8 AI Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
Enrolling in an AI program is a good idea if you’re looking to build a foundational understanding in the field of AI and ML. If you’re considering pursuing this field in the future, working with AI programming and projects will enhance your ability to work with complex data sets and algorithms, skills that are also applicable in a wide range of fields, from healthcare to finance.
Participating in an AI program can also significantly bolster your college applications. Universities and colleges look for applicants who demonstrate drive and passion for their subject of interest.
If you’re a high school student in Massachusetts looking for an AI program to get started with, this list is for you!
1. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program dates: July - August
Application Deadline: December 13
Eligibility: Rising High School Seniors. It is recommended that PSAT Math Scores be at least 740 or higher and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score be 700 or higher. ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34.
Each summer, 100 talented, high-achieving high school students are selected to participate in the Research Science Institute (RSI) conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). RSI is the first cost-free summer science & engineering program to combine on-campus course work in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research. You will experience the entire research cycle from start to finish. You will read current literature in your chosen field, execute a detailed research plan, and deliver conference-style oral and written reports on your findings.
RSI scholars first participate in a week of intensive STEM classes with accomplished professors. The heart of RSI is the five week research internship where students conduct individual projects under the tutelage of mentors who are experienced scientists and researchers – in a field of their choice, so you can choose AI! During the final week of RSI, students prepare written and oral presentations on their research projects. For students genuinely passionate about artificial intelligence, RSI represents a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills significantly. Past participants have explored projects ranging from developing AI to predict disease outbreaks, to creating algorithms for autonomous vehicle navigation, setting a high standard of research and innovation.
Here is everything you need to know about RSI!
Location: Virtual. You can attend from anywhere in the world!
Cost: AI Scholars - $1,790 | AI Fellowship - $4,900 | For both programs - $5,900. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application deadline: The program runs in cohorts throughout the year. Applications for the n summer cohort close on April 21, 2024. You can apply here!
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from July to September. The AI Scholars runs for 10 weeks, and the AI Fellowship program runs for 12-15 weeks.
Eligibility: Applicants 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 past experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard and Oxford researchers, introduces high school students to foundational concepts in AI, machine learning, and data science. The AI Scholars program is a virtual 10-week boot camp that introduces high school students to AI & ML through lectures, coding exercises, and hands-on projects. Students will learn to code using Python and the course material will deep dive into neural networks, deep learning, image classification, AI ethics, and more.
The AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program is a 1-on-1 mentorship program where students create unique AI projects under the guidance of PhD mentors. Over 12-15 weeks, you can pick a field of interest at the intersection of AI, ML, or data science to produce an individualized research paper, software/model, app, or presentation. Veritas AI has a publication team available to help students publish their papers in journals. Here are some past projects you can look at!
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program dates: June - December (based on previous year’s dates)
Application Deadline: February 1 (based on previous year’s dates)
Eligibility:
- All high school juniors who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents.
- Strong academic record (While they have not specified a cutoff, you can expect similar expectations of RSI - PSAT Math Scores to be at least 740 (or higher) and Evidence-Based Reading/ Writing Scores to be 700 (or higher). ACT math scores should be at least 33, and verbal scores should be at least 34)
- Passion for science, technology, engineering, and math - which is demonstrated through extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation
Note: MIT strongly encourages students from these backgrounds to apply:
underrepresented backgrounds
undeserving students (defined as those from low socioeconomic means)
families with an absence of science and engineering degrees
students who are potentially the first family member to attend college
and students from high schools with low admittance rates to top-tier colleges (especially from rural or predominantly minority high schools).
MITES Semester is a six-month learning experience, running from June through December where students dive into rigorous online courses, participate in weekly virtual webinars, and enjoy social events and workshops. Through MITES Semester, you will have the opportunity to explore various STEM topics, from machine learning & data science to thermodynamics. You'll engage in two rigorous courses, including a project-based course and a supplemental core course in calculus, physics, computer science, or science writing and communication.
The STEM Immersion Phase (June–early August) offers a chance to complete challenging courses and team projects, culminating in presentations at the MITES Semester Conference. This phase is packed with webinars, discussions, and game nights, fostering a close-knit community with your peers and mentors. The College and Career Prep Phase (August–December) shifts focus towards preparing for college, with mock interviews, essay reviews, and workshops, alongside interactions with faculty, researchers, and STEM professionals.
Here is everything you need to know about MITES before applying!
4. Harvard Pre-college Programs (AI courses)
Location: Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) and online option for the Secondary School Program.
Cost: Fee - $5,550 (pre-college program), $3,900–$14,250 (secondary school program, depending on the number of courses selected)
Application Deadline: February 14, 2024
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August 2024
Eligibility: Students expected to graduate from high school in 2025 or 2026
The Harvard Pre-College Programs’ AI Courses are a great way for you to explore artificial intelligence as high school students, offering an on-campus experience at one of the world's leading universities. You will get to explore a single subject area within AI, benefiting from an intimate class setting with an average size of 15 students. Harvard faculty will guide you through both theoretical foundations and practical applications of AI. You need to be prepared for a challenging academic environment, where you’ll collaborate with peers from across the US and 72 countries worldwide.
These courses are ideal for those who are interested in technology and are committed to exploring the frontiers of AI research and development. The program culminates in a final project, which could be a presentation, a group project, or a research paper, depending on your specific course's requirements. These projects allow you to apply what you've learned in a practical context, whether it's developing a machine learning model, creating a prototype of an AI-driven application, or conducting an in-depth analysis of AI's ethical implications. Past students have presented on topics ranging from AI's role in climate change mitigation to the development of smart healthcare systems.
5. Research in Science and Engineering Internship (RISE)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $8,246
Program dates: June 30, 2024 - August 9, 2024 (residential) | July 1, 2024 - August 9, 2024 (commuter)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are US citizens
Through the Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) Internship program, you will get the opportunity to engage in advanced AI research under the guidance of prominent faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. By opting for the Internship track, you commit to spending 40 hours each week on research projects specifically designed by your mentor. The hands-on research opportunities cover a broad spectrum, including computer science and electrical and computer engineering, areas directly relevant to AI. This will allow you to dive deeper into the scientific process, making the program well-suited for students passionate about exploring the practical applications of artificial intelligence.
The culmination of your RISE Internship experience is the presentation of your research findings at the Poster Symposium. Throughout the internship, you will also participate in workshops alongside Practicum students, aimed at enhancing your academic and professional skills. Past participants have delved into projects ranging from developing algorithms for machine learning to exploring neural networks for image recognition.
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $100
Program Dates: July 12, 2024 - August 2, 2024
Application Deadline: May 1, 2024
Eligibility: All young women (or those who identify as female) who are currently in their sophomore or junior year of high school and who live in Massachusetts and attend a high school in Massachusetts.
BU’s AI4ALL is an immersive 3-week program where you will delve into AI through collaborative team projects, industry field trips, and lectures from guest speakers. Your days will include engaging classroom sessions covering introductory to advanced topics like machine learning, computer vision, and data analysis. You’re expected to actively participate in discussions, attend Python programming lessons, and prepare questions for guest speakers.
The final output of your participation in BU AI4ALL will be a small group research project. You will collaborate with peers under the guidance of experienced mentors to create a project that you will present at the conclusion of the program to an audience comprising friends, family, and possibly industry professionals. Past projects have included a variety of innovative topics, such as applications of AI in social media trend analysis and algorithms designed for improving accessibility in technology.
7. Lumiere Research Scholars Program - Computer Science & AI Track
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Individual Research Program - $2,800 | Premium Research & Publication Program - $5,400 | Research Fellowship - $8,900. Need-based financial aid is available. Also check out the Lumiere Research Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.
Application Deadline: For the summer cohort, the final application deadline is in May. The program runs in winter, fall, and spring as well.
Program Dates: The summer cohort typically begins in June. The program length depends on which one you choose to attend!
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
Founded by Harvard and Oxford graduates, Lumiere offers selective research programs for high school students, where students get to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research paper. The program offers an array of disciplines, and you can opt for a research topic in artificial intelligence or one that’s at the intersection of AI and other disciplines. Due to its one-on-one nature, you can expect to learn the most recent developments in the field and expand your skill sets by working directly with experts.
An added bonus is the opportunity you get to interact with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, CMU and more. This program is a particularly solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
Check out our review of Lumiere Education!
8. UC Berkeley’s Data Science to AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,495. Need-based scholarships are available.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in July.
Program dates: June 10 - 28, 2024
Eligibility: Students aged 12–18 can apply.
Berkley’s Data Science to AI is a comprehensive course covering Machine Learning, AI, and big data science. Students who are interested in Python and are looking to enhance their technical skills can consider this course. It offers lessons on writing and evaluating Python codes behind AI, and enables students to build and score machine learning models and evaluate big data. Based on proficiency levels, students are grouped into small groups for projects. With this program, students will have permanent access to 100+ Berkley coding videos and notebooks and a blockchain-authenticated certificate, among other takeaways. You'll get hands-on experience analyzing big data and constructing machine learning models, all while mastering the Python code that powers AI.
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!
Image Source - Harvard University Logo