths in academic, clinical, and industry research. The program ends with a student presentation, where you share your findings with peers and professionals.
7. STEM Internship – The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Location: The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: July 10–21; weekly after-school program during the school year
Application Deadline: June 2
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors enrolled in a Philadelphia high school
The STEM Internship at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia is a summer program that combines science learning with social impact. As an intern, you gain hands-on experience in forensic science, healthcare, and community work while studying how violence affects individuals and society. You learn to use tools and methods common in STEM and medical fields, building practical skills through applied projects. The program also includes mentorship that helps you understand scientific ideas more deeply and see how they relate to public health and social equity.
8. Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP) – Fox Chase Cancer Center
Location: William Tennent High School, Warminster (Jan–May) | Temple University, Philadelphia (July–Aug)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: Consecutive Saturdays, late Jan–early May | Tuesdays and Thursdays, July–Aug
Application Deadline: October 6 (for spring/school year session at William Tennent HS); March 16 (for summer TRIP Explore session)
Eligibility: All high school students from Philadelphia and the surrounding communities
TRIP is a lab-based internship that immerses you in hypothesis-driven research in biology and medicine. You’ll progress through three phases: formulating research questions on topics like diet, environmental stress, and genetics; learning to use lab equipment, design experiments, and analyze data; and refining your ability to interpret results and troubleshoot issues. The program culminates in a scientific symposium where you present your findings to peers, family, and the research community, gaining experience in experimental design, data communication, and problem-solving in real-world research contexts.
9. Penn Summer Science Initiative (PSSI) – Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM), University of Pennsylvania
Location: LRSM, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: July 6 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to students entering their junior or senior year of high school from the greater Philadelphia region. Students must have taken chemistry and/or physics courses.
This four-week intensive program immerses you in materials science through lectures, lab workshops, hands-on projects, and field trips. You’ll gain experience with techniques such as scanning electron and optical microscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical testing, and X-ray diffraction. Faculty mentorship guides collaborative projects and lab report writing, giving you practical experience with scientific methodology, problem-solving, and data analysis. The program emphasizes critical thinking and experimental design skills in a research-focused environment.
10. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Internship for Scholars and Emerging Scientists (CHOP-RISES)
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Paid; exact stipend not specified
Program Dates: CHOP-RISES I: 6 weeks in summer | CHOP-RISES II: 8 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising juniors (CHOP-RISES I) | Rising seniors (CHOP-RISES II)
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Internship for Scholars and Emerging Scientists (CHOP-RISES) is a hands-on medical research internship program designed for students interested in STEM-M fields (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine). You’ll work closely with researchers on experiments, data analysis, and independent projects. CHOP-RISES II also provides clinical shadowing opportunities. The program emphasizes laboratory techniques, critical thinking, and research communication, culminating in a final presentation.
11. NASA and UT Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer Intern Program
Location: Hybrid (distance learning + on-site) at The University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Online learning from May 19 – July 1; Project-specific online work through July 5; On-site internship from July 6 – 19; Virtual Science Symposium from July 21 – 22
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old by July 5
The SEES Summer Intern Program, organized by NASA and UT Austin’s Center for Space Research, offers a competitive and immersive STEM experience designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world science. You’ll begin with online modules covering Earth and space science topics, and in some tracks, Python programming, before collaborating virtually with NASA mentors on data-driven projects. The two-week residential phase in Austin is the highlight, where you’ll work alongside scientists on research involving satellite imagery, climate modeling, planetary exploration, or remote sensing. The experience concludes with the SEES Virtual Science Symposium, where you present your research findings to NASA experts and peers.
12. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Open to students aged 15 or older by June 18
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) offers you the chance to work side by side with scientists and engineers on research projects across a range of disciplines. You’ll explore cutting-edge fields like bioengineering, neuroscience, forensic science, and data science, gaining hands-on experience with laboratory tools and analytical techniques. The program is designed to develop not only your technical skills but also your ability to communicate science effectively through writing and presentations. Throughout the eight weeks, you’ll receive mentorship from faculty, attend professional development sessions, and may even contribute to research that gets presented at conferences or published in scientific journals.
13. Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center – Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 + $95 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive / 30 students per session
Program Dates: Program 1: June 23 – July 4; Program 2: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old by the program start date
The Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship is a two-week program that introduces you to the basics of cardiothoracic medicine through lectures and simulation-based learning. In the mornings, you study anatomy, physiology, and diagnostic imaging such as ECG, CT, MRI, and echocardiography to build a solid understanding of clinical concepts. In the afternoons, you take part in surgical skills labs using an instrument kit mailed to you. You practice suturing, dissection, vessel anastomosis, and knot tying on synthetic models. Faculty-led discussions and porcine heart dissections help you understand surgical anatomy and how these techniques are applied in procedures.
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 – University of Pennsylvania