Best STEM Summer Programs for High School Students

If you are a high school student who is interested in going for a STEM summer program, here are the best STEM summer programs you can enroll in.

Overview

STEM is an academic field that combines science, technology, engineering and math. It is designed to encourage discussions and problem-solving among students, developing both practical skills and appreciation for collaboration.

Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.

According to the U.S. Department of Education “In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it is more crucial than ever that our nation’s youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions.”

Although getting a degree in STEM programs is more expensive than in some private schools, countless scholarships are available for students who plan on majoring in a STEM field in college. See Best Marine Biology Summer Programs for High School Students.

The great thing about summer STEM programs for high school students is that they give them exposure to the rigor of a collegiate STEM program and the types of careers available to them after graduating from the program.

Here are our picks on the best STEM summer programs for high school students in the United States

• Summer STEM at The U.S. Naval Academy
• The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University
• The Michigan State University High School Honors Science, Math, and Engineering Program
• Summer STEM at The Cooper Union
• Rice University ELITE Tech Summer Camps
• MITES Summer – MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science
• Notre Dame Summer Scholars Program
• Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
• Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University
• RISE – Research in Science & Engineering at Boston University

The Michigan State University High School Honors Science, Math, and Engineering Program

Michigan State University’s High School Honors Science, Math, and Engineering Program centers research in the STEM fields is a seven-week program reserved for rising high school seniors across the United States.

High School Honors Science, Math, and Engineering Program is the oldest continuously running program of its nature in the country, founded back in 1958 as an enrichment opportunity for local Michigan high school students.

Applicants must also be in the top 20 percent of their high school class and have attained certain college preparatory mathematics and science prerequisites. See Michigan State University Acceptance Rate.

Participants spend nearly eight hours daily working on individual research projects in laboratories.

This time is supplemented with faculty mentorship, guest lectures, college admissions preparation, and visits to sites like the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory and campus observatory.

In addition to producing award-winning projects, the High School Honors Science, Math, and Engineering Program boast that all of its alumni have matriculated to prestigious institutions like Harvard, Cal Tech, MIT, and Carnegie Mellon.

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University

This program is more often referred to as the Clark Scholars Program. It is a seven-week-long summer research program that enrolls twelve high school juniors and seniors each year, making it one of the most exclusive opportunities on this list.

The application process is unsurprisingly competitive, with admitted students scoring in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

Accepted students will not be responsible for any costs, as they are all covered by program sponsors.

Each student will complete a research project while they reside at Texas Tech and receive a $750 tax-free stipend.

There are nine different research areas to which candidates can apply, including cell and molecular biology, electrical and computer engineering, and physics.

In addition to working on a particular research topic, participants also attend weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips.

After graduating from the Clark Scholars Program, many graduates from high school to attend top STEM institutions and build fulfilling careers in today’s most dynamic industries.

Summer STEM at The U.S. Naval Academy

The U.S. Naval Academy’s Summer STEM programs will appeal to budding coders, game designers, and robotics engineers.

The U.S Naval Academy brings in experts from all over the country – including working midshipmen – to design and build exciting STEM projects with rising 9th through 11th graders. While sessions only last six days, they are filled with fun activities!

In addition to participating in STEM academic modules, scholars also engage in intramurals, guest lectures, social activities, and field trips to sites like Fort McHenry or various Smithsonian Museums.

Academic modules range from Reverse Engineering – where participants disassemble and reassemble a lawn mower engine – to Storm Chasing, where scholars are charged with building a structure capable of withstanding 150 mph winds. Prototypes are assessed within an actual wind tunnel in the U.S Naval Academy HydroLab!

Conclusion

It is important to note that while some virtual programs are included in this list, we emphasized in-person experiences that expose you to laboratory research and hands-on activities.

There are many other appealing options in different areas of the country, but we find these programs listed here to be the most compelling. You can gain access to us via the comment box, for more clarification on this topic.

Last Updated on June 3, 2023 by Admin