As a high school student curious about science, technology, engineering, or math, STEM can feel both thrilling and overwhelming. You may enjoy problem-solving in class or experimenting on your own, yet still wonder what STEM looks like beyond textbooks, exams, and school labs. STEM fields are dynamic and interdisciplinary, blending creativity, logic, and real-world impact. One of the best ways to explore this world is by joining a STEM summer camp.

Imagine spending your summer building robots, coding applications, conducting experiments, or tackling real-world challenges alongside motivated peers. Picture learning in labs, maker spaces, or university classrooms, guided by experienced instructors and mentors who are passionate about their fields. These camps transform abstract concepts into hands-on experiences and give you an early glimpse of what STEM learning can look like at the college level.

How do you choose the right STEM summer camps for high school students?

With so many camps available, it can be hard to know which ones offer meaningful learning. Some focus mainly on fun activities, while others provide structured, academically rigorous experiences that truly build skills. That’s why careful selection matters, because it helps you find programs that match your interests, push you intellectually, and support your long-term academic goals.

Universities, research centers, and educational organizations now offer STEM summer camps that emphasize hands-on learning and real-world applications. You might explore fields like computer science, engineering, biology, physics, or data science through projects, experiments, workshops, and collaborative challenges. These camps range from introductory programs to competitive experiences designed to strengthen problem-solving skills and spark deeper curiosity.

No matter your starting point, STEM summer camps can help you discover what excites you most and how you want to grow academically. To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 STEM summer camps for high school students. They’ve been selected for their engaging curriculum, strong mentorship, and ability to inspire innovation and creativity.

15 STEM Summer Camps for High School Students

1. Los Alamos National Laboratory Summer Physics Camp

Cost: Free
Dates: June 2-13
Application Deadline: December 28th
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM (in person).
Eligibility: High school students, most often rising juniors and seniors, with strong preparation in physics and mathematics; some sessions prioritize New Mexico residents.

The Summer Physics Camp at Los Alamos National Laboratory is one of the most research-intensive STEM summer camps for high school students, offering direct exposure to physics in a national research lab. Scientists lead sessions in nuclear physics, materials science, energy systems, and computational modeling. Through demonstrations, experiments, and guided challenges, you see how physicists approach real scientific questions beyond classroom problem sets.

You work closely with researchers who discuss their work, how they got to where they are now, and how physics fits into government and national research projects. The camp focuses on professional analytical thinking, teamwork, and scientific reasoning. By experiencing physics beyond the classroom, you gain a clearer sense of what studying and applying physics at the university level actually involves.

Why it stands out: It offers an immersive, hands-on experience at a national research lab, where you engage in experiments, demonstrations, and real-world challenges led by physicists, giving you an authentic glimpse into how physics is applied in national and government research projects.

2. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Summer School

Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions across multiple summer cohorts
Location: Cambridge, London, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo
Eligibility: Students around the world aged 13–18 who are currently enrolled in middle or high school.

The Career Insights Programme is a STEM-focused, industry-led experience for high school students in global innovation hubs. As a participant, you can expect to work on practical, real-world projects connected to science, technology, engineering, and medicine. The programme connects you with industry professionals through interactive workshops, site visits, and hands-on challenges. You’ll also visit operational environments such as tech offices, research centres, labs, and engineering workplaces.

The programme culminates in a final presentation of your work to industry professionals. You can explore STEM career pathways in areas such as Engineering, Environment & Sustainability, Medicine, Software Development & Gaming, and Software Development & AI. The programme also includes weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and structured moments where you will receive personalised feedback. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: You’ll get an early start at university life and academics because the program includes an independent project, discussion-based classes, and living at a college campus.

3. U.S. Naval Academy Summer STEM Camp

Cost: Program fee typically around $450, covering instruction, materials, housing, and meals during the session.
Dates: One-week sessions held across June.
Application Deadline: March 31st.
Location: United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (residential, in person).
Eligibility: Middle and high school students, typically rising 8th-11th graders, who meet academic and age requirements. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The U.S. Naval Academy STEM Camp is one of the most structured and discipline-driven STEM summer camps for high school students, introducing you to hands-on engineering and science through intensive projects on a federal service academy campus. Working alongside Academy faculty and midshipmen, you explore robotics, aerospace engineering, cyber systems, materials science, and naval architecture in a highly organised environment.

Instead of lectures, the curriculum focuses on problem-solving under constraints, working together, and practical design. Living on campus gives you a different view of a service academy than a regular university because you get to see how it works, what is expected of you, and what the daily routine is like. You also talk to current midshipmen who can tell you about life at the Naval Academy, leadership training, and STEM classes. 

Why it stands out: It offers a hands-on, immersive STEM experience at a prestigious military academy, where you work on engineering and science challenges alongside midshipmen, gaining insight into military academy life, leadership training, and how professional STEM problems are solved in a structured, disciplined environment.

4. IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp – University of Minnesota

Cost: Free of charge; there is no tuition or program fee.
Dates: June 23-27 (one week, in person).
Application Deadline: Typically May 31st (applications open in spring).
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (in person); limited remote participation may be available.
Eligibility: High school students near the Twin Cities metro area currently enrolled in high school and have completed a year‑long course in single‑variable calculus by the end of the school year.

The IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp immerses you in collaborative mathematical problem solving rooted in real-world applications under the guidance of faculty from the University of Minnesota’s Math Center for Educational Programs and the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications.

You and your fellow students work together for a week to create and analyze mathematical models that can help estimate the effects of traffic on infrastructure, predict how diseases will spread, and analyze trends in environmental resources. You do exploratory projects and team presentations that are similar to the analytical thinking you do in college classes and research. The camp’s emphasis on applying math to real-world scenarios helps you understand how it is used across a variety of scientific and engineering domains.

Why it stands out: It combines collaborative problem-solving and real-world applications, where you work on projects like traffic analysis and disease spread modeling, providing a deeper understanding of how math applies to scientific and engineering challenges, all in a university research setting.

5. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)

Cost: $3,750 (online); $8,950 (residential).
Dates: Residential Session: June 21st – July 17th, Online Sessions: June 15th – July 3rd and July 6th – July 24th.
Application Deadline: February 2nd.
Location: On Stanford University’s campus in Stanford, CA, for the residential option; a parallel online option is also offered.
Eligibility: High school students worldwide in 10th or 11th grade at the time of application with a strong foundation in geometry, algebra, and proof-based mathematics.

Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) challenges you to engage with advanced mathematical thinking in a way that mirrors collegiate-level study. You participate in daily lectures, group problem-solving sessions, and guided research discussions throughout the summer. Instead of traditional classroom exercises, the program emphasizes exploring mathematical concepts through proof construction, inquiry, and group work, helping you develop deeper analytical reasoning.

Living on Stanford’s campus in the residential format exposes you to college life, and organized social and academic events foster a community of like-minded peers. You learn how mathematicians approach problems and work together to find solutions through challenging assignments and faculty interaction.

Why it stands out: It challenges you with advanced, proof-based mathematical concepts in a college-like environment, offering deep engagement in topics like abstract algebra and algebraic topology while exposing you to Stanford’s campus culture and a community of like-minded peers.

6. NUS Science Summer Camp

Cost: S$2,950.
Dates: June 29th – July 3rd.
Application Deadline: March 31st.
Location: National University of Singapore (NUS) Kent Ridge campus, Singapore.
Eligibility: High school students around the world (commonly grades 10-12) with a curiosity for science and foundational preparation in STEM subjects.

The NUS Science Summer Camp gives you an engaging, university-based STEM experience in the heart of Singapore’s flagship research campus. You take part in interactive sessions, laboratory demonstrations, and faculty-led workshops covering subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics over the course of several days.

All of these activities are designed to pique your interest and expand your comprehension of scientific inquiry. Short thematic lectures are frequently accompanied by practical exercises that help you connect fundamental ideas to practical investigation. To gain insight into academic pathways and research culture, the camp offers opportunities to directly question graduate students and university lecturers. 

Why it stands out: It offers a hands-on, university-based STEM experience at Singapore’s top research campus, where you engage in interactive sessions, laboratory demonstrations, and workshops led by faculty, giving you an inside look at scientific inquiry and research in a world-class institution.

7. Rice University – Tapia STEM Camps

Cost: Residential tuition typically ranges from $2,200 – $2,500 per session, with early bird pricing for early applicants. Scholarships may be available through program partners.
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions in July.
Application Deadline: May 1st.
Location: Rice University campus, Houston, TX (residential, in person).
Eligibility: Rising 8th through 12th graders worldwide with an interest in STEM and readiness for immersive group projects.

Rice University’s Tapia STEM Camps offer a week-long, residential immersion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, built around project-based learning and interactive challenges. Campers live on Rice’s campus and work on applied STEM projects in small groups. These projects often end with presentations, which help you practice your communication and scientific reasoning skills.

The curriculum is meant to be interesting and encourage students to explore. There are a lot of different activities, like doing experiments in the lab, working on design problems, and going on field trips, that connect what you learn in school to the real world. The camp teaches more than just technical skills. The Tapia Camps help you learn more about core concepts by putting STEM exploration in a college setting. 

Why it stands out: It provides a week-long, residential immersion in STEM where you work on applied projects in small groups, gaining hands-on experience while building essential skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and public speaking in a supportive university environment.

8. University of Michigan – Summer Engineering Exploration Camp

Cost: Tuition typically costs around $700, covering instruction and program materials; housing, meals, and travel costs are separate.
Dates: July 5-11 (one-week residential camp).
Application Deadline: February 19th.
Location: University of Michigan campus, Ann Arbor, MI (residential, in person).
Eligibility: High school students around the globe entering grades 10-11 interested in engineering and design thinking.

The University of Michigan Summer Engineering Exploration Camp (SEE Camp) provides a hands-on, residential introduction to engineering and design through collaborative projects and workshops. The Society of Women Engineers hosts the camp on the University of Michigan campus. It teaches students about different fields of engineering, like mechanical, environmental, and electrical engineering.

You take part in design challenges, visit labs, and do interactive activities that show you how university engineers solve problems. You can learn about college engineering programs and the kinds of work engineers do by talking to current students and faculty. Living on campus for a week also helps you get used to college life and what is expected of you, such as working with others and planning projects with limited time.

Why it stands out: It combines a hands-on introduction to various engineering fields with collaborative design challenges, giving you insight into the work engineers do while preparing you for university life and the expectations of collaborative, project-based learning.

9. Arizona State University Underwater Robotics Camp

Cost: $600, with a non-refundable $15 application fee credited toward the program cost upon acceptance.
Dates: June 2-7 (6-day day-camp format).
Application Deadline: April 10th.
Location: Arizona State University, Polytechnic Campus, Mesa, AZ (in person).
Eligibility: High school students residing in Arizona over the summer, and who are rising 11th or 12th graders in good academic standing.

Arizona State University’s Underwater Robotics Camp immerses you in the core principles of marine engineering and autonomous systems within an applied summer setting. You will go on tours of ASU engineering facilities, work on projects with the help of engineering teachers, and compete in the National Underwater Robotics Competition, where you will see your design work in actual missions.

You learn how engineering ideas like buoyancy, propulsion, and control systems work together in water by doing hands-on building, problem-solving, and iterative design. This program provides a focused introduction to engineering design and robotics that may help you decide whether you’re ready for university-level STEM study and research.

Why it stands out: It offers a unique, hands-on introduction to marine engineering and autonomous systems, where you design, build, and test underwater robots, and compete in the National Underwater Robotics Competition, all while learning core principles of engineering and robotics.

10. NYU Tandon’s Summer Camp for Machine Learning

Cost: Roughly $3,180, including course tuition, materials, NYU service fees, and optional activities; housing and meal plans are extra for residential participants.
Dates: Two-week sessions in June–July (specific dates vary by year).
Application Deadline: May 15th.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY (in person; residential options may be available).
Eligibility: High school students worldwide (commonly grades 9-12) with an interest in computer science, machine learning, and data analysis; prior programming experience and completion of Algebra 2 or an equivalent math course is recommended for full engagement.

NYU Tandon’s Summer Camp for Machine Learning gives you a focused, university-based introduction to the theoretical and applied foundations of machine learning and data analysis. You learn about the main ideas behind fields like image and speech recognition, autonomous systems, and real-time data interpretation through guided coursework and programming exercises over the course of two weeks.

The curriculum includes both theoretical and practical algorithm development, as well as mathematical methods like linear regression and neural networks. This helps you see how theoretical ideas can be used in the real world. By combining technical instruction with project work in a university setting, the camp helps you clarify your interest in computing and data science before you enter college.

Why it stands out: It provides a focused, university-based introduction to machine learning and data analysis, where you learn both the theory and application of key concepts like neural networks and real-time data interpretation, helping you clarify your interest in computer science and engineering.

11. Texas State University Honors Summer Math Camp

Cost: Residential tuition approximately $6,000, including instruction, housing, and meals; need-based financial aid and scholarships are available.
Dates: June 21st – August 1st (six weeks).
Application Deadline: Applications open December 1 and are accepted on a rolling basis until capacity is reached.
Location: Texas State University campus, San Marcos, TX (in person).
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 with a strong interest in mathematics; the program draws applicants from across the U.S. and internationally.

At Texas State University’s Honors Summer Math Camp, you’ll live and work in a challenging environment where advanced math ideas become real-life problems to solve. For six weeks, you work with college professors and undergraduate counselors on topics like combinatorics, number theory, algebra, and proof writing. This enhances your ability to think creatively and analytically.

The program gives you the opportunity to interact with other students who share your curiosity in learning by striking a balance between organized lessons and unstructured discovery. Living and studying on a university campus gives you a sense of how mathematicians approach problems and become ready for more advanced study in STEM fields.

Why it stands out: It immerses you in advanced mathematical problem-solving, collaborating with professors and students to explore topics like combinatorics and number theory while practicing clear communication and presentation of complex ideas in a university-level setting.

12. Niagara University STEM Summer Camp

Cost: $950.
Dates: August 3-9.
Application Deadline: June 1st.
Location: Niagara University campus, Lewiston, NY (in person).
Eligibility: High school students around the world (often grades 9-12) with an interest in STEM exploration and hands-on activities.

The Niagara University STEM Summer Camp is one of the most accessible STEM summer camps for high school students, introducing foundational concepts through interactive projects and team challenges. You take part in structured activities that combine short lectures with hands-on experiments designed for a range of experience levels.

These activities include scientific problem-solving, robotics design, and basic coding, and they are designed for different skill levels. University faculty and qualified instructors run this camp. Its goal is to build curiosity and confidence through hands-on STEM tools and methods. Collaborative projects help you practice communication and teamwork skills that reflect collegiate academic environments.

Why it stands out: It offers hands-on STEM exploration through interactive projects in fields like robotics and coding, building both technical skills and teamwork in a college environment, guided by university faculty and qualified instructors.

13. David J. Sencer CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

Cost: Free to attend; participants must provide their own housing and transportation to Atlanta, GA.
Dates: June 23-27 and July 21-25 (two sessions).
Application Deadline: To be announced.
Location: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA (in person).
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students who will be juniors or seniors in the upcoming academic year and are at least 16 years old on the first day of camp.

The David J. Sencer CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp places you in a fast-paced public health learning environment modeled on real CDC work. Over the course of five days, you learn about how public health professionals look into and deal with health threats through activities in epidemiology, environmental health, and emergency preparedness.

The lessons include lectures, hands-on activities, and mock outbreak investigations that show how disease surveillance and prevention involve people from many different fields. You also learn how to read data, analyze health trends, and discuss scientific results. This camp offers a unique window into the scientific and analytical work of public health agencies, helping you assess your interest in epidemiology and related STEM careers.

Why it stands out: It gives you a rare, hands-on experience in public health, where you engage in mock outbreak investigations and learn epidemiological skills, helping you assess your interest in working in public health through interactive, real-world scenarios.

14. Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) — University of South Alabama

Cost: $300 registration fee (non‑refundable unless not selected); lunch provided; housing is not provided
Dates: July 14th - July 18th
Application Deadline: June 23rd
Location: College of Engineering, University of South Alabama-Mobile, AL
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders worldwide (rising 9th and 12th graders considered if space allows)

The Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) is a one‑week, non‑residential STEM summer camp where high school students explore a broad range of engineering disciplines through hands‑on projects, lectures, and collaborative activities. SEA is designed to introduce participants to areas such as electrical, mechanical, civil, and computer engineering while giving them exposure to laboratory equipment, problem‑solving exercises, and teamwork in a college setting.

Throughout the week, you will engage in structured activities that emphasize engineering design processes and get a sense of how academic concepts translate into real engineering tasks. Faculty and staff from the University of South Alabama’s College of Engineering guide the sessions and provide insight into undergraduate engineering coursework and careers. 

Why it stands out: It provides a one-week, non-residential introduction to engineering, where you explore various disciplines through hands-on projects and teamwork, getting early exposure to engineering concepts and real-world problem-solving in a university setting.

15. STEM Academy High School Summer Camps — Oregon State University (OSU)

Cost: Varies by camp (typically $80–$200 per week); needs‑based scholarships available
Dates: Various subject‑specific sessions in June – July (e.g., June 22-26, July 7-9, July 13-17) 
Application Deadline: Registration opens March 2nd at noon; camps fill on a first‑come, first‑served basis
Location: Oregon State University campus, OR
Eligibility: Students worldwide entering Grades 9-12 (specific grade requirements vary by individual camp)

Oregon State University’s STEM Academy High School Summer Camps offer a series of short, subject-focused STEM learning experiences that let high school students explore specific topics in a hands-on way on a college campus. You might go to a “Blender” Camp to learn 3D modeling and animation, a Toxicology Camp where you do experiments and field sampling, or an NW Cyber Camp where you learn about cybersecurity and digital forensics through challenges.

Some sessions are hands-on workshops on color innovation or design thinking, while others mix lab work with problem-solving in fields like microbiology and environmental science. OSU professors, graduate students, and professionals from the industry are some of the teachers and mentors. This gives you a look at how STEM subjects are taught after high school.

Why it stands out: It offers subject-specific, immersive STEM camps ranging from cybersecurity to microbiology, where you learn hands-on in workshops and labs led by OSU faculty and industry professionals, giving you early exposure to college-level STEM education.

Finding Your Place in STEM Fields

The experiences you gain from these programmes give you practical insight into how STEM works beyond school. You move from following instructions to making decisions, testing ideas, and learning through trial and error.

You also start to notice what suits you. Whether it’s coding, engineering design, laboratory work, or data analysis, you see which problems hold your attention and how you prefer to work.

Rather than just adding to a résumé, these STEM summer camps for high school students help you make informed academic choices. They show you what different pathways feel like before you commit to one.

To explore subjects, roles, and future options in more depth, our Career Exploration blogs offer clear guidance to support your next steps.