10 STEM Programs for High School Students in San Diego, California
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs provide high school students valuable opportunities to deepen their scientific knowledge, gain hands-on experience, and collaborate with mentors in academia or industry.
These programs offer personal growth, exposure to potential career paths, and the chance to develop projects that can set you apart during college applications. College admissions officers look for students who take the initiative to build skills and gain experience in a specific subject—demonstrating commitment and curiosity beyond the classroom.
Below, we’ve created a list of 10 STEM opportunities for high school students in San Diego, California, including camps, internships, and immersion programs.
Location: Fully virtual
Cost: Lumiere Individual Research Program: $2,800; Lumiere Premium Research and Publication Program: $4,800; Lumiere Research Fellowship: $8,400
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions based on cohorts.
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students.
Founded by PhDs from Harvard and Oxford, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a prestigious and selective opportunity designed for ambitious high school students. This program provides one-on-one mentorship with a PhD expert, guiding you through independent research in STEM disciplines such as biology, physics, engineering, mathematics, and technology.
You can explore interdisciplinary topics and gain advanced technical skills, all while staying updated on cutting-edge developments in your chosen fields. The program’s personalized structure makes it ideal for you to deepen your understanding of STEM and produce high-quality research work.
Location: University of California, San Diego (residential)
Cost: $42 non-refundable application fee and $5,007 for the residential program (includes housing, meals, orientation, field trips, and on-site support). Financial aid available for California residents
Application Deadline: February 7.
Program Dates: July 6-August 2.
Eligibility: Open to California high school students in grades 8–12 who excel in mathematics and science
COSMOS is a summer program for academically talented students. You can experience advanced coursework and research across STEM disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. The program allows you to explore a research topic tailored to your interests while utilizing university resources such as teaching laboratories and libraries. COSMOS also offers on-campus residence, providing a preview of college academic life and the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers. COSMOS allows you to work on independent research projects, making it an ideal program for those looking to enhance their academic and research profiles.
Location: University of California, San Diego
Cost: Fees range from $175 to $450 per course (scholarships available)
Application Deadline: May 31
Program Dates: July 7 - July 25
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Sally Ride Science Academy offers workshops across a broad spectrum of subjects, from astronomy, biology, engineering, and robotics to coding, data science, digital design, and psychology. This program provides an opportunity to explore diverse interests, develop critical thinking skills, and collaborate on projects. Led by instructors and scientists, most workshops are conducted on the UC San Diego campus, with some online options available. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: University of California, San Diego
Cost: $5,950 (includes tuition, housing, and meals). Scholarships available
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: July 6 - July 26
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
UC San Diego Academic Connections is for students who want to explore advanced topics in their chosen field. It offers a wide range of STEM courses, from ocean ecosystem dynamics to structural engineering. You will engage in coursework, discussions, and projects, with the program culminating in a presentation. With guidance from UC San Diego faculty, this program fosters intellectual growth and collaboration with peers. Academic Connections provides a great opportunity to explore your interests, enhance your academic profile, and experience life at university.
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla
Stipend: $17 per hour
Application Deadline: March 5
Program Dates: June 16 to August 8
Eligibility: San Diego County residents at least 16 years old with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Completion of at least one year each of high school-level chemistry and biology (exceptions considered case-by-case)
The Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program offers San Diego County high school students the opportunity to conduct research at the Salk Institute, a leading nonprofit research organization. You will work with a Salk scientist mentor on a research project, gaining experience in wet lab techniques, bioinformatics, and data analysis. The program also includes seminars, workshops, and biotech site visits. It culminates in a research symposium where you will present your findings through oral or poster presentations. This program is ideal if you are interested in the biosciences.
Location: UCSD (San Diego Supercomputer Center)
Cost: Free application; $1,000 program fee (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: May 15
Program Dates: October 1– May 31
Eligibility: High school students (grades 10–12)
The UCSD Mentor Assistance Program (MAP) connects motivated high school students with UCSD faculty and researchers for an eight-month mentorship. You will collaborate with mentors to develop research projects, explore academic interests, or create science fair entries. The program emphasizes independent learning, providing guidance through bi-weekly mentor sessions, scholarly readings, and lab visits. If you complete the eight-month mentorship, you may have the opportunity to participate in a summer internship as a follow-up experience.
Location: UCSD (San Diego Supercomputer Center)
Cost: Unpaid internship
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: June 2 - August 8 OR June 16 - August 22
Eligibility: High school students (16+)
The Scripps Research Translational Institute Internship is a competitive 10-week summer program for high school students aged 16 and older. You will work with mentors in a lab setting, focusing on translational science topics such as genomics, proteomics, and personalized health care. You will learn study design, data analysis, and clinical trial procedures, particularly for genomics and mobile health trials. You will be mentored by a primary advisor, with opportunities to collaborate with other researchers. Through this program, you can explore the role of molecular science in understanding health and disease.
Location: University of California, San Diego
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Application period will open August 1
Program Dates: Throughout the school year
Eligibility: San Diego students in grades 5–12
The San Diego Math Circle (SDMC) is designed to challenge students in grades 5–12 who are interested in mathematics. Hosted by the University of California, San Diego, SDMC allows you to explore mathematical concepts through after-school meetings, weekend lectures, and math competitions. You will develop problem-solving skills that extend beyond mathematics, preparing you for success in logical fields like science, engineering, business, and law. The program emphasizes creative thinking, helping you build a solid foundation for tackling challenging problems.
Location: Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego
Cost: Free (includes a stipend for participation)
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: June 17 – August 9
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 attending select San Diego schools
The OPTIMUS Program is an 8-week cancer research internship for high school students from minority and underrepresented backgrounds. Hosted by medical and graduate students at UC San Diego, this program allows you to conduct research in cancer labs at Moores Cancer Center while shadowing physicians in clinical settings. It enables you to learn about medicine, cancer biology, and research techniques through hands-on experiences. You will gain valuable skills such as suturing, guided by surgery residents, and conduct research under the mentorship of UC San Diego medical professionals. You will also receive a stipend.
Location: Birch Aquarium, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Winter onboarding deadline: January 5
Program Dates: 6 months.
Eligibility: Ages 16 and older
As a volunteer at Birch Aquarium, you will play a vital role in creating memorable experiences for visitors. These experiences promote education about ocean habitats and creatures, inspire conservation, and share the research conducted by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Each year, more than 400 volunteers guide guests through exhibits, answer questions, and facilitate animal encounters. There are several roles, such as Tide Pool Interpreter, Greeter Volunteer, Aquarist Assistant, and School Programs Assistant. You could also support staff in teaching marine science curricula to K-12 students. Topics include tide pools, fish diversity, and kelp forests.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD 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.
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