Below is a list of different internship, volunteer and summer learning/research experiences. If you are interested in applying, Ms. Dykstra is happy to help you complete your application--just let her know.
Fairview High School has assembled a pretty comprehensive list of summer programs -- check out their site for more information.
Air Force Research Laboratories Scholars Program
Stipend-paid summer internship opportunities to upper-level high school students pursuing STEM degrees. Students gain hands-on experiences working with full-time AFRL scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research and technology and are able to contribute to unique, research-based projects. AFRL Scholar internship opportunities are offered at several locations across the United States.
A national listing of summer camps and travel opportunities.
Army Educational Outreach Program's High School Apprenticeship Program (HEAP)
Program provides current high school juniors and seniors with an authentic (paid) science and engineering research experience alongside university researchers sponsored by the Army Research Office. This is a commuter program so students need to apply to a University near their home (Adams State or CSU).
Army Educational Outreach Program's Research & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP)
A summer STEM program that places talented high school students, from under-represented and underserved groups in STEM, in research apprenticeships at area colleges and universities.
Aspirnaut High School Summer Internship Program
High school students are embedded in a biomedical research laboratory for six weeks as a member of a team of researchers (chemists, biologists, physicians, mathematicians, engineers) working on diabetes, cancer and regenerative biology projects. Students conduct their own research and gather results that contribute to the data and goals of the larger research team.
Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Through this program, community-minded high schoolers receive experience in serving their communities through a paid eight-week internship with nonprofits like Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. They also get to see how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate to meet local needs by participating in the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
Remote and in-person camps in which students develop their own projects while exploring engineering, technology and entrepreneurship. The cost of the program is appx. $2000-4600, but scholarships and financial aid are available.
Butterfly Pavilion Summer Teen Volunteer Program
Summer teen volunteers must be age 14 or older, friendly, curious, and able to enthusiastically interact with Butterfly Pavilion guests of all ages and diverse backgrounds. The Summer Teen Program is designed for those with an interest in invertebrate animals, global conservation issues, and/or education. Summer teens will gain valuable science-related and work experience through their volunteer service and will complete an independent project to present at the end of the summer.
Camp Euclid is an online math research program for high school students. Participants work in teams with peers and mentors to grapple with difficult (mind-bending) math problems.
A week-long day camp at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. The program is free but does not provide accommodations during the camp. If interested in attending this camp, check with Ms. D about possible housing options.
Children's Hospital Medical Career Collaborative (MC2)
Two-year summer internship experience for rising juniors and seniors to explore careers in healthcare at Children's Hospital in Denver.
CIMSS Student Workshop on Atmospheric and Earth Science
The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) hosts a week-long residential summer camp for high school students. Participants join virtually to learn about basic meteorology, satellite remote sensing, severe weather, and climate change.
The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) hosts a week-long online camp for high school students. Participation is limited to the first 50 high school students who apply.
Colorado College Southwest Scholars Summer Session
An opportunity for high school juniors to attend a summer block of study at CC and earn college credit. The scholarship includes: tuition, room & board, books and possibly a travel allowance.
Colorado School of Mines Engineering Design Summer Camp
Week-long experiences learning about the principles of engineering design.
Colorado School of Mines SUMMET (Summer Minority Engineering Training Program)
A FREE three-week residential program for minority students to explore careers in STEM.
Colorado State University's Anatomy Camp
An academic summer camp for students interested in going into pre-med majors in college that uses hands-on learning with real anatomical specimens and human cadavers.
Colorado State University's SciTrek Program for Future Scientists
A week-long outdoor science program in Fort Collins. Although there is a cost for this program, full scholarships are available.
Colorado State University's Summer Vet Program
A week-long summer vet shadow experience at CSU's Veterinary School. Although there is a cost for this program, full scholarships are available.
A national listing of summer camps ranging in topic from science and engineering to sports.
Crow Canyon Archeological Center's Archeology Camp & Field School
Choose between a week-long or 3-week long residential experience participating in research at an authentic Anasazi dig site. Scholarships are available, especially for Native American students.
CSBR Aerospace Summer Internship Program
Two-weeks summer experience gives students opportunity to experience what it’s like to work in various facets of the aerospace industry. Students will spend time at various CSBR partner facilities, meet the best and the brightest in the aerospace industry, participate in hands-on activities, and get an exclusive behind the-scenes look at what each company does and some of the exciting projects they are working on.
A week-long residential summer camp for high school juniors to explore careers in engineering. Cost is free. Participants qualify for a $2500 scholarship to attend CU Boulder.
CU's Science Discovery Program A program through CU that offers a range of activities for high school students, including outdoor field experiences.
Denver Botanic Gardens High School Botany Internship
The Botanic Gardens does not have an established high school internship program, but they do frequently have internship opportunities that high school students can apply for. If interested, contact the Denver Botanic Gardens to find out what opportunities are currently available.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science Teen Science Scholar Program
An opportunity to participate in authentic research at the museum, working in the fields of Health Sciences, Paleontology or Zoology.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science Teen Volunteer Program
An opportunity to volunteer at the museum helping with summer camps, research or exhibits.
Denver Student Training in Research Science (STaRS) Program
Provides an opportunity for high ability high school students in their junior or senior year from marginalized backgrounds and those interested in exploring careers and educational opportunities in the areas of research, biomedical and clinical fields, and translational sciences. The program consists of a research experience, trainings and mentoring opportunities to broaden and encourage applications to undergraduate, medical and graduate programs at the University of Colorado.
Denver Zoo's Teen Career Exploration Opportunities
During normal (non-COVID) operations, the Zoo offers opportunities for teens to volunteer as part of the Zoo Crew, to support education activities, help run special events and work with senior volunteers on animal husbandry. They have also started offering Career Exploration experiences to check out different careers related to the Zoo's operations.
Fairview High School's List of Student Opportunities
A listing of summer camps and internships for teens that includes both local and national opportunities, in a variety of different content areas.
Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program
A competitive, 8-week, full-time paid internship for rising 12th graders. Students are partnered with mentors for research experience. Housing not provided.
A 6-week paid internship for graduating seniors planning to pursue careers in the geosciences. The program includes lectures, field trips, hands-on activities, two for-credit college courses, housing, meals, travel to and from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), and a stipend.
Google's Computer Science Summer Institute
A three-week introduction to computer science for graduating high school seniors, especially targeting minority students. Learn basics of programming and explore Google's emerging technologies. Google pays for all expenses, including travel to and from the camp.
The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute offers an 8-week research experience for rising high school seniors at one of seven different research labs where students get to learn about one cancer research. The total cost of the program is nearly $7000, however, financial aid is available to under-represented/minority students.
Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
A paid summer internship and mentoring program for high schools students, which is sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS). Our vision is to stimulate interest in careers in fisheries science and management among groups underrepresented in the fisheries professions, including minorities & women.
Idaho National Laboratories High School Internship
During their eight-week internship, students help solve real-world problems under the guidance of INL experts and learn to apply science, mathematics, engineering and technology (STEM) concepts on specific projects. Students get paid to participate in projects under the guidance of mentors who are experts in their fields.
Involve Board An online database of local, national and global opportunities for teens to get involved in their community. Activities range from single day events to ongoing internships.
Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Summer Program
A 4-5 week summer course in which students explore different types of engineering, engage in engineering research and complete a comprehensive exam. Students earn college credit. Scholarships available.
Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences
High school juniors and seniors from across the United States are invited to participate in a 5-week virtual summer research experience to gain exposure to and discover a career in the neurological sciences.
A five-week summer opportunity for 14-17 year old students to participate in teams working on park maintenance while learning about the environment and conservation.
Keystone Science School's Counselor Assistant Program (CAP)
Opportunity to help lead summer day and residential camps while learning leadership skills and learning about environmental science.
A 5-week summer intensive learning about advanced math topics. Applicants must take a qualifying exam. Tuition is appx. $4000, but LOTS of scholarships are available. The program is FREE for students whose annual family income is less than $60,000.
MITES (MIT's Minority Introduction to Engineering & Science)
A rigorous 6-week program for high school students to study math, science and/or engineering at MIT. The program is free for accepted students.
MIT's Research Science Institute (RSI)
RSI is a cost-free summer science & engineering program for rising high school seniors to conduct research with mentors at MIT.
MIT's Women's Technology Program
A rigorous 4-week program for high school junior (rising senior) girls interested in engineering. Partial and full scholarships are available to cover the $3000 tuition. Note: Applications are due EARLY (Jan 1)!
A six-month MIT Online Science, Technology, and Engineering Community (MOSTEC) program for high school seniors. The program begins the summer before students' senior year in high school and extends through students' first semester in 12th grade. MOSTEC has both in-person and online components and consists of 3 phases. Cost is FREE.
Mount Desert Island High School Research Fellowship
An in-person summer research experience for graduating high school seniors to conduct authentic research in partnership with research faculty. Free for accepted students.
NASA Internship Project at Glenn
A 10-week paid summer internship for high school seniors (after graduation) to work with NASA/Glenn Research Scientists and learn about future careers in STEM.
National Security Agency (NSA) GT Language Program
The National Security Agency’s (NSA) Gifted and Talented (G&T) Language Program is only open to high school seniors. The program is designed for high school students who have demonstrated an aptitude for language in Chinese, Russian, Korean, Farsi or Arabic. This program provides a tremendous opportunity to gain valuable experience in foreign language. This is a paid 12-week summer internship at NSA Washington in Fort Meade, Maryland, that runs from mid-May to mid-August following high school graduation.
A month-long opportunity for two graduating seniors from each state to participate in research and learn more about STEM while representing the state of Colorado. All expenses paid.
NCAR's Pre-Collegiate Internship Program (PRECIP)
For more information about internships, contact: 303-497-8622, soars@ucar.edu. NCAR is putting this experience on hiatus for 2022, but is exploring options for 2023. Check back for more info.
Summer camp hosted at the University of Washington to learn and work with NOAA scientists.
Princeton Plasma Physics Lab High School Summer Internship
8-week summer internship for high school students the summer after graduation working with researchers at Princeton's Plasma Physics Lab. Note: transportation and housing are not provided.
Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
7-week in-person experience for high school juniors and seniors. Participants engage in authentic biomedical research with university mentors.
Science Guru's Cell-Science Summer Internship
8-week summer experience to provide exposure to a variety of topics related to biochemistry, drug development and cancer treatment. $200 fee.
Science Guru's Computer Science Summer Internship (More info)
Remote learning summer program for rising 11th and 12th graders. Focus on technical product development and business strategy. $200 fee.
Scripps Research Translational Institute Student Research Internship Program Internship Program for highly motivated high school students. Interns will work with and learn from a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, who include internationally-renowned investigators in the areas of genomics, bioinformatics, digital medicine, and community engagement.
SEA Expedition is a 2-week offshore summer program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Centered on learning by doing, SEA Expedition is a multidisciplinary experience that welcomes students to participate in every aspect of a challenging offshore sailing and oceanographic expedition. SEA Expedition occurs entirely aboard the Sailing School Vessel (SSV) Corwith Cramer, one of two sailing research vessels operated by SEA.
SEAP (Army's Science and Engineering Apprentice Program)
An 8-week summer internship experience for students to conduct research at Army research laboratories near Washington DC. Stipend provided but living accommodations are not. Note: Applications are due Early!!! (November)
SEAP (Department of the Navy Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program)
An 8-week summer internship experience for students to conduct research at a DoN laboratory, including the US Naval Observatory Master Clock in Colorado Springs.
SEAScape: SEA Science on the Cape
This 3-week summer program at SEA offers motivated high school students the opportunity to study the marine environment from a variety of perspectives – scientific, historical, literary, and nautical. Participants live and study at our campus in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Seattle Children's Research Institutes Virtual Research Training Program (VRTP) Week-long online summer program for rising juniors, seniors and high school graduates to learn about biochemistry, immunology and public health.
Simons Summer Research Program
Rising high school seniors have the opportunity to partner with researchers at Stony Brook University to conduct authentic research during a summer-long in-person experience.
Smith College Summer Science & Engineering Program for Girls
A month-long residential STEM experience for girls. Although the costs for participation are rather extensive, full-scholarships are available.
Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Internship
Summer internship/intensive course for high school students to learn about and gain exposure to basic and advanced cardiothoracic surgery technical skills. Cost of $4000 with possibility of financial aid.
TechGirls brings together 25 American young women (ages 15-17/rising juniors and seniors) with peers from 35 countries for a 27-day international exchange program focused on in-depth exploration of applied technology, STEM topics and service learning.
National listing of summer programs and summer camps for teens.
An online directory of opportunities for teens.
Science Discovery’s new Teen Science Café offers Colorado teens opportunities to meet and interact with local scientists in a fun and informal setting. The Teen Science Café meets monthly at each of two locations, one in Boulder and the other in Denver.
A website that has a searchable national database for summer engineering camps, scholarships, internships and more.
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Summer Student Research Program (formerly known as CHORI) Summer program for high school juniors or seniors who are underrepresented in STEM fields. Participants receive a stipend and work one-on-one with mentor health care providers and researchers to engage in research, workshops, trainings and simulations. The goal is to increase under-represented student interest in and access to health sciences.
University of Colorado's Learn About Cancer Day
A day-long seminar and tour of research facilities at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The goal of Learn About Cancer Day is to ignite students' interest in biomedical fields, specifically cancer-related research and to increase community awareness of the University of Colorado Cancer Center capabilities as a research and therapeutic center.
UNC's Frontiers of Science Institute (FSI)
A six-week STEM experience at UNC to engage in scientific research. This year, they are offering both on-campus and a remote/home learning options. Although the cost for this program is more expensive, they offer multiple scholarship opportunities.
University of Iowa's Secondary Student Training Program
Program for 10th and 11th grade students to participate in authentic research with faculty mentors. For 2022, there will be both in-person and remote options.
US Intelligence Community Careers - Internships & Scholarships
The US Intelligence Community includes six different agencies. Each offers a variety of internships and 1:1/1:1.5 Commitment programs and CO-OP education opportunities.
US Air Force Academy's Summer Seminar
A week-long residential immersion into the life of an Air Force Cadet. Student will work with mentors to learn about academics, athletics, officer careers and the application process for the USAFA. Cost is $300 and does not include transportation to the Academy.
US Naval Academy's Summer STEM Program
A 5-day STEM experience for 9th, 10th and 11th grade students to learn about engineering design and improving the world through STEM. Cost is $425 and does not include transportation.
US Naval Academy's Summer Seminar
A 6-day immersion for high school juniors (rising seniors) to learn about the Naval Academy and the application process. Recommended for students who are seeking appointment at one of the military academies.
Waynflete Sustainable Ocean Studies
Designed to inspire a new generation of ocean advocates, Sustainable Ocean Studies (SOS) is a 24-day program blending field science and adventure in the Gulf of Maine. SOS is a rigorous and inspiring marine biology summer program focused on promoting ocean health and sustainability. SOS is open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Financial aid is available.
Wings Over the Rockies Aerospace Pathways Program
Wings Aerospace Pathways (WAP) focuses on aerospace skills and experiences that prepare participants in grades 6-12 for careers in aerospace and beyond. The focus on hands-on, experiential learning in real-world context allows students to find out, first hand, what it takes to succeed in the aerospace industry.
Wings Over the Rockies Introduction to Ground School
A five-part pilot training program to introduce high school students to careers in aviation.
Woods Hole Science Aquarium High School Intern Program
Our summer program for high school students gives young people a chance to learn about marine animals and environments, Aquarium operations, and careers in marine science and related fields.
Aurora Water * Treatment & Conservation
CoderDojo (Denver Public Library)
Colorado Geological Survey's Geological Excursions
CSU's Little Shop of Physics (Open House on February 24, 2018)
CU Engineering's Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory
Denver Botanic Gardens - Chatfield Farms
Denver Federal Center Solar Park
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Denver Public Library Teen Programming
Doors Open Denver Architectural Open House Tours
Fiske Planetarium & Science Center
Girls Only IdeaLab (Denver Public Library)
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)/University Center for
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge
Thornton Water Treatment Plant Tour
United States Patent and Trademark Office