30 Science Internships for High School Students in 2023
Science internships are an excellent way for high school students to gain hands-on experience in the field. As an intern, high school students have the opportunity to work alongside science and STEM professionals, learn new skills, and gain insights into the latest trends in the industry.
Science internships can also help students build their resumes and stand out on their college applications. Because of this, pursuing a science internship as a high school student can be a great way to kickstart your career before heading to college!
In this blog post, we have compiled a list of 30 science internships for high school students. Whether you're interested in biology, chemistry, engineering, or technology, there is a science internship for high school students on this list that's right for you!
Benefits of Science Internships for High School Students
Participating in science internships as a high school student can provide numerous benefits, including:
Gaining hands-on experience: Science internships offer high schoolers valuable hands-on experience, allowing students to apply the concepts they've learned in the classroom to real-world situations. This can help to solidify their understanding of scientific principles and improve their problem-solving skills.
Learning from industry professionals: Science internships provide an opportunity for high schoolers to work closely with professionals in their scientific field of interest, gaining insight into the latest research and trends in the industry. This exposure can be invaluable in helping students make informed decisions about their future education and career paths.
Networking with experts: Science internships can also help students build their professional network, providing them with contacts and references that can be helpful in securing future opportunities.
Building your resume: High school students can also benefit from participating in science internships as a way to build their resume. Internships are valuable work experiences that can help you stand out to college admissions officers or future employers.
Overall, science internships are an excellent way for high school students to explore their interests, gain practical experience, and prepare for their future careers in science.
30 Science Internships for High Schol Students
NASA Internships and Fellowships
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid science internships for high school and college students to “find your place in space!” High school students can contribute to agency projects, guided by a NASA mentor, by participating in summer internships and fellowships for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM)
Hosted by the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) of the U.S. Department of Energy, iCLEM is a paid summer science intensive for economically disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors in Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco Counties. The program seeks to broaden students’ understanding of biotechnology, microbiology, and biofuels. In addition to completing a research project, the program exposes students to career to career exploration and preparation for the college application process.
https://www.jbei.org/education/research-experiences/iclem-program/
Mayo Clinic SPARK Research Mentorship Program
The Mayo Clinic High School Research Scholars Program is a summer research internship program for high school students interested in pursuing careers in biomedical research. The program is based at the Mayo Clinic, one of the world's leading medical institutions, and provides students with the opportunity to work alongside leading researchers in fields such as oncology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular medicine. Over the course of the program, students will participate in research projects, attend seminars and workshops, and engage in professional development activities.
https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/spark-research-mentorship-program/overview
UC Davis Young Scholars Program
The summer program at UC Davis is a residential research program designed to expose approximately 40 high-achieving high school students to the world of original research within the fields of the biological, agricultural, environmental, and natural sciences. Participants work one-on-one with research faculty in state of the art laboratories for six weeks. Each student will work on an individual project and prepare a journal quality paper and symposium presentation about their work. Participating high school students will also receive five units of university group study credit.
Broad Summer Research Program (BSRP)
The Broad Summer Research Program (BSRP) is a summer research internship program for high school students interested in pursuing careers in biomedical research. The program is based at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, one of the world's leading biomedical research institutions. Over the course of the program, students will work on cutting-edge research projects in areas such as cancer biology, genomics, and computational biology, under the guidance of experienced scientists and researchers. Students will also participate in seminars, workshops, and social events to learn about different research areas, career paths, and professional development opportunities. The program is designed to provide students with hands-on research experience and prepare them for careers in biomedical research.
https://www.broadinstitute.org/bsrp/broad-summer-research-program-bsrp
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is a highly competitive summer research program for high school students interested in pursuing careers in medicine and biomedical research. The program is based at the Stanford University School of Medicine, one of the top medical schools in the United States. Over the course of the program, students will work on research projects in areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, and bioengineering, under the guidance of experienced faculty members and researchers. Students will also attend seminars, workshops, and professional development sessions to learn about different research areas, career paths, and graduate school opportunities.
SPARK Summer Internship Program (SIP)
The mission of the SPARK Summer Internship Program (SIP) is to provide opportunities for motivated high school students in the greater Seattle area by connecting them with industry experts in engineering, science, and business. Previous internship projects have included microfluidic technology for disease detection, DNA sequence classification based on electronic signatures, and extreme weather event modeling.
Emory University Summer Science Academy
The Summer Science Academy Day Program is a thrilling and interactive hands-on opportunity that is ideal for incoming 9th and 10th grade students who are enthusiastic about sciences, including biology, healthcare, medicine, or related STEM fields. The program will be held in-person in 2023, providing participants with the chance to learn alongside their peers in a collaborative environment. During the program, students will explore a range of topics, including natural science, biotechnology, engineering, math, medical and science research, and health and science careers.
https://med.emory.edu/education/multicultural-med-student-affairs/summer-camps/index.html
Goddard Space Flight Center High School Internship Program
Just outside Washington DC, the Goddard Space Flight Center is home to Hubble operations and a proving ground for the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope. NASA internships at Goddard leverage the site’s unique missions and programs to provide high school students with the opportunity to participate in engineering research and experiential learning under the guidance of a NASA mentor.
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/education/internships.html
AI Scholars
For students who are seeking a fulfilling summer experience taught by graduate students and alumni from top universities, consider Inspirit AI, a live online AI-project building class in which students will learn about the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and its ever-growing applications. The program’s instructors are alumni from Stanford, MIT, and other top universities who are happy to share guidance about their collegiate experience and about college AI programs. Read more about the AI Scholars program for talented high school students here and check out some of the projects completed by our alumni!
Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program
The Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton University is a full-time, free research experience in science or engineering for high school students. Students participate in ongoing research projects closely supervised by Princeton faculty and research staff. Participation dates are customized according to the schedules of research personnel and the specifics of the student’s chosen project.
https://research.princeton.edu/about-us/internships/laboratory-learning-program
Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook
Upon nomination by their high schools, rising high school seniors are invited to apply to the selective Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University. Within the program, academically talented, motivated high schoolers engage in hands-on research in science, math, and engineering. Simons Fellows work with distinguished faculty, learn laboratory techniques and tools, and experience life at a research university.
Engineering Summer Academy at University of Pennsylvania (ESAP)
Hosted by the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, the Engineering Summer Academy welcomes highly motivated and talented high school students to Penn campus to explore college-level engineering. ESAP’s intensive, three-week program combines sophisticated theory with hands-on practical experience, while allowing high schoolers to interact with leading faculty, earn college credit, and experience campus life with like-minded peers.
National Human Genome Research Institute Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research
This program immerses students in an environment devoted to better understanding the underlying causes of human genetic disease. High school students in the program attend the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Seminar Series, intended to increase the breadth of a student’s experience. At the end of the summer, students present at the annual NIH Summer Research Program Poster Day. Students earn a monthly stipend, depending on their education level.
https://www.genome.gov/careers-training/research-training/Summer-Internship-in-Biomedical-Research
Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Run by the industry leader in software development, CSSI is an online, four-week introduction to computer science for graduated seniors looking to explore career opportunities in programming. The institute is specifically targeted toward groups historically marginalized in the field. The curriculum emphasizes computer science fundamentals and encourages students to participate in workshops promoting self-care, identity, career development, and community building with peers and industry professionals.
https://buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/programs/computer-science-summer-institute
Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship
Hosted at Boston University, RISE is a six-week program for rising high school seniors who will work under the guidance of university faculty to engage in hands-on research in a field of their choosing. Research areas vary as widely as public health and astronomy to computer science and neurobiology. During the internship, students will tackle a research project that culminates in a closing poster symposium, where interns will present their completed research. Throughout this process, students will receive mentorship at weekly workshops on conducting literature reviews, constructing posters, and networking in the STEM community.
https://www.bu.edu/summer/high-school-programs/rise-internship-practicum/internship-track/
Meyerhoff Scholars Program
Meyerhoff Scholars are selected by nomination for high school students wishing to pursue a Ph.D. or combined M.D./Ph.D. in the sciences or engineering. Sponsored by UMBC, Meyerhoff Scholars participate in research, conferences, paid internships and study-abroad experiences. All incoming Meyerhoff Scholars attend an accelerated six-week residential program to prepare them for the program.
Summer@Brown
Brown University offers several summer courses for high school students including titles such as “Ancient DNA: Uncovering the Secrets of Our Species,” “Coding to Read and Control the Brain,” “Artificial Intelligence: A Computational Account of Intelligence,” and “Ethical Questions of the Information Age.” Courses vary between online and in-person teaching. Check the linked website to find out more information about specific classes.
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) offers a range of summer programs for gifted and talented students, including residential programs, online courses, and day programs. CTY's programs are designed to challenge and inspire students, and provide a supportive community of peers and mentors. These programs are available to students in grades 2-12.
Research Science Institute
Spearheaded by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), RSI brings together 80 of the world’s most accomplished high school students for a summer science & engineering program combining on-campus coursework in scientific theory with off-campus coursework in science and technology. Participants experience the entire research cycle from start to finish and deliver oral and written reports of their findings. The heart of RSI is a five-week research internship during which students conduct individual research projects under the guidance of faculty and staff mentors.
Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)
Recently renamed and revamped, MITES Summer immerses high school students from across the country in life at MIT. Enrolled high schoolers will take five rigorous math, science, and humanities courses in addition to participating in lab tours, social events, and college admissions counseling. The program gives students first-hand insight into the value of a STEM degree and prepares them for careers in STEM.
Microsoft Discovery Program
The Microsoft High School Internship Program is a summer internship that offers high school students the opportunity to work on real-world projects at Microsoft, gain valuable business skills, and receive mentorship from Microsoft employees. Students in the Discovery Program (called “Discoverers”) will learn programming fundamentals and develop career readiness skills. This program is intended for graduating high school seniors.
https://careers.microsoft.com/students/us/en/ushighschoolprogram
Meta Summer Academy
Participants of the Meta Summer Academy (formerly known as Facebook Summer Academy) will have a unique opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the inner workings of one of the world's top social media networks. As “externs,” high school students will join a dynamic workforce and work closely with experienced Meta Summer Academy Mentors to acquire practical work experience and valuable on-the-job skills that will set them on a path towards successful careers. The program's goal is to inspire and motivate young individuals to achieve economic success, stability, and mobility by providing them with skills development opportunities and early exposure to the tech industry for career exploration.
Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Internships
The MATE Center is a national partnership of organizations working to improve marine technical education and to prepare high school students for ocean occupations. Internships vary from locations such as Santa Catalina Island, CA and Wallops Island, VA to Key West, FL and South Bimini, Bahamas.
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) Citizen Science Projects
SERC seeks to actively involve citizen scientists in such projects as the Chesapeake Bay Otter Alliance, Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project, and Salt Marsh Census. Other seasonal projects include Bluebird Monitoring, Project Owlnet, and River Herring Conservation. Check out other past and current projects at the website linked above.
UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
Students in the Research Mentorship Program are paired up with a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty and choose a research project from a large list of disciplines including biology, engineering, and astrophysics. In addition to forging a deep relationship with their mentor, high schoolers will spend the seven-week program learning research techniques, gaining insight into professional research-based opportunities, and maturing their academic goals.
https://summer.ucsb.edu/programs/research-mentorship-program/overview
Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
SSRP is a mentored biomedical research program for current high school juniors and seniors to design and conduct their own research project as part of a themed research track. Research tracks include topics such as RNA Virus Discovery and Bioinformatics, Coronavirus Immune Response, and Ant Social Biology. As SSRP scholars, high schoolers should expect to spend up to 35 hours per week (M-F) for seven weeks engaging in the scientific process.
Exploratorium High School Explainers
High School Explainers, the Exploratorium’s youngest employees, are a diverse group of students who engage visitors at exhibits, lead demonstrations, and run museum operations. Three groups of High School Explainers fill over 130 paid positions a year. For many students, the work-based learning program is a first-time work experience.
National Science Foundations (NSF) Pathways Program
The internship program at the NSF is for current high school students to explore paid opportunities in federal careers while completing their education. Interns may work either part or full-time. Interns on indefinite appointments may be converted to a permanent position within 120 days of successful completion of the program, though conversion is not guaranteed.
https://beta.nsf.gov/careers/job-types/students-and-recent-grads
Los Alamos National Laboratory High School Internship Program
Qualified northern New Mexico high school seniors are invited to participate in this program to gain work experience and conduct research in either theoretical biology and biophysics or biosecurity and public health. Students in the theoretical biology division will work on developing epidemiological models of disease transmission focused on fitting COVID-19 data. Interns in the biosecurity division will participate in an experimental biology project requiring preparation of microbiological media.
https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/student-internships/high-school/
Science Internships for High School Students
In this blog post, we shared 30 science internships for high school students in 2023. As you consider which science internship you would like to pursue, consider checking out this recent blog post on how high school students can benefit from research opportunities. You may also like this blog post on research internships for high school students.
