MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)

RSI participants attend college-level classes and gain hands-on research experience. The program is open to high school juniors and encompasses "advanced theory and research in mathematics, science, and engineering." 

  • Program Length: Six weeks

  • Tuition Cost: Free for those selected

  • Number of Students: Approximately 70 

MIT also has many other prestigious STEM summer programs for high school students, including: 

  • Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)

  • Women’s Technology Program (WTP)

  • Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)

  • Launch X

Boston University: Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) 

RISE is another one of the best STEM summer programs for high school students. High school juniors will conduct university laboratory research to advance their STEM knowledge and skills. There are two tracks to the program: Internship or Practicum.

Learning outcomes of the program include "a better understanding of the scientific process, research ethics, how to read a research paper, how to present independent research, and how to network in the science and engineering fields."

  • Program Length: Six weeks 

  • Tuition Cost: $4,900

  • Number of Students: Approximately 100

Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)

SUMac is an online program open to high school sophomores and juniors. This program is all about advanced mathematics: participants will learn through lectures, guided research, and group problem-solving. 

The online program allows students to “explore current lines of mathematical research, the historical development of important areas of mathematics, and applications across scientific disciplines.”

  • Program Length: Three weeks 

  • Tuition Cost: $3,250

  • Number of Students: Approximately 16 students per class 

The Summer Science Program (SSP)

The Summer Science Program, an independent nonprofit, currently offers six programs for students, offered on-site at various campuses. Participants will complete an actual research project within their designated team.

  • Astrophysics (three programs): Students complete research in near-earth asteroid orbit determination at New Mexico Tech, the University of Colorado, or the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. 

  • Biochemistry (two programs): Students complete research in fungal crop pathogens at Purdue University or Indiana University. 

  • Genomics (one program): Students complete research on the evolution of antibiotic resistance at Purdue University. 

SSP emphasizes that these programs are not for learning about science but for doing science.

Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS) 

PROMYS was founded in 1989 and today is held on campus at Boston University. This program is for any highly motivated high school student who has completed their first year. PROMYS participants begin each day with a Number Theory lecture but also learn from the following activities: 

  • Advanced seminars 

  • Guest lectures 

  • Research projects 

  • Exploration labs 

  • Counselor mini courses 

PROMYS strongly encourages underrepresented groups in STEM to apply. This can include students who are female, Black, Latino/a, or belong to another underrepresented group. 

Program Length: Six weeks 

Tuition Cost: $5,500

Number of Students: Approximately 80 

Michigan State High School Honors Math, Science, and Engineering Program (HSHSP)

Founded in 1958, HSHSP is the oldest program of its kind in the country. The program's goal is for its participants to "live and breathe" research in a higher education environment. Participants learn about the research process and the "right kind of social context for such knowledge and expertise to flourish." 

The program's primary goal is not to produce award-winning research projects (although that does happen) but to provide enrichment opportunities to students to learn about STEM and even make some great friends along the way. 

  • Program Length: Seven weeks 

  • Program Fee: $3,800

  • Number of Students: Approximately 26 

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) 

SIMR is an internship program for high school juniors and seniors. Participants conduct hands-on research as part of the program, and selected students have eight research areas to choose from: 

  • Immunology 

  • Neurobiology 

  • Cancer Biology 

  • Bioengineering

  • Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine

  • Cardiovascular Biology 

  • Bioinformatics 

  • Genetics and Genomics

Participants conduct research under one-on-one guidance at a top-class lab at Stanford University. 

  • Program Length: Eight Weeks 

  • Tuition Cost: Free if selected 

  • Number of Students: Approximately 50