12 STEM Summer Programs for High School Students in Philadelphia
Philadelphia offers a range of summer programs that give high school students the chance to explore their interests, gain valuable skills, and prepare for the future. If you’re interested in STEM, there are opportunities in engineering, math, environmental science, AI, medicine, and more.
In addition to expanding your knowledge in your chosen field, these summer programs can also be useful additions to your college admissions profile. Participating in a summer program can indicate your initiative and ability to handle advanced coursework to college admissions officers.
In this blog, we've compiled a list of 12 STEM summer programs in Philadelphia that provide enriching experiences for high school students.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,990: Individual Research Program (12 weeks), $5,900: Premium Research & Publication Program (16–20 weeks), $8,900: Research Fellowship (6–12 months). All programs come with need-based financial aid
Application Deadlines: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort. Apply here!
Program Dates: Four cohorts throughout the year: spring, summer, winter, and fall
Eligibility: High school students
Established by researchers with backgrounds from Harvard and Oxford, Lumiere Research Scholar Programs offer high school students a range of program durations. From 12-week to 12-month research opportunities, students can immerse themselves in various subjects for individualized research. For students interested in STEM, the program offers research in biology, astrophysics, computer science, chemistry, medicine, mathematics, and more. Check out the full subject offerings here.
Collaborating one-on-one with accomplished PhD mentors, each student has the opportunity to produce university-level research papers. These programs are conducted entirely online, providing flexibility in research depth to accommodate individual preferences.
Location: Online
Cost: $2,290. Financial aid available
Application Deadline: October 20, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort
Program Dates: Multiple, year-round cohorts
Eligibility: Open to any student from grades 8-12 who has either completed the AI Scholars program or has experience in coding
The Veritas AI Deep Dive is a 10-week online course designed for ambitious students like you who are interested in the intersection of AI and medicine. In this program, you will learn how AI transforms healthcare, work on projects diagnosing diseases, and sharpen medical scans using AI models.
Over the first two weeks, you’ll be introduced to AI and its applications in medicine. Weeks 3 to 5 cover key topics such as medical data preparation, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and Convolutional Neural Networks. In the final weeks, you’ll delve into more complex subjects like image segmentation, regularization, transfer learning, and the fundamentals of clinical evaluation.
Do note that to participate, you need to have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with Python.
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: November 10, 2024 for the Winter cohort, and February 9, 2025 for the Spring cohort
Program Dates:
Winter seminar: December 2, 2024 onwards
Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar from a top university who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: $2,490 (Financial Aid Available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort
Internship Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, environmental science, software engineering, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills and will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $85 application fee + $8,500 program fee
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Program Dates: July 6 – 26, 2025
Eligibility: Applicants must:
Have completed their freshman year of high school
Be at least 15 years old by the program's start
Have a minimum 3.0 GPA
Not be high school seniors
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn offers ambitious high school students a three-week, college-level engineering experience at the University of Pennsylvania. You’ll dive into challenging coursework and hands-on projects in one of six specialized tracks: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Complex Networks, Computer Graphics, Nanotechnology, and Computer Science. In addition to working on these projects, you will have the chance to work with Penn's faculty, reside on campus, and connect with peers from around the globe who share similar interests.
Location: Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
Cost: $5,300; financial aid is available
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program). Late applications may be considered if there are slots
Program Dates: June 30 – August 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-17
MathILy is a five-week summer program that exposes high school students to undergraduate- and graduate-level math. The program emphasizes advanced discrete mathematics, offering interactive classes, personalized guidance, and collaborative problem-solving sessions. A highlight of the experience is the “Week of Chaos,” where students engage in a variety of brief classes, delving into different mathematical topics. The program is designed to foster deep mathematical understanding in a supportive, inquiry-driven environment.
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $1,200; need-based scholarships are available
Application deadline: April 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Three sessions were offered in 2024:
Session I: July 8 – 12, 2024
Session II: July 15 – 19, 2024
Session III: July 22 – 26, 2024
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who have completed at least 1 year of biology
The Biomedical Engineering STEM Summer Academy at Drexel University is a program for high school students interested in exploring biomedical engineering through hands-on research. You will gain practical knowledge by engaging in laboratory work, where you’ll learn techniques such as creating nanoparticles and recording brain wave activity. The program also includes seminars, industry site visits, and expert presentations, offering insights into both the academic and professional realms of biomedical engineering.
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Application deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: June 18 – August 16, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: No cost; this is a paid internship, however housing and transportation are not provided
Eligibility: High school students eligible to work in the U.S. from the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, NJ
The MSAP is a rigorous 8-week internship aimed at involving high school students in biomedical research. This program is specifically designed to spark an interest in advanced research and science careers among groups that are often underrepresented in the scientific community, such as women, ethnic and racial minorities, and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
As a participant, you will work full-time (35 hours per week) alongside Monell scientists on individual research projects. These projects can range from cloning olfactory receptors to creating non-lethal repellents or exploring the chemistry of air quality. In addition to hands-on research, the program features educational lectures and culminates in a Capstone Symposium, where you will present your research findings. With around 200 applicants each year and only about 20 students selected, MSAP is a highly selective program.
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: No cost; Students receive a $1,000 stipend
Application deadline: March 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: July 15 – August 8, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and have completed at least one high school science course
For over two decades, the Wistar Institute has been offering high school students the opportunity to participate in hands-on research in areas such as cancer biology, vaccine development, and infectious diseases. Over the course of three weeks, you will receive training in advanced biomedical lab techniques and contribute to ongoing projects at the institute.
The program also includes instruction on how to critically read scientific literature, with an emphasis on exploring various careers in biomedical research. At the end of the program, you will showcase your research findings to both peers and mentors. This program admits only 12 students annually.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Application Deadline: February 5, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: July 8 – August 5, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students must:
Have completed grades 9, 10, or 11 by the summer
Have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Live in Philadelphia or the surrounding area
The TREES program is a summer research and mentorship initiative that offers high school students the chance to engage in hands-on environmental research. Each summer, approximately 8 students are paired with mentors to work on research projects that the students personally choose and design.
The program begins with two weeks of hands-on training in fundamental laboratory techniques, which are essential for the research projects you'll undertake. The rest of the program is devoted to independent research. Through your project, you'll adopt a scientific approach to tackle an environmental issue, involving extensive library research, mastering scientific methodologies, and performing hands-on lab work, with fieldwork incorporated where possible.
Some students collaborate on team projects. The program culminates in a research report and a public presentation of your work to an audience of peers and guests.
Location: There are several locations across the country. Students in Philadelphia can select one of two options—Naval Surface Warfare Center and Naval Information Warfare Center
Cost: No registration costs, however, housing, meals, transportation, and medical expenses are not covered. You can expect to travel to and from your lab, depending on your placement. Students receive a stipend: $4,000 (new participant) | $4,500 (returning participant)
Application Deadline: November 1, 2024
Program Dates: Eight weeks in the summer, exact dates vary depending on the lab
Eligibility: High school students, including graduating seniors, who have completed at least grade 9, are at least 16 years old when the internship begins, and are solely U.S. citizens. Each lab may have specific requirements
SEAP is a highly esteemed program that allows high school students to work in Navy laboratories across the United States, engaging in real Naval research. This opportunity is ideal for you if you’re interested in engineering. Throughout the program, you will be guided by experienced scientists and engineers at Navy labs.
Lab placements are determined based on your area of interest, with around 300 positions available across more than 38 labs nationwide. Given its connection with the U.S. government, SEAP is not only highly competitive but also carries a strong reputation for prestige.
Location: William Tennent High School, Warminster, PA (January - May) | Temple University, Philadelphia, PA (July - August)
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Students generally apply in October for the spring session, and in March for the summer session
Program Dates: Two options: Consecutive Saturdays from late-January to early-May | Tuesdays and Thursdays from July to August
Eligibility: All high school students from Philadelphia and the surrounding communities
This intensive lab-based internship program is designed to inspire students to delve into science and medicine by providing them with hands-on research experience. You will have the chance to conduct hypothesis-driven research within a laboratory setting, progressing through three distinct phases. This program is hosted by the Fox Chase Cancer Center.
In the first phase, you will develop research questions related to the effects of diet, environmental stress, and genetics on development and behavior while acquiring fundamental lab and problem-solving skills. The second phase focuses on practical lab work, where you will use common laboratory equipment, design and execute experiments and collect and analyze data. The final phase emphasizes communication skills, allowing you to practice presenting your research findings. The program culminates in a scientific symposium, where you’ll share your work with the scientific community, peers, and family.
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.