Participating in tech programs for high school students are a practical way to explore areas like computer science, engineering, and data science beyond the school curriculum. These programs typically include structured learning through lectures, hands-on projects, and guided mentorship. You may get to work with programming languages, build applications, analyze data, or explore areas like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. In addition to technical skills, you’ll also develop problem-solving, logical thinking, and collaboration skills that are relevant across STEM fields. Many of these programs are hosted by universities or partnered with industry organizations, giving you access to structured learning environments and experienced instructors.
Why should you choose a program in Ohio?
Ohio offers a strong mix of academic institutions, research centers, and growing tech industries that focus on areas such as software development, engineering, and data science, providing students with access to quality educational resources. Ohio also has a developing tech ecosystem with opportunities connected to manufacturing, healthcare technology, and business analytics. This allows programs in the state to incorporate practical, real-world applications into their curriculum. If you’re interested in technology, these programs provide early exposure to how tech concepts are applied in academic and professional settings. They’ll also help you understand different pathways within tech, making it easier to decide what you may want to study in college.
To help you explore your options, we’ve curated a list of 15 tech programs for high school students in Ohio, selected for their academic rigor, hands-on learning, and overall value.
You can also check our guide on summer programs for high school students in Ohio.
1. Camp CAR
Location: Ohio State University – Center for Automotive Research, Columbus, OH
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; 25 students
Dates: Week-long program in summer (typically, in July)
Application Deadline: Application opens in February
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
Camp CAR is a one-week summer day camp where you’ll explore automotive engineering and mobility through hands-on activities. You’ll work with students, faculty, and research staff from Ohio State University to learn about areas like simulation, testing, and manufacturing. Your activities may include robot building, machining, and basic computer simulations related to vehicle systems. The program also includes field visits to industry facilities, giving you exposure to real automotive testing and engineering environments. It focuses on introducing you to how vehicles are designed, built, and evaluated.
2. Ohio Supercomputer Center’s STEM Institute (SI)
Location: Ohio Supercomputer Center, Columbus, OH
Cost: $600
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: May 31 – June 12
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Ohio high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors
The STEM Institute is a residential program where you’ll work in small teams to solve science and engineering problems using supercomputing resources. You’ll learn tools like Unix and Python while applying them to projects such as cybersecurity analysis, disease modeling, or game design. Your work will involve running simulations, analyzing data, and collaborating with a project leader to complete a defined technical task. The program also includes lectures, lab tours, and exposure to research centers at Ohio State University. It combines technical training with project-based learning in a structured research environment.
3. Mₐ²JIC High School Internship Program
Location: Ohio State University – Manufacturing & Materials Joining Innovation Center, Columbus, OH
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: September 1 – February 13
Eligibility: High school students living in the Columbus, OH, surrounding area
The Mₐ²JIC High School Internship Program is a paid, on-campus research internship where you’ll work on materials and manufacturing projects at Ohio State University. You’ll contribute to ongoing research in areas like welding processes, materials testing, and engineering design, often involving lab experiments, data analysis, and basic modeling. Your work will include creating and testing materials, documenting results, and collaborating with faculty and graduate mentors. Throughout the program, you will gain exposure to how industrial research projects are structured and executed. The experience concludes with a capstone presentation of your findings.
4. AFRL Scholars Program
Location: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) locations across the U.S., including Ohio
Stipend: Stipend based on educational level and locality; Check details here
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by AFRL site and project
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students (16+) with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The AFRL Scholars Program is a paid research internship where you’ll work alongside scientists and engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory. You’ll contribute to ongoing projects in areas like aerospace systems, materials science, sensors, or biomedical engineering, depending on your placement. Your work may involve experiments, data analysis, modeling, or testing within a professional research environment. You’ll also gain exposure to how advanced technologies are developed and evaluated, particularly in defense and aerospace contexts. The program emphasizes hands-on research and collaboration with experienced technical teams.
5. University of Toledo’s Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) Program
Location: University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 15-20 students
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students
The Research in Science and Engineering Program is an eight-week research program where you will join a faculty-led research group at the University of Toledo. As a participant, you’ll contribute to ongoing projects while also working on an individual research topic, which you will then present at the end of the program. Your work may involve lab experiments, data analysis, or engineering design in areas like renewable energy, biology, or materials science. You will also gain hands-on experience with research methods, tools, and team-based scientific work. The program is structured to give you a realistic view of how academic research operates.
6. Ohio University Student Internship: Beyond the Classroom
Location: Bowling Green State University, Ohio University, the University of Akron, and the University of Cincinnati
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Paid opportunities
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Multi-week program
Application Deadline: Varies based on the university; Check the details here
Eligibility: High school students who have participated in the Biology meets Engineering program
The Ohio University Student Internship is a paid research internship where you’ll work in a university lab on biology and engineering projects. As a participant, you will be assigned to a specific lab and contribute to ongoing research, which may involve computational modeling, lab experiments, or field-based studies. Your tasks will include using scientific tools like PCR, microscopy, or software, while documenting and analyzing results. You’ll work closely with faculty and graduate mentors, gaining hands-on experience in real research environments. The program builds on prior BmE experience and focuses on active project contribution.
7. OBAP ACE Academy
Location: National Veterans Memorial & Museum, Columbus, OH
Cost: $175
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: June 23
Eligibility: Middle or high school students (ages 12-18) with aviation interest; Must be physically able
During the OBAP ACE Academy, you will explore aviation and aerospace through hands-on STEM activities. You’ll learn core concepts like aerodynamics and aviation systems, and apply them through simulations, interactive exercises, and technical demonstrations. The program includes exposure to flight simulators, industry tools, and field visits to aviation-related facilities. You’ll also gain insight into how government, engineering, and operations intersect in the aviation sector. It is designed to connect classroom STEM concepts to real-world aerospace applications.
8. University of Mount Union’s Experience Engineering Summer Program (EESP)
Location: University of Mount Union, Alliance, OH
Cost: Varies based on program type and college credit
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Unspecified
Dates: July 12 – 18
Application Deadline: Not mentioned; Typically, in the spring
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores to recent high school graduates
The Experience Engineering Summer Program is a summer program where you will explore five different engineering disciplines through hands-on projects and lab work. As a participant, you will take part in an undergraduate-level course at the University of Mount Union while learning about topics like entrepreneurship, ethics, sustainability, and technical communication. Your experience will include working in labs, collaborating on engineering tasks, and receiving mentorship from faculty and current students. The program is structured to give you both technical exposure and an understanding of how engineering connects to real-world challenges. You can also earn college credit upon completion.
9. Ohio Northern University’s Pathways to STEM Camp
Location: Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH
Cost: $495
Cohort Size: 24 students
Dates: June 14 – 18
Application Deadline: June 5 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students entering their sophomore through senior year in the fall
The Pathways to STEM Camp is a four-day residential program where you’ll explore multiple STEM fields through hands-on labs and projects. As a participant, you’ll work with faculty from Ohio Northern University on topics like microbiology, physics, and engineering, gaining exposure to different technical disciplines. Your experience will include lab experiments, problem-solving activities, and interactive sessions that apply classroom concepts to real scenarios. You’ll also engage with engineers and scientists to understand potential career paths in STEM. The program is designed to give you a broad introduction to STEM fields in a short, immersive format.
10. Ohio State University – Horizons of Science: From Microbes to Megastructures
Location: Ohio State University – Science and Engineering Building, Marion, OH
Cost: $185
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: May 31 (or until space is full)
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
The Horizons of Science: From Microbes to Megastructures is a hands-on program where you will explore biochemistry, engineering, and environmental science through lab experiments and design challenges. You’ll work on activities like molecular gastronomy, simulated blood-typing, and forensic-style biochemistry tasks to understand core scientific concepts. The program also includes building and programming a robot, along with engineering projects such as structural design and problem-solving in outdoor settings. Fieldwork and ecosystem studies add a practical dimension, connecting lab science to real environments. You’ll collaborate in teams to apply scientific and engineering principles across different contexts.
11. Ohio State University – Science Adventurers: Elements of Discovery
The Science Adventurers: Elements of Discovery is a hands-on program where you will explore biology, chemistry, and environmental technology through experiments and fieldwork. You will engage in activities like DNA analysis, water quality testing using 3D-printed tools, and studying ecosystems in outdoor labs. The program also introduces how AI is used in scientific research, connecting data analysis with real-world environmental problems. You’ll take part in site visits and collaborative projects that combine lab work with applied science. The experience ends with a capstone project focused on solving an environmental challenge.
12. Y.O.U. High School Tech Internship Program
Location: Various locations across Northeast Ohio
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $12/hr stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 120 hours over the summer; Exact dates unspecified
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders who are 19 or younger
The Y.O.U. High School Tech Internship Program is a paid internship program that places Ohio high school students in technology-focused roles with local employers. You’ll work on entry-level tasks similar to junior employees, which may include coding, IT support, data handling, or basic software-related work, depending on the company. The program connects you directly with businesses, giving you exposure to workplace expectations, tools, and team environments. You’ll also build practical skills in communication, problem-solving, and professional conduct while contributing to real projects. The initiative is supported by the state to expand early tech talent pipelines.
13. University of Cincinnati: Biology Meets Engineering Summer Program
Location: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – 18
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students
The Biology Meets Engineering Summer Program is a three-week program where you will explore how biological systems inform engineering design. You’ll study how animals sense and respond to their environment, then apply those concepts by building and programming autonomous robots. Your work will involve using sensors, basic programming, and engineering principles to replicate behavior-based responses in machines. The program emphasizes hands-on experimentation, where you’ll test how biological ideas translate into functional robotic systems. Through this, you will gain exposure to interdisciplinary problem-solving at the intersection of biology, robotics, and engineering.
14. Franklin County Summer Programs: Ready 2 Earn
Location: Various organizations in Franklin County, OH
Stipend: Paid (amount varies by age group)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (program length varies)
Application Deadline: Varies based on the opportunity
Eligibility: Students aged 14-21
The Ready 2 Earn is a paid summer initiative that places you in real work environments across government, nonprofit, and private-sector organizations. Depending on your age, you will either explore careers through structured, project-based learning (ages 14-15) or take on more defined roles with hourly pay (ages 16-21). Your work may involve tasks related to technology, engineering, project coordination, or operational support, while also building core workplace skills like communication, teamwork, and professionalism. Older participants can enter pre-apprenticeship tracks in fields such as automotive, healthcare, or logistics, gaining hands-on experience tied to specific career pathways. The program emphasizes practical exposure to workplace environments rather than classroom instruction.
15. CYCE High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $15/hour stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 28
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders (15+) with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or more; More details here
The CYCE High School Summer Internship Program is a paid internship where you will work with professionals at the Cleveland Clinic across clinical, non-clinical, or advanced technology tracks. In the Advanced Technology track, you will engage in areas like AI, coding, data science, cybersecurity, and biomedical engineering through hands-on tasks and team-based work. Your responsibilities may include supporting technical projects, working with healthcare data systems, or assisting with software and IT-related tasks. You will also gain exposure to how technology is applied in real healthcare environments, alongside mentorship from industry professionals. The program focuses on building workplace skills while giving you practical insight into different career paths within healthcare and tech.
One More Option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program, 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 Cincinnati