10 STEM Programs for High School Students in Phoenix, Arizona
High school students in Phoenix can enrich their academic paths by participating in STEM programs before college. These programs offer a chance to gain exposure to scientific research and mentorship from university faculty or industry experts. Early experience in STEM fields can provide valuable skills, insights, and connections in a rapidly evolving job market.
Participating in a STEM program in high school can enhance your college applications by demonstrating your intellectual curiosity and initiative. These programs can also set you apart if you pursue a career in fields like technology, engineering, and healthcare. They can develop your critical thinking abilities, which will be helpful regardless of which field you choose to major in.
Here are 10 STEM Programs for high school students in Phoenix, Arizona!
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.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Cost: Free
Location: Phoenix, AZ (in-person)
Program Dates: May 30 – July 3
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older
The Barrow Neurological Institute offers high school students the opportunity to gain experience in research, marketing, or neuroscience publications. This program provides mentorship and exposure to advanced scientific techniques. It builds skills in literature evaluation, project development, and communication. You will learn about the significance of non-laboratory departments in complementing research. The program culminates in a High School Symposium, where you will present your findings and project. Applicants must submit a letter of intent, a recommendation letter, and an online application (transcripts are not required).
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Cost: $6000
Location: University of Arizona, AZ (in-person)
Program Dates: Early June – Mid-July
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have lived in Arizona for at least one year.
The Med-Start Health Careers Program is a six-week summer residential program for students interested in healthcare careers. Held at the University of Arizona, the program offers college-level coursework in English, chemistry, and math (earning one elective credit each). It includes lab experiences, field trips, professional lectures, and career exploration. You will live in residence halls under staff supervision and engage in activities emphasizing healthcare's role in underserved areas, such as rural and economically disadvantaged regions. Applicants undergo an interview process, and those from ethnic minority backgrounds, first-generation college families, or economically disadvantaged circumstances are especially encouraged to apply.
Cost: Free (Paid internship with a $1,800 stipend)
Location: Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ (in-person, mandatory attendance on Tuesdays)
Program Dates: May – July (specific dates TBD, 8 weeks)
Application Deadline: January 27
Eligibility: High school students in the Phoenix area.
Arizona State University’s Center for Cybersecurity and Trusted Foundations invites high school students in the Phoenix area to participate in a summer research internship. This 8-week program allows you to gain experience in cybersecurity research, work on innovative projects, and participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) hacking competitions. You will collaborate with graduate students and professors, learn advanced technical skills, and present your findings at the program's conclusion. Ideal candidates have experience in programming (Python or similar), strong communication skills, a self-driven work ethic, and an interest in cybersecurity and problem-solving.
Cost: $250 – $500 depending on the camp
Location: University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, AZ
Program Dates: Multiple one-week camps offered between June 1 – 20
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Residential and Day Camps: Current 11th-grade students (rising seniors); Healthcare Team Program: Current 9th and 10th-grade students (rising sophomores and juniors)
Summer Scrubs is a health career exploration program for high school students interested in the medical field. You will engage in professional lectures, field trips, and lab experiences. The program offers a Residential Camp and Day Camp for rising seniors focused on exploring medical specialties, and a Healthcare Team Program for rising sophomores and juniors to learn about various healthcare roles. Need-based scholarships provided by the Central Arizona Area Health Education Center (CAAHEC) are available. Applications are reviewed online, and volunteer counselor positions are also open for those interested in mentorship opportunities.
Cost: Residential camps: $750, Day Camps: $350
Location: University of Arizona, AZ
Program Dates: Four-day day camps and two residential programs during the summer (specific dates to be announced)
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th graders and recent high school graduates
SEA allows high school students to explore engineering while experiencing campus life at the University of Arizona. You will participate in design projects and activities led by professors, graduate students, and undergraduates. Through this program, you will gain exposure to engineering degrees, research, and careers by connecting with current students, faculty, and industry professionals. You will also explore the University of Arizona campus and tour its facilities.
Location: Mayo Clinic, Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ, or virtual
Cost: Fully funded, with a stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 1
Internship Dates:
In-Person Program: June 4 – 27 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays)
Virtual Program: July 8 – 12 (Monday – Friday)
Eligibility: Open to Arizona high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
The Mayo Clinic’s CARES Program allows Arizona high school students to explore healthcare careers. You will participate in activities in a hospital environment, interact with healthcare professionals, and receive mentorship that extends beyond the summer. You will learn about various career paths in healthcare, build connections, and gain insight into your potential future in the field. The program also includes sessions on college preparation, resume writing, and interview skills, with an emphasis on supporting students from underserved communities.
Location: BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: No cost; financial assistance is available for costs like meals and transportation
Application Deadline: December 13
Internship Dates: June 2 – July 18
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 years old by June 2 and a U.S. citizen or legal resident with a minimum of one-year Arizona residency
The KEYS (Keep Engaging Youth in Science) program allows high school students to learn about bioscience, biomedical science, data science, and environmental health research. This seven-week summer internship provides training in biotechnology, science literacy, ethics, and communication . The program starts with a one-week training session where you’ll learn bioscience and data science techniques. You’ll then be paired with a University of Arizona researcher leading a cross-disciplinary project. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings to the academic community, family, and friends.
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: To apply, students must be at least 16 years of age by June 5; be eligible to work in the United States; be a graduate of an Arizona high school by June 5
Program dates: June 5 - July 28
Location: Most scholars will work in TGen headquarters in Phoenix; some will intern at Translational Drug Development (TD2) on the Mayo Clinic campus in Scottsdale or in the Pathogen Genomics Division in Flagstaff.
Stipend: High school students will be paid $13.85 per hour.
This program is a prestigious research internship opportunity for students interested in biomedical research hosted by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). TGen is a not-for-profit biomedical research institute based in Arizona. The program provides laboratory experience and mentorship from scientists. You will work on research projects in areas such as genomics, cancer biology, neurogenomics, and infectious diseases. You can enhance your inquiry, data analysis, and laboratory skills. High school sophomores and juniors with similar interests can consider the Bioscience Leadership Academy at TGen.
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.
Image Source - Arizona State University