10 Great Physics Summer Programs for High School Students
Participating in summer programs is an excellent way to dive deeper into a chosen subject, such as physics, and gain a sense of how college-level academics operate before starting your freshman year. These programs provide an opportunity to explore topics in more depth and develop a solid foundation in the subject.
Additionally, highlighting your extracurricular experiences in your college admissions essay can showcase your motivation and initiative to pursue knowledge beyond the classroom. If you’re interested in physics, we have curated a list of 10 great physics summer programs you should consider participating in!
1. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Cost: None.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus, Cambridge, MA.
Program Dates: 6 weeks during the summer. Dates to be announced.
Application Deadline: December 13, 2024. Dates for the next cohort are to be announced.
Eligibility:
Current high school juniors (third year of high school).
Strong academic record and demonstrated potential in mathematics and science.
Recommended PSAT Math Score: ≥ 740, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score: ≥ 700.
The Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT is one of the institution's most prestigious summer research programs, offering a select group of 100 high school juniors a deep dive into STEM research. The program begins with an intensive week of classes led by MIT professors. The heart of RSI is a 5-week research internship, during which students work on individual projects under the guidance of experienced mentors.
This experience culminates in the students presenting their research findings through conference-style oral and written reports. Additionally, RSI participants have the unique opportunity to interact with prominent science and technology leaders, including Nobel laureates like Dr. Dudley Herschbach and MIT's chancellor, Dr. Cynthia Barnhart. For more details on how to apply to the RSI program, check out our comprehensive guide here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - STEM Track
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note. students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Program Dates: Summer cohort runs from June to August, Fall cohort from September to December, Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students, across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here!
You can also check out our review of Lumiere Education here!
3. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Internship Program
Cost: None. Being an internship commuter program, housing is not provided. Reimbursement for mileage to/from the lab is also not provided.
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Plainsboro, New Jersey.
Program Dates: June 2 to August 9, 2025 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s dates).
Application Deadlines: March 1, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Eligibility:
Must be at least 16 years old.
Must be graduating high school seniors when the internship begins.
Must have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident alien status.
For Academic Year Internships, students must:
Intern during regular business hours only.
Arrange a schedule with their school for sufficient release time.
Obtain an email confirmation of academic credits from your school administrator or Guidance Counselor to science-education@pppl.gov.
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) internship spans approximately 8 to 10 weeks, providing a unique opportunity for students to collaborate on projects with esteemed research and engineering teams. This immersive program is designed to align with participants' school schedules, ensuring that students can balance their academic commitments with the hands-on experience provided by the internship.
Participants will work on cutting-edge research projects related to plasma physics and fusion energy, gaining invaluable experience in a real-world laboratory setting. The program is highly selective, and applicants are encouraged to have a solid background in physics, chemistry, advanced mathematics, engineering, computer languages, and coding to fully engage with the complex projects and tasks.
4. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Cost: None.
Location: Virtual. Lectures will be held via video chat.
Program Dates: July 8 to 26, 2024.
Application Deadlines: Applications for the 2024 program are now closed. Check back for 2025 dates.
Eligibility:
Preference will be given to first-generation students, students from underrepresented backgrounds in physics, and 11th-graders!
Must be female or gender minority students in 9th to 11th grade at the time of applying.
Applicants from all around the world are welcome to apply.
The Stanford Physics Interactive Network for Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a dynamic three-week virtual summer program specifically tailored to inspire high school girls to pursue an interest in physics. This outreach initiative delves into advanced topics, such as quantum physics and astrophysics, alongside foundational training in Python programming. The program is structured to be accessible to beginners, requiring no prior experience in physics or coding.
Participants will engage in online lectures, work collaboratively in small groups, and attend workshops focused on college planning and career development. Additionally, the program provides mentorship opportunities with Stanford students and faculty, offering invaluable guidance and insights.
5. Texas Tech Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Cost: The cost covers on-campus meals, on-campus room and board, and weekend activities/programming. Travel to and from the program location, personal and medical expenses are not covered.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.
Program Dates: June 16 - August 1, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Application Deadlines: February 15, 2025 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s dates).
Eligibility:
Must strictly be at least 17 years of age by the program start date.
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University offers a unique and intensive 7-week summer research opportunity for 12 exceptionally qualified high school juniors and seniors.
Participants engage deeply in research projects, working alongside experienced faculty members and gaining invaluable hands-on experience in their chosen fields. Upon completing their research project and submitting a comprehensive report, scholars are awarded a $750 stipend. You can find more details on the benefits of this program here.
6. UPenn Experimental Physics Research Academy
Cost: $5,500 program fees, including use of academic facilities, on-campus housing, on-campus meals, extracurricular trips, and student supervision. This does not include the $75 application fee, travel to/from campus, airport transfers, gym access, class materials, medical expenses, and laundry.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Program Dates: July 6 to 27, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Application Deadlines: February 15, 2025 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s dates).
Eligibility:
High school students.
Minimum 3.3 high school GPA.
TOEFL scores required are 100 (iBT), 250 (CBT), or 600 (PBT), an IELTS score of 7, and a Duolingo English Test (DET) score of 120.
A strong applicant must have writing that shows both technical skill and intellectual depth, good recommendations, and a variety of extracurricular interests.
Engaging with contemporary physics, UPenn’s Experimental Physics Research Academy is a summer program designed to immerse students in key areas such as mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum dynamics, and astrophysics.
Rather than focusing solely on equations, the program emphasizes a deep understanding of causality, fostering a profound appreciation for physics. This enriched comprehension is developed through a dynamic combination of lectures, hands-on experiments, interactive projects, and meaningful discussions with instructors.
7. Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Cost: None. This is a fully funded merit-based program. Participants must fulfill the criteria for demonstrated financial need.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.
Program Dates: June 22 — August 3, 2024.
Application Deadlines: March 1, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Eligibility:
Must be at least 16 years old by the program start date.
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Must be a junior in high school at the time of application submission.
Students from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply!
Carnegie Mellon’s SAMS program is divided into two segments. Part 1 is a virtual jumpstart designed to build quantitative and computational skills pertinent to the core STEM subject chosen. Part 2 is a 6-week in-person pre-college experience, where students engage in full-day on-campus activities, including attending courses, participating in meetings, and culminating in a symposium. Through its comprehensive structure, SAMS enriches STEM knowledge with a blend of classes, hands-on projects, and mentorship from experts.
Notable faculty involved in the program include Professor Shawn Blanton from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and Dr. Carrie Doonan, the Director of Undergraduate Laboratories and Teaching Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. You can explore more details on the SAMS program and its benefits here.
Here are other pre-college programs at CMU that you should check out!
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Cost: The internship has no registration costs. However, housing, meals, transportation, and medical expenses are not covered. Depending on your placement, you can expect to travel to and from your lab.
Location: Nationwide placement in any 1 of 38 laboratories in the U.S.
Program Dates: This will vary based on the location of the laboratory.
Application Deadlines: November 1, 2024 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s dates).
Eligibility:
Must have completed Grade 9, but can inquire for exceptions at specific labs.
Must be currently enrolled in high school and college-level classes, which may also be taken for college credit.
Graduating high school seniors are eligible to apply.
Must be at least 16 years old by the internship start date to participate.
Must be a U.S. citizen, but dual citizenship holders can inquire for exceptions at specific labs.
SEAP (Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program) is an enriching 8-week summer initiative that places high-achieving high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories. This program offers students a unique chance to engage in STEM research under the guidance of leading scientists and engineers nationwide.
With roughly 300 placements across more than 38 labs, SEAP is notably competitive. Selection criteria include academic performance, personal statements, recommendations, and alignment with career and research interests. New participants receive a stipend of $4,000, while returning participants receive $4,500. Discover more about SEAP in our comprehensive guide here.
9. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Cost: None
Location: Nationwide in the U.S.
Program Dates: Summer 2024. Specific dates will depend on the research facility.
Application Deadline: Will vary based on the research facility.
Eligibility:
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school students across various locations in the United States. These internships encompass a range of roles, from assisting the space operations and data team at NASA offices to collaborating with the engineering cost team in the aeronautics departments.
Students can explore open positions at nearby NASA research facilities. These internships provide valuable hands-on experience in fields such as engineering, information sciences, and other physics-related disciplines.
10. Northeastern University Exploring Modern Physics Program
Cost: $6,695, including program tuition, course materials, housing, meals, and social activities. Need-based aid is available in the form of program discounts and scholarships.
Location: Northeastern University, Massachusetts, Boston.
Program Dates: July 21 to August 2, 2024
Application Deadlines: January 15 (priority), February 28 (regular)
Eligibility:
High school students.
Should understand linear momentum and its conservation, the conservation of energy in collisions, and the basics of trigonometry, but calculus is not required.
This summer program offers students an introduction to modern physics, focusing on an in-depth study of cosmic rays. Participants will engage in lectures, listen to guest speakers, and perform hands-on laboratory experiments.
The curriculum covers topics such as special relativity, quantum mechanics, particle physics, and cosmology. Students will have the opportunity to observe cosmic rays using a cloud chamber and conduct measurements with an electronic muon counter. The program also explores applications in nuclear energy and climate modeling, helping students refine their subject preferences for university applications.
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