Physics programs for high schoolers.
37 programs indexed in physics. 24 are free or pay a stipend. 7 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new physics program.
All physics programs
- Highly SelectiveAgency for Science, Technology and ResearchA*STAR Scientific Research Programme
Government research placements for pre-university students in Singapore.
📍 Singapore⏱ 8 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateIdaho Transportation Department Division of AeronauticsACE 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 - ModerateJohns Hopkins CTYAdvanced 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 - SelectiveArmy 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 - ModerateCU Science DiscoveryAerospace
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 - ModerateUniversity of Nevada, Reno College of EngineeringAerospace 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 - SelectiveAmgen FoundationAmgen Scholars — Europe & Asia
Fully funded summer research at host institutions across Europe and Asia for undergraduates in the sciences.
📍 Various📅 January🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateUniversity of South FloridaAnatomy 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 - Highly SelectiveAustralian National UniversityANU Extension
University-level courses for high-achieving high school students in Canberra.
📍 Canberra, Australia⏱ 1 year📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveArgonne National LaboratoryArgonne Exemplary Student Research Program
Chicago-area students conduct year-long research mentored by Argonne scientists.
📍 IL⏱ School year📅 October🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveArkansas State University / Arkansas Department of EducationArkansas 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 - SelectiveAspiring Scholars Directed Research ProgramASDRP (RISE)
Free year-round Bay Area lab research. Open application.
📍 CA⏱ Year-round📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAPhOAsian Physics Olympiad
Asia-Pacific regional physics olympiad; selection through each country's national physics olympiad.
📍 Asia-Pacific (rotating)📅 Varies by country🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveMissouri University of Science and Technology / ASM InternationalASM 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 - SelectiveCERNBeamline 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 - SelectiveJohns Hopkins UniversityBiophysics 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 - SelectiveBreakthrough Prize FoundationBreakthrough 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 - SelectiveBrilliant.orgBrilliant.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 - SelectiveUniversity of OxfordBritish 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 - ModerateOhio Academy of ScienceBuckeye 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 - SelectivePrinceton Plasma Physics LaboratoryBuild 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 - ModerateMontana Learning CenterCamp 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 - ModerateThe College of New Jersey School of ScienceCamp 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 - SelectiveEuropean Space AgencyCanSat 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 - SelectiveCERNCERN Summer Student Programme
Paid 8–13 week summer programme at CERN for undergrads worldwide in physics, engineering, or computing.
📍 Various📅 January🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateUniversity at BuffaloChem-E Camp
Week-long chemical-engineering program for upperclassmen interested in chemistry, physics and mathematics. The 2026 fee was $400.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveTexas Tech UniversityClark 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 SelectiveCarnegie Mellon UniversityCMU SAMS
Fully-funded STEM immersion for rising seniors from underrepresented backgrounds.
📍 PA⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 Mid-February🎓 Grade 11 - Highly SelectiveColorado School of MinesColorado School of Mines REACH
Engineering immersion at Mines. Scholarships for Colorado students from underrepresented backgrounds.
📍 CO⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveColumbia UniversityColumbia Junior Science Journal
Peer-reviewed high-school-authored science journal at Columbia.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Annual (opens July, closes October)🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateUniversity of DaytonCome 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 - Highly SelectiveUniversity of CaliforniaCOSMOS
UC residential STEM program. Need-based fee waivers cover full cost for qualifying families.
📍 CA⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateRose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyCreation 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 - SelectiveDAADDAAD RISE Germany
Summer research internships in Germany for undergraduates from North America, UK, and Ireland; monthly stipend + travel.
📍 Various📅 December🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveDavidson InstituteDavidson 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 - SelectiveUniversity of Minnesota College of Science and EngineeringDiscover 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 - SelectiveU.S. Department of EnergyDOE STEM Rising / SCEP
Paid internships across the 17 DOE national laboratories.
📍 Multiple national labs (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 8-10 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12