FREE Program: Awesome program for students interested in Architecture, Construction, or Engineering. Learn about these fields from teams of real architects and engineers! Application deadline hasn't been posted yet, but I know that ACE starts looking to match students to teams in late September, so register soon!
FREE Courses: Take advantage of all that American Museum of Natural History has to offer! The After School Program (ASP) offers courses to New York City high school students interested in the sciences at the museum. There are courses in anthropology, astrophysics, earth science, genetics, biodiversity, and more. Each course makes use of the Museum's unique resources through hall visits, lab and collections tours, talks and lectures by scientists, and hands-on activities. ASP offers 5 sessions throughout the school year, running October through June. Each session is five weeks long, and courses meet once or twice a week from 4:30 - 6:30 PM. Check them out!
FREE Research Program: The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) offers high school students the opportunity to join ongoing research projects lead by AMNH scientists. SRMP students conduct authentic scientific studies in one of two tracks: Physical Science or Life Science. Students in the Life Science track have the opportunity to conduct research on a broad variety of topics including cultural and biological anthropology, conservation science, evolutionary biology, genetics and genomics, taxonomy, and systematics. Physical Science students can conduct research in Earth and Planetary Science and Astrophysics. Students interested in applying to SRMP must first take two Research AMNH courses within the same school year through our After School Program (new for Class of 2020). Applications open in January.
FREE Program: The Brown Scholars program is a 2+ year intensive focused on the intersection of computer science and science for 9th and 10th grade girls. Girls will learn to code in Python, work on real scientific data sets, and learn how data science and data visualization are important tools for scientists in all fields. No experience necessary. Application deadline will be sometime in April.
FREE Program: Consider becoming a Saltz Intern and learn to use equipment and technologies to guide visitors of all ages in investigations of artifacts, specimens, and the laws of physics. Use pieces of a telescope to explore how scientists view astronomical bodies in the Hall of the Universe, or discover how a snake’s vision is similar to Infrared cameras. In the Hall of Ocean Life, dive into the tiny but powerful work of plankton, or pass around some poisonous sea creatures and their victims. Come explore these topics and more at interactive carts in the Museum’s most popular Halls. If you have an interest in science and want to inspire Museum visitors, this is the program for you! (Note: You will earn a stipend($$) for completing this program!) Application deadline is September 16th!
FREE Programs: AMNH offers other programs to high school students on a variety of topics. Rather than list them here, click on the link to learn more!
FREE Programs: Rockefeller University offers a wide variety of programs for high school students, ranging from single-session talks to research programs. Take advantage of the stellar opportunities this institution has to offer.
RockEdu: Science Cafe Series for High School Students: RockEDU Presents is a science cafe series including short talks by scientists, geared to a high school audience, followed by an opportunity to network with scientists and likeminded students. This occurs on the 3rd Friday of every month.
LAB Jumpstart: LAB Jumpstart supports 16 NYC high school students in a combined after-school and summer science research experience. Serving students from underserved communities, this program aims to ‘jumpstart’ the development of research skills and exposure to laboratory culture. This occurs through initial small-group training, followed by an immersive mentored research experience in a Rockefeller laboratory. To accomplish all of this, LAB Jumpstart spans March through August. You must be nominated by a teacher in order to be considered for this program (feel free to ask me!). Nominations are due Dec 21st.
FREE Program: The program provides 10th- and 11th-grade students with SAT preparation, financial aid workshops, health professions training, social justice education, trips to local academic institutions, professional schools and colleges, and academic, career, and personal mentorship. It is held during three consecutive semesters: spring, summer, and fall. Participants are required to commit to all three semesters. The Science and Technology Entry Program seeks to cultivate diversity in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math by increasing the numbers of racially underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students who apply for college and medical school. (I'm not sure when the application deadline is - email the program coordinator.)
FREE Program: CC Fest is a free and inclusive event for students and teachers to engage in creative coding. Come spend a day making interactive and engaging digital art, animation, games. Teachers will work on bringing coding projects to their classes. Students will be introduced to projects that will help build their creative portfolios. It is organized by a volunteer group of educators and led by Saber Khan, Education Community Director at Processing Foundation. CC Fest usually takes place in January every year.
FREE Program: The Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP) is a highly selective program for high school students who have a strong interest in the sciences and mathematics. The SHP holds classes at Columbia from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. on Saturdays throughout the academic year. Courses are primarily in the physical, chemical, biological, behavioral, and computing sciences; and instructors are scientists and mathematicians who are actively engaged in research at the University. Application deadline is sometime around March 1st.
FREE Program: The STEP Academy is designed to provide program activities to assist students in acquiring the skills and attitude necessary to pursue post secondary education leading to careers in scientific, technical or health-related fields, or the licensed professions. Students participating in Baruch College's STEP Academy program are highly motivated to learn more about math and science and come from many different schools in the New York City region. The STEP workshops take place on Saturdays in the fall and spring semesters. Application deadline is September 17th.
FREE Program: The Institute of Arctic Studies offers two programs that expand the understanding of polar science by engaging with secondary students and teachers. The Joint Science Education Program (JSEP) brings together high school students from the U.S., Greenland and Denmark to student polar science through hands-on field activities in Greenland. The Joint Antarctic School Expedition (JASE) is a program run by the Chilean Antarctic Institute and supported by the National Science Foundation to educate Chilean and U.S. high school students in polar science through hands-on activities and field study in Antarctica. The online application for JSEP 2019 and JASE 2019-20 will be available in the Fall sometime. Students can apply for one or both programs using the same application.
FREE Program: The Saturday Science Seminar Program (S-Cubed) is an initiative developed by Barnard College to encourage interest in the sciences among young women in high school. S-Cubed brings women in the 11th grade with strong academic ability and interest in science and mathematics to Barnard for exciting science seminars offered by Barnard professors. Enrollment is first come, first serve. The sign-up page will go live sometime in the early Spring of 2019. (Open to 11th grade females only)
FREE Program: The Baruch College Now STEM Research Academy is designed to provide high school students with an opportunity to build their science knowledge and skills by engaging in ‘authentic inquiry’ activities. Utilizing a two-semester program model (spring and summer) 25 students will be enrolled in the spring Introduction to Research class to strengthen basic skills such as formulating researchable questions, designing testable experiments, performing literature searches and reading scientific literature. The goal of the spring course is to introduce students to the expectations of working in a research lab environment. Upon successful completion of the spring course, students interested in conducting research over the summer will be matched with CUNY research faculty and participate in a structured six-week program internship. At the end of the summer, students will earn $750. The application opens sometime in October and is due sometime in November. (Open to 10th and 11th graders only)
FREE Program: This combination of a spring after-school learning program and summer research experience gives New York City public high school students an opportunity to learn synthetic biology and laboratory research skills. Biorocket introduces fundamental concepts in molecular biology and scientific research through a spring after-school program, then culminates in a 7-week summer research experience.
FREE Program: The Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP) is a mentorship program that engages high school students to use DNA technology to study biodiversity in NYC. Students complete introductory workshops and then conduct independent, student-driven research projects using DNA barcoding under expert mentorship. The UBRP enables students to gain knowledge, confidence, and interest in science while studying the interaction between biodiversity and human activity. Students who complete all components of the program will earn $500! Application is due September 7th!
FREE Program: Multiple different types of programs are offered (after school, Saturdays, Regents Prep, SHSAT prep, etc.) Open to students in grades 9-12. Summer programs available too!
Programs through NASA (links are in the description)
FREE Programs: NASA offers a variety of programs to high school students, many of them right here in NYC at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies). I found three different websites with potential opportunities:
Goddard Space Flight Center Internships and Other Student Work Opportunities
Internships through NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS)
FREE Program: The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a free high school and college preparatory program designed for students who are seriously interested in pursuing a career in medicine or related STEM fields. The long-range objective of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in healthcare and STEM professions. The program offers enrichment courses geared towards preparing students for success in math and science. Courses include, but are not limited to the following: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Genetics, Neuroscience, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Psychology, Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. In addition, the program offers PSAT (summer only), SHSAT and SAT (academic year) preparation courses.
S-PREP consists of two sessions (Summer and Academic Year). In the Summer, classes are held Monday through Friday in the month of July. During the Academic Year, classes are held on Saturdays, from 9 am - 3 pm in the Vagelos Education Center (104 Haven Avenue). In addition to the rigorous academic schedule, the program offers college preparation and career development workshops, college counseling services, field trips and college tours. Application becomes available June 15th, and is due Sept 15th.
FREE Program: The Double Discovery Center at Columbia University is one of the nation’s oldest federally funded educational programs to assist low-income and first-generation college bound students—Upward Bound since 1965 and Talent Search since 1977. Academic programming is year-round and divided into spring, summer and fall semesters. DDC has two primary programs, Upward Bound and Talent Search, from which we organize activities for nearly 1,000 students in grades 7 through 12, and support high school and/or college reentry students up to age 27. Deadline for the fall program is Sept 15th, and deadline for the spring program is Jan 15th.
FREE Program: Young Women In Bio (YWIB) gives girls the inspiration and support they need to become tomorrow’s leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). As a nonprofit with 13 chapters across the U.S. and Canada, we partner with leading companies, universities, hospitals and organizations to develop engaging, educational and motivational programs. We aspire to be the “go to” organization for girls looking to shape and change the world through STEM, providing them with the tools and resources they need to build successful careers. We exist to ignite the curiosity and fuel the passion in girls, supporting them as they shape and change the world. (The website doesn't have much information, but I've worked with them in the past. They coordinate events for students, like tours to research and medical labs.) There is no deadline to apply, but your parent/guardian will need to create a profile for you.
FREE Talk: Memorial Sloan-Kettering holds a lecture once a year for high school and college students. It focuses on major trends in cancer research. This year it will be held on November 13th.
FREE One-Day Conference: Women In Science and Engineering (W.I.S.E.) is a free annual symposium to inspire NYC middle and high school girls to pursue science and engineering and introduce them to a wide range career options in STEM fields. Each year, girls from all over the tristate area come to the beautiful Poly campus in Brooklyn for a day of inspiration and creativity. They meet accomplished women who work in STEM fields and enjoy a day of hands-on experiences. In the workshops, girls collaborate to solve problems using creative design processes. Registration opens sometime in September usually.
FREE One-Day Conference: The Newark College of Engineering hosts an “Engineering Career Day” on the campus of NJIT. The program is designed to give high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to explore options in six diverse engineering fields, all on the same day. Biomedical Engineering, Chemical, Biological & Pharmaceutical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, and Engineering Technology. Students will be escorted throughout the campus and will be able to meet with currently enrolled engineering students and faculty. Dates for 2018 will be posted soon. If you're interested in going, please let me know and I'll see if we can arrange a trip there! (Open to 11th and 12th graders)
FREE Program: The CUNY School of Medicine/ Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program is offering an exciting 2-year Health Professions Mentorship Program for rising high school juniors thinking about a career in the health field. Careers like medicine, nursing, physician assistant, occupational therapy, public health, and research are possible with a college degree in basic or biomedical sciences, social sciences, or specialized health sciences. Applications become available in February and are due April 1st.
NOTE: Check both links to the left. I'm not sure which one is the correct one - you'll have to email the contact person.
FREE Program: The The Outreach Pre-College Art Program is a free program of studio courses, creative writing and art issues seminars for New York City area high school students interested in preparing a portfolio for college. Professional artists teach all courses, and Cooper Union undergraduates serve as teaching assistants. Classes are free, including materials, field trip transportation and museum admissions. Our classes sizes are small,16-18 students per section to ensure optimal learning. New York City area high school students, grades 10–12, are eligible to apply. 5–8 week courses take place in the fall, winter, and spring. Classes take place on Saturdays from 9am-5pm. Register for the Portfolio Review that takes place on Sept 15th!
FREE Program: During the 11 session STEM Saturdays, students will develop design, engineering and entrepreneurial skills. Taught by Cooper Union undergraduates and graduate students, called ‘mentors’, participants are exposed to the various departments at the Albert Nerken School of Engineering at Cooper Union and are trained to use rapid prototyping equipment (3D printers, laser cutters, hand tools, etc.) and computer aided engineering tools (3D drawing software, microcontroller programming, and more). Students are divided into small teams to develop skills to design, analyze, build, test, and present their solution to a real-world engineering problem. The mentors guide the students through the design and prototyping process and coach students on professional skills like technical communication, presentations and teamwork. The program also includes career counseling and college planning sessions with Cooper Union staff members. Application is due early December!
FREE Program: The Saturday Program is a free Art & Architecture Program for NYC public HS students. We offer free classes in Drawing, Graphic Design, Painting, Sculpture, Sound Composition, Architecture and Portfolio Preparation. All classes include ‘hands-on’ studio work (with free classroom supplies), creative writing workshops, and field trips to cultural sites. Each year, over 200 N.Y.C. public high school students enroll. Classes meet on Saturdays from 10am-5pm, for two semesters each school year (October-December, and January- April). All classes meet at the Cooper Union college campus in the East Village. Applications are due Sept 18th!
The Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) at New York University (NYU) is a state-funded innovative pre-college enrichment program for talented and motivated African American, Hispanic/Latino, Alaskan Native or American Indian and economically disadvantaged White or Asian middle and high school students. Our goal is to:
prepare our students to be competitive so that they are accepted into a selective college of their choice
encourage and increase the number of historically under-represented minority groups in the science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) careers, health-related fields and licensed professions.
FREE Program: Jumpstart your brain before the school year begins with Planetary Boot Camp—a one-week experience for high school students to explore AMNH! Participants will learn about geology and earth sciences on display in the museum halls through interactive, hands-on activities and experiments. Come join us for a week of hands-on, brains-on learning, visit the Museum’s special exhibitions, and close out your summer with SCIENCE! Registration deadline will be sometime in June.
FREE Program: How can you observe a deadly shark in your hand, or something smaller than a grain of sand? Can you squeeze the universe into a phone? Through the power of science visualization, museum experts can take raw data from scientists and create mesmerizing, interactive experiences using the latest technology. In this week-long program, find out what science visualization is and why it’s so powerful, making museums more fun and giving scientists new insight into their research. Then, test out data from our astronomy department with our newest visualization tools, and see what new discoveries await! Registration deadline will be sometime in June.
FREE Program: This full-time, seven week program includes: college level workshops and seminars, a high level research experience in participating NYU faculty labs, and mentoring in that placement by a graduate or postdoctoral student. In the seminars and workshops, students will be introduced to the scientific method and ethics, data collection and analysis, research practices and lab safety. Students who complete the entire program will receive a $500 stipend! Applications open sometime around November and are due March 1st.
FREE Program: The Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Science of Smart Cities Program: The ieSoSC program is an opportunity that offers 5 weeks of intensive STEM instruction and mentoring on the NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s Downtown Brooklyn campus in technology and engineering skills, design and prototyping, built around real world ‘smart city’ applications and research. Primarily (but not exclusively) intended for students that previously completed Science of Smart Cities, ieSoSC will show through hands-on projects, instruction and activities how to take coding/computer science, engineering and technology skills to another level by applying those skills to advanced smart cities ideas. Participants will work with our graduate and undergraduate student-experts in increasingly sophisticated programming and engineering projects. Applications are due April 28th.
FREE Program: Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS) is a FREE, three-week, full-day summer program providing an introduction for high school women on the fundamentals of cyber security and computer science at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. No background or experience in cyber security or computer programming is needed in order to apply, only your interest and enthusiasm. The program is led by members of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Offensive Security, Incident Response and Internet Security (OSIRIS) Laboratory. Applications are due around the beginning of April.
FREE Program: The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum invites current 8th and 9th grade girls of NYC to apply to the FREE GOALS for Girls Summer Intensive program. This six-week program provides teen girls with opportunities to participate in STEM and leadership workshops, field trips and discussions with influential women in STEM. Through an engaging curriculum, fifty girls from all over New York City grow, learn and discover together. Students leave the program with increased knowledge in STEM and its diverse integration in varied careers, and the support of peers and colleagues towards their next steps in higher education and beyond. Deadline is in March.
Baruch College STEP Academy: Summer Program
FREE Program: The STEP Academy is designed to provide program activities to assist students in acquiring the skills and attitude necessary to pursue post secondary education leading to careers in scientific, technical or health-related fields, or the licensed professions. Students participating in Baruch College's STEP Academy program are highly motivated to learn more about math and science and come from many different schools in the New York City region. The STEP workshops take place on Mondays-Thursdays for four weeks in July.
FREE Program: The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) provides high school students with a unique and personalized opportunity to conduct hands-on research under the mentorship of leading scientists at one of the world’s premier biomedical research facilities. During this rigorous 7-week program, SSRP students become immersed in scientific culture while gaining an appreciation for the process of biomedical discovery. Through a combination of laboratory experimentation, interactive lectures, and dynamic coursework, students will learn fundamental research techniques, become better acquainted with scientific peer-reviewed literature, and improve critical thinking. Equally as important, students will have a lot of fun—we strive to make the SSRP an inclusive and supportive environment where every student’s voice is heard and respected. The application will be available in September. Apply early! Deadline is Dec 3rd.
FREE Program: The Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) at The Rockefeller University is a two-week course aimed at introducing talented and enthusiastic high school students to the brain. Led by graduate students, the program takes a look at the most current research in neuroscience in an effort to understand how our brain works and how it relates to our daily life. In addition to the series of highly interactive lectures, students present fun and fascinating journal articles to their classmates. Students also visit research laboratories, dissect brains, and design and conduct neuroscience experiments. You must be nominated for this program by a teacher (feel free to ask me!). Deadline will be sometime in March. (You must be at least 16 years old at the start of the program in order to participate.)
FREE Program: PAN is a week-long outreach program at two world leading nuclear physics laboratories: Nuclear Science Laboratory located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame and the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory located on the campus of Michigan State University. It is sponsored by the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics - Center for the Evolution of the Elements (JINA-CEE) and taught by NSL and NSCL faculty and staff. We welcome U.S. students who have completed at least one year of high school. The program introduces participants to the fundamentals of the extremely small domain of atomic nuclei and its connection to the extremely large domain of astrophysics and cosmology. Students must complete a pre-application, follow directions for 2 teacher recommendations to be submitted, and complete an application. The application deadline is usually sometime in early April!
FREE Program: The Joint Science and Technology Institute for Students (JSTI-HS) is a two-week, fully-funded, residential STEM research program for current high school students in the United States and Department of Defense schools around the world. Students will participate in research projects mentored by Department of Defense research scientists and other subject matter experts. The purpose of the program is to inspire and encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, increase STEM literacy, and expose students to the importance of STEM through hands-on, relevant research. Applications are usually due around the end of February.
FREE Program: HIRES is a program within the CREST CUNY Institute which offers high school students an opportunity to work closely with scientists in the field and in labs, collect and analyze data, present at conferences, and more! It’s aim is to provide NYC high school students with research experiences in STEM. We leverage our connections and resources to increase student recruitment, share experiences and expertise, and identify specific opportunities, challenges, and strategies for effectively supporting students in developing science research skills and competencies. We also jointly develop and implement a set of experiences to support students in developing a shared community and college and career readiness. Students who complete this program will receive $800 and 3 college credits. Application will open in January.
FREE Program: The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a free high school and college preparatory program designed for students who are seriously interested in pursuing a career in medicine or related STEM fields. The long-range objective of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in healthcare and STEM professions. The program offers enrichment courses geared towards preparing students for success in math and science. Courses include, but are not limited to the following: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Genetics, Neuroscience, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Psychology, Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. In addition, the program offers PSAT (summer only), SHSAT and SAT (academic year) preparation courses.
S-PREP consists of two sessions (Summer and Academic Year). In the Summer, classes are held Monday through Friday in the month of July. During the Academic Year, classes are held on Saturdays, from 9 am - 3 pm in the Vagelos Education Center (104 Haven Avenue). In addition to the rigorous academic schedule, the program offers college preparation and career development workshops, college counseling services, field trips and college tours. Application becomes available January 10th, and is due March 15th.
FREE Program: Wave Hill’s Woodland Ecology Research Mentorship (WERM) is a 14-month program offering motivated New York City high school students a unique opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the principles of ecology, focusing particularly on ecological restoration in New York City, and to participate in important field research with working scientists―all while getting paid! Applications open sometime in January.
Forest Project through Wave Hill
FREE Program: Spend an unforgettable summer working as part of a small crew protecting and improving Wave Hill’s woodlands, enjoying the outdoors, learning about restoration ecology and making friends, all while getting paid and earning college credit. This paid summer internship gives high school students an unparalleled opportunity to learn about ecology in an urban setting. Throughout the summer, interns gain hands-on field experience and participate in a dynamic, field-based course. Guest speakers, field trips and special projects contribute to an immersive and rewarding summer. The work is demanding but satisfying—building and maintaining woodland trails, removing invasive plant species, shoring up eroded slopes and helping to document the process of restoring the disturbed woodland toward a more balanced state. Team-building activities help create a strong sense of community and connection both for fellow interns and for the project's collective mission. It doesn't say when the application opens (it'll likely be sometime around January, but email the contact person and ask).
FREE Program: Hands-on experience in a laboratory is essential for preparing today’s youth to become tomorrow’s scientists. With this mind, the Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) program provides an immersive summer research experience in which high school students train and work in neuroscience laboratories at Columbia University. The BRAINYAC program accepts applications from 10th and 11th grade students nominated by one of our partner programs: S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, and Columbia Secondary School. Applicants must reside in New York City, and preference is given to students in upper Manhattan and the South Bronx. Program applications are distributed to our partner programs each fall.
FREE PROGRAM: The Hk Maker Lab is an intensive six-week summer program to learn the foundations of engineering design. The program takes place in partnership with Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Focusing on addressing a global health problem, students work in teams to prototype and test a biomedical device and develop an associated business plan. The program culminates in a pitch event to leading executives from the biomedical community. Winning projects may then be incubated using the state-of-the-art facilities at Harlem Biospace. Students then also have the opportunity to be placed in internships within NYC’s biotech community.
FREE PROGRAM: Summer program open to students in grades 9-12.
FREE PROGRAM: New York Bioforce is a workforce development program that provides underserved NYC high school students with 140 hours of strategically developed training designed to meet the needs of biomedical research labs, biotech start-ups, and biopharmaceutical companies. Through skill-mapping and knowledge of the needs of researchers, start ups, and biomedical companies, students will be placed in paid internships in which companies and labs will benefit from a well-prepared intern and the student will gain valuable relationships that will allow them to join a flourishing biotech economy in NYC upon college graduation.
FREE PROGRAM: The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) Summer Student Program is designed for high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in the biomedical sciences.
The program is focused on two distinct areas:
Independent research and a stimulating learning environment, where students have a chance to take part in independent research projects under the direct mentorship and guidance of a HOPP principal investigator (PI). The PI matches each student with a mentor — typically a senior member from the lab, such as a postdoctoral fellow, graduate student, or research technician. At the end of the summer, the students will be expected to present their research project at a poster session.
Extracurricular events, tours, training, and luncheons, where the students will also have the opportunity to explore outside of the laboratory by participating in a variety of events. These extracurricular activities contribute an additional facet to the internship and allow them to become fully immersed in the world of translational medicine and research. The events are hosted by programs throughout Memorial Sloan Kettering, including the Office of Diversity, various Memorial Hospital clinical departments, and Human Resources.
Applications become available in November and are usually due sometime in early February.
FREE PROGRAMS: Manhattan College offers two free summer engineering programs to NYC students. The Summer Engineering Awareness Program is a 10-day intensive program for rising juniors and seniors offered free of charge, and is geared toward minority and female students in the New York City metro area. The program is directed by Walter P. Saukin, Ph.D., associate professor of civil engineering, and sponsored by the ACE Mentorship Program, the Metropolitan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the General Contractors’ Association, in addition to individual corporate sponsors. Manhattan College also offers the Engineering Summer Institute, a four-day intensive Engineering Summer Institute for high school students. Applications are done on a rolling basis (first come, first served), but the deadline is around mid-April.
FREE PROGRAMS: MIT offers a two summer programs for rising 11th graders. The first program, called MITES, is an intense six-week program that immerses students from across the country in life at MIT. Students take academically rigorous math, science & humanities courses. Outside of the classroom, they participate in admissions counseling sessions, lab tours & social events. The second program, called MOSTEC, is an online program that lasts six months and includes a five-day conference at MIT. From June to January, students from across the country discuss research, receive admissions advice, attend webinars, and complete projects that they present at MIT in August. The applications for both programs open the summer before, and the application deadlines are February 1st.
FREE PROGRAMS: SSP is an immersion into experimental science, designed to challenge and inspire talented rising seniors from around the world. Working in teams of three, participants complete a research project from beginning to end: either in Astrophysics – near-earth asteroid imaging and orbit determination – or (new in 2017) Biochemistry – fungal enzyme inhibition and drug discovery. Each team acquires its own original data and performs its own analysis. Field trips and guest speakers round out an intense 39-day schedule. The experience changes their lives, and the benefits continue for life. Applications are due February 1st!
FREE PROGRAM: The Summer STEM Program is a six-week intensive that immerses current high school sophomores and juniors in hands-on engineering design and problem-solving, thereby placing them on the right track for careers in technological innovation. Projects range broadly and include robotics, digital fabrication, computer programming and app development, biomedical and genetic engineering, improved urban infrastructure, and even racecar design. Faculty and teaching assistants from the departments of civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering provide students with foundational knowledge and expert guidance to address real-world problems in their respective disciplines of expertise. Application deadline is early March.
FREE PROGRAM: The MIT Women's Technology Program (WTP) is a rigorous four-week summer academic and residential experience where female high school students explore engineering through hands-on classes, labs, and team-based projects in the summer after 11th grade. WTP is not a "summer camp" but an intense academic experience. Curriculum information is available on the WTP-EECS and WTP-ME sites--check these before applying to see if you have already covered our curriculum. WTP is designed for girls who have demonstrated their ability to excel at math and science in their high school classes, but who have no prior background (or very little) in engineering or computer science. We want to accept students for whom our curriculum will be a new experience. Application deadline is January 15th.
FREE PROGRAM: The Young Scholars Program (YSP) offers rising high school juniors and seniors** the opportunity to perform research with CURENT faculty and graduate students for four weeks during the summer. This program does not offer payment, but opportunities to earn recommendation letters are possible. **Rising sophomores will be considered but only a limited number of students will probably be accepted. Priority is given to rising juniors and seniors, but some rising sophomores have been accepted in the past. Application deadline is end of February.
FREE PROGRAM: Each summer, 80 of the world's most accomplished high school students gather at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the Research Science Institute (RSI). RSI is the first cost-free to students, summer science & engineering program to combine on-campus course work in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research. Participants experience the entire research cycle from start to finish. They read the most current literature in their field, draft and execute a detailed research plan, and deliver conference-style oral and written reports on their findings. RSI scholars first participate in a week of intensive STEM classes with accomplished professors. The heart of RSI is the five week research internship where students conduct individual projects under the tutelage of mentors who are experienced scientists and researchers. During the final week of RSI, students prepare written and oral presentations on their research projects. Applications are due sometime around February.
INTERNSHIPS: PENCIL serves over 500 public school and college students (ages 16-22) annually through a competitive career readiness training program that culminates in a paid six-week summer internship at a company in New York City. Applications usually open sometime in early December and are usually due in mid-March.
FREE PROGRAM: Join our team! Each year we select expedition teams of 8-9 teenage girls and 3 instructors to spend 12 days exploring and learning about glaciers and the alpine or marine environment. Through scientific field studies with our team of professional glaciologists, scientists, artists, and mountaineers, you will build critical thinking skills, gain self-confidence, and make lasting friendships.
One team explores Mount Baker, an ice-covered volcano in the North Cascades of Washington State. Another team sleeps under the midnight sun while exploring an Alaskan glacier. Our third team explores the connections between glacier and ocean by kayak in Resurrection Bay, near Seward, AK. A team in Switzerland explores the natural wonders of the Findelen glacier. Our two newest expeditions take a team into the Rocky Mountains where they get personal with the alpine landscape through rock climbing, and into Glacier National Park, Canada, where they learn about dynamic glaciers and hardy glacial ecosystems.
Applications are due around the end of January.
FREE Program: Trip of a Lifetime is a student-run 501(C)3 organization that empowers students to be catalysts for change in their communities through summer travel experiences. Since its inception, the organization has raised over $750,000 and has sent seventy nine students on these life-changing trips. The organization has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CBS Radio, Poughkeepsie Journal, 914 Inc Article and The New York Post. Application process opens November 1st, and the deadline to apply is March 1st.
INTERNSHIPS: The Emma Bowen Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is building a more diverse media and tech industry by recruiting promising students of color like you and placing them in multi-year paid internships at some of the nation’s leading media companies. Diversity is important in all areas of the media industry. We offer fellowships that prepare students for careers in the Business of Media, Content of Media and Innovation of Media. Whether you’re interested in being a producer, a journalist, a web developer, an engineer, a business executive, a PR agent, or in any other career in the media or tech industry, the Emma Bowen Fellowship is here to help you get your start. NOTE: You must be a graduating senior to apply. Applications are handled on a rolling basis, so apply early! (I don't know when the application officially opens, but it is open by September.)
The Summer Institute will enroll 20-25 students who are enrolled in a New York City Public School, will be entering the 11th or 12th grade, have a minimum GPA of 75, and have an exemplary record of attendance. Law and Criminal Justice Summer Institute (CJSI) is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge of the American criminal justice system. Through classroom instruction, guest lectures and hands-on activities students learn the about the historical and contemporary workings of our criminal justice in practice.
It is unclear if this program is free or not. The application will become available in early March.
This program is NOT free, but they do offer need-based scholarships. SHAPE offers two 3-week summer sessions. Students will choose a subject and participate in one of the introductory college-level engineering courses offered, such as Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Programming with Python, and Biomedical Engineering. The program also features electives, college preparation workshops, utilization of the Makerspace, MechTech Space, support from Columbia students, and access to the dining hall, library, and health services. Deadline is around March 1st.
These programs are NOT free, but they do offer scholarships. Camp Neuro and Camp Cardiac, run by local medical students in over 30 cities nationwide, serves as an introduction for any high school student interested in exploring a career in medicine or psychology. With a focus on both education and real world experience, Camp Neuro and Camp Cardiac provide students with a unique opportunity to learn directly from experts in both the medical and psychological fields. In addition, this 1-week summer day camp provides a foundation for healthy living with an emphasis on both diet and exercise.
This program is NOT free. Every summer, Black Rock Forest Consortium welcomes middle students to Summer Science Camp to pursue authentic, week-long experiences in nature, working directly with scientists. The camp's focus is on understanding nature through scientific observation and investigation. Classes are developed and taught by subject experts from throughout the Consortium, providing an opportunity to explore college and career possibilities in the natural sciences while having fun at Black Rock Forest, in Cornwall, NY.
This program is NOT free. Maybe you’ve wondered what it is like to be a vet student and are interested in getting a better look at what our VMD students experience. Possibly, you’ve just recently started to think that veterinary medicine sounds like the career path for you, but haven't discovered the depth of science and research involved in the profession. PennVet's Veterinary Exploration Through Science (VETS) program is an exciting way to learn more about veterinary medicine and PennVet. This day program runs in week long sessions. Two sessions have been designed specifically for college students and two sessions have been designed for high school students (high school students must CURRENTLY be in 11th or 12th grade). We've created the program for those who are interested in the science of veterinary medicine and have started to get some experience in and around veterinary medicine. The program allows participants to gain insight into the depth and scope of profession. From working clinically with animals, to scientific discovery and general public health, veterinarians are much more than “animal lovers”. At the core, veterinarians are scientists and the program has been developed to allow participants to explore this.
This program is NOT free. Wolfram offers three tracks: Science, Technology & Innovation, and Educational Innovation.
This program is NOT free. Wolfram offers two tracks: Mathematica and Tech Innovation.
This program is NOT free. Through the BlueStamp Engineering program, each student (ages 13-18) selects a project he/she is passionate about which they keep, instilling a love for engineering. Each student creates their own webpage on the BlueStamp website, a source of documentation they can later use to showcase personal achievements to colleges and employers. Students learn what it’s like to complete a real engineering project before attending college. Projects, tools, and equipment are similar to those used by universities and engineering companies. All projects involve the complete design cycle, with all the challenges, pitfalls, and rewards. Students can use program to prepare for technical clubs in high school/college. Rolling admissions until all seats are filled.
Barnard College offers a variety of summer courses. They are NOT free, but they do offer need-based scholarships.
NYU offers a variety of summer courses. They are NOT free, but they do offer need-based scholarships.
Cornell offers a variety of summer courses. They are NOT free, but they do offer need-based scholarships.
The Junior Academy is an elite group of problem solvers made up of talented students, STEM experts, and companies around the world dedicated to designing innovative solutions to global challenges. Each year, we invite students ages 13–18 to join The Junior Academy. Successful applicants gain lifelong access to exclusive educational opportunities and a remarkable global STEM network through Launchpad, a virtual collaboration platform. Students develop advanced research, innovation, and collaboration skills with best-in-class learning resources and leverage these skills to compete in 70-day challenges sponsored by industry-leading companies.
From the website: You get it. You’ve grasped an important scientific theory, concept or principle. Now can you share your insight? An inventive video can get across complex material that would take pages of text to communicate. To take part in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, create a short video (3 minutes max) to explain a big idea in one of these fields:
Physics
Mathematics
Life Sciences
Your film can take any form you like: animation, talking head, documentary, dramatic reconstruction, whatever. It’s worth keeping in mind that video is a dynamic visual medium – using diagrams, simulations, physical demonstrations etc. is a lot more effective than standing in front of a blackboard talking. Prizes for the winner include $250,000 scholarship!!
From the website: In a total solar eclipse, our world goes to complete darkness in an instant. Darkness is a big challenge in space exploration. How do you explore the darkest, dustiest, and furthest reaches of our solar system without solar power? NASA uses Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) a type of nuclear “battery” that, for over 60 years, has enabled many spacecraft to explore some of the harshest, darkest environments and farthest reaches of our solar system. In celebration of the upcoming total solar eclipse, NASA invites you on an extraordinary journey to our solar system and beyond.
Your task is to plan a mission that uses Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) to explore a location with limited light. RPS enables exploration to the deepest, darkest, and dustiest places, and NASA wants to hear where you would go, what you would explore, and how you would use this special power to achieve mission success.
If you are a K-12 student in the United States, your challenge is first to research Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) and dream up a new RPS-powered space mission to a destination with limited or obstructed access to light.