10 Tech Programs for High School Students

High school students might consider applying to online or summer tech programs focused on topics like coding, artificial intelligence, or robotics. These programs offer hands-on experiences beyond what is taught in regular school, helping students explore potential career paths and sharpen their critical problem-solving skills. Participating in such programs shows initiative and interest, which can make college applications stand out. Additionally, these programs often provide mentorship and networking opportunities, connecting students with industry professionals and peers who share similar interests, fostering both personal and academic growth.

1. Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program

Application Deadline: (Expected)

• Early Admission: February 18th

• Regular Admission 1: April 14th 

• Regular Admission 2: May 12th

Eligibility: Students who are currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as first-year students in college in the fall of 2024. The program seeks students who have demonstrated high level of academic achievement (a rough idea of this can be measured at about 3.3 / 4 unweighted GPA or equivalent percentages)

Program Dates: Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring Sessions available. The 2025 Summer Cohort is expected to begin on the 3rd of June.

Location: Remote

The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is a 12-week research opportunity for high-performing high school students from underrepresented communities or financial backgrounds. The program offers students valuable research experiences.

You will be paired with PhD mentors in fields such as Biology, Economics, Data Science, Environment, International Relations, and more. You’ll gain knowledge and experience while working on an independent research project. At the end of the program, selected students present their work at the Lumiere Research Symposium.

2. MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering and Science (MITES) Summer

Application Deadline: February 1st, as per 2024

Eligibility: High School juniors who are US citizens

Program Dates: late June to early August

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA/ Virtual

MITES Summer is a six-week, on-campus program for high school students with strong academic records and a passion for learning. The program offers exposure to advanced math and science, along with electives focused on problem-solving and application. The curriculum includes courses in math, life sciences, physics, arts, and more.

In addition to academics, the program provides workshops, campus tours, and social events in Greater Boston. You’ll gain valuable academic and social skills, along with guidance on college applications and career opportunities.

3. Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers

Application Deadline: 

Eligibility: US Citizen completing your junior year in high school

Program Dates: July 14th to July 27th

Location: MIT campus in Cambridge, MA, and Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA

The Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE) program is a two-week summer workshop that teaches students how to build small radar systems.

During the program, you will focus on constructing Doppler and range radar units, using problem-solving techniques to guide your work. This hands-on experience allows you to collaborate with experienced scientists and engineers, gaining valuable skills along the way.

4. Women’s Technology Program (WTP)

Application Deadline: January 15th as per 2024

Eligibility: Female High School juniors who permanently live in the US.

Program Dates: June 28th - July 26th

Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA

The MIT Women's Technology Program (WTP) is a four-week summer academic immersion designed to introduce high school students to engineering. Through hands-on classes, laboratory work, and collaborative projects, you will explore engineering concepts during the summer after your 11th grade.

WTP is for students who are eager to learn, have demonstrated proficiency in math and science, and have little to no prior exposure to engineering, providing a unique opportunity to explore the field.

This program is free for students from families with an income of less than $120,000.

5. UMass Turing Summer Program

Application Deadline: Not specified for next cycle

Eligibility: Entering sophomores and juniors with a good background in mathematics. Previous experience in programming languages is desirable but not necessary

Program Dates: Monday, July 8th-July 26th (tentatively)

Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

The UMass Turing Summer Program is a 3-week program for high school students interested in Computer Science. It introduces you to various disciplines within the field and helps you understand its applications in areas like healthcare, energy, and more.

The program includes two classroom sessions and one lab session each day. You will learn Python and apply it to concepts such as sensing, data analysis, and data visualization.

6. NASA Office of Stem Internships

Location: NASA centers across the country. Virtual options are offered as well.

Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend will be awarded based on academic level and session duration. 

Dates: Spring session (Mid-January to Early May), Summer session (Late May to August), Fall session (Late August to Mid-December).

Application Deadline: May 26 (Fall), August 30 (Spring), October 20 (Summer) (as per last year).

Eligibility: Applicant must be a US citizen, at least 16 years of age with at least a 3.0 GPA

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers paid internships for high school students, providing hands-on experiences with cutting-edge technologies in aerospace engineering and exploration.

You will have the opportunity to gain practical work experience by collaborating on projects with NASA scientists, engineers, and other professionals.

7. MD Anderson UPWARDS High School Summer Research Training Program

Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas

Stipend: Provided

Dates: 10 weeks

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025

Eligibility: Applicants must be local high school students (incoming seniors for fall 2025, 18 or older by June 2, 2025) who identify as economically disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged, have disabilities, or are first-generation students.

This 10-week training program is designed for underserved high school students and aims to introduce them to STEM-related academic and career paths. You will participate in a full-time (40 hours a week) research experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center, gaining real-world lab experience.

You will also receive a stipend.

8. UMASS High School Health Careers Program

Location: UMASS Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts (1 hour from Boston by train)

Cost: Tuition-free
Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
Program Dates: June 29, 2025 - July 25, 2025

The High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP) at the University of Massachusetts is a 4-week, tuition-free residential program for current sophomores and juniors. It offers you the chance to explore careers in Biomedical Research, Biotechnology, and Healthcare.

The program includes classes in Language Arts, Mathematics, Biology, Information Technology, and Cultural and Contemporary Health Issues. You will also have the opportunity to interact with physicians and other healthcare professionals. Additionally, you will complete a Health Disparities Research Project focused on a cultural group in Massachusetts.

9. High School Apprenticeship Challenge

Location: Across MA, including Boston

Cost: Interns paid 17$ an hour

Application Deadline: Rolling basis

Program Dates: Expected to take place between May 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025.

The Massachusetts Life Science Center’s High School Apprenticeship Challenge offers internships for underrepresented and low-income high school students. Each year, 100 new internships are created, with interns receiving part-time or full-time pay. These internships may also include pre-internship lab training in biotechnology/biomedical fields and professional skill development.

High school students from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds, who are at least 16 years old and are currently enrolled in or have recently graduated from school, are eligible for this opportunity.

10. Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars

Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: To be announced
Program Dates: July 1st to August 16th, tentatively

Tufts University’s Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) Program is a 6-week summer program where high school students work in the Biomedical Engineering Labs at Tufts, learning research techniques, experimental protocols, and testing hypotheses.

Students are encouraged to use their projects to participate in local and national science competitions, such as the Massachusetts State and Engineering Fair (in the spring), the Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology (in the fall), and the Intel Science Talent Search (in the fall).

Tyler Moulton is Head of Academics and Veritas AI Partnerships with 6 years of experience in education consulting, teaching, and astronomy research at Harvard and the University of Cambridge, where they developed a passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Tyler is passionate about connecting high-achieving students to advanced AI techniques and helping them build independent, real-world projects in the field of AI!

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