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Top 10 STEM Summer Programs for High School Students

If you are a high school student interested in participating in a STEM summer camp, then you have come to the right place. At Scholarships360, we believe that it is never too early to start working towards your career goals, which is while we have compiled a list of some of the best STEM summer camps for high school students. Let’s dive in!

What is STEM?

STEM is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Different college campuses may have different definitions of what classes fall under the STEM umbrella. 

What is a STEM summer program?

Summer programs are a great opportunity for high school students to immerse themselves in their future field of choice. Sometimes, such programs help realize that they want to pursue a different career path. Ultimately, STEM summer camps and programs can be a great experience for students who want to further their education (and, partaking in STEM programs look great on college applications as well!). 

Why we chose these summer programs

The programs that we chose are just a small handful of the STEM summer camps out there. We chose these because they are some of the best, some of the most affordable, and what will be the most beneficial for high school students to participate in. 

Note about application deadlines and camp open and close dates

If available, we included the deadlines for applying and the opening and closing dates for the following STEM camps. At present, some applications are not yet open and run dates are not yet available. Make sure to keep checking the links so that you are prepared to apply as soon as that option is available! 

STEM summer camps

1. The Research Science Institute (RSI)

The Research Science Institute is the first cost-free summer program of its kind, and takes place at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During this program, students will be able to dive deeper into the world of science and engineering by experiencing the entire research cycle from start to finish. In this seven-week long program, students attend classes conducted by distinguished professors, work in a five week research internship, and prepare written and oral presentations to present their research. 

• Eligibility: Must be a high school junior
• Cost: Free
• Application deadline: December 2, 2022
• Camp dates: June 25 to August 5, 2023
• Location: MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts

2. Stanford University Mathematics Camp

The Stanford University Mathematics Camp, or SUMaC, is an online mathematics camp made for high school students who have a passion for problem solving. In this three-week course, students will have the opportunity to learn more about math than what is traditionally taught in a high school classroom, and to build a network of fellow math lovers. 

• Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors
• Cost: $3,250
• Application deadline: TBD, but usually mid-March of each year
• Camp dates: TBD, but usually starts in June
• Location: Online

3. Michigan State High School Honors Math, Science, and Engineering Program

The Michigan State High School Honors Math, Science, and Engineering Program (HSHSP) is the oldest STEM summer program of its kind. This seven-week research program provides high schoolers with the opportunity to get a taste of campus life while researching topics that interest them. The goal of the Michigan State program is to show students what research is like on a collegiate level. 

• Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
• Cost: $3,800
• Application deadline: TBD, but usually March 1 of each year
• Camp dates: TBD, but usually from around June 21 to August 8 of each year
• Location: East Lansing, Michigan

4. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program is a 10-week program created for students interested in learning more about genetics and genomic research. With this program, students will receive a scientific mentor and prepare a research project to present at the end of the summer. A stipend of $6,250 plus room, board, and travel will be provided to all students. 

• Eligibility: Recently graduated high school seniors
• Cost: Free, and they pay you!
• Application deadline: January 30, 2023, 11:59 p.m. EST
• Camp dates: TBD
• Location: Bar Harbor, Maine

5. Simons Summer Research Program

The Simmons Summer Research Program is a seven week program located at Stony Brook University. In this program, students will have the opportunity to participate in special workshops, tours and events. They will conclude the program by producing a written research abstract and research poster. There are two separate applications, one for commuter students and one for remote. 

• Eligibility: Applicants must be in their junior year of high school
• Cost: Free, transportation and dining not included
• Application deadline: February 10, 2023, at 11:59 PM (EST)
• Camp dates: June 26, 2023 – August 11, 2023
• Location: Stony Brook, New York

6. RISE Internship / Practicum 

The Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) Internship and Practicum program is a two-track program that is conducted at Boston University every summer. At this program, you will spend six weeks conducting lab research and advancing your skills in the field. For the internship, students will be assigned a research project and mentor, and work 40 hours a week. Students on this track will have the opportunity to choose their research topic from a list of many. For the practicum track, students will conduct group research focused on computational neurobiology. 

• Eligibility: High school juniors
• Cost: $8,246 for residential students, $5,370 for commuter students
• Application deadline: TBD, but application opens December 15, 2023
• Camp dates: Residential camp runs from July 2, 2023, to August 11, 2023. Commuter camp begins July 3, 2023, and ends August 11, 2023
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts

7. Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists

The Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists, or PROMYS, is a six-week intensive mathematics program designed for students across the globe. The program is held on Boston University’s campus. There are daily “Number Theory” lectures, and a great deal of independence for students to choose their own schedules and decide what they would like to study. In addition to the extensive learning opportunities, there is also “mandatory fun time” built into the weekly schedule so that students are able to have non-math related activities.

• Eligibility: Students must have completed the 9th grade but not yet be enrolled in college
• Cost: $5,500
• Application deadline: March 5, 2023, at 11:59 EDT
• Camp dates: July 2 – August 12, 2023
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts

8. The Future Matters Program

The Future Matters Program, a program held each summer by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, is an 8-week paid summer research experience for high school students. This is a hands-on summer research program for students interested in pursuing a career in biomedical research. Students will have the opportunity to attend seminars led by faculty and participate in discussions with peers. 

• Eligibility: Rising high school junior or senior who attends a Columbus City School
• Cost: They pay you!
• Application deadline: March 5, 2023, at 11:59 EDT
• Camp dates: TBD, but usually between Mid-June and the first week of August
• Location: Columbus, Ohio

Don’t miss: Top STEM Scholarships

9. Science Camps of America Overnight Summer Camp

Science Camps of America is an organization that offers various science camp programs to students ages 13-17. The most popular option is the Overnight Summer Science Camp. There are two options for campers– Land and Sea, or Air and Space.  In these hands-on summer camps, students explore all the beauty that Hawai’i has to offer while learning more about the field that they want to go into. 

For students who are too young for some of our other options for STEM summer camps, this is a great possibility!

• Eligibility: Students entering 8th – 12th grades
• Cost: $2,695
• Application deadline: TBD, but applications open on January 1, 2023
• Camp dates: Land and Sea camp runs from July 1-10, 2023, and Air and Space camp runs from July 11-20, 2023
• Location: Pahala Plantation Cottages located on the Big Island of Hawai’i in Ka’u 

Also see: Top free summer programs for high school students

10. U.S Naval Academy Summer STEM Program

The Summer STEM Program at the U.S Naval Academy is a great opportunity for students who not only want to go into a STEM field, but also students with an interest in pursuing a career in the Navy. This one-week program focuses on enhancing skills such as problem solving, creativity, and collaboration. The price is all inclusive, including tuition, learning materials, lodging, food, USNA apparel, transportation, and extra treats. 

• Eligibility: Rising 9th, 10th, and 11th graders
• Cost: $900
• Application deadline: Applications open January 4, 2023, and close on April 15, 2023
• Camp dates: 2023 dates: Rising 9th graders: June 5-10, rising 10th graders: June 12-17, and rising 11th graders: June 19 through the 23
• Location: Annapolis, Maryland

Related: What is ROTC?