Science Summer Internships for High School Students: A Comprehensive Guide
For high school students with a budding interest in science, summer internships offer an invaluable opportunity to delve into the world of research, gain hands-on experience, and explore potential career paths. These programs provide a platform to learn from leading scientists and engineers, work on cutting-edge projects, and develop essential skills that can significantly enhance college applications and future career prospects.
Why Pursue a Science Internship in High School?
Participating in a science internship during high school offers numerous benefits:
- College Admissions Advantage: News reports indicate that a significant percentage of students attending top 50 universities completed at least one internship in high school. Internships demonstrate initiative, confirm career interests through real-world experience, and make you stand out in the competitive college admissions landscape.
- Career Exploration: Internships provide a head start in understanding different work environments, helping you identify the types of roles and industries you enjoy, making it easier to land a job you love after college.
- Skill Development: Interns gain valuable technical and professional skills, including research methodologies, data analysis, and communication, which are highly sought after in both academic and professional settings.
- Networking Opportunities: Internships provide the chance to connect with scientists, engineers, and other professionals in your field of interest, building a network of contacts that can be beneficial throughout your career.
Finding the Right Internship: Resources and Strategies
Several resources and strategies can help you find the perfect science internship:
- Online Search Tools and Databases: Online search tools and lists are a great place to start. The StandOutSearch database is one of the largest free directories of high school internships-it lists every internship program for high school students. The database is searchable using several filters, such as interest area, format, and location.
- Small Companies: Small companies are good targets for high school internships, as they’re often shorthanded and more likely to take on a high school intern.
- Resume Building: Make sure to include a link to your resume, which should be no longer than one page while you are in high school. Our high school resume template and tips provide what you need to know to craft a winning resume. Another useful resource is the University of Chicago’s free resume template and guide.
- University Programs: Many universities offer summer research programs specifically designed for high school students, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship from renowned faculty.
Featured Science Internship Programs
Here's a curated list of STEM internships for high school students, spanning various disciplines and locations:
StandOut Connect
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- Ages: 15-19
- Location: Virtual
- Timeline: Summer, Spring, Fall, or Winter
- Deadline: Various Deadlines
- Description: StandOut Connect matches talented high school students with online internships in fields like finance, STEM, medicine, law, and the arts. Powered by StandOutSearch-the largest free high school internship database-the program has been featured in Forbes and was developed with support from the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
NASA Internships
- Description: Interns contribute to agency projects under the guidance of a NASA mentor.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens with a minimum 3.0 GPA. There’s also a program for international students.
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Internship Program
- Description: Interns gain valuable hands-on experiences working with full-time AFRL scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research and technology and contributing to unique, research-based projects.
American Fisheries Society (AFS) Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
- Description: The program is provided by the American Fisheries Society (AFS) to stimulate interest in fisheries and aquatic science among underrepresented groups in the profession.
- Location: Opportunities are available in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico.
Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program
- Description: Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program includes both the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP).
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in educational institutions ranging from high school to graduate school. Participants have the chance to explore Federal careers while being paid for the work performed.
NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
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- Description: Students interested in science can spend their summers in our labs at the Boulder, CO, or the Gaithersburg, MD, campuses through NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP). Students learn from top scientists at NIST and work on your own research project. SHIP is a seven-week, unpaid educational internship. The program runs annually from mid-June to early August.
- Eligibility: citizen be a high school junior or senior at time of application have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale demonstrate a strong interest in participating in scientific research be able to commit to the full seven-week program have a permanent residence within a 50-mile radius of their host campus (NIST Boulder or NIST Gaithersburg) Students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) must provide their own housing and transportation No exceptions will be made
- Benefits: This competitive volunteer program will give you the chance to participate in cutting-edge research at NIST and work with our staff scientists and engineers on a research problem. Learn about previous SHIP students’ research projects for more information.
- Application: Applications generally open on November 1 and close in last week of January of the following year.
Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)
- Description: If selected, you’ll gain hands-on experience within leading organizations-giving you the chance to learn, grow, and accelerate your path to career success.
Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)
- Description: This program is for students who plan to participate in a school-sponsored work experience program during their senior year.
- Details: Positions are available based on requirements at each site.
AI Scholars Live Online
- Description: Throughout the program, students learn industry-aligned technical and professional skills. Participants gain knowledge of key coding languages and frameworks, including HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap.
Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)
- Description: The eight-week summer program provides academically talented sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in STEM the opportunity to learn about research and technology while receiving mentoring from leading scientists and engineers.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
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- Ages: 14-18
- Location: New York
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: February 7
- Description: Participants in the HOPP Summer Student Program are assigned to an eight-week biomedical or computational lab-based internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Students are paired with a mentor who supervises their activities and helps them develop appropriate skills. During the internship, students complete a self-directed project that provides value to their mentor and/or Principal Investigator’s overall research objectives.
Columbia University BRAINYAC
- Ages: 15-17
- Location: New York
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: TBD
- Description: The Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) program prepares high school students for careers in science. Participants engage in an immersive, hands-on summer research experience in a Columbia laboratory. The program emphasizes connecting with real scientists, learning the key skills required to work in a research environment, and becoming part of the Columbia University community.
BioBus Junior Scientist Internship
- Ages: 14-17
- Location: New York
- Timeline: School Year
- Deadline: March 24
- Description: BioBus offers hands-on science experiences through mobile and community labs, where students work alongside scientists during school, after-school, weekend, and summer programs-including internships. Based in New York City, BioBus helps K-12 and college students discover, explore, and pursue careers in science.
Genspace BioRocket Internship
- Ages: 16-18
- Location: New York
- Timeline: School Year
- Deadline: TBD
- Description: The Biorocket Research Internship is a six-month science program for New York City public and charter high school students aged 16 and older. Participants explore cutting-edge topics in genetic engineering and biology while developing practical lab skills and learning how to communicate scientific ideas to diverse audiences. The program is also offered in a summer session.
Columbia Engineering Hk Maker Lab
- Ages: 15-18
- Location: New York
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: January 8
- Description: The Hk Maker Lab is an intensive six-week summer program teaching participants the foundations of design. Students focus on addressing a health problem-designing a prototype, testing a biomedical device, and developing an associated business plan. The program culminates in a presentation to leading executives from the biomedical community and the possibility of projects being incubated at Harlem Biospace.
Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program
- Ages: 16-18
- Location: New Jersey
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: March 15
- Description: The Laboratory Learning Program is a full-time, free research experience in the sciences or engineering for high school students. Students are included in ongoing research programs where they are closely supervised by Princeton faculty and research staff. The participation dates are customized according to the schedules of the research personnel and the specifics of their projects.
East Palo Alto Academy
- Description: Internship opportunities are limited to high school sophomores who are full-time residents of:East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, Redwood City
Kaiser Permanente High School Program
- Ages: 16-19
- Location: California
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: January 6
- Description: Kaiser Permanente offers young adults a variety of paid internship opportunities in its Oakland headquarters and medical offices across Northern California. Interns have the opportunity to work with industry leaders on projects that matter. Internship opportunities are available in a number of non-medical fields, including: Administration, clerical, and support services, Communications, Healthcare and hospital operations, Information Technology, Research and development, Sales and marketing
Sandia National Laboratories Student Intern Program
- Ages: 16-19
- Location: California
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: Various Deadlines
- Description: Sandia uses science and technology to detect, deter, and reduce national security threats. It welcomes student interns at all levels, from high school seniors to PhD candidates. Interns work on meaningful, real-world projects that support Sandia’s critical mission.
Stanford University Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
- Ages: 16-19
- Location: California
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: February 22
- Description: Participants in the eight-week Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) perform basic research on a medically oriented project. Participants work with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and researchers, building their network of peers and professionals while developing an interest in the biological sciences and medicine and an understanding of how scientific research is performed.
Georgia Aquarium Beginner Environmental Leadership Program
- Ages: 15-17
- Location: Georgia
- Timeline: Summer, School Year
- Deadline: Various Deadlines
- Description: Georgia Aquarium’s Beginner Environmental Leadership Program is a great option for students with a passion for aquatic ecosystems and engaging personalities. The program is open to high school students aged 15-17 and aims to foster leaders in environmental conservation. The Beginner Environmental Leadership Program runs three times a year and lasts for four months. Teens may volunteer on any day during the summer and on breaks and weekends throughout the school year. The spring and fall sessions require a commitment of 75 hours, while the summer session has a 130-hour commitment.
Adler Planetarium Teen Internship Program
- Ages: 13-18
- Location: Illinois
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: Various Deadlines
- Description: The Adler Planetarium offers various opportunities for teenagers to participate in STEAM-based programs, providing an environment that promotes personal growth and scientific experimentation. The Summer Internship Program places high school students in professional museum roles where they work on real projects, gain professional skills, and bolster their resumes. In addition to the summer internship, the Adler Planetarium offers other teen programs throughout the year, each with specific requirements, such as the Mission Near Space program, which is open to applicants in 7th through 8th grade who attend a Chicago Public School.
Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS)
- Ages: 16-17
- Location: Massachusetts
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: March 31
- Description: The Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) Program provides high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on biomedical engineering research experience. During the free six-week summer program, participants work in Tuft’s biomedical engineering labs, learning experimental protocols, testing hypotheses, and working on specific projects. Participants also receive academic guidance from undergraduates and graduate students involved with the program and their research mentors.
University of Michigan Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship
- Ages: 16-18
- Location: Michigan
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: TBD
- Description: The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program at U-M is a six-week program for high school seniors who attend a Michigan high school. Participants work hand-in-hand with researchers, conduct their own research project, and gain firsthand lab experience while developing an interest in scientific research.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology MITES Summer Program
- Ages: 16-17
- Location: Massachusetts
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: February 1
- Description: The MITES Summer Program is a six-week, on-campus program that immerses participants in rigorous and rewarding courses in mathematics, science, and humanities. The program provides participants with lab tours, seminars, social events, and college admissions counseling. Students will also engage STEM professionals, building their professional networks. During the program, participants develop the skills-both academic and personal-needed for success.
Massachusetts General Hospital MGH Youth Scholars
- Ages: 15-18
- Location: Massachusetts
- Timeline: Summer, School Year
- Deadline: Various Deadlines
- Description: The MGH Youth Scholar program builds participants’ interest in science and healthcare, sparks college aspirations and preparedness, and provides the support scholars need for success in high school, college, and the workforce. Scholarships are available to participating students. The MGH Youth Scholars Program is open to students in grades 10 through 12 from Boston, Chelsea, and Revere.
Dartmouth Health High School Foundations Summer Internship
- Ages: 15-18
- Location: New Hampshire
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: TBD
- Description: The Dartmouth High School Foundations Summer Internship program is a highly competitive and rigorous program designed for high school students. Participants gain real-world experience and insights into a variety of potential career paths. During the program, interns engage in a range of opportunities, including workshops, lectures, and hands-on projects, designed to deepen their understanding of fields like business, medicine, law, engineering, and the arts. Interns work closely with professionals in their areas of interest, participate in team-building activities, and receive mentorship from experienced advisors to guide their personal and professional growth.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital Youth Summer Program
- Ages: 16-18
- Location: Massachusetts
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: TBD
- Description: Interns in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) work in departments such as radiology, transport, materials management, research labs, and more. The program is a six-week, 30-hour-per-week paid experience focused on professional development, gaining a deeper understanding of careers in healthcare, and exploring community health and health equity.
Girls Who Code Summer Program
- Ages: 14-18
- Location: Remote
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: TBD
- Description: Students gain the computer science skills they need to make an impact and prepare for tech careers through this free virtual summer program. Participants in the program are exposed to tech jobs, meet leaders in tech careers, and find community in a supportive sisterhood. There are two pathways available: The Summer Immersion Program consists of two weeks of virtual classes diving into the tech world and game design. The Pathways Program is a six-week self-paced program that explores web development, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence while teaching coding languages.
New York University Applied Research Innovation in Science & Engineering (ARISE)
- Ages: 15-17
- Location: New York
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: February 21
- Description: This free 10-week program combines two parts: four weeks of training on lab safety, research skills, and college writing, followed by six weeks working in a research lab. Participants receive a $1,000 stipend for their participation and, following the program, are connected with potential internship and research opportunities, receive continued mentorship, and are given college admission support. The program is only open to full-time New York City residents who attend New York City public schools.
Microsoft Discovery Program
- Ages: 17-18
- Location: Georgia and Washington
- Timeline: Summer
- Deadline: TBD
- Description: This program for graduating high school …
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Description: SEAP places academically talented high school students with interest and ability in science and engineering as participants in Department of Navy laboratory research for eight weeks during the summer.*The internship has a duration of eight weeks (with the possibility of extending up to two additional weeks).*Stipend levels will be determined by the student's years of participation in SEAP and will be paid bi-weekly via direct deposit.
Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) High School Programs
- Description: ISB offers multiple opportunities for high school students, including in-person and virtual experiences.
- Systems Thinkers in STEM Ambassadorship (STiSA): Open to current 10th and 11th graders. Participants attend virtual workshops and micro-courses on systems modeling and systems thinking.
- Summer Internship: Open to current 11th graders. An 8-week program (~300 hours) with possible internship topics including computational biology, cancer, microbiology, engineering laboratory systems, technology development, the microbiome, infectious disease, immune system diversity, and aging and fragility. Unpaid service learning and paid positions are available. The internship will begin on June 29 and end on August 21, 2026 (excluding July 4). The Interns will be at ISB to 40 hours per week.
- DREAM-High: Open to current 11th graders. A partnership program with Columbia University, ISB, and Stanford University (~32 hours over 6 weeks). Students learn to visualize and analyze genomics, clinical, and physical data from cancer cells using R and Python.
- Academic Year Internship: Open to current 11th graders. (~10 or more hours per week during your senior year).
Application Tips and Strategies
- Start Early: Begin your search well in advance of application deadlines, as some programs have deadlines as early as January or February.
- Tailor Your Application: Customize your application materials to match the specific requirements and interests of each program.
- Highlight Your Strengths: Showcase your academic achievements, relevant skills, and passion for science in your resume and personal statement.
- Seek Recommendations: Request letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors who can speak to your abilities and potential.
- Apply to Multiple Programs: Given the competitive nature of these internships, it's advisable to apply to several programs to increase your chances of acceptance.
- Craft a Winning Resume: Make sure to include a link to your resume, which should be no longer than one page while you are in high school. Our high school resume template and tips provide what you need to know to craft a winning resume. Another useful resource is the University of Chicago’s free resume template and guide.
- Acceptance Rates: Most of the internships below have acceptance rates of 20% or less due to high demand and limited spots. We recommend applying to at least five. If one stands out to you, be sure to note the deadline on your calendar.
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