10 STEM High School Programs for Summer 2025
Key Points
A variety of research‑focused STEM programs let high school scholars explore advanced topics through hands‑on projects and academic research.
Programs range from biology and engineering to computer science and space‑related healthcare, building skills that mirror real‑world scientific inquiry and academic writing used in universities.
Pre‑college immersion experiences, such as UCLA Summer College Immersion, offer university‑level STEM coursework and exposure to college life, often with opportunities to earn credit or certificates.
Free and flexible options such as Girls Who Code summer programs provide computer science and tech education for female and non‑binary students, including coding, web development, and game design.
Additional opportunities give students specialized learning in cybersecurity, AI, medical, and tech domains to strengthen skills and competitiveness for future STEM paths.
This summer, many academic programs are available to high school students pursuing careers in fields ranging from aerospace engineering to computer science. The popularity of STEM extracurricular activities isn’t wavering any time soon, so here are just 10 of many opportunities for future scientists and mathematicians to explore.
STEM Research Programs
Molecular Biophysics: Understanding How the Arrangement of Atoms in Protein Gives Rise to its Shape and Function
Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment
This research program introduces students to organic chemistry and biochemistry by studying molecules, including proteins, DNA, RNA, and pharmaceuticals. The primary goal is to learn how a protein’s three-dimensional shape may change its function. This understanding will inform students as they learn how structural biologists collect experimental data to build 3D structures and how computational methods are used to construct them.
Students of this research program can study the structure of any protein relevant to cardiology, psychiatry, or oncology. They’ll also explore how their newfound knowledge of molecular biophysics could inform the design of a novel drug to treat a disease, and learn general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications.
Faculty Advisor: Data Scientist; PhD, Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Designing Safer Vehicles to Achieve Vision Zero in the Era of Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric (CASE) Vehicles
Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment
This research program, which focuses on the science and engineering of safer vehicle design, is grounded in Vision Zero, the United Nations’ global movement to end traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries through a systemic approach to road safety.[1] Students will learn the fundamentals of designing safer vehicles, including the five pillars of road safety and various biomedical principles. They’ll also conduct in-depth analysis of crash data, develop design specifications, and propose design features to mitigate specific types of injuries.
For their final project, students will complete a research paper using general and subject-specific research methods and academic writing practices used in universities and scholarly publications.
Faculty Advisor: Principal Scientist in Research and Development at a leading automobile manufacturer; Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Center for Applied Biomechanics (CAB) in the University of Virginia
The Management of Medical Emergencies in Zero Gravity and for Long-term Space Missions
Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment
High school students interested in the intersection of healthcare and space exploration can gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and medical considerations involved in providing healthcare during space missions. As our species’ interest in long-duration space travel and habitating on other celestial bodies grows, so does the need for well-trained healthcare professionals who can manage emergencies in zero-gravity environments.
Students participating in this research program will learn about potential medical issues that may arise during extended space missions and how to address them using innovative and practical medical techniques. They’ll also be trained in general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications.
Faculty Advisor: Resident Physician, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic; MD, Baylor College of Medicine
Innovative Solutions to Real-Life Business and Social Problems Using AI and Cloud Technology
Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment
This program introduces students to how artificial intelligence and cloud technologies can support humans in our day-to-day activities and propel our species into the future. Students will study the latest cloud computing, AI, and Web3 technologies, including decentralized applications (DApps), which can be combined to create next-generation, multi-cloud, innovative Intelligent Autonomous Networked (IAN) business and social solutions. Students will also learn general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications.
Faculty Advisor: Associate Professor, Computer Science, New York University
Mechanical Engineering Applications: Planes, F1 Cars, and Rockets
Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment
Students participating in this STEM program can study some of the most exciting technological advances of the modern age, all of which were made possible by mechanical engineering. They’ll discover fascinating plane designs as they learn how planes stay in the air and how they’re controlled, as well as the different types of engines that fuel them. Students will also learn how rockets are designed and flown, and discover the technological marvel of Formula 1 engines.
This research program, ideal for students interested in physics, mechanical engineering, and aerospace engineering, also teaches students general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications.
Faculty Advisor: Research Fellow, Phutung Research Institute; Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University
Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessments: Safeguarding Digital Assets
Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment
Students will learn the fundamentals of vulnerability assessment, the cornerstone of effective cybersecurity. They’ll participate in hands-on activities to study a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating vulnerabilities across applications, APIs, and cloud/network infrastructure. Using Vulnerability Discovery tools, program participants will conduct external and internal vulnerability scanning on sample systems to identify opportunities for exploitation by bad actors.
Students will also be trained in general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications. This research program prepares students for cybersecurity internships and entry-level roles during their college studies.
Faculty Advisor: Research Fellow, Microsoft; Former Visiting Associate Professor, Stanford University
Other STEM Extracurricular Opportunities
UCLA Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)
Application deadline: May 1, 2025 for international students and June 1, 2025 for U.S. students
SCIP is a pre-college program designed to offer exceptional high school students a taste of university life. Students live alongside UCLA undergraduates and gain exposure to a broad range of academic experiences through lectures, leadership seminars, workshops, and coursework.
Program participants can select one or two courses to participate in, and there are plenty of STEM classes available, including:
Astronomy
Chemistry
Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Neuroscience
Physics
Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Statistics
Medicine
Life sciences
Successful SCIP students will earn a college credit, a certificate of completion, and valuable skills to help them manage college applications, academics, and university life.
Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Application deadline: Anytime during the 2024-2025 school year
Female and non-binary high school students can learn valuable computer science skills, build community, and expand their professional networks through free, virtual Girls Who Code programs. There are two summer programs to choose from, including Pathways and the Summer Immersion Program (SIP).
Pathways, the more flexible option, is a six-week, self-paced program designed to teach cybersecurity, web development, data science, and artificial intelligence. Students can learn coding languages at their own pace, including Python, CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. SIP, however, offers two weeks of live virtual courses sponsored by industry-leading companies interested in teaching young people about game design. SIP participants get immersed into the tech and gaming world as they’re introduced to computer science, UX design, and step-by-step game design processes.
New York University’s Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS) Summer Program
Application deadline: April 15, 2025
CS4CS, named as one of Forbes’ “10 Tech-Focused Summer Programs For High School Students In 2025”, introduces high school students in New York City to computer science and cybersecurity fundamentals.[2] Through hands-on activities such as coding and programming, and theatre-based communication workshops, students learn about relevant topics including “white-hat” hacking, digital forensics, steganography, and more.
Stanford University’s High School Summer Programs
Application deadline: Varies by program
Stanford offers many different STEM summer programs, each more fascinating than the last. Stanford Medicine’s Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center (CSSEC) offers a summer internship designed to educate high school students on cardiothoracic surgical anatomy and physiology, as well as surgical techniques used in pre-medical and medical training.[3] Meanwhile, the university’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) offers both an internship and a bootcamp for students interested in learning about the “limitless opportunities at the intersection of AI and medicine”.[4] There are many more programs available at Stanford University this summer, so we suggest browsing and selecting the one that best suits you or your student.[5]
Any student pursuing a career in STEM must be academically and professionally prepared for stiff competition from their peers. The best way for a young scholar to stay competitive is to participate in extracurricular activities that strengthen their academic profile, expand their network, and strengthen their skill set. There’s plenty to do this summer, and the good news is there’s still time to apply.
Sources
[1] United Nations. (2020). Global road safety strategy booklet (Road safety strategy booklet). https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/2020/09/road_safety_strategy_booklet.pdf
[2] Moon, K. (2024, December 9). Top 10 tech-focused summer programs for high school students in 2025. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenmoon/2024/12/09/top-10-tech-focused-summer-programs-for-high-school-students-in-2025/
[3] Stanford Medicine Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center. (n.d.). About our internship. Stanford University School of Medicine. https://med.stanford.edu/cssec/about-our-internship.html
[4] Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging. (n.d.). AIMI high school student programs. Stanford University. https://aimi.stanford.edu/hs-student-programs
[5] Stanford University. (n.d.). Programs for high school students. Stanford Education & STEM Outreach. https://eso.stanford.edu/programs/high-school-students