10 STEM Programs for High School Students in Washington
If you’re a high school student in Washington, interested in STEM, STEM programs before college can provide direct exposure to scientific research, hands-on learning, and mentorship from university faculty or industry professionals. These experiences help you explore fields like engineering, environmental science, biomedical research, and artificial intelligence while developing problem-solving and collaboration skills.
Engaging in STEM programs not only helps refine your understanding of specialized topics but also strengthens your college applications, especially for competitive STEM undergraduate programs. Below is a list of 10 STEM programs available in Washington or virtually accessible to Washington students.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) and $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort.
Program Dates: Program dates vary. Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research initiative designed for high school students seeking to delve deeply into a specific subject area. This program pairs you 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor from a leading university to guide you through the research process, culminating in the creation of an independent research paper. Through personalized sessions, mentors will guide you in producing a college-level research paper, with additional support from writing coaches to refine your work.
Choose from a diverse range of research topics, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. The program culminates in a symposium where students present their work, which has the potential to be published.
Cost: Free. $4,000 will be provided as a stipend for new participants and $4,500 for returning participants.
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer. The exact dates will vary depending on the lab you choose.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in November.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors. Participants must be 16 years old or older.
SEAP places high school students in the Department of Navy laboratories for eight weeks to participate in research related to naval science and technology. You will engage in hands-on projects in STEM fields, gaining mentorship from Navy scientists and engineers. The program is competitive, with over 300 placements in 38+ laboratories nationwide, offering an opportunity to develop skills and build connections that could lead to careers in naval research. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the AI Scholars Program (10-week boot camp) and $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks, includes one-on-one mentorship, publication, and showcase opportunities) need-based financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary with cohort.
Program Dates: Rolling admissions with cohorts in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Veritas AI program is a comprehensive initiative for high school students, offering pathways to understand artificial intelligence and computer science. Through the AI Scholars Program, you’ll gain foundational skills in Python, TensorFlow, and machine learning algorithms, while the AI Fellowship offers an advanced experience, guiding you to publish an independent research project in AI applications like natural language processing, predictive modeling, and more.
Collaborate with Ph.D. mentors from leading institutions as you develop cutting-edge research projects, with opportunities for publication and showcases. This program strongly emphasizes mentorship, allowing you to build technical expertise and better understand real-world AI applications. Both programs provide a chance to learn from top experts, enhance technical skills, and engage in cutting-edge AI research.
Location: Virtual (Phase 1) + Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA (Phase 2)
Cost: Online Phase is free, $255 for optional credits and Residential Phase costs around $1,025 (covers program supplies and room)
Application Deadline: To be announced
Program Dates: Online Phase: November – March; Residential Phase: July & August
Eligibility: High school juniors
Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) offers high school juniors an in-depth introduction to aerospace engineering, astronomy, and space exploration. The program starts with a virtual curriculum based on a University of Washington college course, covering topics such as air and space vehicle design, NASA’s space exploration missions, and Earth and space sciences.
Students who perform well in the online phase may be invited to a residential program at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. This phase includes hands-on projects, team-based aerospace design challenges, and opportunities to collaborate with NASA scientists, STEM professionals, and educators. Participants gain practical experience in aerospace innovation while engaging with industry experts in real-world settings.
Location: Various lab locations across Seattle
Cost: Not mentioned
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: High School students may apply if they are 18 years of age or older and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. You can check more details here.
The Neuroscience Summer Scholars Program at UW Medicine provides a research-based experience combining basic, translational, and clinical neuroscience. Over eight weeks, you will participate in hands-on lab placements, clinical shadowing, and weekly neuroscience lectures. You will also attend Neurological Surgery Grand Rounds and complete a capstone presentation showcasing your research focus. With mentoring from faculty, this program aims to inspire underrepresented students to pursue careers in neuroscience, medicine, or research and offers exposure to cutting-edge neurological studies.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Applications open in March
Program Dates: July 22–26 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders who attend high school in the greater Seattle area.
The Engineering Academy at the University of Washington is a free, one-week summer program designed to introduce high school students to various engineering fields. It specifically supports students from underrepresented backgrounds and those who aspire to be first-generation college students.
Throughout the program, you’ll explore disciplines such as Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Materials Science, and Aeronautics. Hands-on design challenges and workshops will help you understand the engineering design process, strengthen problem-solving skills, and emphasize the value of teamwork. You’ll also interact with UW engineering students and faculty, gaining insights into real-world engineering applications and their impact on society.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA, or online
Cost: $750–$950 (varies by program)
Program Dates: Various sessions in July and August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Varies by program, typically rising 9th–12th graders or rising 10th–12th graders
The University of Washington Summer Youth Programs offer high school students hands-on courses across subjects like coding, engineering, data visualization, astronomy, and creative writing. In coding classes, you’ll learn programming languages such as Python and Java, starting with basic concepts and progressing to algorithms and data structures. The Engineering Design course focuses on building robots using electrical wiring, digital logic, and sensors, with an emphasis on problem-solving and engineering analysis.
Other courses cover research, essay writing, and creative projects, allowing you to develop both technical and analytical skills. These programs provide practical experience to help you explore academic and career interests.
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free (Stipend provided)
Application Deadline: March 31 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: 8 weeks, specific dates to be announced
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program offers rising high school seniors hands-on experience in cancer research at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle, WA. The program starts with two weeks of lab training to prepare you for research projects in molecular biology and oncology. After training, you’ll work alongside professional researchers in active cancer research labs, contributing to real scientific studies.
You’ll also attend research seminars led by scientists and participate in professional development workshops to build academic and career skills. This competitive program prioritizes students underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, providing exposure to both lab work and scientific mentorship.
Location: Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free (Stipend provided)
Application Deadline: March 10 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: July 8 – August 2 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade high school students who will be able to reside within commuting distance for the program’s duration
The Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute Summer Program offers high school students hands-on research experience alongside PhD-level scientists at a leading pediatric research hospital. You’ll work in labs focused on biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and public health, contributing to projects on topics like immunotherapy, gene editing, and infectious diseases.
Beyond lab work, the program includes workshops on college readiness and career exploration, helping you prepare for academic and professional pathways in STEM. Designed to support diversity in biomedical research, the program provides Seattle-area students with direct exposure to medical research and scientific mentorship.
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.