A great way for high schoolers to explore their interests in physics is by diving into some summer programs that offer them exciting opportunities to research in a physics field of their choice. These programs offer hands-on experience, mentorship from experts, and exposure to advanced topics in fields like astrophysics, particle physics, and engineering.
Here are 10 summer programs that students keen on pursuing physics can look into :
1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) High School Internship
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Program Dates: June 30 – August 1, 2025
Cost: Free
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors graduating in 2025 (more than 16 years old)
Deadline: March 1, 2025
Graduating high school seniors are given an opportunity to intern at prestigious labs in Princeton and research on subjects such as fusion energy and plasma physics. Interns gain hands-on experience in a national laboratory setting while working on computational or experimental projects. Students should have a strong interest in physics and prior coursework in related subjects.
2. RISE Global
Location: Online
Program Dates: Flexible, year-round enrollment with customized timelines based on student needs.
Cost: $2,000 (publication included)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students (grades 8–12) from any country.
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Scholarships: Merit-based
RISE Global offers high school students unrivaled mentorship with one-on-one personal engagement to create research projects for esteemed publications. RISE showcases students' academic performance and promotes both student and mentor on college applications by matching them with mentors from prestigious worldwide universities such as Harvard, Columbia, and Cambridge. RISE has given students unique experiences by exploring a diverse range of disciplines, including psychology, economics, sustainability, and artificial intelligence.
3. QuarkNet Summer Research Program at Fermilab
Location: Batavia, Illinois
Program Dates: June 17 – August 2, 2025
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Eligibility: Illinois high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Deadline: January 15, 2025
QuarkNet offers high school students a chance for hands-on experience through a particle physics research program at Fermilab, involving students in research projects associated with real experiments in particle physics with scientists, focusing on projects in areas such as accelerators, detectors, or data analysis. The program also contains seminars based on the theme of particle physics; students will do a culminating presentation based on their research.
4. Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics (YSPA)
Location: New Haven, Connecticut (2 weeks online + 4 weeks on-campus)
Program Dates: June–August 2025
Cost: $6,900; financial aid available
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (age ≥15.5)
Deadline: March 2025
YSPA is a well-known program combining course work in astrophysics with research based experience. Students engage in lectures, data analysis, and telescope observing. Instruments are built and field trips are part of the activities included in the program.
5. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2, 2025
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Eligibility: High school juniors worldwide
Deadline: December 11, 2024
RSI is a six-week program that combines on-campus coursework in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research. Leading scientists mentor students and conduct original research, which results in a written report and presentation.
6. Texas Tech Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7, 2025
Cost: Free; $750 stipend
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors (age ≥17)
Deadline: February 15, 2025
This seven-week program provides twelve high school students the opportunity to conduct research in various fields, including physics. Faculty mentors work closely with students during this program and students are encouraged to attend seminars, and engage in social activities, providing a comprehensive research experience.
7. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Various NASA centers across the U.S.
Program Dates: 10 weeks in Summer 2025
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (age ≥16) with GPA ≥3.0
Deadline: February 28, 2025
NASA's OSTEM internships allow high school students to conduct cutting-edge research in fields such as astrophysics, engineering, and computer science. High school students are provided mentors from NASA when they work on various mission and research projects.
8. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Location: Multiple campuses (e.g., New Mexico State University, University of Colorado Boulder)
Program Dates: Mid to late June 2025
Cost: $8,800; financial aid available
Eligibility: High school juniors with coursework in calculus and physics
Deadline: Domestic: February 21, 2025; International: January 24, 2025
In this program, students are involved in a demanding academic program, and conduct hands-on research in astrophysics. Students attend lectures, carry out experiments, gain skill in data analysis and scientific communication, live on campus, work in teams, attend a series of lectures each day from university faculty and visiting scientists, and take part in research group activities.
9. NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: Gaithersburg, MD or Boulder, CO
Program Dates: June 23 – August 15, 2025
Cost: Free; unpaid
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors with GPA ≥3.0
Deadline: January 31, 2025
The interns in the program are carried out at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), addressing a wide variety of subjects (physics, engineering, computer science, and more) and can work with NIST scientists to carry out actual research. Interns work with NIST scientists on actual research. Each intern works with a mentor on some aspect of research conducted in several different research areas (quantum physics, materials science, nanotechnology, and more). Each intern will experience practices of research professionals, equipment associated with the lab and data analysis.
10. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
Location: University of California campuses (Davis, Irvine, San Diego, Santa Cruz)
Program Dates: July 6 – August 2, 2025
Cost: $4,550; financial aid available
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders residing in California
Deadline: February 1, 2025
COSMOS allows students to explore a variety of STEM disciplines like physics and astronomy. Each program will include lectures, hands-on labs, research projects and have mentoring opportunities with faculty. For instance, there will be titles within clusters that allow students to enter into subjects like "Exploring the Physics of Light," or "Astronomy & Astrophysics." Students will have an opportunity to explore areas specifically defined within the cluster; labs, research team projects, research led by faculty, and field trips.
If you’re a student hoping to build a college profile that truly reflects who you are and what you care about, take a look at RISE Global Education. RISE connects you with mentors from leading universities, guides you through independent research, and helps you publish your work.