8 STEM Programs for High School Students in New York
For high school students looking to spend their summer exploring STEM, STEM programs are an option worth considering. Participating in STEM programs before college will expose you to cutting-edge research, hands-on projects, and mentorship from faculty. These programs teach you the applications of theoretical concepts and give you opportunities to network in your field.
One of the biggest advantages of participating in STEM programs in high school is the boost it gives your college applications. As an applicant with proven research experience, technical skills, and a commitment to exploring your interests, you will have an edge over the competition. Here is a list of the top 8 STEM programs for high school students in New York to help you get started!
Subject Areas: Biotechnology, Astrophysics, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Chemistry, and more
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
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. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program gives high school students the chance to engage in advanced STEM research across disciplines such as biotechnology, astrophysics, data science, engineering, and chemistry. With personalized mentorship from a PhD scholar affiliated with a top institution, you will delve into cutting-edge topics and acquire technical skills. You will gain experience in data analysis, laboratory techniques, and essential software like Python and MATLAB. The program will enable you to produce independent research projects with potential for publication, strengthening college applications with measurable achievements. You can apply here!
Subject Areas: Bio-and Molecular Engineering, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, AI, and more
Location: New York University, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $750 provided
Application Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors living in NYC can apply.
The ARISE program at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering offers high school students a 10-week research experience in advanced STEM fields. The program begins with 4 weeks of remote learning followed by 6 weeks of research at the NYU campus. You will work alongside faculty in labs, exploring interdisciplinary areas such as Bio- and Molecular Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. You will work with different programming languages, such as C++ and Python, and learn about 3D Models AI, Augmented Reality, and more. The program concludes with you presenting your research findings to NYU faculty and peers. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
3. Veritas AI
Subject Areas: Computer Science and AI, Data Science, Python and Programming, NLP & Language Processing, and more
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (10-week boot camp) | $5,400 for AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase (12–15 weeks, 1-1 mentorship). Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort
Program Dates: Multiple year-round cohorts
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world can apply. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
The AI Fellowship program by Veritas AI pairs you with Ph.D. candidates from leading institutions to develop and showcase your research projects, which will be published. These projects often span fields intersecting with computer science and artificial intelligence. Past participants have explored areas such as AI in finance, AI-driven medical applications, educational software development, and the role of computer science in gaming. Examples of more exciting projects students have worked on can be found here. Throughout the program, you'll build advanced skills in coding (Python, TensorFlow), machine learning algorithms, and data analysis. By the end of the fellowship, you will have a publishable research project that strengthens your resume with hands-on experience and sets a strong foundation for future pursuits in AI or tech.
Subject Areas: Medicine, Science, Mathematics, Biology, STEM fields.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 16
Program Dates: July 8 - August 2
Eligibility: 7th-12th graders who maintain at least an 80% grade average, particularly in math and science, are eligible to apply.
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a Columbia University initiative for students aspiring to careers in medicine or STEM fields. S-PREP focuses on improving educational access for historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students in mathematics, science, technology, health-related fields, and licensed professions. The curriculum covers diverse subjects, such as anatomy, statistics, and PSAT preparation. You will benefit from college preparation and career development workshops, one-on-one college and academic counseling, and enrichment activities like field trips and college tours. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Subject Areas: Aerospace Engineering
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $1,900 (including meals, accommodation, and research supplies) + $75 non-refundable deposit. Scholarships are available on a need basis.
Application Deadline: Applications open in December.
Program Dates: July 13 - July 19
Eligibility: Current US high school sophomores or juniors with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and strong performance in math and science courses are eligible to apply.
The CURIE Academy is a one-week residential program at Cornell University for rising high school students interested in exploring engineering. The program aims to build engineering literacy, highlight career and graduate school pathways, and demystify the college admissions process. You will engage in nine field sessions covering various engineering majors and a dedicated session on college admissions. With only 50 students admitted every summer, this is a competitive program. You will gain exposure to research in aerospace. Activities include designing and building rockets, conducting experiments, and exploring advancements in aerospace technology. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Subject Areas: Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Biochemistry Chemistry, Geosciences, Neurobiology, and more.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: No tuition charge (participants have to bear transportation and residential costs). A stipend will be provided upon successful completion.
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University allows high school students to participate in research in science, mathematics, or engineering in lab settings. You will be paired with a mentor and a research group to work on projects in fields like biochemistry, applied mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science, and more. You will learn advanced laboratory techniques and integrate into active research teams. The program concludes with the production of a written research abstract and a research poster, which you will present to showcase your findings. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified).
Application Deadline: October 29
Program Dates: 7 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 10–11 nominated by the program’s partner programs and schools can apply. Preference will be given to students in upper Manhattan and the South Bronx.
The BRAINYAC program at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute offers high school students a summer research internship in neuroscience. The program will pair you with Columbia neuroscientists who will serve as mentors, guiding you through research projects in laboratories. You will gain experience in lab techniques, explore the research process, and deepen your understanding of neuroscience. Projects may include investigating how neurons transmit sensory information or other topics in brain science.
Subject Areas: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and Mathematics
Location: New York University, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $5,500 (commuter). Need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 30 - August 8
Eligibility: Rising US high school seniors with a strong academic record and interest in STEM are eligible to apply.
The NYU GSTEM program is a six-week summer research initiative for high school students interested in STEM. You will be paired with a STEM professor or researcher to work on individual projects in a field of your choice in professional research labs. The program is highly selective, admitting only 40 students, and it focuses on empowering those historically underrepresented in STEM. Through this program, you will enhance your laboratory techniques, programming skills, scientific writing, and presentation abilities. Weekly field trips, workshops, and guest lectures will introduce you to women in STEM across diverse industries. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
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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