STEM Career Launchpad: Empowering High School Students with Summer Experiences

By participating in summer STEM experiences, students can position themselves for success in college and beyond.

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Are you a high school student passionate about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)? Do you dream of exploring the mysteries of the universe, developing innovative technologies, or designing sustainable solutions for the future? If so, summer STEM experiences can help you ignite your passion and launch your journey to a rewarding career.

STEM camps, research programs, and internships offer students the opportunity to learn from experts, explore different STEM fields, and gain hands-on experience. Through these immersive experiences, students can solidify their career aspirations, develop essential skills, and build a network of mentors and peers.

Defining STEM Summer Experiences

Camps are immersive experiences that allow students to explore different STEM fields through hands-on activities, lectures, and field trips. Camps are a great way to learn about new STEM topics, develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and meet other students who share your interests.

Research programs allow students to work on real-world research projects under the guidance of experienced scientists and engineers. Research programs are a great way to gain hands-on research experience, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and learn about the scientific research process.

Internships are paid positions that allow students to gain real-world experience in a STEM field. Interns typically work on real-world projects and have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals. Internships are a great way to explore potential career paths, develop professional skills, and network with people in your field.

Finding the Right Summer Program or Internship

When choosing a STEM camp, research program, or internship, it is important to consider your interests, goals, and budget. Many different programs are available, so it is important to research and find a program that is a good fit for you.

Here are some tips for finding the right summer program or internship:

• Start early: Many programs have application deadlines in the fall or winter, so it is important to start your search early.

• Research your options: Many different STEM programs and internships are available, so it is important to research and find a program that is a good fit for you.

• Consider your interests and goals: What are you interested in learning about? What do you want to achieve by participating in a summer program or internship?

• Consider your budget: Some programs are free, while others charge a fee. It is important to factor in the program's cost when deciding.

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STEM Opportunities Await

Below is a carefully curated list of STEM summer camps, research programs, and internships. Ranging from renowned engineering schools to Ivy League institutions and even programs from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), these opportunities pave the way for a transformative STEM experience.

Engineering Camps at the Top 10 Engineering Programs in America*

• #1 - MIT Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)

• #1 - MIT THINK Scholars Program

• #1 - MIT Women’s Technology Program

• #2 - Stanford Office of STEM Outreach

• #3 (tie) - Georgia Tech Summer Programs

• #3 (tie) - Cal Berkeley's Pre-College Scholars Summer Program for High School Students

• #3 (tie) - Cal Berkeley’s Robot Open Autonomous Racing (ROAR Academy)

• #5 (tie) - California Institute of Technology’s Center for Teaching, Learning & Outreach (CTLO)

• #5 (tie) - University of Illinois Urbana Champaign’s High School Summer STEM Research Program

• #5 (tie) - University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's Pre-College Summer Programs (College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences)

• #5 (tie) - University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's Pre-College Summer Programs (College of Liberal Arts & Sciences)

• #5 (tie) - University of Michigan Engineering Camps

• #8 (tie) - Carnegie Mellon University High School Programs

• #8 (tie) - Purdue Summer Camps

• #10 - Cornell University’s CURIE and CATALYST Academies

*NOTE: As per the 2023-2024 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs Rankings by US News & World Report

Ivy League STEM Camps

• Brown University’s STEM for Rising 9th and 10th Graders

• Brown University’s Pre-College Programs

• Columbia University’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)

• Cornell University’s CURIE and CATALYST Academies

• Dartmouth College Enrichment Programs

• Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program for High School Students

• University of Pennsylvania’s Engineering Summer Academy Program (ESAP)

• University of Pennsylvania’s Management & Technology Summer Institute

• Yale University’s Young Global Scholars

HBCU Summer Engineering Camps & Programs for High School Students

• Florida A&M University Pre-College Programs

• North Carolina A&T University Research Apprenticeship Program for High School Students

• Prairie View A&M University Summer Camps

• Tuskegee University Summer Programs

• Texas Southern University Summer Programs

Other University Summer Engineering Camps

• California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)

• Louisiana State University High School Programs

• Michigan State University Summer Programs

• Michigan State University’s High School Honors Science, Math, and Engineering Program (HSHSP)

• Milwaukee’s School of Engineering’s Explore Summer Programs

• New York University’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

• Rice University Office of STEM Engagement

• Santa Clary University’s Summer Engineering Seminar (SES)

• Smith College Summer Science and Engineering Program (SSEP)

• Stony Brook University Simons Summer Research Program

• Texas A&M University’s Aggie STEM Summer Camps

• Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

• University of Houston’s PROMES P-Engineering Summer Camp

• University of Maryland’s ESTEEM/SER-Quest

• University of Maryland’s Women in Engineering

• University of Notre Dame’s Introduction to Engineering

• University of Southern California High School Intensive in Next-Generation Engineering (SHINE)

• University of Texas’ My Introduction to Engineering (MITE) Program

• University of Texas UTeach Outreach Summer Camps

Summer Engineering and Research Programs Offered by Engineering Organizations and Other Groups

• AI4All Summer Program (Artificial Intelligence)

• AMGEN Scholars Program

• BlueStamp Engineering

• National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) on Engineering Summer Program

• Research Science Institute (RSI) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Try Engineering Institute via IEEE

Science, Mathematics, and Computer Science Summer Camps

• Canada/USA Mathcamp

• Carnegie Melon University Computer Science Scholars

• Georgia Tech CEISMC Summer PEAKS

• Girls Who Code (GWC) Summer Programs

• Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)

• Hampshire College Summer Studies in Math

• Illinois Tech Computational Science Course

• Michigan Centers and Outreach (Mathematics)

• Michigan State University’s Spartan Youth Programs

• Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)

• Ross Mathematics Program

• Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)

• The Summer Science Program (SSP)

• University of Michigan Math and Science Scholars

• University of Texas Computer Science Summer Academies

Summer Medicine Programs

• Beth Israel Deaconess Agress Summer Health Corps Program

• Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering

• Penn Medicine Summer Program

• Roswell Park Summer Cancer Research Experience Program

• Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

• The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

• University of Chicago’s Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS)

STEM-Related Summer Internships

• Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program

• Boston University’s Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)

• California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CIS) Intern Program

• Department of Navy Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

• Forage Virtual Work Experiences

• George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

• Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

• Idaho National Laboratory

• Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM)

• Los Alamos National Laboratory High School Internship Program (HSIP)

• MITRE’s Nationwide High School Student Program

• NASA’s Internship Programs at NASA Office of STEM Engagement

• National Institute of Health High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)

• National Institute of Standards and Technology Summer High School Intern Program

• National Security Agency Internships

• Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Internships

• SPARK Summer Internship Program (SPARKSIP)

• University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Geosciences Bridge Program

NOTE: If any of the links above become inactive, google the program's name and the university, as the camp may still exist, but the school may have changed the web page location.

Embark on Your STEM Odyssey

Participating in STEM camps and research programs and securing summer internships are pivotal steps in your journey toward a rewarding STEM career. These experiences enhance your academic profile and provide insights that textbooks cannot offer. As you explore the world of STEM, remember that curiosity, dedication, and a proactive approach will be your greatest allies. The road ahead is filled with possibilities – seize them and embark on your STEM odyssey!

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For an even more comprehensive guide to preparing for a career in STEM, do not forget to visit my blog post, 13 Steps High School Students Can Follow to Prepare for Careers in STEM. This resource has detailed guidance on navigating your unique path to success.

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