30 STEM Internships for High School Students
- Estelle Reardon
- Aug 12
- 11 min read
Topics We Cover:
Why Do Internships in High School?
Before jumping into a list of STEM internships for high school students, it’s worth understanding why they matter. According to PRISM, 70% of students at U.S. News top 50 universities completed at least one internship in high school. Internships help you stand out in college admissions by showing initiative and confirming your career interests through real-world experience. They also give you a head start in understanding the work environments you enjoy—making it easier to land a job you love after college.
How to Find STEM Internships for High School Students
Online search tools and lists are a fantastic place to start looking for a high school internship. 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. Other helpful resources include a list of STEM high school internships collected by MIT Admissions and the CollegeVine blog.
Official internship programs are typically very competitive, so if you are serious about finding a STEM internship in high school, you’ll want to prepare a cold-outreach strategy—that is, a plan for approaching potential internship providers with whom you’ve had no prior contact.
LinkedIn is a valuable tool for locating and connecting with small companies that may need assistance with tasks like coding or technical grant writing. Small companies are good targets for high school internships, as they’re often shorthanded and more likely to take on a high school intern. For students interested in securing a research position, staff directories at local universities are a great way to identify professors to reach out to about possible opportunities.
Aim to send at least 50 emails to potential internship providers—the more opportunities you pursue, the greater your chances of success. 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.
30 STEM Internships for High School Students
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.
Ages: 15-19
Location: Virtual
Timeline: Summer, Spring, Fall, or Winter
Deadline: Various Deadlines
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.
Ages: 16-18
Location: Locations Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer or School Year
Deadline: Various Deadlines
NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) provides paid internships to high school and college-level students. Interns contribute to agency projects under the guidance of a NASA mentor. Applicants for this internship must be U.S. Citizens and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. There’s also a program for international students.
Want to learn more about these out-of-this-world opportunities? Check out our ultimate guide to NASA internships.
Ages: 16-18
Location: Locations Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 10
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program offers paid summer internship opportunities to high-achieving upper-level high school students. 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.
Ages: 16-18
Location: Locations Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 19
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week-long paid summer internship and mentoring program for high school students. The program is provided by the American Fisheries Society (AFS) to stimulate interest in fisheries and aquatic science among underrepresented groups in the profession. Opportunities are available in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico.
Ages: 16-18
Location: Locations Across the U.S.
Timeline: School Year or Summer
Deadline: Various Deadlines
The U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program includes both the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). The programs are focused on 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.
Ages: 17-18
Location: Locations Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Early January
Whether you’re aiming to become a producer, journalist, web developer, engineer, business executive, PR agent, or pursue any other media or tech career, the EBF Internship can help you get started. 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.
Ages: 17-18
Location: Locations Across the U.S.
Timeline: School Year l
Deadline: October 31
Through the National Security Agency (NSA) High School Work Study Program, students can learn more about NSA, deepen their firsthand knowledge of careers in the field, and collect a paycheck or scholarship money. This program is for students who plan to participate in a school-sponsored work experience program during their senior year. Positions are available based on requirements at each site.
Ages: 15-18
Location: Locations Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Various Deadlines
The TECH360 Summer Bootcamp is an intensive, three-week program teaching students coding through web design and web development. 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.
Ages: 16-18
Location: Locations Across the U.S.
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: November 1, 2025
High school students in the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) are placed in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories where they engage in real naval research. 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.
Ages:Â 14-18
Location:Â New York
Timeline:Â Summer
Deadline:Â February 7
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.
Ages: 15-17
Location: New York
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
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.
Ages: 14-17
Location: New York
Timeline: School Year
Deadline: March 24
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.
Ages: 16-18
Location: New York
Timeline: School Year
Deadline: TBD
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.
Ages: 15-18
Location: New York
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 8
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.
Ages: 16-18
Location: New Jersey
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 15
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.
Ages: 15-16
Location: California
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 14
Meta Summer Academy (formerly known as Facebook Summer Academy) participants learn about the day-to-day operations of one of the world’s leading social media networks and gain insight into careers in tech. Internship opportunities are limited to high school sophomores who are full-time residents of:
East Palo Alto
Belle Haven
North Fair Oaks
Redwood City
Our definitive guide to the Facebook high school internship provides an in-depth look at this exciting opportunity.
Ages: 16-19
Location: California
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: January 6
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
Ages: 16-19
Location: California
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Various Deadlines
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.
Ages: 16-19
Location: California
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 22
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.
Ages: 15-17
Location: Georgia
Timeline: Summer, School Year
Deadline: Various Deadlines
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.
Ages: 13-18
Location: Illinois
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: Various Deadlines
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.
Ages: 16-17
Location: Massachusetts
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: March 31
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.
Ages: 16-18
Location: Michigan
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
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.
Ages: 16-17
Location: Massachusetts
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 1
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.
Ages: 15-18
Location: Massachusetts
Timeline: Summer, School Year
Deadline: Various Deadlines
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.
Ages: 15-18
Location: New Hampshire
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
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.
Ages: 16-18
Location: Massachusetts
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
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.
Ages: 14-18
Location: Remote
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
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.
Ages: 15-17
Location: New York
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: February 21
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.
Ages: 17-18
Location: Georgia and Washington
Timeline: Summer
Deadline: TBD
This program for graduating high school seniors offers a hands-on introduction to careers in technology. Participants gain real-world experience, build professional skills, and receive mentorship from Microsoft employees—while exploring how technology can make a meaningful impact.
Discover more about this opportunity and similar programs in our ultimate guide to the Microsoft High School Internship.
Conclusion
Whether you’re applying to formal programs or reaching out via a cold outreach strategy, landing a high school internship or research position takes persistence. These opportunities can be tough to find, but the head start they offer is often well worth the effort. If you found this article helpful, save it or share it with a friend. Good luck with your search!