§ Physics

Physics programs for high schoolers.

306 programs indexed in physics. 187 are free or pay a stipend. 22 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new physics program.

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All physics programs

Agency for Science, Technology and Research
A*STAR Scientific Research Programme
Government research placements for pre-university students in Singapore.
📍 Singapore⏱ 8 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Idaho Transportation Department Division of Aeronautics
ACE Academy
High-school students explore aviation careers through visits to air-traffic-control facilities, flight schools, aerospace businesses, military aviation operations and other aviation organizations.
📍 ID🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins CTY
Advanced Topics in Physics: Special Relativity
If a woman travels to a nearby star system at close to the speed of light, she will return much younger than her twin sister, who stayed home. This is just one of the discoveries revealed by Albert...
📍 Multiple🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)
AEOP High School Apprenticeship Program
Students work alongside Army scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research projects in world-class laboratories.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 8 weeks📅 Early March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
CU Science Discovery
Aerospace
Students explore aerospace engineering, satellite operations, space science and related technologies through hands-on activities and visits to CU facilities such as LASP and Fiske Planetarium.
📍 CO🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Nevada, Reno College of Engineering
Aerospace Mini-Camp
High-school engineering camp focused on aerospace concepts and hands-on engineering activities. UNR has already confirmed the program in its Summer 2027 high-school camp lineup.
📍 NV🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Air Force Research Laboratory
AFRL Scholars Program (Kirtland AFB)
A paid research internship at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque for upper-level high school students (16+) pursuing STEM, placing scholars on real technical-directorate projects such as directed energy, lasers, optics, and space vehicle research with a dedicated mentor.
📍 Albuquerque, NM (Kirtland AFB)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Texas A&M University College of Education and Human Development
Aggie STEM Overnight Camp
A 6-day, 6-night project-based STEM camp at Texas A&M for incoming 6th-12th graders, with engineering challenges, physics demonstrations and problem-solving activities.
📍 College Station, TX📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, hosted by UAH
Alabama High School Regional Science Bowl
A fast-paced, quiz-bowl-style academic competition testing high school teams' knowledge across biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, math, and energy topics, hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
📍 University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Alabama Academy of Science
Alabama Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) / Gorgas Scholarship Competition
A research-based scholarship competition and high school outreach program in which students in grades 9-12 present original research papers and defend them orally at regional and state symposia, with top competitors advancing to the national Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.
📍 Regional sites statewide (2027 regional conference at Alabama State University), AL📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Auburn University COSAM Outreach / Science Olympiad
Alabama Science Olympiad (State Tournament, Division C)
A statewide STEM team competition where high school students (Division C) compete in up to 23 events spanning earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, math, and engineering, advancing from regional to state to national tournaments.
📍 University of Alabama (Division C state tournament), Tuscaloosa, AL📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium / University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
A statewide STEM research symposium where Alaska high schoolers present original research to a panel of scientists and researchers, competing for recognition and scholarships with a pathway to the national JSHS competition.
📍 Fairbanks, AK (UAF, regional symposium)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Amgen Foundation
Amgen Scholars — Europe & Asia
Fully funded summer research at host institutions across Europe and Asia for undergraduates in the sciences.
📍 Various📅 January🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Advanced Materials Research Institute, LSU New Orleans
AMRI High School Summer Research Program
An 8-week, full-time paid research experience where high schoolers from the Greater New Orleans area work side-by-side with scientists in labs spanning chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, psychology, and mathematics.
📍 New Orleans, LA📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of South Florida
Anatomy of a Roller Coaster
Students study force, energy, momentum, friction, braking and structural design before analyzing real rides at Busch Gardens and designing their own coaster.
📍 FL🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Texas Tech University
Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
An intensive seven-week summer research program in which twelve rising high school seniors and recent graduates work one-on-one with Texas Tech faculty. Open to almost any academic area, from natural sciences and mathematics to humanities and fine arts, with weekly seminars and field trips.
📍 Lubbock, TX📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Australian National University
ANU Extension
University-level courses for high-achieving high school students in Canberra.
📍 Canberra, Australia⏱ 1 year📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne Exemplary Student Research Program
Chicago-area students conduct year-long research mentored by Argonne scientists.
📍 IL⏱ School year📅 October🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Mississippi
ARISE@UM
Students spend four weeks conducting mentored research in fields including biology, chemistry, engineering, neuroscience, nanomaterials, physics, and renewable-energy chemistry while also earning up to six college credits. Summer 2027 applications are forthcoming.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Arkansas State University / Arkansas Department of Education
Arkansas Governor's School
A five-week residential program for high-achieving high school students in Arkansas focused on math, science, and the arts.
📍 Russellville, AR⏱ 5 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program
ASDRP (RISE)
Free year-round Bay Area lab research. Open application.
📍 CA⏱ Year-round📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
APhO
Asian Physics Olympiad
Asia-Pacific regional physics olympiad; selection through each country's national physics olympiad.
📍 Asia-Pacific (rotating)📅 Varies by country🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology / ASM International
ASM Exploring Materials in Your World
Free selective materials-science program using laboratory equipment, experiments and team problem solving to investigate how materials behave and are engineered.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Pennsylvania
Astronomical Techniques Research Academy
Two-week residential academy at Penn. Students learn observational astronomy and data analysis, build simple cameras and spectrometers, observe the Sun and stars, and analyze data with Python. Current 9th-11th graders; non-credit.
📍 Philadelphia, PA⏱ 2 weeks (July 11 - 25, 2026)🎓 Grades 9–11
Moderate
Rutgers University Pre-College Summer Programs
Astronomy & Astrophysics Summer Academy
A residential, in-person academy at Rutgers-New Brunswick where rising sophomores/juniors (ages 16-18) spend one or two weeks studying planetary science, stellar evolution, exoplanets, and cosmology through lectures, observation, and field trips.
📍 New Brunswick, NJ📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education and Outreach
Astronomy Camp (UW-Stevens Point)
Four-day camp with hands-on observation, remote observatory use, stargazing and lessons from working astronomers on topics such as dark matter and the Sun.
📍 Stevens Point, WI📅 Varies🎓 Grades 8–12
Moderate
Wisconsin Science Education Foundation (WiSEF)
Badger State Science and Engineering Fair (BSSEF)
Wisconsin's ISEF-affiliated state science and engineering fair where students present original research projects in a Senior High division; winners can advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair.
📍 Milwaukee, WI📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
CERN
Beamline for Schools
CERN physics competition where student teams worldwide propose and run an experiment at a real particle accelerator.
📍 Geneva, Switzerland + Remote proposals📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Bennington College
Bennington Young Scientists Awards
A free competition for high school students in the Natural Sciences category, submitting visual work such as field guides, scientific drawings, research posters or process diagrams that show their understanding of the natural world.
📍 Online submission (Bennington College, Bennington, VT)📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Johns Hopkins University
Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens (BRBT)
Rising sophomores through seniors spend five weeks conducting hands-on biophysics and biomedical research while studying scientific writing, mathematics, data analysis, and bioethics. The program is a paid internship; Hopkins materials list a $5,500 stipend.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Virginia Space Grant Consortium
BLAST (Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology)
Free three-day residential STEM program on a Virginia college campus with hands-on activities, no prior STEM experience required, hosted at ODU, Radford, UVA, Virginia Tech and William & Mary.
📍 ODU, Radford, UVA, Virginia Tech, William & Mary (VA)📅 February🎓 Grades 8–9
Selective
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary
Blue Crab Bowl (Virginia Regional National Ocean Sciences Bowl)
Virginia's regional National Ocean Sciences Bowl, in which up to 16 teams of five high school students answer questions on ocean science topics including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, maritime history and marine policy.
📍 Gloucester Point, VA (VIMS)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
U.S. DOE / Bonneville Power Administration
BPA Regional High School Science Bowl
Fast-paced team competition covering math, physics, chemistry, biology, earth/space science and energy.
📍 OR🎓 Grades 9, 12
Selective
Breakthrough Prize Foundation
Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Create a short video explaining a big idea in science or math. Global competition for ages 13–18 with a $250K college scholarship.
📍 Global📅 June🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
Brilliant.org
Brilliant.org High School Problem Solving Track
While the physical show has locations, the virtual 'Think Tank' and 'Daily Challenge' offer online logic and math problems for students nationwide.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling (Weekly)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Oxford
British Physics Olympiad
A tiered set of national physics competitions (Junior, Senior, Round 1/2) open to UK secondary students, with international variants schools worldwide can register for.
📍 United Kingdom⏱ Exam📅 Nov (senior) · Mar (junior)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Ohio Academy of Science
Buckeye Science & Engineering Fair
Independent statewide ISEF-affiliated research fair. Ohio students present original STEM research; six projects advanced directly to Regeneron ISEF in 2026.
📍 OH🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Build Big Dreams Youth STEM Conference
More than 800 students attended the 2026 conference for hands-on STEM activities, demonstrations, panels and direct interaction with scientists and engineers. Grades 9–10 fall within its 7–10 eligibility range.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–10
Selective
Montana Learning Center
Camp Explore the Universe
Five-day overnight astronomy program using advanced telescopes and cameras to observe planets, galaxies, nebulae and the Sun and to process astronomical images.
📍 MT🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
The College of New Jersey School of Science
Camp Innovate and Investigate
Rising sophomores through seniors conduct hands-on work across biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and mathematics, including sustainability-focused investigations. The 2026 fee was $500.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
European Space Agency
CanSat Competition (ESA)
Build a satellite the size of a soda can. National rounds in ESA member states; European final each spring.
📍 Various📅 National rounds fall🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
CERN
CERN Summer Student Programme
Paid 8–13 week summer programme at CERN for undergrads worldwide in physics, engineering, or computing.
📍 Various📅 January🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University at Buffalo
Chem-E Camp
Week-long chemical-engineering program for upperclassmen interested in chemistry, physics and mathematics. The 2026 fee was $400.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Texas Tech University
Clark Scholars Program
Intensive research with TTU faculty across STEM and humanities. $750 stipend, room and board covered.
📍 TX (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Carnegie Mellon University
CMU SAMS
Fully-funded STEM immersion for rising seniors from underrepresented backgrounds.
📍 PA⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 Mid-February🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines REACH
Engineering immersion at Mines. Scholarships for Colorado students from underrepresented backgrounds.
📍 CO⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
Columbia University
Columbia Junior Science Journal
Peer-reviewed high-school-authored science journal at Columbia.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Annual (opens July, closes October)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Dayton
Come and See-UD Engineering Experiences
Discipline-specific day camps in mechanical, chemical, electrical/computer, civil and engineering technology plus computer science and physics.
📍 OH🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
University of California
COSMOS
UC residential STEM program. Need-based fee waivers cover full cost for qualifying families.
📍 CA⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Creation Crates
Students receive an at-home engineering kit and meet online with Rose-Hulman faculty to design, construct, test, and analyze experimental apparatus.
📍 IN🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
DAAD
DAAD RISE Germany
Summer research internships in Germany for undergraduates from North America, UK, and Ireland; monthly stipend + travel.
📍 Various📅 December🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Davidson Institute
Davidson Fellows
Scholarships of USD 10K, 25K, and 50K for students under 18 with significant work in STEM, literature, music, or philosophy.
📍 Online application⏱ Project-based📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
DVSF
Delaware Valley Science Fairs
ISEF-affiliated research competition with awards/scholarships.
📍 PA🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering
Discover STEM
Students spend a week exploring current STEM research through laboratory tours, experiments, technology demonstrations, faculty presentations, and career discussions. Attendance is free.
📍 MN🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE STEM Rising / SCEP
Paid internships across the 17 DOE national laboratories.
📍 Multiple national labs (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 8-10 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Wichita State University College of Engineering
Electrical Circuits Camp
Students investigate electricity, resistance, circuit components, batteries, energy transfer, and series circuits through hands-on experiments.
📍 KS🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Mary
Emerging Engineers
Students design and build an engineering project, then compete with other teams while interacting with university engineering faculty and students.
📍 ND🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
UNC Institute for the Environment / UNC Physics Department
Energy LEAP (Literacy, Engagement and Action Program)
A free week-long summer program at UNC-Chapel Hill's Phillips Hall where high schoolers from Orange, Durham, Chatham, and Alamance counties build hydropower devices, test solar panels, design wind turbines, and tour energy facilities to examine current and future energy use.
📍 Chapel Hill, NC📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Mississippi
EPIC: Exploring particle Physics Integrated with Computing
Students work with particle detectors, run laboratory experiments, analyze authentic data, and see how physics, computing, and engineering intersect in experimental particle physics.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich Studienwoche
One-week research study weeks at ETH Zurich in math, physics, and CS.
📍 Zurich, Switzerland📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of New Mexico Department of Nuclear Engineering
Experience Nuclear Engineering
One-week residential, hands-on nuclear science and engineering program for approximately 20 students ages 15–18.
📍 NM🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Pennsylvania
Experimental Physics Research Academy
Participate in real experimental physics projects, gaining practical skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation within a university lab setting.
📍 PA🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Highly Selective
University of Southern Indiana
Explore Mechanical Engineering at USI
Students use CAD, 3D printing, materials testing, and engineering design activities to explore mechanical engineering.
📍 IN🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Virginia Tech College of Science
Explore Physical Sciences Camp
Residential camp for rising juniors and seniors studying physics, chemistry, nanoscience, quantum information science, batteries, groundwater and geomorphology.
📍 Blacksburg, VA📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Virginia Tech College of Science
Explore Science Residential Camp (Rising 9th-10th Grade)
Hands-on residential science camp led by Virginia Tech professors covering neuroscience, DNA, microbiology, paleontology, physics, nanoscience, crime scene investigation, creative coding and game theory.
📍 Blacksburg, VA📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–10
Moderate
Stevens Institute of Technology
Exploring Career Options in Engineering & Science (ECOES)
Two-week exploration of multiple engineering and scientific disciplines.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UMBC
Exploring the Career of Sonography
Students explore sonography and its role in healthcare and medical imaging.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Johns Hopkins University
Exploring the Universe with Space Telescopes
Students explore astronomy and the universe through the science of space telescopes.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
STEM Racing (formerly F1 in Schools)
F1 in Schools World Finals
International STEM competition where student teams design, build, and race miniature CO2-powered cars.
📍 International (rotating)📅 National rounds vary🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Louisiana State University Pre-College Programs
Fundamentals of Sound Engineering
Students study acoustics, microphone design, recording, synthesis, music software, Foley, sound design, music theory, and production while creating original recordings and sound effects.
📍 LA🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Kansas / University of Houston Future of Semiconductors 2
FuSe2 Summer Camp
Eligible high-school juniors and seniors from migratory-worker families spend a week exploring semiconductor research with KU and UH researchers. Participants receive a $1,000 stipend plus travel, lodging, and food.
📍 KS🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
UT Dallas Nanotech Institute
George A. Jeffries NanoExplorers Summer Research Program
An immersive 8-week, non-residential summer research program placing high school students in UT Dallas faculty labs across natural sciences, engineering, computer science and brain sciences. Students present their findings at a final symposium.
📍 Richardson, TX📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
National Security Agency
Gifted and Talented STEM Program
A paid full-time summer internship for high school seniors with strong STEM backgrounds (advanced physics, calculus, and computer science/engineering coursework), working at NSA's Fort Meade facilities for 10-12 weeks after graduation.
📍 Fort Meade, MD📅 October🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
National Research Foundation Singapore
Global Young Scientists Summit
Multidisciplinary summit where young scientists — including a small cohort of high-school participants — engage with Nobel laureates and Turing / Fields medalists.
📍 Singapore⏱ 5 days (January)📅 August🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Governor's Institutes of Vermont (GIV)
Governor's Institutes of Vermont: Weather & Climate Science Institute
Students forecast weather, explore climate change impacts on Vermont communities and practice science communication, with weather balloon launches, storm-chasing simulations and trips to the National Weather Service and the Fairbanks Museum.
📍 Vermont State University Lyndon, Lyndon, VT📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Governor's School for the Sciences and Engineering (GSSE)
A four-week residential enrichment program at UT Knoxville where outstanding rising Tennessee high school juniors and seniors take core courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math plus electives like robotics, AI, nuclear engineering, and environmental science, earning five college credit hours.
📍 Knoxville, TN📅 December🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Drew University / State of New Jersey
Governor's School in the Sciences
Three-week residential program for rising NJ seniors combining advanced science/math courses, laboratories, lectures and hands-on team research. Tuition, room and board are free.
📍 NJ🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Rutgers University / State of New Jersey
Governor's School of Engineering & Technology
Selective residential program for outstanding NJ juniors featuring university-level engineering coursework, laboratory work, industry exposure and a team research/design project.
📍 NJ🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
HAAEA Summer Internship Program
High-school and university students complete hands-on aerospace activities, develop research skills and build professional skills through UH's Hawaiʻi Aspiring Aerospace Engineers Academy.
📍 HI🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Michigan Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers
Rising seniors attend a free four-week residential program in nuclear engineering, clean energy, technical communication, leadership, mathematics, and engineering design. Participants also receive a stipend.
📍 MI🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Kapiʻolani Community College
Hawaiʻi Physics Olympics
High-school teams solve hands-on physics and engineering challenges involving design, measurement and problem-solving.
📍 HI🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Cambridge
HE+ Cambridge
Free supracurricular resources, subject taster videos, and reading lists from Cambridge academics — designed to stretch Year 12/13 students preparing for competitive applications.
📍 Remote (UK/Global)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling · anytime🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa
Heartland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
Iowa and Nebraska's regional STEM research symposium where high schoolers submit original research papers and the top 15 present orally to judges for scholarships, with winners advancing to nationals.
📍 Regional symposium in Iowa/Nebraska📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy
HI STAR — Hawaiʻi Student/Teacher Astronomy Research
Maui students learn astronomy research methods using real astronomical datasets and receive mentorship in scientific investigation.
📍 HI🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Brookhaven National Laboratory (DOE)
High School Research Program (HSRP) at Brookhaven
Paid summer research program for local students to gain hands-on experience in physics and engineering at a major particle physics lab.
📍 Upton, NY⏱ 8 weeks📅 January 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Central Florida PREM Center
High School Summer Internship Program — CQ-MIEE
Juniors and seniors join one of ten UCF research laboratories studying quantum materials at the intersection of physics, chemistry, biology and engineering.
📍 FL🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Eastern Michigan University STEM-Ed Institute
High School Summer Science Program
Students work in pairs with EMU faculty and undergraduate researchers for three weeks on an original biology, chemistry, or physics project, then present their results. Participation is free.
📍 MI🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Pierce College Science Dome with Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium
High-Altitude Balloon Camp (Pierce College Science Dome)
Application-based summer camp for grades 10-12 where students experiment, code and launch a high-altitude balloon, including an overnight trip to Eastern Washington for the launch.
📍 Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Lakewood, Washington📅 June🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Delaware CHARM MRSEC
HighRise — Materials Laboratory Experiences for High Schoolers
Students rotate through university soft- and hard-materials laboratories and explore polymers, semiconductors, nanomaterials and materials engineering with researchers.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Idaho STEM Action Center
Idaho Science & Engineering Fairs (IDSEF)
Idaho students conduct original STEM research and compete through the Northern, Western or Eastern Idaho regional science and engineering fairs, with top high-school projects advancing toward Regeneron ISEF.
📍 ID🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Idaho Department of Education / University of Idaho
Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars (ISAS)
Idaho juniors complete a NASA-developed online course and semester project; top performers advance to a weeklong residential academy centered on a simulated human mission to Mars.
📍 ID🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Idaho Science Olympiad
Idaho Science Olympiad
The Division C (high school) branch of the national Science Olympiad competition, in which teams train and test across events spanning biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and engineering, with winners advancing toward nationals.
📍 Statewide (Boise State University-area host site)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Indian Institute of Science
IISc Summer Fellowship
Research fellowship at India's premier science institute in Bengaluru.
📍 Bengaluru, India⏱ 8 weeks📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Illinois State University CeMaST
Illinois State University Research Experience (ISURE)
High-school students spend two weeks working in university research settings and developing research skills with Illinois State faculty. The 2026 program charged a $100 participation fee, with scholarships available.
📍 IL🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Whitworth University (U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl)
Inland Northwest High School Regional Science Bowl
Regional DOE Science Bowl for high schools in nine eastern Washington counties and ten north Idaho counties, hosted at Whitworth University with up to three teams per school.
📍 Whitworth University, Spokane, Washington📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
IOAA
International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad
International olympiad in astronomy and astrophysics with national selection rounds.
📍 Varies (International)⏱ 1 week📅 Summer🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Terra Science
International Journal of High School Research
Open-access peer-reviewed journal for HS research across disciplines.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
IJSO
International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO)
International science competition for students aged 15 and under, combining biology, chemistry, and physics in theory and experimental rounds.
📍 Rotates by host country⏱ 1 week (December)📅 National selection: spring🎓 Grades 9–10
Selective
IPhO
International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
Annual international physics competition for secondary students; entry is through the national physics olympiad in your country.
📍 Rotates by host country⏱ 2-day exam + travel📅 National selection: fall🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Edu Mithra
International Space Olympiad
International olympiad on space science, astronomy, and rocketry with online prelims.
📍 India + Global📅 Autumn🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
IYPT
International Young Physicists' Tournament
International team competition where students research and defend solutions to open-ended physics problems.
📍 Rotates by host country📅 January (national selection)🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
IYPT US / USAYPT
International Young Physicists' Tournament (Online Regional)
Global physics competition for teams to solve 7 open-ended problems and present their results in online 'Physics Fights'.
📍 Online/Global⏱ Intermittent (matches)📅 February (Registration)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
IYNC
International Youth Nuclear Congress
Biennial international conference for young professionals and students in nuclear science.
📍 Rotates by host country📅 Biennial🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
IZhO
International Zhautykov Olympiad
International math, physics, and CS olympiad hosted in Kazakhstan; individual events.
📍 Almaty, Kazakhstan📅 January🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Oakland University
Introduction to Quantum Physics and Research Opportunities
Students entering grades 10–12 study introductory quantum physics while learning about current physics research opportunities.
📍 MI🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Iowa Academy of Science
Iowa Junior Academy of Science
A mentoring program connecting middle and high school students with Iowa scientists, supporting original research projects, proposal writing, and presentations at the Academy's annual spring meeting.
📍 Statewide, Iowa📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Iowa Academy of Science
Iowa Junior Academy of Science Symposium
A statewide competition in Iowa where students present original STEM research to judges from industry and academia.
📍 Iowa City, IA⏱ 1 day📅 February 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Cambridge
Isaac Physics
Free platform of physics and math problem sets with online mentoring, mastery levels, and printable revision sheets used by GCSE, A-level, and international students worldwide.
📍 Remote (UK/Global)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling · anytime🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
William & Mary Center for Gifted Education / Jefferson Lab
Jefferson Lab Engineering Governor's School Mentorship
Four-week summer residential Governor's School mentorship in which engineering students join existing research teams at Jefferson Lab in Newport News and give a technical presentation at the end.
📍 Newport News, VA📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab)
Jefferson Lab High School Summer Honors Program (HSSHP)
Paid summer internship at Jefferson Lab in which high school students work with mentors on scientific or technical projects. Requires a student application, two recommender forms, a parent acknowledgement and a transcript.
📍 Newport News, VA📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
JEI (Harvard)
Journal of Emerging Investigators
Free peer-reviewed publication venue for middle/high school STEM research. Real PhD reviewers.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
DoD / National Science Teaching Assoc
JSHS
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Regional and national competitions in original STEM research, with cash awards and DoD lab tours.
📍 Regional sites nationwide⏱ 2 days📅 Regional Jan-Mar🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium / University of Indianapolis
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) — Indiana Region
A Department of Defense-sponsored regional research symposium where Indiana high schoolers present original STEM research and compete for undergraduate tuition scholarships, hosted at the University of Indianapolis.
📍 Indianapolis, IN📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
KAIST
KAIST International Summer Program
STEM summer program at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
📍 Daejeon, South Korea⏱ 4 weeks📅 April🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Kansas Corporation Commission / K-State Engineering Extension
Kansas KidWind Challenge
Teams design and test wind turbines, complete a renewable-energy knowledge component, and present their design process. Regional winners advance to the Kansas state event and potentially the World KidWind Challenge.
📍 KS🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Minnesota Morris (Kapemni Collaboration)
Kapemni Astrophysics Summer Camp
A fully NSF-funded, six-day residential astrophysics camp on the UMN Morris campus where high schoolers observe stars and deep-sky objects through telescopes, study relativity, gravitational waves, and the Big Bang, and learn Native American astronomy and mathematics from Indigenous astrophysicists. Participants earn one UMN Morris college credit for Phys 1007.
📍 Morris, MN📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Princeton University
Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
A free, full-time 5-6 week summer research placement for local New Jersey high schoolers inside an active Princeton lab, closely supervised by faculty and research staff across biophysics, engineering, psychology, and the natural sciences.
📍 Princeton, NJ📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Los Alamos National Laboratory
LANL UTS High School Pipeline
Paid internships at LANL for Northern New Mexico students.
📍 NM⏱ 8-10 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Caltech
LIGO SURF
Gravitational-wave research at Caltech. Need-based travel and housing aid.
📍 CA⏱ 10 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
USM STEM Outreach / National Science Bowl
Maine High School Science Bowl
The Maine regional of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Science Bowl, where four-student high school teams face off in fast-paced question-and-answer rounds covering biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, energy, and math.
📍 USM Portland Campus, Portland, ME🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Maine Science Olympiad
Maine Science Olympiad
Maine's Division C state tournament of the nationwide Science Olympiad, where high school teams of up to 15 students compete across 23 events spanning biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, math, and engineering.
📍 Statewide (site varies), ME🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The Jackson Laboratory & Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance
Maine State Science Fair
Maine's statewide science fair, open to students in grades 9-12 from any public, private, parochial, or home school, where participants present independent research projects to expert judges for cash prizes and college scholarships.
📍 Statewide (rotating host high school), ME📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
Mapping the Cosmos: From Kilometer to Megaparsec
Students investigate astronomical scales and the structure of the universe.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Marshall University College of Science
Marshall High School Science Day
A campus day for high school students with hands-on science demonstrations, liquid nitrogen ice cream, a portable planetarium and a look at the College's Scanning Electron Microscope.
📍 Huntington, WV📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Maryland Science Olympiad
Maryland Science Olympiad
The Maryland chapter of the national Science Olympiad competition, where high school teams (Division C) compete in 23 STEM events spanning earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering, advancing from regional to state tournaments.
📍 Maryland (regional sites; 2027 state tournament at UMBC)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.
Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair
A statewide science and engineering fair open to grades 9-12 that requires a research plan, project notebook, lab report, visual display, and oral presentation, with top projects advancing to the International Science and Engineering Fair.
📍 Massachusetts (statewide, regional fairs and state finals)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Science Olympiad (Massachusetts state chapter)
Massachusetts State Science Olympiad
A statewide Science Olympiad competition where Division C (high school) teams compete in 23 STEM events spanning earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering, advancing from regionals to the state tournament.
📍 Various Massachusetts campuses (Wentworth, WPI, Framingham State)📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Montana Tech
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Summer Program
Fully funded residential program for rising juniors and seniors featuring hands-on metallurgy/materials experiments, industrial field trips and exposure to materials-science careers. Housing, meals and program materials were covered in 2026.
📍 MT🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Michigan
Michigan Math & Science Scholars
Hands-on math/science programs at U-M. Need-based aid available.
📍 MI⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 May🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Michigan LSA
Michigan Math & Science Scholars (MMSS)
A two-week, faculty-taught summer program offering high school students focused courses across math, biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, astronomy, and environmental science, with residential or commuter options.
📍 Ann Arbor, MI📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Michigan
Michigan MMSS / MMPS
University of Michigan math/physics summer programs for HS students.
📍 Ann Arbor, MI⏱ 2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Michigan Science Olympiad
Michigan Science Olympiad (Division C)
Statewide team competition for high school (Division C) students: school teams compete in dozens of hands-on and written events at regional tournaments, with top teams advancing to the state tournament. Teams register through a head coach; 2026-27 team fees are $300 for a primary team (early bird to December 18, 2026) and $400 after.
📍 Michigan (regional and state tournaments)📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Minnesota Academy of Science
Minnesota Science Bowl
A fast-paced team quiz-bowl competition covering biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and math. The 2027 High School Science Bowl will be held January 23 at Hamline University; winning teams receive full funding to represent Minnesota at the National Science Bowl.
📍 St. Paul, MN📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Minnesota Science Olympiad (state affiliate of Science Olympiad, Inc.)
Minnesota Science Olympiad
Minnesota's Division C (high school) Science Olympiad tournament, with 750+ students across 76 teams from 46 schools competing in events spanning earth science through physics; Mounds View High School won the 2026 state championship.
📍 Minnesota (statewide)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
State of Mississippi / Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi Governor's School
Gifted Mississippi sophomores and juniors attend a free two-week residential honors program with challenging courses, leadership, service, team-building, and three hours of honors college credit. The 2027 program runs June 6–19.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
Mississippi State University / MDOT / FHWA
Mississippi Summer Transportation Institute
Mississippi students explore road, rail, air, water, and transmission systems through laboratories, bridge projects, flight simulation, field trips, and engineering activities. The residential program is free.
📍 MS🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
MIT Office of Engineering Outreach
MIT MITES
Free rigorous six-week residential STEM program for underrepresented HS juniors.
📍 Cambridge, MA⏱ 6 weeks📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
MIT
MITES Summer
Rigorous STEM enrichment for rising seniors from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds. Fully funded.
📍 MA (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Montana Learning Center / Montana Space Grant Consortium
Montana Aerospace Scholars — Freshmen & Sophomore Program
Two-stage Montana-resident program beginning with online aerospace assignments; successful students qualify for a summer residency involving mission design, space exploration and STEM-career experiences.
📍 MT🎓 Grades 9–10
Moderate
Montana Learning Center / Montana Space Grant Consortium
Montana Aerospace Scholars — Junior & Senior Program
Advanced Aerospace Scholars track for Montana upperclassmen combining preparatory work with a residential aerospace experience built around planetary exploration, missions and STEM career pathways.
📍 MT🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
ScienceMONTGOMERY
Montgomery County Science Fair
An in-person three-day regional science and engineering fair (ISEF-affiliated) open to public, private, and homeschool students in grades 6-12 in Montgomery County, judged across biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, math, and physics categories.
📍 Silver Spring, MD📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Cameron University
NanoExplorers
Hands-on nanotechnology, chemistry, physics and STEM research academy.
📍 OK🎓 Grades 9, 12
Selective
NASA
NASA Citizen Science
Dozens of free NASA citizen-science projects. Your contributions co-author published papers.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Anytime🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
NASA Goddard High School Internship (OSTEM)
A paid summer internship for DC/Maryland area high school students focusing on physical sciences and earth observation.
📍 Greenbelt, MD⏱ 8 weeks📅 January 31🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
NASA
NASA High School Internship Program (OSTEM)
Students participate in NASA's mission-driven projects through unique internship experiences at NASA centers across the country.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 10 weeks📅 January 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
NASA
NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships - Goddard Space Flight Center
Paid, project-based internships (10 weeks in summer) at NASA field centers, including Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, open to students 16+ enrolled at least part-time, working directly with NASA mentors on real projects.
📍 Greenbelt, MD (Goddard Space Flight Center)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
NASA / Future Engineers
NASA TechRise Student Challenge
Teams design space-bound experiments. Winners receive USD 1500 and their payload flies on a high-altitude balloon.
📍 Online⏱ School year📅 November🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
NASA Wallops Flight Facility
NASA Wallops Flight Facility High School Internship
Six-week NASA internship session at Wallops for high school students 16 or older, applied for through intern.nasa.gov.
📍 Wallops Island, VA📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
National Youth Science Academy
National Youth Science Camp
A residential STEAM program in the Monongahela National Forest with two daily lectures by STEM experts, small-group directed studies, an outdoor adventure program, an arts program and a trip to Washington, DC.
📍 Monongahela National Forest, WV📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Selective
United States Naval Academy
Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS)
A competitive six-day residential summer program for current high school juniors who live in Bancroft Hall and take part in engineering, science, and humanities workshops alongside military training and leadership activities.
📍 Annapolis, MD📅 March🎓 Grade 11
Moderate
National Center for Atmospheric Research
NCAR Atmospheric Research Internship
Paid climate/atmospheric science research in Boulder.
📍 CO⏱ 10 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Nebraska Center for Materials & Nanoscience, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
NCMN STEM High School Internship
Lincoln-area high-school students conduct real research in UNL physics, engineering or chemistry laboratories for about eight weeks. Interns work roughly 20 hours/week, earn $15/hour and complete a final research poster; no prior research experience is required.
📍 NE🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
New Jersey Science League
New Jersey Science League
School-based statewide academic science league with individual and team competitions in subjects including biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, anatomy/physiology and earth science.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
NASA / Rutgers University
New Jersey Space Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
A NASA-funded statewide consortium headquartered at Rutgers that funds K-12 'bridge' STEM programs connecting NJ high schoolers with university researchers — historically including support for Liberty Science Center's Partners in Science and Rutgers engineering outreach for girls — plus fellowships for aerospace-related research.
📍 New Brunswick, NJ (statewide)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Cornell University (lead institution, NASA Space Grant)
New York Space Grant Consortium
A NASA-funded statewide consortium of colleges, universities, and industry partners that funds K-12 STEM engagement, student project teams, and competitions to prepare New York students for careers with NASA and the aerospace/high-tech workforce.
📍 Ithaca, NY (Cornell University) and statewide partner campuses📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
New Mexico State University STEM Outreach Center
NM Network Aviation Camp High School Internship Experience
Rising grades 9–12 participate in a week-long aviation/STEM program; 2026 participants received a $250 stipend plus documentation of 40 internship hours.
📍 NM🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Northwest Science Expo System
Northwest Science Expo
Oregon's statewide ISEF-affiliated science-research competition; regional qualifiers advance to NWSE and top projects to Regeneron ISEF.
📍 OR🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Northwestern University Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Northwestern University Research Program for High Schoolers (NURPH)
Rising juniors and seniors from the Chicago/Evanston area spend seven weeks carrying out original materials-science research with Northwestern researchers. The program is paid and does not require previous research experience.
📍 IL🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Nuclear Engineering Camp
Residential introduction to nuclear engineering, including nuclear power and biomedical/technical applications. 2026 fee was $1,200.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Idaho National Laboratory
Nuclear Science Camp
Students investigate nuclear science and energy through hands-on activities connected to Idaho National Laboratory's research mission.
📍 ID🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Nuffield Foundation
Nuffield Research Placements
Fully-funded UK STEM research placements for Year 12 students, prioritized for those from low-income backgrounds; hosted by universities, research institutes, and companies.
📍 United Kingdom⏱ 4–6 weeks (summer)📅 March (UK Year 12)🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Ohio State University / Ohio Science Olympiad
Ohio Science Olympiad
School teams compete across 23 STEM events through regional and state tournaments, with top teams advancing nationally. The 2027 Ohio state tournament is hosted at Ohio State.
📍 OH🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Rose State College / U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science
Oklahoma High School Regional Science Bowl
A fast-paced, Jeopardy-style academic competition testing high school teams on biology, chemistry, physics, earth/space science, math, and energy; the Oklahoma regional winner advances to the National Science Bowl finals.
📍 Midwest City, OK📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Oklahoma Science Olympiad
Oklahoma Science Olympiad
Team-based STEM competition spanning biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, engineering and technology.
📍 OK🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State Science & Engineering Fair
ISEF-affiliated statewide research fair; students advance from regional fairs and present original STEM research.
📍 OK🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Operation Catapult
Students completing grades 10 or 11 spend 11 days conducting engineering and science experiments, using faculty laboratories, and completing a team design project.
📍 IN🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
ORNL High School Summer Internship
Paid DOE national lab research at Oak Ridge.
📍 TN⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
ORNL Next Generation STEM Internship Program (NGSI)
A paid, highly competitive seven-week internship where rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates from accredited high schools in designated East Tennessee counties work under the mentorship of ORNL scientists and technical staff on real STEM projects.
📍 Oak Ridge, TN📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
OSSM Summer Academies
One- and two-week residential academic enrichment camps at OSSM in Oklahoma City for high school students interested in math and science, taught by OSSM faculty with afternoon field trips and evening activities.
📍 Oklahoma City, OK📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl)
Pacific Northwest High School Regional Science Bowl (DOE National Science Bowl)
Regional high school science quiz competition hosted by PNNL for schools in listed Washington and Oregon counties, with the winning team advancing to the DOE National Science Bowl.
📍 Columbia Basin College, Pasco, Washington📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)
PARI Summer Camps
One- or two-week camps for high-school-age students on a historic former NASA/DoD campus, using real scientific instruments and professional telescopes to follow the same research processes as working scientists in space science, astronomy and astrophysics.
📍 Rosman, NC📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Liberty Science Center
Partners in Science
An intensive eight-week summer mentorship, running since 1986, that pairs NJ high school juniors/seniors with scientist mentors at regional institutions (NJIT, Princeton, Rowan, Rutgers, Stevens, and more) for hands-on lab research, plus biweekly career workshops at LSC.
📍 Jersey City, NJ (placements statewide)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Ohio Northern University
Pathways to STEM Camp
Residential multidisciplinary camp with microbiology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, physics, civil/mechanical engineering, robotics and manufacturing labs.
📍 OH🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Pennsylvania
Penn PREHSS
Five-week mentored laboratory research in biology, chemistry, physics/astronomy, linguistics or psychology, culminating in a presentation.
📍 PA🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
PJAS
Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science
Individual scientific research presentations and awards.
📍 PA🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
Pennsylvania Science Olympiad
Pennsylvania Science Olympiad
Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, Earth Science events.
📍 PA🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
AAPT
Physics Bowl
International multiple-choice physics competition for HS students.
📍 Global⏱ 45 min📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts
Physics in Motion: Theme Park Thrills
Students use geometry, trigonometry, statistics, probability and physics to analyze the motion and design of amusement rides, culminating in field measurements at a theme park.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 9–10
Selective
Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University
Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
A free residential summer program at FRIB where high school students explore nuclear astrophysics, conduct their own experiments, and tour a world-leading rare-isotope laboratory.
📍 East Lansing, MI📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UBC
Physics Olympics
Annual lab and theory physics competition for high schools.
📍 Vancouver, BC⏱ 1 day📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University
PING: Physicists Inspiring the Next Generation (FRIB)
Two-week nuclear physics research experience for high school students at FRIB, pairing pre-college students with undergraduate mentors on a research project with possible national conference presentation and year-long continuation. Fully NSF-funded and free to participants; 2026 session ran July 12-25 (applications Jan 15 - Mar 15).
📍 East Lansing, MI📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Pioneer Academics
Pioneer Academics (Aid)
Accredited college-level research with US professors. Need-based aid up to full tuition.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 15 weeks📅 Multiple cycles🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
Kamin Science Center
Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair
STEM research competition.
📍 PA🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Princeton Plasma Physics Lab
PPPL Plasma Physics Research
DOE national lab program — fusion and plasma research mentorship.
📍 NJ⏱ 1 week + mentorship📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Princeton University / Princeton Center for Complex Materials
Princeton University Materials Academy (PUMA)
A three-week, free materials-science and engineering program that has brought Trenton-area and other NJ high schoolers to Princeton's campus every summer since 2002 for inquiry-based labs, faculty-led research projects, and career-path conversations with grad students.
📍 Princeton, NJ📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Project SELECT
Students completing grades 9 or 10 investigate biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering through hands-on experiments and design-and-build activities.
📍 IN🎓 Grades 9–10
Moderate
UMass Lowell
PROPEL (Professional Research Opportunities to Prepare for Engineering and Life Sciences)
A competitive, full-time paid summer internship placing Massachusetts high school students in UMass Lowell labs to conduct research in engineering and life sciences alongside faculty and student mentors.
📍 Lowell, MA📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Green Bank Observatory / WVU / NANOGrav
Pulsar Science Collaboratory
An out-of-school citizen science project in which, after training, members analyze radio astronomy data from the Green Bank Telescope to search for new pulsars; students aged 13 and up and teachers can join.
📍 Online (with optional Green Bank, WV events)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Purdue University
Purdue STAR (STEM Academic Research)
Free research immersion at Purdue for Indiana students underrepresented in STEM.
📍 IN⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Sandia National Laboratories
QCaMP (Quantum, Computing, Mathematics & Physics)
A free, week-long summer camp introducing high school students to quantum information science and technology, covering classical computing, quantum mechanics phenomena, and programming on a real quantum computer, offered in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Gallup.
📍 Albuquerque / Santa Fe / Gallup, NM📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
OHSU Galbraith Lab
Quantitative Biology / Biophysics Internship
Eight-week laboratory experience involving quantitative biology, biophysics, experiments and data analysis.
📍 OR🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Casper College
Quantum and Laser Fusion Science Camp
A two-week camp for high school students interested in physics, engineering and technology, with instruction from Texas A&M's Institute for Quantum Science & Engineering faculty and guest lecturers.
📍 Casper, WY📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
Quantum Bridge
High-school students receive an introduction to quantum science and technology.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Michigan State University College of Engineering
Quantum Motor City
A free NSF-supported summer camp introducing high school students to quantum computing, where participants program a real IBM quantum computer and tour MSU's Laboratory for Hybrid Quantum Systems.
📍 East Lansing, MI📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Physics and Astronomy
QUASAR — Quest for Understanding Astronomy, Science, and Research
Residential space-science camp involving professional telescopes, water rockets, gravitational mechanics, CAD, engineering challenges and the UNK Planetarium. The 2026 three-day program cost $100 including housing and meals.
📍 NE🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Green Bank Observatory
Radio Astronomer for a Day (Green Bank Observatory)
Student groups work in research teams to study cosmic objects with the 40-Foot radio telescope, collecting data overnight and reviewing results with a Green Bank educator.
📍 Green Bank, WV📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Society for Science
Regeneron ISEF
The largest international pre-college science fair. Qualify through an affiliated regional or state fair. Travel and lodging covered for finalists.
📍 Rotating US city⏱ 1 week📅 Regional Jan-Mar🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Alabama A&M University
Research Experience for Secondary School Students in Ceramics and Nanostructures
High-school students work in university laboratories on ceramics and nanostructured-materials research with faculty mentors during a summer research appointment.
📍 AL🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
University of Michigan Center for Materials Innovation
Research Experiences for Youth (REY)
Michigan 11th graders spend seven weeks doing materials-science research involving semiconductors, 2D materials, sustainable polymers, and computational, statistical, theoretical, or experimental methods.
📍 MI🎓 Grade 11
Selective
CEE × MIT
Research Science Institute (RSI)
The most selective free summer research program in the US. Six weeks of STEM research at MIT with PhD mentors.
📍 MA (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 Mid-January🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Rhode Island Science Olympiad / RIC
Rhode Island Science Olympiad
Team competition across laboratory, engineering, biology, chemistry, earth science and physics events.
📍 RI🎓 Grades 9, 12
Moderate
Rice University Office of STEM Engagement
Rice Sustainable Futures Academy
A free one-week enrichment academy for high school girls (other students may also apply) entering 10th or 11th grade, exploring engineering challenges focused on sustainability through labs and discussions with Rice faculty. Activities include landing capsules, roller coasters and circuits with micro:bits.
📍 Houston, TX📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
UC San Diego Materials Research Science and Engineering Center
RIMSE Summer Schools — High School Research
Local high-school students develop an independent materials-science "Discovery" project after securing a UCSD research mentor and work alongside the MRSEC research community.
📍 CA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Illinois Institute of Technology Elevate College Prep
Rocket Engineering 101
Students explore rocket design and engineering concepts in a hands-on high-school summer program. The 2026 daytime option was listed at $650.
📍 IL🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Sandia National Laboratories
Sandia High School Internship Program
Sandia hires students in their final years of high school for mentored R&D, engineering, technical and business work. High-school applicants generally must be at least 16; technical/R&D roles require a 3.0 GPA.
📍 NM🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Howard University / Johns Hopkins University
School2Lab
NCI-sponsored summer research fellowship pairing DMV high-school students with university researchers for cancer, medical-physics, computational, biological and biomedical research plus scientific communication and a poster presentation.
📍 DC🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
U.S. Navy / Naval Undersea Warfare Center
Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program — SEAP
High-school students work in Navy research laboratories; Rhode Island students can access placements at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport.
📍 RI🎓 Eligibility not confirmed
Moderate
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Science Accelerating Growth and Engagement (SAGE)
One-week day camp connecting students with LLNL scientists and engineers through hands-on STEM projects, job shadowing, laboratory/workplace tours and career exploration.
📍 CA🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
Department of the Navy / ONR
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Interns work at a Naval laboratory on real-world research under the mentorship of professional scientists and engineers.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 8 weeks📅 January 12🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
James Madison University School of Professional & Continuing Education / John C. Wells Planetarium
Science Explorers High School Residential Camp
Week-long residential camp for rising 9th to 12th graders with hands-on science in biology, earth science, chemistry, forensic science, physics and astronomy, run with the JMU planetarium.
📍 Harrisonburg, VA📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Columbia University
Science Honors Program (SHP)
A selective Saturday-morning program (10am-12:30pm, September-May) for high school sophomores through seniors living within 75 miles of Columbia's Morningside campus, with courses in the physical, chemical, biological, behavioral and computing sciences taught by active researchers. Starting Fall 2026 the annual program fee is $900 for new students ($700 returning), with hardship waivers possible.
📍 New York, NY (Columbia University, within 75 miles)📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad
Team-based STEM competition with 23 events spanning earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Regional through national rounds.
📍 School team + regional⏱ School year📅 Aug-May season🎓 Grades 6–12
Moderate
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Science on Saturday
Winter lecture series geared toward high-school students, featuring scientists and engineers discussing current research across physics, fusion, engineering and other technical fields.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
City of Cambridge / Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Cambridge Rindge and Latin students undertake a paid, year-long independent astrophysics research project with Center for Astrophysics scientists.
📍 MA🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
South Dakota Mines
SD Mines Summer Tech Academy
STEM camps at SD Mines. In-state aid.
📍 SD⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
San Diego State University
SDSU STARS (Training Astronomy Research Scholars)
A four-week summer astronomy research program pairing local high school juniors and seniors with SDSU faculty for hands-on telescope observation, Python programming, and data analysis.
📍 San Diego State University, San Diego, CA (with a trip to Mount Laguna Observatory)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
NASA / UT Austin CSR
SEES High School Summer Intern Program
An intensive research-based program where students work on projects in earth and space sciences using NASA satellite data.
📍 Austin, TX⏱ 2 weeks📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
University of Maine College of Engineering and Computing
Semiconductor Camp
High-school students study bits, gates, transistors, circuits, integrated devices, and semiconductor systems through hands-on electronics work and a Texas Instruments visit.
📍 ME🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Arizona College of Engineering
Semiconductors — Summer Engineering Academy
Students investigate how semiconductor devices are designed, manufactured, tested, and incorporated into products while exploring related engineering careers.
📍 AZ🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
New York University
Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program
A fully-funded, three-week residential program giving rising juniors, seniors, and recent grads college-level coursework and labs across biology, chemistry, neural science, physics, and psychology, taught by NYU faculty.
📍 New York, NY (NYU campus)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (STEM Education Research Center)
SIU STEM Research Academy
Four-week research camp for students in grades 9-12 to conduct authentic research alongside SIU faculty, choosing from 17 projects spanning physics, biology, computing, and environmental science.
📍 Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Rutgers Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
SLAAM Engineering Summer Academy
Two-week academy combining faculty-guided research projects with mechanical and aerospace engineering design challenges. The 2026 fee was $875.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
St. Mary's College of Maryland
SMCM Summer Space Camp
High-school students from St. Mary's, Calvert, and Charles counties participate in a free STEM-focused space camp led by three SMCM professors. Lunch is provided.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UMBC
Solar Powered: How to Harness the Power of the Sun
Students investigate solar power and renewable-energy technology.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
South Carolina Academy of Science / Furman University
South Carolina Junior Academy of Science (SCJAS) Annual Meeting
An annual statewide research conference where middle and high school students present original research across categories like biochemistry, environmental science, computer science, and psychology, alongside a day of hands-on STEM activities.
📍 South Carolina (varies by year)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
South Dakota Science Olympiad (hosted by University of South Dakota)
South Dakota Science Olympiad State Tournament
A one-day state tournament in which Division C high school teams compete in up to 23 STEM events spanning earth science, physics, biology, and engineering design, held at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.
📍 Vermillion, SD📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Western Wyoming Community College
Southwest Regional Science Fair (Western Wyoming College)
A regional science fair for STEM students in grades 6-12 at Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs, with junior and senior divisions and ISEF-style categories; it is a regional qualifier for the Wyoming State Science Fair.
📍 Rock Springs, WY📅 December🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Space — The Final Frontier
Returning in summer 2027. Students design, build and fly small-satellite systems while learning aerospace and space-science concepts.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
SGAC
Space Generation Advisory Council
Global network for 18–35 year-olds interested in space policy, engineering, and exploration. Local events and scholarships.
📍 Various📅 Rolling🎓 Grade 12
Selective
SPARK SMP
SPARK Summer Mentorship Program
Free 1:1 mentorship with industry researchers. Started by WA students, now nationwide.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Boise State University College of Engineering
STEM Gems
Fifty students spend an overnight experience at Boise State completing hands-on STEM workshops in areas such as artificial intelligence, physics and game animation while exploring engineering careers.
📍 ID🎓 Grades 9–11
Selective
University of Notre Dame College of Engineering
STEM Summer Camp
Local high-school students complete hands-on engineering activities with Notre Dame faculty and staff while exploring STEM fields and careers.
📍 IN🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Penn State Harrisburg
STEM Summer Enrichment Program (STEM-SEP)
A free two-week summer program giving high schoolers hands-on experience across eight STEM disciplines (biology, chemistry, math, physics, computer science, civil/mechanical/electrical engineering), including visits to the Hershey Clinical Simulation Center and Three Mile Island, capped with student presentations.
📍 Middletown, PA (Penn State Harrisburg)📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Science (with CAP & GOWN Project)
STEM Summer Institute
A free outreach institute combining ACT-prep classes with hands-on STEM projects, campus tours and interactive sessions with UAH professors across nursing, optics, biology and physics facilities.
📍 Huntsville, AL (UAH campus)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
STEM with Phones
Students use smartphone accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, microphones, magnetic sensors and GPS signals to investigate physics, engineering and data-analysis problems.
📍 CA🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Georgia Tech Research Institute
STEM@GTRI High School Summer Internship
Georgia high-school students work in GTRI laboratories on real science and engineering projects for five weeks, about 24 hours per week.
📍 GA🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
New Jersey Institute of Technology
STEMx — Materials Engineering
Intensive one-week exploration of materials engineering for current sophomores and juniors.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Juniors and seniors living within 50 miles of NIST Gaithersburg spend seven weeks conducting research alongside NIST scientists and engineers. The internship is unpaid; 2027 applications are expected to open in mid-October 2026.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Summer High School Research Program
Eight-week paid research program for Rochester-area students entering senior year, with projects in laser physics, plasma science, optics, materials and related fields.
📍 NY🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Los Alamos National Laboratory / New Mexico School for the Arts
Summer Physics Camp
A free, two-week hands-on STEM camp at the New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe where students explore physics, engineering, bioengineering, chemistry, computer programming, and cybersecurity with scientists from LANL and Sandia, plus a tour of LANL facilities.
📍 Santa Fe, NM📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Rutgers University, Department of Physics & Astronomy
Summer Program on Fundamental Physics
A free, two-week intensive summer program at Rutgers' Busch Campus where high schoolers study cutting-edge topics in cosmology, particle physics, quantum computing, and cosmic rays through faculty talks, lab tours, and hands-on cosmic-ray measurement.
📍 Piscataway, NJ📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
SSP International
Summer Science Program (SSP)
Team-based real research in astrophysics, biochemistry, or genomics. Need-based aid covers full tuition.
📍 CA, NM, IN, CO (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 39 days (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
SSP International, Inc. / New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Summer Science Program in Astrophysics - New Mexico Tech
A rigorous five-week residential research program for high school juniors (and exceptional sophomores) hosted on the New Mexico Tech campus in Socorro, where teams of three determine the orbit of a near-Earth asteroid using research-grade telescopes, Python, and vector calculus.
📍 Socorro, NM📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
Summer Science Program (SSP)
Summer Science Program in Astrophysics (Lehigh University campus)
A five-week residential research program where students study near-Earth asteroids using telescopes, calculus, and scientific programming, submitting real orbit-determination data to NASA's Minor Planet Center. Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA is one of only seven 2026 host campuses.
📍 Bethlehem, PA (Lehigh University)📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Summer Science Program (SSP)
Summer Science Program in Astrophysics (Linfield University campus)
A five-week residential research program where rising high school seniors determine the orbit of a near-Earth asteroid from original telescope observations, working in small teams with professional astronomers as mentors.
📍 McMinnville, OR (Linfield University)📅 Varies🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Superconductor Quantum World Camp
Students explore superconductivity and quantum-related physics through experimental and engineering activities. The 2026 session charged $500.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Michigan Technological University, Summer Youth Programs
SYP: Introduction to Computational Physics
A week-long residential camp for grades 9-11 introducing computational methods for solving physics problems through hands-on coding and lab work.
📍 Houghton, MI📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–11
Moderate
Fermilab (Department of Energy)
TARGET Program
Students engage in cutting-edge research in high-energy physics and accelerator science at a national laboratory.
📍 Batavia, IL⏱ 6 weeks📅 January 31🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
UNH Tech Camp
TechLeaders: Bridge to College — The Heat Equation
Upper-level STEM camp combining an intensive technical project with college-readiness and professional-development activities; the Heat Equation project applies mathematics and engineering to thermal systems.
📍 NH🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Technion
Technion SciTech Summer Program
Pre-university STEM program at Israel's leading engineering institute.
📍 Haifa, Israel⏱ 3 weeks📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Teen Science Cafés
Free monthly events where teens interact directly with working scientists through talks, activities and informal Q&A.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
McWane Science Center
Teen Volunteer Program
Teens help present STEM activities, support camps and visitors, and develop communication, leadership, and science-education experience.
📍 AL🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NASA Johnson Space Center
Texas Aerospace Scholars (NASA Johnson Space Center)
A free, year-long NASA STEM program for Texas high school students combining an online course, a virtual summer design challenge with NASA mentors, and a residential week at Johnson Space Center for top teams. A Junior Experience and a Senior Experience are offered.
📍 Houston, TX📅 September🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Texas A&M Engineering (Texas Science and Engineering Fair)
Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF)
Statewide science fair where regional fair qualifiers in grades 6-12 present research projects across 20+ categories in engineering, biological sciences, and physical sciences. Top high school entries advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair; the 2027 state fair is April 2-3, 2027 at Texas A&M.
📍 College Station, TX (Texas A&M University)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 6–12
Moderate
Texas Space Grant Consortium
Texas Space Grant Build the Moon Challenge
A hands-on aerospace engineering challenge in which middle and high school teams develop a regolith concrete mixture with lunar simulant, test its strength and design a lunar habitat. Texas teams can apply for Space Grant funding to cover participation costs.
📍 Texas (statewide, team-based)📅 August🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UMBC
The Era of Quantum Science & Technology
Students examine modern quantum science and emerging quantum technologies.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Montclair State University
The Mathematics of Musical Instruments
Investigates how mathematical and physical principles shape musical instruments and sound.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Toshiba / NSTA
Toshiba ExploraVision
K-12 team STEM competition forecasting future technologies.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 January🎓 Grades 1–12
Selective
Tulane University
Tulane Science Scholars Program (TSSP)
A two-week residential pre-college program where rising 11th and 12th graders earn 3 hours of transferable Tulane college credit in a STEM course such as astronomy, physics, engineering, biomedical science, computer science, or environmental science.
📍 New Orleans, LA📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
University of Utah
U of U ACCESS Program
Year-long STEM research program for women entering the U of U from Utah high schools.
📍 UT⏱ Summer + school year📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
UIUC Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering
STEM camps at UIUC. Need-based aid for Illinois students.
📍 IL⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of North Alabama (with Alabama Space Grant Consortium support)
UNA Summer STEM Camp
A three-day, two-night residential STEM camp giving high school students project-based learning experiences in physics, astronomy, math and computer science led by UNA faculty.
📍 Florence, AL (University of North Alabama)📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Northern Iowa STEM Support Services
UNI STEM Scholarship
High-school juniors who participate in designated Iowa STEM competitions can apply for one-time $2,000 scholarships toward UNI. One scholarship is awarded for each qualifying competition.
📍 IA🎓 Grade 11
Selective
American Association of Physics Teachers
US Physics Olympiad
F=ma exam then USAPhO. Top 20 attend a training camp for the International Physics Olympiad team.
📍 School-administered⏱ Multi-round📅 Jan-Mar🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of South Florida
USF Aerospace Engineering
Students explore aerodynamics, propulsion, turbine engines, drones, flight simulators and CAD-based aircraft-wing design with USF engineering faculty.
📍 FL🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Southern Utah University / State of Utah
Utah Governor's Honors Academy (GHA) - STEM Focus
A 4-week math/science/engineering program for high-achieving Utah high school students hosted at Southern Utah University.
📍 Cedar City, UT⏱ 4 weeks📅 February 15🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
Utah State University Extension Youth Programs (U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl)
Utah High School Regional Science Bowl
Team quiz-bowl style science competition for Utah high school students, hosted on January 23, 2027 at Entheos Academy in Kearns, with up to 20 teams and no more than 3 teams per school. Winners can advance toward the National Science Bowl; there is no registration fee.
📍 Kearns, UT📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Utah Department of Physics & Astronomy
Utah Physics Circle
An extracurricular group where high school students work with University of Utah faculty and students on physics discussion, problem solving and demonstrations, including preparation for the F=ma physics olympiad. The Fall 2026-Spring 2027 series begins September 30, with later dates to be set (likely monthly).
📍 University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
University of Washington Materials Science & Engineering
UW ASM Materials Camp (High School)
A materials science summer day camp with mini-demonstrations, field trips and lab work that ends with team-based problem solving led by Materials Mentors.
📍 Seattle, WA📅 March🎓 Grade 10
Selective
University of Wyoming / Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium
UW Teton STEM Academy
A week-long living/learning summer STEM camp at the University of Wyoming for rising 9th, 10th and 11th graders; applicants submit a 1000-word essay, a report card and two teacher recommendations.
📍 Laramie, WY📅 April🎓 Grades 9–11
Highly Selective
University of Washington Youth & Teen Programs
UW Youth Programs: Dive Into Oceanography
A hands-on ocean science course covering ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, food webs and marine pollution, with data collection and experiments on density and waves.
📍 Seattle, WA📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UW-Madison College of Engineering
UW-Madison Engineering Summer Program (ESP)
Free three-week residential program on the UW-Madison campus for high school students interested in engineering, with math, physics, chemistry and engineering design, workshops, industry visits and faculty mentoring.
📍 Madison, WI📅 March🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
UVM Extension 4-H
Vermont Science Olympiad
A team science competition for Vermont students in grades 9-12 covering events across biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and earth science.
📍 Vermont (state tournament)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Vermont STEM Fair (hosted at Norwich University)
Vermont STEM Fair
Vermont's only statewide STEM fair, an inquiry-based poster presentation competition for middle and high school students judged by science and engineering professionals, with top winners advancing to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
📍 Norwich University, Northfield, VT📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Virginia Space Grant Consortium / NASA Langley
Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS)
Free online STEM course on NASA-related topics for Virginia juniors and seniors; top performers attend a six-day residential summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center working with scientists and engineers.
📍 Hampton, VA (online course plus NASA Langley academy)📅 October🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Virginia Space Grant Consortium
Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS)
Online course on NASA satellite missions and remote sensing for Virginia juniors and seniors, with a seven-day residential summer academy at NASA Langley and up to five dual-enrollment college credits.
📍 Hampton, VA (online course plus NASA Langley academy)📅 October🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Virginia Department of Education / University of Lynchburg
Virginia Governor's School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (Summer Residential)
Three-week residential Governor's School for gifted high school juniors and seniors with classroom and laboratory work, field studies, research, individual and group projects, and seminars with scholars and professionals.
📍 Lynchburg, VA📅 Varies🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Virginia Academy of Science
Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) Research Symposium
Student science organization sponsored by the Virginia Academy of Science since 1941; members can submit papers to a juried research symposium and compete for awards and scholarships, with the top achiever invited to the national AJAS.
📍 Virginia (symposium held at a Virginia college)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
U.S. Department of Energy / Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
Virginia Regional High School Science Bowl (DOE National Science Bowl)
A buzzer-style quiz competition on math and science (including biology, chemistry, physics and earth and space science) in which high school teams from across Virginia compete at Jefferson Lab; the winner earns a trip to the National Science Bowl.
📍 Newport News, VA (Jefferson Lab)📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO)
Virginia Science Olympiad (Division C State Competition)
Statewide Science Olympiad for Virginia teams in grades 5-12 (Division C is high school), with regional qualifying tournaments leading to a State Tournament and a national tournament in May for state winners.
📍 Virginia (regional and state tournaments)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Virginia Space Grant Consortium / NASA Wallops Flight Facility
Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS)
Free program for Virginia sophomores teaching the STEM behind NASA missions at Wallops and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, with an online course and a seven-day residential summer academy for top performers.
📍 Wallops Island, VA (online course plus residential academy)📅 October🎓 Grade 10
Selective
VSSEF Inc. / Old Dominion University
Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair (VSSEF)
State science and engineering fair that gathers students who presented at Virginia regional fairs (200 to 250 exhibits) and selects finalists for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
📍 Virginia (host site varies by year)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Youngstown State University
Ward Beecher Planetarium High School Programs
A lineup of 40+ fulldome planetarium shows for grades 9-12 aligned to Ohio Science Standards, covering topics from black holes and stellar life cycles to the chemistry of the periodic table, with live constellation tours and educator guides.
📍 Youngstown, OH (Youngstown State University)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The Museum of Flight
Washington Aerospace Scholars
A STEM program for high school juniors exploring flight, aerospace design and space travel: an online course from November to March, then an optional six-day residency at the Museum of Flight designing a Mars mission.
📍 Seattle, WA (online, then in person at The Museum of Flight)📅 October🎓 Grade 11
Selective
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), Washington region
Washington Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
Regional symposium where Washington students in grades 9-12 present original STEM research to judges and peers, with top presenters advancing to the national JSHS.
📍 Washington State (host and dates to be posted fall 2026)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Washington Science Olympiad
Washington Science Olympiad (Division C)
State Science Olympiad program in which high school teams (Division C) compete in invitationals, regionals and a state tournament held in April, with national qualification for top teams.
📍 Washington (state tournament in April)📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Washington State Science & Engineering Fair
Washington State Science & Engineering Fair (WSSEF)
Statewide science and engineering fair where students in grades 6 to 12 present research projects judged by scientists, with the Washington team attending the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
📍 Bremerton, WA📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Wesleyan Summer Gifted Program
A two-week residential summer program for gifted students taught by college professors in math, physics, computer science, creative writing, history, environmental science and the creative arts.
📍 West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Central Wyoming College
West Central Regional Science Fair (Central Wyoming College)
A regional science fair at Central Wyoming College in Riverton with a Senior Division for grades 9-12 and a Junior Division for grades 6-8; first, second and third place winners advance to the Wyoming State Science Fair.
📍 Riverton, WY📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, West Virginia region
West Virginia JSHS (Junior Science and Humanities Symposium)
High school students present original STEM research at a university-held regional symposium and can compete for scholarships and recognition.
📍 West Virginia📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
West Virginia Department of Education
West Virginia Science and Engineering Fair
The state science and engineering fair, an entry point for West Virginia high school students to qualify for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
📍 Charleston, WV📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NETL / WVU (DOE National Science Bowl regional)
West Virginia Science Bowl (High School Regional)
A team quiz competition in science and math for high school students; regional winners earn the chance to represent their school at the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C.
📍 Morgantown, WV📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Marshall University College of Science
West Virginia Science Olympiad State Tournament
The annual state Science Olympiad tournament where Division C (high school) teams compete in events from robotics and forensics to astronomy and anatomy; winning teams qualify for nationals.
📍 Huntington, WV📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Morehead State University Space Science Center / TMC Technologies at WV Wesleyan College
West Virginia SpaceTrek
A residential two-week space systems engineering program for young women, held at West Virginia Wesleyan College with a capacity of 24 participants.
📍 Buckhannon, WV📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Wisconsin Science Olympiad
Wisconsin Science Olympiad
State Science Olympiad program with regional and invitational tournaments and a state tournament in which Division C (high school) teams compete in dozens of science and engineering events.
📍 Wisconsin📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (NSTA / U.S. Armed Forces; regional host UW-La Crosse)
Wisconsin/Upper Peninsula Michigan Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
Regional research symposium where grade 9-12 students present original research in oral or poster format in STEM fields; top presenters earn scholarships and a trip to the national JSHS.
📍 Tomahawk, WI (recent years)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Alabama A&M University
Workshop on Nanoscience & Technology
Students complete four days of faculty-guided, hands-on nanoscience and technology activities and receive a participation stipend.
📍 AL🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Wyoming Life Sciences Program
Wyoming Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
Regional JSHS symposium for Wyoming and Northern Colorado in which high school students submit an abstract and research paper and present original STEM research to judges. Top presenters win scholarships and expenses-paid trips to the National JSHS.
📍 Online (Wyoming and Northern Colorado region)📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Casper College / Wyoming Science Olympiad
Wyoming Science Olympiad State Tournament
The Wyoming state Science Olympiad tournament hosted at Casper College, with Division C for grades 9-12; winning teams advance to the national tournament.
📍 Casper, WY📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Wyoming
Wyoming State Science Fair
A statewide science, technology, engineering and math research fair administered by the University of Wyoming for students in grades 6-12 who qualify at a regional fair; the fair is an ISEF-affiliated fair.
📍 Laramie, WY📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Yale University
Yale Pathways to Science Summer Scholars
Local Pathways Scholars spend two weeks completing intensive Yale workshops in areas such as physics, biology, robotics, neuroscience and engineering.
📍 CT🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Yale University Department of Physics
Yale Physics Olympics
Teams of four complete five original physics challenges involving experimental measurement, engineering, optimization and estimation plus a Fermi-problem quiz.
📍 CT🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
MIT Edgerton Center
You GO Girl!
Greater Boston rising ninth graders complete four days of hands-on engineering and science involving LEGO vehicles, genetics demonstrations, photography, and high-school preparation.
📍 MA🎓 Grade 9
Moderate
Hamline University
Young Physicist Camp
A weeklong day camp on Hamline's Saint Paul campus where students entering grades 9-12 learn renewable energy and engineering principles by designing, building, and race-testing both a hydrogen fuel-cell car and a battery-powered car with 3D printing and local expert mentorship.
📍 St. Paul, MN📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Young Scientists Journal
Young Scientists Journal
Peer-reviewed journal written, edited, and reviewed by 12–20 year-old scientists worldwide.
📍 Global📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
UMass Amherst
Zhou Lin Group in Quantum Chemistry Research Intensive
Students participate in computational quantum-chemistry research involving electronic structure, quantum dynamics, and data-driven molecular methods.
📍 MA🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate

Physics programs for high schoolers.

All physics programs

Other research areas