Summer programs are a great way to explore something you are really interested in and to develop science skills beyond the classroom. You can also get a taste of what college life might be like on a particular campus. This is a partial list of high school STEM summer programs. You may also find many more programs by going to the college of your choice and searching their website. Try looking for “high school summer” or “educational outreach”.
Key questions to ask yourself-
What is the application deadline? It could be as early as Jan/Feb
Who is eligible to apply?
What are application requirements?
What is the cost? Is financial aid available?
What will I be doing in this program?
How will I get there (each day, overall)?
Is this program part of the University (professors, graduate students, etc.) or is it an outside organization (for profit, high school teachers, paid-program) taking place at University?
There are few “types” of program you might encounter-
Advanced/Enrichment Program- These might have highly selective application processes, minimum requirements, and require recommendation letters. These program are for outstanding students who wish to go further.
Exploratory Program- These are designed to give all students an introductory experience in an area and to spark some interest. i.e You might not know you wanted to be an electrical engineer UNTIL you find out what an engineer does!
National vs. Region/Local Program- There are a few highly selective programs that only take a few students from the entire nation! Most summer programs are offered on a regional or local level. If you are applying to national program it may be harder to be accepted. For this reason you should consider applying to more than one program, but you won’t know unless you apply.
Chicago based programs vs. out of state (on campus)- It might be harder for you to travel to a program in downtown Chicago than to participate in a residential program in another state. Check out the location and consider transportation.
Databases of Summer Programs
MIT’s list of science summer programs
The Science Training Programs Directory for Teachers and Students (STP)
Government List of STEM Summer Programs for Students and Teachers
Pathways to STEM Programs Directory
Science Buddies Summer Science Camp Resource Directory
American Mathematical Society List of Summer Programs
Engineering Education Center- List of Summer Programs
Project Exploration Database from 2011
Thurgood Marshall Academy’s List of Summer Programs
Paid Summer Research Internships
Loyola Research and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP)
American Chemical Society: Project SEED
Summer Research at the Jackson Laboratory
Science, Engineering and Math Summer Programs
Illinois Summer Research Academy at Illinois State University (ISRA)
Illinois Aerospace Institute Summer Camp
G.A.M.E.S. Camp at UIUC (Women)
STEM Summer Camp at Northern Illinois University
ACES Summer Programs at University of Illinois
Engineering Summer Programs at University of Illinois
Summer @ IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology)
Summer @ IMSA (Illinois Math and Science Academy)
University of Chicago Research in Biological Sciences (RIBS)
Boston University Research Internship in Science & Engineering (RISE)
UMass Amherst Pre-College Summer Programs
Field Museum Summer Digital Programs for Teens
Women’s Health Science Programs
Engineering Summer Program at University of Wisconsin
Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute
SHOALS Marine Laboratory Summer Programs
Carlton College Summer Programs
Adventures in Medicine and Science (AIMS) at St. Louis University
Yosemite National Park Summer Programs
Davidson THINK Summer Institute
University of Iowa Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP)
Penn State University High School Summer Programs
Michigan State High School Honors, Science, Math, and Engineering Program (HSHSP)
Baylor University High School Summer Science Research Program
Washington University High School Summer Institutes
Smith College Summer Science and Engineering Summer Program (Women only)
Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University
Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS at Boston University)
University of Chicago: Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research
LAUNCH Program for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Cornell University CURIE Academy in Engineering
Minority In Science and Engineering Summer Program (MITES)
Research Science Institute (National Program)
College of the Atlantic Summer Field Institute
Vanderbilt Summer Programs for Talented Youth
Summer Science Research Program (at California Institute of Technology)
Student Science Training Program (SSTP Florida)
Stanford University Summer Math Institute
Georgetown University Summer Institute (Forensic Science and Medicine)
Outdoor Education and Adventure Camp: Craig Tuft Educational Scholarship