10 Physics Research Opportunities for High School Students
Physics is at the heart of many STEM innovations, such as engineering, aviation, and space exploration. This means that a strong understanding of physics will come in handy no matter which STEM major you are interested in.
Many great opportunities are available for you if you are in high school and looking to build a deeper understanding of physics! You can consider research programs like the ones we’ve listed below - many of these tend to be free or pay a stipend and are very selective. Another way that is usually more welcoming is to opt for pre-college programs and physics courses within them. These cost a fair bit of money but have some financial aid available and come in a variety of options such as on campus, virtual, for credit, or not for credit.
Here are 10 physics research opportunities available to ambitious high school students:
If you’d like to work in a plasma physics lab under the guidance of professionals, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory offers internships during semester and summer periods for high school seniors. Internships in the fall or spring can count for academic credit. Students who intern over the summer are offered payment for their time.
Costs: None
Eligibility: At least 16 years of age AND a graduating senior in high school when the internship begins; have United States citizenship or permanent resident alien status. Housing is not provided.
Selectivity: Moderate
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
One of MIT’s most distinguished summer research programs, RSI accepts 80 - 100 high school juniors. The program consists of STEM-intensive courses for the first week and participation in the research process for the other five weeks. Attendees have the opportunity to publish and present on projects of their choice, including physics.
Costs: None
Eligibility: Students in their third year of high school. High school seniors are not eligible to apply. Recommended that PSAT Math Scores be at least 740 and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score be at least 700. Demonstrate strong mathematical, scientific, and academic potential.
Selectivity: Very High
Participants in this seven-week program have the opportunity to gain practical research experience with the faculty of Texas Tech’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, including astronomy, biophysics, condensed matter physics, and more. Expenses such as on-campus meals, residential room and board, and weekend activities will be covered by the program. Students who complete their research report will receive a $750 tax-free stipend.
Costs: None
Eligibility: Be at least 17 years of age by the program start date and should graduate in this or next year.
Selectivity: Very High
At UPenn’s Experiment Physics Research Academy, over the course of three weeks, students can learn current physics (which includes mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum dynamics, and astrophysics) through lectures, discussions, and projects. Faculty members will give talks about their research in the field with live Q&As with students.
Costs: $9,700, scholarships available to Philadelphia public and charter high school students
Eligibility: Minimum 3.3 high school GPA; current 9th-11th grade students
Selectivity: High
Participants in the four-week COSMOS program will reside in UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, or UC Santa Cruz’s campuses as they explore state-of-the-art facilities and labs. The curriculum and research they pursue will be rigorous and based on the cluster of their choice, which includes astrophysics, biophysics, and computation.
Costs: $4,770; financial aid available
Eligibility: Must be rising 9th graders to 12th graders, must be able to physically reside in California during the program; typically have a GPA of 3.5 or above
Selectivity: High
NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships at locations all around America. High school students located near NASA facilities can check which research facilities have open positions and gain experience in subjects related to physics, such as engineering and information sciences.
Costs: None
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. Citizen and meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
Selectivity: Moderate
If you’re interested in astrophysics in particular, YSPA provides high school seniors two weeks of online astronomy classes before they arrive on campus. Afterward, the next four weeks are spent on research using the original data collected from Leitner Observatory’s telescopes. Beyond its academic and research opportunities, the program provides a great way for students to engage with campus life at Yale.
Costs: $6,900; financial aid available
Eligibility: Currently a rising senior, must be at least 15.5 years old at the start of the on-campus program
Selectivity: Very high
Another opportunity for students aspiring to study astrophysics is to explore one of three programs offered by the Summer Science Program. For five weeks, high school juniors engage in research in near-earth asteroid orbit determination at one of the following colleges: New Mexico State University, the University of Colorado Boulder, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. After the conclusion of the program, students receive a letter of completion and can ask a faculty member to write a letter of recommendation for their college application.
Costs: $8,400, financial aid available
Eligibility: Be at least 15 years old but not older than 19 by the start of the program. Juniors are welcome to apply if they’ve completed coursework in calculus or physics AND precalculus. Sophomores are welcome to apply if they’ve completed coursework in calculus AND physics.
Selectivity: High
Although this opportunity is based in Canada, we’ve included it because it’s fully virtual and a solid program. The Perimeter Institute’s annual summer program offers 20 high school juniors and seniors keynote sessions on current physics mysteries and mini-courses on modern physics, which include independent work. Students also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers and physicists. This opportunity is based in Canada, so US students will apply as international students.
Costs: $250 (CAD); financial aid available
Application Deadline: March 16
Eligibility: At the time of application, they are in the final two years of secondary school; completion of Grade 11 physics or equivalent for international students.
Selectivity: High
Lydia is currently a sophomore at Harvard University, studying Molecular and Cellular Biology. During high school, she pursued engineering activities like attending the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. In her spare time, she likes to create digital art while listening to music.