10 STEM Programs for High School Students in Pennsylvania
If you're a high school student in Pennsylvania interested in STEM, getting involved in a structured program before college can give you a strong advantage, without the logistical hassles of having to move cities/states for a summer program. These programs offer hands-on learning, exposure to scientific research, and mentorship from university faculty or industry professionals.
Joining a STEM program can make your college application stand out, especially for competitive programs that look for research, lab experience, or advanced coursework outside the classroom. Whether you're curious about engineering, medicine, computer science, or environmental science, a STEM program can help you explore potential career paths while building real skills.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of 10 STEM programs for high school students in Pennsylvania!
10 STEM Programs for High School Students in Pennsylvania
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Depends on program duration
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I priority application deadline is March 9!
Program Dates: Summer: June - August, fall: September - December, winter: December - February, spring: March - June.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is an intensive research opportunity for high school students, offering one-on-one mentorship across a wide range of subjects. In this 12-week program, you will be paired with Ph.D. mentors to work on an independent research project, culminating in a research paper.
Topics span fields like psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. If you're looking to explore research and develop a project under expert guidance, this program provides a structured way to do so. You can find the application details here.
Location: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $1,300
Program Dates: Session I: July 7 - July 18; Session II: July 21 - August 1
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Students entering 10th-12th grade
Temple University’s Pre-College Workshops give high school students a chance to explore STEM subjects while experiencing campus life. The program offers a mix of morning and evening workshops, allowing you to customize your schedule based on your interests.
If you join the July 7 cohort, morning options include Introduction to Neuroscience, Ecology and Biodiversity, and Hardware and Software Engineering. In the evening, you can choose Materials Science or explore non-STEM subjects like Creative Writing, Web Design, Criminal Justice Reform, or Theater. The July 21 session focuses more on health sciences, with morning workshops on Public Health Challenges and DNA, Genes, and Medicine, while the evening options include Bioengineering and Secrets of Risks and Opportunity.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,000 + $85 non-refundable application fee
Dates: July 6-July 26
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students in 9th-11th grade with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and strong performance in math and science subjects (international students can apply as well!)
ESAP is a selective engineering program for students strong in math and science who want to take college-level courses on a university campus. You can choose from subjects like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology, computer science, robotics, and computer graphics. Each course has its syllabus, and you'll earn college credits upon completion.
With a 1:19 instructor-to-student ratio, the program ensures a supportive learning environment. Cohorts range from 30 to 60 students. Over three weeks, you'll work with advanced technology, learn from University of Pennsylvania faculty, and experience campus life while connecting with other students.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7-July 31
Application Deadline: March 1. Apply Here.
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors/seniors with strong science achievements.
The Penn Summer Science Initiative is a free, four-week program run by the Penn Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC). It gives you hands-on experience in materials science through workshops, lab work, and field trips to industrial facilities.
You'll attend lab report writing seminars taught by college professors and researchers and work in the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter. Projects cover scanning electron and optical microscopy, mechanical testing, x-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis.
Location: Penn State College of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Not available
Dates: September 9- December 16 (Tentative, based on previous year dates)
Application Deadline: May 1 (Tentative, based on previous year dates)
Eligibility: Open to students entering 9th-12th grade at the program's start.
The PULSE program at Penn State College of Medicine is a 12-week virtual program with some in-person opportunities for those who can attend. If you're interested in biomedical sciences or healthcare, this program lets you interact with biomedical researchers, clinicians, and medical students.
You'll take part in virtual classes, group discussions, and occasional on-campus sessions. Medical students will also mentor you throughout the program. Each year, the program focuses on a healthcare-related theme. The previous theme was “Bugs and Drugs: Exploring Host Defense and Host Response,” covering global health, immunology, and infectious disease.
Location: Wistar Institute, University City District, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free! (Students will receive a stipend of $1,000 on completion of the program)
Dates: Typically from July to August (Tentative)
Application Deadline: Details about the application deadlines will be posted in January
Eligibility: Students who are enrolled in the School District of Philadelphia, are at least 16 years old, and have completed at least one high school science course
The High School Fellowship in Biomedical Research at The Wistar Institute is a 4-week internship where you'll develop lab techniques and work on active biomedical projects. You'll also learn how to analyze complex scientific literature.
This program is designed for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. Preference is given to those facing financial or identity-related challenges that have impacted their career goals. With a small cohort of 15 students, this is a competitive opportunity to explore careers in biomedical research. At the end of the program, you'll present your work.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,000 (Tentative) + $100 application fee (scholarships are available)
Dates: July 6-July 26
Application Deadline: January 29 (Priority deadline), April 2 (Final deadline)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors
The Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI) at the University of Pennsylvania is a 3-week program combining Wharton School and Penn Engineering. It’s part of the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology and introduces you to the connection between technology and business.
You'll work on a prototype and market plan for a high-tech venture, receiving feedback from instructors. Some sessions are led by successful entrepreneurs and investors, who will also evaluate your projects in their areas of expertise. The program includes simulations with companies like Google. At the end, you’ll earn one college-course credit.
Location: Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 16-June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students in 10th and 11th grade
This 2-week STEM program at Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering, and Technology covers a broad range of STEM fields through hands-on projects, lab work, and field trips. In Week 1, you’ll explore biology (DNA extraction, polymer synthesis), mathematics (hyperspace, cryptography), mechanical engineering (aerodynamics, 3D printing), physics (X-ray diffraction), and chemistry (zombie apocalypse simulations).
Week 2 shifts to civil engineering (bridge building), electrical engineering (robotics), and computer science (encoding, encryption, AI). Throughout the program, you’ll work on lab projects, demonstrations, and field trips while also learning how to present scientific research. You’ll receive guidance on STEM career pathways, and by the end of the program, you’ll present your work.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $5,949 (if you are a resident of Philadelphia and you attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school, you can apply for a 100% scholarship
Dates: July 5-July 19
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: Current high school students in 9th-11th grade
The Penn Arts and Sciences High School Program includes two STEM-related courses alongside humanities options. As a student, you will take two college-level courses taught by Penn faculty and graduate students.
If you choose the STEM track, you can study the Philosophy of Science and AI, where you'll explore philosophical principles through artificial intelligence, ethical concerns, and key figures like Alan Turing.
Another option is Understanding Climate with Data Science, which focuses on using data science to analyze climate change. You'll also work with Google Earth for storytelling exercises and learn basic Python programming. Throughout the program, you’ll stay on campus and engage with Penn undergraduates.
Location: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburg, PA
Cost: $25 + $25 for the chaperone + $10 for activities after the surgery
Dates: Various surgery dates from February to June
Application Deadline: Rolling applications, Register Here
Eligibility: High school students
If you're a high school student interested in healthcare, this program offers an opportunity to observe a live surgery. A collaboration between UPMC Pinnacle Foundation and Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, it allows you to watch surgeries in UPMC’s operating rooms, either in person or virtually. A chaperone is required for both formats.
You'll interact with operating room staff, who will explain the tools used in surgery and the medical conditions that lead to these procedures. Throughout the surgery, you can listen to the professionals as they work, with the surgeon describing each step. If you attend in person, you’ll also participate in post-surgery activities, including a 30-minute recap to reinforce key medical concepts.
Image Source - UPenn Logo
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.