STEM Internships for High School Students in Maryland
For high school students in Maryland with a keen interest in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM), internships offer an invaluable opportunity to gain a real head start. These internships provide a platform to apply classroom knowledge in practical settings, engage in research projects, and tackle real-world challenges, as opposed to solely relying on textbooks. Interns can cultivate essential skills such as data analysis, technical writing, lab work, coding, teamwork, and problem-solving. Colleges and future employers highly value these skills, making internship experiences a significant differentiator in applications.
This article presents a curated list of STEM internships available to high school students in Maryland.
Featured Professional Career Experiences, Resources & Volunteer Opportunities
- AACC Career Services
- AAWDC's Summer YouthWorks! Program
- American University Summer Programs
- APL-ASPIRE High School Mentoring Program
- Army Educational Outreach Program
- Bank of America Student Leaders
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Clark School of Engineering, Univ. of MD
- Engineers Club: Education Foundation
- George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Programs
- JCVI: Discover Genomics!
- JHIBS: Johns Hopkins High School Internship in Brain Science
- Library of Congress
- Maryland State Archives
- Maryland State Police
- Morgan State University High School Programs
- NASA Internships
- NSA: High School Work Study Program
- NSA: G&T STEM Program
- NSA: Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
- National Eye Institute (NEI)
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
- Smithsonian's Youth Engagement through Science (YES!)
- Space Telescope Science Institute: Youth for Astronomy & Engineering
- Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program
- STEMaction: Maryland's STEM Organization
- STEMnet: Maryland's STEM Innovation Network
- UC Davis Young Scholars Program
- U. S. Secret Service Student Volunteer Service Program
- University System of Maryland
- WMAR ABC2 News: Teen Media Project
Featured Signature Program Internships/Programs: Environmental Literacy
- American Fisheries Society: Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
- Annapolis Maritime Museum
- Anne Arundel County's Lost Towns Project
- Arlington Echo/Woodlands Camp
- Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center Summer Camps
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Department of Natural Resources
- Goshen Farm Preservation Society
- Historic London Town & Gardens
- Magothy River Association
- Marine Trades Association of Maryland Paid Internship
- Marine Trades Association of Maryland Career Fair
- National Aquarium Student Summer Program
- National Zoo Teen Volunteers
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
- South River Federation
- UMES Geosciences Bridge Program
- U. S. The Department of Geographical Sciences launched the High School Internship Program (HIP) in 2023 with the aim of inspiring high school juniors and seniors to engage in geographical sciences research.
14 STEM Internships for High School Students in Maryland
NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
- Cost/Stipend: Most interns receive a stipend, however, some opportunities are unpaid.
- Location: Virtual or at a NASA center.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), who are at least 16 years old at the time of application.
NASA’s OSTEM Internship Program offers high school students in Maryland an opportunity to collaborate with a leading research organization. Direct project experience with NASA can demonstrate a commitment to building technical and research skills early on. Interns can develop skills in satellite image analysis, coding in Python and MATLAB, aerospace engineering basics, laboratory techniques, technical report writing, robotics, remote sensing, and data visualization. Fields of work may include Earth science, computer science, mechanical engineering, astrophysics, and environmental research. Interns are assigned to a specific project and paired with a mentor, contributing to real NASA work.
Ladder Internships
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- Location: Virtual
- Dates: 8-12 week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year
- Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on cohort
- Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships provides a selective startup internship program for high school students interested in gaining real-world experience. Participants work with a high-growth startup for about eight weeks on projects in fields like technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Interns build skills in industry research, technical writing, market analysis, product development, and communication.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
- Cost/Stipend: None
- Location: Gaithersburg, MD OR Boulder, CO
- Dates: Second/third week of June to the second week of August (actual dates vary by year)
- Application Deadline: February 6
- Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors living near the NIST Gaithersburg or NIST Boulder campus with a minimum 3.0 GPA
NIST's Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) provides the chance to work with NIST scientists and engineers. Participants contribute to research projects in fields like physics, chemistry, computer science, or engineering. Depending on the assignment, interns gain hands-on experience with lab equipment, data analysis, and programming. Internship opportunities are available at one of NIST’s six specialized laboratories: Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL), Engineering Laboratory (EL), Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), or Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML).
Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science (JHIBS) Program
- Cost/Stipend: In-person interns receive an hourly stipend (currently $15/hr).
- Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, Baltimore, MD
- Dates: June - August (8 weeks for in-person, 5 weeks for virtual)
- Application Deadline: March 1
- Eligibility: Virtual program for high school juniors and seniors; in-person program for Baltimore juniors and seniors with an interest in behavioral or brain health sciences and strong academics.
The JHIBS Internship offers the opportunity to explore neuroscience and medicine through hands-on research at Johns Hopkins. In the in-person track, participants spend 8 weeks working on a neuroscience project, gaining skills in experimental design, data analysis, lab techniques, and scientific writing. The program also includes sessions on science communication, research ethics, time management, and career skills. In the virtual track (5 weeks), participants focus on science presentations, learning lab techniques, data visualization, and professional development, while also gaining exposure to foundational research methods.
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Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) HS Internship Program
- Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided for the summer internship
- Location: Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD
- Dates: Summer internship: Typically mid-June to mid-August (8 weeks).
As an intern, participants are paired with a research mentor and gain hands-on experience using techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, x-ray crystallography, and mass spectrometry to study biomolecules. Participants also learn skills in data analysis, experimental design, and scientific communication. Throughout the internship, participants understand how research contributes to therapeutic development, biotech innovation, and improving medicines and manufacturing processes. The IBBS (Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research) High School Internship Program is affiliated with UMD (University of Maryland College Park) and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), located in Rockville. Again, a highly selective program, its goal is to provide an opportunity for students to do research in the field of biotechnology.
UMES Geosciences Bridge Program
- Eligibility: Maryland high school students who will be entering their senior year, are accepted to a Maryland college/university (preference for certain universities), with a minimum 2.7 GPA and planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in geoscience.
The Geosciences Bridge Program is a six-week STEM internship for high school students in Maryland interested in careers in geosciences. During the program, participants engage in a mix of college-level coursework and hands-on learning in fields like marine biology, atmospheric science, marine chemistry, and GIS/remote sensing. Participants live on campus and take two for-credit college courses: College Algebra or Calculus, and a Freshman Seminar. Along with lectures, participants participate in field trips, lab work, and practical activities, gaining skills in scientific research, data analysis, and field study techniques, all guided by university faculty and research staff.
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
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- Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (first-year interns); $4,500 (returning interns)
- Location: Various labs across the country.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens. Students are encouraged to check for any specific lab requirements.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) provides the chance to spend the summer working on real research in a Department of Navy lab. Participants are placed alongside scientists and engineers for eight weeks, where they gain firsthand experience in Naval research and technology. Participants work closely with mentors on research projects, getting exposure to the tools, methods, and challenges of professional science and engineering. Participants also develop technical and analytical skills, clarify their career goals, and strengthen their college applications. SEAP (Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program) is an eight-week-long program run by the DON (Department of the Navy). This program places ambitious high school students across Navy labs in their area, where they engage in hands-on Naval research while being mentored by on-the-field engineers and scientists. SEAP is meant to facilitate students pursuing DON careers, guide STEM education and educate regarding different technologies and development opportunities.
Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
- Cost/Stipend: Stipend varies by internship location and duration
- Location: Virtual/various labs across the country.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens or legal residents. Army research center.
Participants spend the summer contributing to real research projects, gaining hands-on experience with lab techniques, high-tech equipment, and the day-to-day pace of scientific work. Throughout the program, participants develop skills in data collection, lab procedures, and scientific communication, while being mentored by researchers. Participants also connect with other interns across the country and participate in workshops focused on STEM careers, college prep, and professional development.
Maryland DNR Internships
- Cost/Stipend: Paid and volunteer internships are available
- Location: The majority of internships take place in Annapolis, MD, but may also be located across the state of Maryland
- Dates: 10-12 weeks in June-August (summer) and October-December (fall)
- Application Deadline: Varies by internship; summer applications open in February and fall applications open in July
- Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school or college with a minimum 2.5 GPA, or who have graduated within one year of the internship start date
As a DNR intern, participants work on real environmental projects across Maryland. Participants might inspect marina equipment, design shoreline restoration plans, or collect biological data in local rivers. The program focuses on fieldwork, giving participants experience in conservation, fisheries science, outdoor recreation planning, and environmental outreach. Participants also build skills in research, environmental monitoring, and community communication. At the end of the internship, participants give a short presentation to DNR staff about what they worked on.
Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
- Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $3,000
- Location: Based on your locality
- Dates: Mid-June - Late July/August
- Application Deadline: January 19
- Eligibility: All current high school students who are residents of the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada and are at least 16 by the end of the application period
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program gives the chance to explore careers in fisheries and aquatic science through hands-on work over eight weeks. Participants are paired with a professional mentor and gain experience in activities like fish population surveys, water quality testing, lab analysis, and data processing. Some work might take place outdoors in the field or on boats, while other projects may happen inside research labs or through educational outreach. Participants build skills in environmental research, scientific observation, data handling, and conservation practices, while also starting to build connections in a field that focuses on sustainability and ecological impact.
Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE)
- Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $3,000
- Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- Dates: Typically June - August
- Application Deadline: February 1
- Eligibility: Students from households earning less than 200% of the federal poverty limit and who are educationally under-resourced.
The Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) at Johns Hopkins is an eight-week biomedical research program for high school students from low-income and under-resourced backgrounds. As a SARE Scholar, participants split their time between hands-on lab research and advanced classes in subjects like scientific writing, math, bioethics, and data analysis. Participants work closely with a mentor, usually a PhD student or postdoc, and build skills in lab techniques, critical thinking, collaboration, and scientific inquiry. At the end of the program, participants present their research findings in a final presentation.
APL-ASPIRE High School Mentoring Program
- Eligibility: High school students in Maryland, with a minimum 2.8 GPA.
The ASPIRE program gives the chance to explore science and engineering through real-world projects with professional mentors at APL. Participants are matched with a mentor and assigned to projects based on chosen STEM fields, like aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence, environmental science, or cybersecurity. Participants also select project types that fit how they want to work, whether through coding, lab experiments, design work, public communication, or research. The ASPIRE program run by Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Lab is one that encourages, breeds and facilitates independent thinkers, researchers and problem solvers. Interns are paired with APL staff to learn techniques and complete projects in a professional environment. They are expected to learn and work independently, persevering and thinking innovatively through ideas and problems.
High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)
- Cost/Stipend: $2,530 for current high school students, $2,840 for students who have graduated high school
- Location: NIH campus, Bethesda, MD
- Dates: July 7 - August 7
- Application Deadline: February 1
- Eligibility: Rising high school juniors (or recently graduated students) who are 17 years old by June 1st, have a cumulative 3.0 or higher GPA, attend a school where 30% or more of the student body participates in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program, and live in Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia within 40 miles of the main NIH campus in Bethesda, MD
HiSTEP is a free 5-week STEM internship for high school students in Maryland, focused on biomedical science and healthcare. Participants take part in hands-on workshops, attend lectures, visit research labs, and work on group projects. The program is meant for students from underserved schools who are interested in science and healthcare careers. Participants explore topics like neuroscience, microbiology, psychology, and biochemistry while building skills in research, critical thinking, and communication. The program also includes college prep, career planning, and sessions on leadership and wellness. Participants work in small groups, meet NIH researchers, and learn directly from mentors.
National High School Research Program
- Cost/Stipend: $3,995 (scholarships available). Students in the data science track get a $750 stipend
- Location: Virtual
- Dates: Data Science: July 7 - August 8; Quantum Computing: June 23 - July 25; Artificial Intelligence: June 23 - July 25
- Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
- Eligibility: Incoming 9th to 12th graders. Prerequisites can differ by track
The National High School Research Program gives the chance to build college-level research and technical skills in fields like Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Data Science. In the first two weeks, participants receive training in data management, algorithm development, research design, and data interpretation. In the last three weeks, participants work on an independent research project, guided by mentors from government, universities, or industry. Participants build skills in coding, critical analysis, problem-solving, and professional communication while preparing work that can be showcased on college applications.
Additional Opportunities
- Lumiere Research Scholar Program: This program offers selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford, providing opportunities for independent research.
- Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation: A non-profit research program for talented, low-income students, offering need-based financial aid.
- Summer Rise (Reimagining an Innovative Student Experience): This program is facilitated by MCPS in collaboration and cooperation with various businesses, educational institutions and non-profit organizations. Summer Rise provides an opportunity for MCPS students to engage in career-based learning and hands-on learning in various fields of interest. It is a five-week program requiring 50 hours of work, pairing kids with organizations like JSSA, Kaiser Permanente, Medstar Health, etc. Even though it isn’t strictly STEM-based, there are options for pairings to STEM-based organizations.
- NIST SHIP (Summer High School Intern Program): An eight-week unpaid program located in Gaithersburg, SHIP allows high schoolers to be involved with research alongside real NIST scientists.
- The Exelon Foundation Boys to STEM Academy and Exelon Foundation STEM Academy are programs for young men and women, respectively, where students spend a free week in either the UMBC or UMD campus, as part of the program. They learn about energy and sustainability, partake in interactive workshops, engage in field-trips, connect with mentors and leaders, build leadership skills and work in teams with real-world projects.
- The Department of Geographical Sciences High School Internship Program (HIP): This six-week remote summer program focuses on geographical sciences research, including climate change and geospatial analysis. Students present their research through poster presentations.
Tips for Applying
The months of September, October and November are peak application season, not just for seniors knee-deep in college apps and scholarships, but also for rising sophomores, juniors and even freshmen. As one’s desk is filled with the workload of essays, three new books, math packets, history textbooks and extracurricular duties, internship applications occupy that last sliver of space remaining. Internships are an integral part of college applications and the high school experience as they introduce you to a true working world, further develop your interests in particular fields and aid in figuring out your true passions. This is why going out of one’s way and having an opportunity to work with real scientists, and make a tangible difference in the world by contributing to projects, expresses commendable initiative and leadership. Due to the proximity of Montgomery County and specifically Richard Montgomery to numerous biotech companies, government-funded science institutes, research labs and excellent university-led programs, there are multiple ways students can be provided, free, and sometimes even paid, science experience, without prior research participation. However, as a STEM-oriented student, there is a lot of competition and ignorance to which programs are out there.
Understanding Internships
An internship…
- is not the same as a short-term job
- has education as its primary focus
- has structured learning goals
- offers an experiential learning component that can strengthen your resume
- provides knowledge of a career
- develops new abilities and skills
- Complete all paperwork
- Intern a minimum of 135 hours to earn 1 credit for the semester (verified by supervisor/mentor)
- Transportation/parking permit
- Daily activity logs
- Completed reflection questions
- A final project/evidence
- A final summary
- Two satisfactory employer/mentor evaluations
- Professional Career Experience: an elective career exploration with structured learning goals and a qualified mentor
- Early Childhood: a required element of the Early Childhood Education Graduation Completer where student interns at an approved school
- Performing & Visual Arts (PVA) Magnet Program: a required element of the magnet where student interns at an approved site in the arts
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