Summer programs and internships are a fantastic way for you, as a high school student, to explore your academic and career interests outside the classroom. These experiences let you get hands-on, build real-world skills, and connect with professionals who can guide you along the way. Whether it’s science, humanities, or technology, programs at top universities give you a head start, helping you discover what excites you most while boosting your confidence and independence.
In Texas, you’ve got access to some amazing opportunities at places like Texas Tech University, Rice University, and the University of Texas at Austin. These programs don’t just let you sit in a classroom; they pair you with faculty mentors, get you working on real projects, and let you dive into college-level coursework. You’ll sharpen skills like research, leadership, and communication, all while experiencing what it’s like to work in a professional or academic setting. Plus, you’ll meet other motivated students who share your curiosity, giving you a chance to build friendships and networks that could last well beyond the summer.
To help you find the best fit, we’ve curated a list of 13 summer programs in Texas for high school students.
13 Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas
1. Anson L. Clark Scholar Program
Location: Texas Tech University, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee / $750 stipend
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (must be 17+ by start date); international students welcome | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Graduating this year or next
The Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University is a prestigious seven-week summer research opportunity for high school students. You collaborate with faculty on advanced projects in fields like cancer bioimaging, mechanical engineering, and more. The program includes seminars, discussions, and career development sessions that promote academic and personal growth. You receive free housing, meals, and weekend activities while on campus. You’ll also experience living on campus alongside other motivated students and gain insight into college-level study.
2. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, TX
Stipend: None
Dates: May to August; on-site experience is from July 6 – 19; distance learning module runs from May 19 – July 1
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are U.S. citizens and 16 years or older
The NASA and UT Austin SEES High School Summer Intern Program offers students an immersive experience in space and Earth science research. You work alongside NASA engineers and scientists on projects in areas such as planetary geology, environmental analysis, and space engineering. You use real satellite data, build prototypes, and apply coding to simulations and hardware design. Research topics span Mars exploration, climate studies, and high-altitude flight physics.
3. HSRA Summer Program
Location: The University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $4,000; need-based scholarship is available
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors living in Texas | 15 years or older by June 1
The High School Research Academy (HSRA) at UT Austin is a five-week summer program that allows high school students to gain real research experience in the College of Natural Sciences. You work in active labs across disciplines like neuroscience, ecology, engineering, and data analytics. You learn advanced research methods, collaborate with faculty and undergraduates, and attend seminars led by UT scientists.
4. Rice University – ELITE Tech Summer Camps
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: Commuter: $1,799; Residential: $3,899; limited scholarships are available
Dates: Four one-week sessions each for Commuter and Residential options between June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8 – 11
Rice ELITE Tech Camp is a summer program designed for high school students passionate about engineering and technology. Organized by Rice University’s School of Engineering, it combines hands-on STEM projects with leadership and college readiness training. You explore areas like AI, robotics, bioengineering, and 3D printing through collaborative, real-world challenges. Courses explore themes like 3D modeling & printing, deep learning, IoT (Internet of Things), data analytics, smart cities, and Python or C++ programming.
5. REACT @ TAMU
Location: Texas A&M University, TX
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
REACT @ TAMU Chemistry is a competitive six-day summer research program organized by Texas A&M University’s Department of Chemistry. You take part in hands-on workshops covering techniques such as UV/VIS spectroscopy, FTIR, NMR, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and microplastic analysis. The program also trains students in solution preparation and scientific literature research. Limited to about 20 high-achieving high school students, it offers an intensive lab experience focused on modern instruments, experimental methods, and core concepts in chemistry and molecular science.
6. Engineering Overview Camps
Location: University of Texas at San Antonio, TX
Cost: $550 (day camp); $750 (overnight camp); reduced rates with tuition assistance ($250 and $450 respectively for both camps); financial assistance is available
Dates: June 9 – 13; June 30 – July 4
Application Deadline: Rolling until sessions fill
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
The Engineering Overview Camp, held twice each summer, allows high school students to explore six core engineering fields, including Biomedical, Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering. Guided by UTSA faculty, you engage in interactive labs and hands-on activities to understand each discipline’s key concepts and career paths. The camp also introduces students to UTSA’s engineering programs and admissions process. Designed as an engaging, low-stress experience, it helps you identify which area of engineering aligns best with your skills and future goals.
7. Project SEED by American Chemical Society
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including Texas (virtual options available)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,000 stipend
Dates: 8-10 weeks from June – August
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who have completed at least one course of high school chemistry.
Project SEED, organized by the American Chemical Society, is a summer research program that provides high school students from underserved communities with hands-on experience in chemistry. Each year, over 350 participants are matched with mentors to conduct 8–10 weeks of research in university or industry laboratories. You also join a virtual summer camp that focuses on college preparation, laboratory techniques, and career exploration in chemistry and chemical engineering. With more than 50 years of history and a network of over 11,000 alumni, Project SEED remains one of the most influential and long-standing STEM initiatives.
8. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual | In-person | Hybrid
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee for which, waivers are available / No stipend
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 years or older by June 18
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) offers high school students hands-on research experience under faculty guidance. You work on summer projects in fields like neuroscience, nanotechnology, cybersecurity, data science, and machine learning for social impact. The program also includes computer science areas such as software engineering and game design. Many students present or publish their findings, and those interested in nanotech, data science, or AI gain exposure to concepts closely connected to modern physics.
9. PATHS-UP Digital Health Young Scholars Program at Rice University
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: None
Dates: June 9 – 26 | July 24 (Symposium)
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Houston, TX
Rice University’s PATHS-UP Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Program introduces students to the connection between engineering, computer science, and healthcare. Across three weeks, you engage in hands-on projects involving digital circuits, coding, and physics concepts applied to medical innovation. You work with devices like pulse oximeters, accelerometers, and GPS sensors to design prototypes inspired by Rice’s engineering research. While centered on digital health, the program also integrates essential physics topics, including circuitry and signal processing, into its study of medical technology.
10. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple locations including Texas
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Interns earn weekly stipends based on their education level and the General Schedule (GS) pay scale
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks (late August/early September – mid-December); Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May); Summer: 10 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application Deadline: Varies based on the AFRL sites and/or projects to which you are applying
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students who are U.S. citizens
The AFRL Scholars Program provides high school students with hands-on internship opportunities in aerospace engineering and STEM research. Under the mentorship of AFRL scientists and engineers, you work on projects in fields like atomic physics, satellite navigation, machine learning, and astrodynamics. Previous interns have assisted in research on launch systems and rotating detonation rocket engines. You can apply to up to three topics at each AFRL site.
11. Kode with Klossy – Summer Camps
Location: Virtual or in-person in Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C., London, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and St. Louis.
Cost: None
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions during summer
Application Deadline: Typically March
Eligibility: Female high school students and gender-expansive teens aged 13-18
Kode With Klossy is a free two-week summer coding camp for high school students from underrepresented gender identities in tech. You choose from four tracks: Web Development, Machine Learning, Mobile App Development, or Data Science, while learning programming languages like JavaScript, Python, and Swift. Through hands-on projects, students build websites, design apps, train AI models, and analyze data. The program also addresses algorithmic bias, UX design, and ethical coding, promoting both technical skill and creative problem-solving. The program is co-taught by licensed educators and held in locations across the globe, and also features guest sessions by women working in technology.
12. Sustainable Futures Academy
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: None
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: June 7
Eligibility: Female high school students entering 10th or 11th grade; male and non-binary students are also welcome
The Rice STEM Academy is a free one-week summer program for high school students interested in engineering and sustainability. You engage in lab-based projects such as designing roller coasters and landing capsules while exploring key concepts in motion and circuitry. Using tools like Micro:bits and TI Nspire Rovers, you learn how physics principles apply to real-world engineering challenges. Though focused on sustainable design, the program weaves in core physics topics such as motion, energy, and forces through hands-on, problem-solving activities.
13. Rocketry and Aerospace Engineering Camp
Location: UTSA Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design, San Antonio, TX
Cost: Day Camp: $550; Overnight Camp: $750; reduced rates with tuition assistance ($250 and $450 respectively for both camps); financial assistance is available
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
UTSA’s Rocketry and Aerospace Engineering Camp introduces students to the fundamentals of flight, propulsion, and stability through hands-on rocket design and launches. Guided by mentors from the Aeronautics and Rocketry Club, you explore how engineering decisions impact performance and flight dynamics. A central activity involves working in teams to design and build high-powered model rockets from scratch, applying concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and Newton’s Laws of Motion, which culminates in a supervised launch event to analyze flight data and stability. The camp features workshops, lectures, and lab tours led by UTSA aerospace faculty.
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 – Texas A&M University