16 STEM Summer Camps for High School Students in 2024
The summer unveils a plethora of opportunities for students in the U.S. to dive into immersive learning experiences, especially within the STEM field. We’ve curated a list of 16 remarkable STEM summer camps for high school students this summer. From research-focused programs delving into biomedical sciences, to experiences focused on computer science and AI, there’s a world of exploration for each ambitious STEM student!
1. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
The Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program offers comprehensive research opportunities spanning various medical disciplines, including neurobiology and cancer biology. Successful candidates will undergo a two-month immersion in a designated field of study, guided by prominent scholars, researchers, and Ph.D. fellows in medicine. This program provides a challenging environment, facilitating in-depth learning about research intricacies like ethics, methodology, and scientific data collection and analysis.
Note: Here’s a guide to SIMR .
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $500 stipend provided ($40 application fee can be waived).
Location: Stanford Campus
Application Deadline (Summer 2023): 24th February 2024
Program Dates (Summer 2023): June 10- August 1, 2024 (8 weeks)
Selectivity: Highly Selective
Eligibility:
Must be juniors or seniors at the time of application.
Must be 16 years or older by the start of the program.
Students must be living in the U.S. and hold either citizenship or permanent resident status.
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI offers diverse AI programs tailored for driven high school students, ranging from collaborative learning in small groups to personalized project paths with individual mentorship. These programs are crafted and administered by Harvard graduate students and alumni.
The AI Scholars program allows students to engage with Ph.D. experts from leading institutions, focusing on Python fundamentals and essential AI and ML concepts. Participants establish a robust coding foundation and gain the ability to develop AI models autonomously. In the AI Fellowship, students work 1-1 with mentors over 12-15 weeks to create independent, unique projects. You can find examples of past projects here!
Cost: $1,790 for the AI Scholars program (The 10-week boot camp). $4,900 for the AI Fellowship (the 12–15-week 1–1 mentorship). $5,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available.
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: The program runs in cohorts throughout the year — applications for the Spring Cohort close on February 25th, 2022.
Program dates: Rolling. Spring cohort starts March 10..
Selectivity: Open enrollment (AI Scholars program), Moderate (AI Fellowship)
Eligibility:
Applicants must be ambitious, high school, and can be anywhere in the world.
For the AI Scholars program, no previous experience is required — applicants need to show a keen interest in AI.
For the AI Fellowship program, applicants will either need to complete the AI Scholars program or have had experience with AI concepts or Python.
3. Lumiere Research Scholars Program
Founded by researchers at Harvard and Oxford, Lumiere is a program for high school students to produce university-level research papers. Each student is paired with a top PhD and receives 1-1 coaching from their mentor.
There is a wide range of subjects to choose from, including STEM fields like data science, engineering, computer science, and medicine. The programs are entirely virtual and vary in duration based on the student’s end goal. If you are interested in interdisciplinary research, you should definitely consider applying to the research scholars program!
Note: Here’s a detailed review of Lumiere Education!
Cost: $2800 (12 week program), $5400 (16-20 week program), $8900 (6-12 month program).
Location:
Application Deadline: Four cohorts throughout the year, applications due in February, May, September, and December, apply here.
Program Dates: There are four cohorts throughout the year in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Selectivity: Moderate
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who demonstrate an interest in their chosen field of research.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Application Date: May 21, 2024 for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024 for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
Summer seminar - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024
Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025
Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
5. MathCamp
MathCamp is an extended five-week summer program designed by the Mathematics Foundation of America. Attendees can expect a robust curriculum comprising lectures, workshops, and collaborative math projects, spanning an extensive range of subjects.
This program serves as a unique opportunity to delve into undergraduate and graduate-level mathematics while fostering invaluable problem-solving abilities applicable across diverse fields of study. Previous MathCamps have delved into areas such as combinatorics, graph theory, and number theory.
Note: Here are 7 compelling reasons why you should participate in MathCamp!
Cost: $5,000 (Financial Aid is available on a case-by-case basis)
Location: University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Application Deadline: March 6, 2024
Program Dates: June 30 — August 4 (5 weeks)
Eligibility:
Any student between the ages of 13–18 is eligible. For Mathcamp 2024, your birth date should be between August 4, 2005, and June 30, 2011.
MIT’s pre-college program, offered by one of the world’s foremost institutes, empowers high school students to enroll in five rigorous, college-level courses over six weeks, fostering academic growth, research skills, critical thinking, and personal development.
Participants benefit from immersive sessions, discussions, and personalized 1:1 guidance from leading mentors in STEM fields. The program emphasizes the significance of STEM disciplines in addressing real-world challenges, encouraging students to leverage their STEM knowledge for societal betterment. Remarkably, over 30% of MITES alums have successfully gained admission to MIT, showcasing the program’s impact and efficacy.
Note: Check out a deep dive on this program here.
Cost: No Cost. Students only pay for transportation to and from MIT.
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge MA
Application Deadline: February 1st, 2024
Program Dates: Late June through early August
Selection Rate: Highly Selective
Eligibility:
All high school students in their junior year.
Students must hold U.S. Citizenship or have Permanent Resident status.
7. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
COSMOS provides students with a distinctive chance to collaborate with esteemed faculty, researchers, and scientists within cutting-edge facilities. Aspiring California-based participants can apply to any of the four University of California’s COSMOS campuses: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz.
Each campus integrates top-tier STEM education methodologies, leveraging the specialized teaching and research proficiencies of its faculty and host campus. These individualized programs offer a curriculum tailored to capitalize on the unique expertise of each campus, providing a comprehensive exploration of advanced STEM topics.
Cost: $5,007, $42 nonrefundable application fee, financial aid available
Location: University of California campuses, CA
Application Deadline: February 9, 2024
Program Dates: July 7 — August 3, 2024
Selection Rate: Highly Selective
Eligibility:
High school students are eligible to apply.
Students must reside in California.
8. Camp SEA Lab
The Science, Education, and Adventure (SEA) Lab, in partnership with California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), offers a marine-focused environment that enables high school students to partake in week-long boating expeditions. Throughout these 5-day journeys at sea, guided by a professional captain and crew, students are challenged to work collaboratively as a team. These expeditions involve engaging in plankton and marine mammal studies, oceanography sampling, marine debris examination, and conservation discussions, among other enriching activities.
Cost: $1,350
Location: Monterey Bay and Sausalito CA
Application Deadline: Registrations open for Summer 2024, deadline unspecified.
Program Dates:
Session I: July 1–5
Session II: July 8–12
Session III: July 15–19
Selection Rate: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Applicants must be between ages 13–16.
9. Roswell Park High School Summer Research Experience
High school juniors are offered a unique chance at Roswell Park to dive into hands-on scientific research, an invaluable step toward future healthcare careers. Participants have the privilege to develop their research project within their area of interest under the guidance of a mentor.
This hands-on exposure unfolds within a professional lab setting, providing an exceptional opportunity to connect with leading STEM researchers and expand one’s network. Additionally, the program organizes engaging field trips, with past locations encompassing Darien Lake, and Niagara Falls tours, and attendance at Buffalo Bison minor league games.
Cost: $4200 subsistence allowance for a 7-week program, paid internships are awarded to applicants who qualify based on funding source eligibility criteria.
Location: Roswell Park, Buffalo, NY
Application Deadline: February 24th, 2024
Program Dates: June 24 — August 9, 2024
Eligibility:
Exclusively for high school students residing in Western New York counties: Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua.
Commuter-based program only; no exceptions for non-local residents.
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Must be 15 or older at the program’s start on June 24, 2024.
Mandatory proof of full COVID-19 vaccines.
10. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
The Summer Student Program provides a deep dive into genetics and genomics research, emphasizing laboratory work, collaborative learning, and career growth. Approximately 40 undergraduates and high school students from diverse locations across the U.S. enroll in this intensive 10-week program annually.
Students actively participate in ongoing research under the guidance of seasoned mentors. They conceptualize and execute independent projects, analyze data, and culminate their summer journey by presenting comprehensive findings to a diverse audience comprising researchers, peers, and parents.
Note: Check out this blog to know more about the program.
Cost/Stipend: No cost, stipend of $6,500, room, board, and travel included.
Location: The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME)
Application Deadline: January 29, 2024
Program Dates: 10 weeks from June — August
Selectivity: High
Eligibility: At the time of participation in the program, must have completed grade 12, be at least 18 years old, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
11. Science Camps of America Overnight Summer Camp
Science Camps of America provides an array of science camp programs designed for students aged 13–17. Campers can opt for either Land and Sea or Air and Space tracks. Activities include collecting and analyzing biodiversity data, identifying reef fish, building and launching model rockets, and soldering electrical circuits. These immersive summer experiences enable students to delve into their chosen field while discovering the breathtaking beauty of Hawai’i.
Cost: $2,695
Location: Pahala Plantation Cottages located on the Big Island of Hawai’i in Ka’u
Application deadline: Registration for Summer 2024 is now open, with the deadline unspecified.
Program dates: Land and Sea camp runs from July 1–10, 2024, and Air and Space camp runs from July 11–20, 2024.
Selectivity: Open enrollment
Eligibility:
Must be ages 13 to 17 entering grades 8–12.
International students may apply.
12. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)
RISE, a six-week summer program hosted at Boston University (BU), caters to the nation’s scientifically inclined high school juniors. The program offers two distinct tracks: internship and practicum. In the internship track, students engage in hands-on research projects, working closely with esteemed faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students. Meanwhile, the practicum track focuses on computational biology, featuring a structured syllabus tailored for students who prefer a more organized study approach.
Cost: $5,100, room and board options range from $2,988 to $3,288. Attending students are required to pay a $1,000 nonrefundable deposit to secure a place in the program.
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Application deadline: February 14, 2024
Program dates: June 30 — August 9, 2024
Selectivity: High
Eligibility:
Applicants need to be entering their senior year of high school in the fall of 2024.
Must be US citizens and legal permanent residents.
13. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
SUMaC is a residential program at Stanford University for high-achieving high school juniors and seniors seeking to be challenged in mathematics and with a desire to learn about the latest in mathematical research and the application of mathematics across scientific fields. Throughout the camp’s 4 weeks, participants learn about advanced mathematics through lectures, guided research, and group problem-solving. SUMaC also provides students with a sample of a college-level workload — delivering rigorous coursework along with challenging assignments to complete outside of meeting times.
Note: Check out this blog to learn more about SUMaC.
Cost: $3,550 (online), $8,250 (residential). Need-based financial aid is available.
Location: Virtual OR Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Application deadline: February 1, 2024
Program dates:
Session One (Online): June 17, 2024 — July 5, 2024
Session One (Residential): June 23, 2024 — July 19, 2024
Session Two (Online): July 8, 2024 — July 26, 2024
Selectivity: High
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
14. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Discover a range of summer internship programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), designed exclusively for high school students eager to explore the realm of scientific inquiry. The HS-SIP offers a unique chance for students to engage in immersive biomedical research, working alongside respected scientists and mentors. Beyond skills training, it includes leadership, and wellness initiatives, and explores STEM-M careers, preparing for scholarships and internships.
Note: Within the HS-SIP framework, two programs, namely the High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) and HiSTEP 2.0, have been extensively detailed here.
Stipend:
$2,300–2,530 (for students currently in high school)
$2,570–2,840 (for students who have graduated high school)
Application deadline: February 1, every year.
Eligibility: Students who are high school juniors or seniors at the time of application (or have recently graduated), and are 17 years or older on June 15, 2023, may apply. Please review all eligibility requirements before applying. Additional criteria apply for HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0.
Program dates: Minimum 8 weeks in summer; specific dates are unavailable.
Location: Students have the option to select from various NIH campuses nationwide. For those in DC, the Bethesda, MD campus is the closest to Washington, DC — only 30 minutes away — and serves as the main NIH campus.
15. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholar Program provides a unique chance for 12 exceptionally qualified high school juniors and seniors to participate in an intensive 7-week summer research program focusing on their preferred subject. Scholars actively engage in research projects, working closely alongside seasoned faculty members to acquire invaluable hands-on experience. Upon completing their research project reports, scholars receive a $750 stipend as an acknowledgment of their accomplishments.
Note: Here is everything you need to know about the Anson L.Clark Scholars Program!
Cost/Stipend: No cost, the program provides a $750 stipend. On-campus meals, room and board, and weekend activities/programming are covered. Travel to and from the program location, personal expenses, and medical expenses are not covered.
Location: Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)
Application Deadline: February 15, 2024
Program Dates: 7 weeks, June 16, 2024 - August 1, 2024
Selectivity: High
Eligibility: At least 17 years of age by the program start date, and should graduate in 2023 or 2024 (U.S. and International)
16. Hk Maker Lab
The HK Maker Lab, a Columbia University initiative for high schoolers, offers a five-week intensive focusing on biomedical engineering foundations while simultaneously crafting associated business plans. During weeks 1–3, students choose courses led by Columbia Engineering faculty, such as Biomedical Engineering or Innovation and Design. In weeks 4–5, students collaborate on interdisciplinary group projects focusing on digital media, like apps or websites, aimed at tackling global health disparities. Successful Maker Lab graduates can potentially secure paid internships at academic or industry research labs.
Note: For more details, check out this deep dive on the program.
Cost/Stipend: No application cost. Travel and food expenses will need to be initially paid by the attendees throughout the six-week program.
Location: Columbia University, NY
Application deadline: February 29, 2024
Program dates: 5 weeks through July and August
Selectivity: High
Eligibility:
Must be a 10th or 11th grade student (graduating in 2025 or 2026)
Attend a NYCDOE public or charter high school.
Demonstrate educational and/or economic disadvantage by meeting either of the criteria detailed here.
17. Girls Who Code’s Summer Immersion Program
Girls Who Code seeks to narrow the gender gap in the tech industry through its summer program, offering hands-on projects and networking prospects with women in technology. Participants can opt for a 2-week immersion program or a 6-week self-paced experience. The first introduces intermediate computer science concepts, explores the iterative design process, and provides foundational knowledge in UX design. The second delves into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for web development or exploring more advanced applications of Python.
Cost/Stipend: No cost, $300 need-based grant provided (for eligible students in the U.S.)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Applications open by mid-January 2024. Early acceptance is due by mid-February 2024. General application deadline in late March 2024.
Program Dates: 2 weeks, typically, in July but may vary depending on the program.
Selectivity: Open enrollment
Eligibility: All female and non-binary high school students are eligible.
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
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