16 Technology Internships for High School Students in California

For high school students interested in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, or engineering, technology internships provide access to environments where software, systems, and research tools are actively developed and tested. In California, these opportunities are shaped by a dense ecosystem of companies, university research labs, national laboratories, and emerging startups working across fields such as machine learning, robotics, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure.

What Do Technology Internships for High Schoolers Include?

Technology internships for high school students vary by organization, but many internships involve programming, software development, data analysis, engineering design, or technology research. You may write and test code, analyze datasets, build prototypes, create visualizations, document technical processes, or assist with ongoing development projects. Some internships focus on specialized areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, or web development. Others introduce you to engineering workflows through activities like computer-aided design (CAD), electronics testing, hardware assembly, or product development. Research-based internships may involve evaluating algorithms, collecting and interpreting data, or supporting technology-driven investigations at universities and laboratories. In addition to technical work, many internships expose you to the tools and systems commonly used in the field. These may include programming languages such as Python or Java, version control platforms like Git, data analysis software, cloud platforms, and collaborative project management tools. 

Why Should You Choose a Technology Internship in California?

California is one of the most significant technology centers in the world. The state is home to Silicon Valley, where many leading companies in software, artificial intelligence, semiconductor design, cloud computing, and consumer technology are headquartered. The state’s research ecosystem also contributes to its importance in the field. Universities such as Stanford University, the University of California campuses, and the California Institute of Technology conduct research across areas including robotics, machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, and engineering. Many technology internships are connected to these institutions or to organizations that collaborate with them on research and development projects. California’s technology landscape extends beyond Silicon Valley. Southern California has strong industries in aerospace, gaming, digital media, and advanced manufacturing, while research laboratories throughout the state support work in computing, energy systems, climate technology, and biotechnology. This article highlights 15 technology internships for high school students in California.

Key Takeaways

• These internships span a wide range of technical work, from AI and machine learning research at Stanford and Berkeley to engineering, robotics, and data science placements at national labs and universities throughout California, along with Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs, which offer a virtual trimester-long research track for students who want a fully remote option.
• Program formats vary considerably: some are entirely virtual, like Horizon and Stanford AIMI, while others require you to be on campus or in a workplace, so you can choose based on how hands-on or independent you want the experience to be.
• Several programs are free to attend or offer a stipend, while others charge a program fee. Horizon’s cost varies by track, with financial aid available, so it’s worth comparing what each option requires before you commit.
• Many placements connect you directly with professors, graduate students, or industry professionals, and Horizon takes this further by pairing you one-on-one with a mentor for the full length of your research project rather than a shorter internship term.
• For students who want to walk away with a completed, publishable research paper rather than a summer’s worth of workplace exposure, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offer a mentored path toward a formal academic paper across 600+ specializations, including data science, machine learning, and political theory.

16 Technology Internships for High School Students in California

1. UC Merced High School Computer Science Internship

The UC Merced Inclusive Interaction Lab High School Internship is a computer science research internship that allows high school students to contribute to software development and human-computer interaction projects under the mentorship of university researchers. Over the course of the program, you work on technology-focused research while learning how software systems are designed, evaluated, and applied to real challenges. Past projects have explored topics such as personal assistants, emotion recognition, stress detection, gestural interaction, and robotics. The internship also introduces you to research methods, ethical research practices, and the process of developing a project from an initial idea to a working solution.

2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!

3. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a virtual research internship that introduces high school students to the intersection of artificial intelligence, medicine, and medical imaging. During the two-week program, you work in small teams on a health AI research project while receiving mentorship from Stanford student leaders and researchers. Project work involves exploring datasets, investigating research questions, and communicating findings related to the use of AI in healthcare settings. The internship is complemented by technical lectures covering topics such as machine learning, medical imaging, model evaluation, clinical applications of AI, and responsible AI practices. Guest speakers from healthcare, academia, industry, and government provide additional perspectives on how artificial intelligence is applied in medicine.

4. UC Santa Cruz Science Internship Program (SIP)

The UC Santa Cruz Science Internship Program (SIP) is a research internship that places high school students within active research groups across disciplines including computer science, engineering, computational media, and other STEM fields. You contribute to ongoing university research under the mentorship of faculty members, graduate students, and researchers. Research activities vary by placement but can include coding, data analysis, software development, experimental design, literature review, and the communication of research findings. Many technology-focused projects incorporate computational methods and tools commonly used in academic and technical research environments.

5. California Institute for Regenerative Medicine high school summer internship

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) High School Summer Research Internship places high school students in stem cell and regenerative medicine research environments across participating California institutions. You work in biomedical and computational research settings involving structured data handling, experimental documentation, and analysis of biological datasets used in regenerative medicine research. Tasks include recording and organizing research data, supporting computational analysis workflows, and following established laboratory and research protocols. You also engage with tools used for data visualization, scientific analysis, and research documentation alongside laboratory processes. Sessions cover interpretation of scientific datasets, reading research literature, research ethics in biotechnology, and methods of communicating technical findings.

6. Caltech Summer Research Connection (SRC)

The Caltech Summer Research Connection (SRC) is a six-week research internship that places high school students and teachers in STEM research environments at the California Institute of Technology. You contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as programming, data analysis, engineering design, laboratory experimentation, and computational research across participating labs. Work involves engaging with research questions through technical tasks, data work, and structured project activities within active lab settings. You also attend lab meetings where researchers explain methods, objectives, and progress tied to ongoing studies. The experience concludes with a seminar where each team presents its research outcomes and process.

7. TECH360 Internship

TECH360 is a technology internship and workforce-development program operated by America On Tech that covers artificial intelligence and emerging technology concepts through project-based learning. The program centers on AI literacy, covering topics such as machine learning, generative AI, predictive AI, data science, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence tools. Group projects form a key component of the experience, with participants collaborating to design and pitch AI-powered solutions to real challenges. Industry professionals and mentors contribute to the program through workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities that introduce different technology career pathways.

8. Meta Summer Academy

The Meta Summer Academy is a six-week paid technology internship that introduces high school sophomores from select Bay Area communities to the day-to-day operations of one of the world’s largest technology companies. As a participant, you spend approximately 30 hours per week engaging in coding activities, career exploration, and professional development experiences alongside other students in the cohort. Mentorship is a central component of the internship, connecting you with Meta employees who guide technology careers and workplace practices. Workshops and project-based activities explore topics such as technology, communication, networking, and career readiness.

9. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University

SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is an eight-week summer research internship that connects high school students with interdisciplinary research projects through the Stanford Compression Forum. Small mentor-led teams investigate topics that draw from fields such as computer science, engineering, information science, linguistics, psychology, neuroscience, design, and the arts. Research activities often focus on emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, data analysis, communication systems, and human-centered technology. As a participant, you contribute to project work while collaborating with Stanford faculty, staff, and student mentors. 

10. The Intern Project Program

The Intern Project (TIP) is a paid internship program for high school students across Los Angeles County with employers in technology, engineering, healthcare, business, and media. Internship placements are hosted by partner organizations, allowing you to contribute to workplace projects while learning about a specific professional field. Career development workshops complement the internship experience and cover topics such as communication, project management, workplace readiness, and professional skills. Industry professionals and mentors provide guidance throughout the program, helping you navigate workplace expectations and career pathways. College-credit opportunities are also incorporated into the experience alongside internship assignments and workshops.

11. Emma Bowen Foundation Internship

The Emma Bowen Foundation Fellowship Program is a media and technology internship program that places students in paid summer internships with partner companies across the United States. As an Emma Bowen Fellow, you are matched with an organization in fields such as journalism, broadcasting, digital media, software development, engineering, marketing, public relations, business operations, and other media- and tech-related areas. You work full-time during the summer while participating in professional development opportunities, networking events, mentorship programs, and career-focused workshops organized by the foundation. The program is designed as a multi-year fellowship, allowing you to return for internships throughout your college years and build long-term relationships within your host organizations. In addition to workplace experience, you also gain access to conferences, industry events, and a network of professionals across the media, entertainment, and technology sectors.

12. KP Launch Internship

The KP Launch High School Program is a paid healthcare career internship that introduces high school students to a wide range of non-clinical and administrative careers within the healthcare industry. During the summer, you are placed in a Kaiser Permanente department where you work alongside professionals in areas such as business operations, information technology, finance, human resources, communications, and healthcare administration. In addition to workplace assignments, you take part in professional development workshops, mentorship opportunities, networking events, and career exploration activities designed to help you understand how large healthcare systems operate. The program typically runs full-time during the summer and emphasizes workplace readiness, leadership development, and exposure to healthcare career pathways beyond direct patient care. KP Launch primarily serves students from communities that have been historically underrepresented in the healthcare workforce and provides opportunities to interact with professionals across the organization.

13. The Lawrence Hall of Science High School Internships

The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship Program is a science education internship for high school students interested in supporting STEM learning experiences for children. You work in summer camp settings where you help facilitate science and engineering activities, prepare materials, supervise campers, and support daily camp operations. Training sessions before the start of camp introduce teaching methods, youth mentorship practices, and approaches to science communication. During the summer, you collaborate with educators and camp staff while helping younger students engage with investigations, design challenges, and other STEM-focused projects. Responsibilities may vary by placement but generally center on creating a positive and engaging learning environment for campers.

14. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program

The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program is a paid, multi-year science and technology-focused internship based at the California Academy of Sciences. You work in museum and field settings where responsibilities include supporting science education programs, engaging with museum visitors, assisting with environmental and biology-related research activities, and participating in data collection and analysis under the guidance of Academy staff. The program combines training sessions, workshops, and mentorship with hands-on work in public science education and research environments. You contribute to projects across disciplines such as technology, biology, environmental science, and scientific communication while developing technical, analytical, and presentation skills.

15. Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR) High School Program

The Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR) High School Program is an artificial intelligence learning program that introduces high school students to foundational concepts in AI, machine learning, and ethics through lectures and guided activities led by researchers from UC Berkeley. You explore how artificial intelligence systems are built and used in real-world applications while learning about topics such as data, algorithms, and the societal impact of AI. The program includes sessions where you engage with UC Berkeley researchers and graduate students who explain current AI research and demonstrate how models are developed and tested. You also take part in hands-on activities that introduce basic coding and machine learning ideas, along with discussions on responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.

16. SEAP (Naval Research Internship)

The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a highly selective STEM internship that places high school students in Department of the Navy laboratories to work on real-world research projects during the summer. You spend eight weeks working alongside scientists and engineers in fields such as aerospace, robotics, computer science, data analysis, and materials research, depending on your assigned lab. The work varies by placement but may include coding simulations, analyzing technical data, supporting engineering experiments, or contributing to ongoing research studies. Throughout the program, you receive mentorship from research staff who guide your understanding of scientific methods and laboratory practices. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of technology internships are available to high school students in California?
You’ll find a mix of program types, including computer science research placements such as the UC Merced and UC Santa Cruz internships, AI-focused programs such as Stanford AIMI and the Berkeley AI Research Lab, and workplace internships at companies and organizations such as Meta and Kaiser Permanente. Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offer a different kind of option, letting you conduct independent research remotely across subjects like data science, machine learning, and political theory rather than joining a fixed internship team. A few, like SEAP, are hosted by federal research labs and involve real scientific or engineering work alongside professional staff.

Are there fully virtual options if you can’t relocate or commute?
Yes. Stanford AIMI runs entirely online, and Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs is a fully virtual, trimester-long research program that lets you work with a mentor from anywhere. This makes both good options if you want a research experience without the logistics of travel, housing, or a daily commute to a lab or office.

Do you need prior coding experience to apply?
Most of these programs don’t list prior coding experience as a requirement. Instead, eligibility is usually based on your grade level, GPA, citizenship or residency status, or geographic location. That said, programs with a strong technical focus, like BAIR or Stanford AIMI, will likely be a smoother experience if you’ve had some exposure to programming or data concepts beforehand.

Are there free options available?
Yes, several programs on this list don’t charge a program fee. The UC Merced internship, the CIRM High School Summer Research Internship, the Caltech Summer Research Connection, and the BAIR High School Program are all free, and SHTEM only requires a $50 application fee with financial assistance available. Horizon’s cost varies by program type, but financial aid is also available there.

Which programs offer stipends or paid positions?
A number of these internships are paid or provide a stipend. The Lawrence Hall of Science offers a $3,500 stipend for the full summer, SEAP provides a $4,000 to $4,500 stipend depending on whether you’re a returning participant, and KP Launch pays $24 an hour. Meta Summer Academy and the Emma Bowen Foundation Fellowship are also paid, while CIRM and the Caltech Summer Research Connection offer stipends that vary by host institution.

Can international students apply to these internships?
Most of these programs are limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The UC Merced internship explicitly excludes international students, and programs like Stanford AIMI, CIRM, and SHTEM require U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or valid visa status. If you’re an international student, you’ll want to check the eligibility details closely before applying, since very few of these programs are open to non-U.S. residents.

Is there a way to pursue independent research beyond a structured internship?
Yes. If you want to move from a structured internship into an original research project, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs pairs you with a professor or PhD scholar to develop a 20-page research paper you can submit for academic publication. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback, and covers over 600 research specializations. You can find the application here.

When should you apply?
Application timelines for these programs vary widely throughout the year, so it helps to plan ahead. SEAP has the earliest deadline at November 1, while several others cluster in the winter months, including the Lawrence Hall of Science (December 17 to January 15), KP Launch (January 9), UC Santa Cruz SIP (January 16 to February 27), and SHTEM (February 1). Meta Summer Academy and Stanford AIMI follow in mid-to-late February, while CiS and BAIR applications are due in early April, and TECH360’s deadline runs as late as May 31. Horizon, by contrast, has multiple deadlines throughout the year across its Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts, giving you more flexibility if you miss an earlier cutoff.

Image source: UC Santa Cruz