# Physics Programs & Competitions for High School Students Physics extracurriculars run from F=ma and the USAPhO ladder to astronomy research programs and university summer courses in mechanics, relativity, and astrophysics. Physics olympiad results and research are heavily weighted by top engineering and physics departments. 55 verified programs match this page; 24 of the featured listings are free; 5 can be done online. ## Programs (55 total, first 30 shown — full list on the canonical page) | Program | Organization | Cost | Format | Grades | Deadline | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [USA Physics Olympiad](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/usapho) | AAPT | Free | hybrid | Grades 9–12 | 2027-01-20 | | [USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) Semifinalist](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/usa-physics-olympiad-usapho-semifinalist) | American Association of Physics Teachers | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2027-01-20 | | [Laboratory for Laser Energetics HS Summer Program](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/laboratory-for-laser-energetics-hs-summer-program) | University of Rochester - LLE | Free | in_person | Grades 11–12 | 2027-03-15 | | [International Young Physicists' Tournament](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/international-young-physicists-tournament) | International Young Physicists' Tournament Association | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2027-05-25 | | [International Physicists' Tournament (IPT)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/international-physicists-tournament) | International Physicists' Tournament Association | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2026-11-01 | | [Fermilab TARGET Program](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/fermilab-target-program) | Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory | Free | in_person | Grades 11–12 | 2027-02-01 | | [High School Research Academy (HRA)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/high-school-research-academy-hra) | The University of Texas at Austin College of Natural Sciences | Free | hybrid | Grades 10–12 | 2027-03-22 | | [Korean Physics Olympiad (KPhO)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/korean-physics-olympiad) | Korean Physical Society | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | Rolling | | [American Astronomical Society Scholarships](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/aas-astronomy-scholarship) | American Astronomical Society | Free | virtual | Grade 12 | 2027-03-01 | | [Simons Summer Research Program](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/simons-summer-research-program) | Stony Brook University | Free | in_person | Grades 11–12 | 2027-02-05 | | [School Astronomical Olympiad by Correspondence](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/school-astronomical-olympiad-by-correspondence) | International Astronomical Union | Free | virtual | Grades 9–12 | Rolling | | [AAPT PhysicsBowl](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/aapt-physicsbowl) | American Association of Physics Teachers | $10 | hybrid | Grades 9–12 | 2027-02-23 | | [AAPT Physics Bowl Competition](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/physics-bowl) | American Association of Physics Teachers | $30 | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2027-02-25 | | [International Observe the Moon Night](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/international-observe-the-moon-night) | NASA | Free | hybrid | Grades 9–12 | 2026-09-19 | | [CERN Beamline for Schools Competition](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/cern-beamline-for-schools-competition) | CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2027-03-13 | | [SLAC National Accelerator Lab Student Programs](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/slac-national-accelerator-lab-student-programs) | SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory | Free | in_person | Grades 11–12 | 2027-03-01 | | [UCSC Science Internship Program (SIP) - Data Science Track](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/ucsc-science-internship-program-sip-data-science-track) | UC Santa Cruz | $4,500 | hybrid | Grades 9–12 | 2027-02-26 | | [TARGET Science and Engineering Program](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/target-science-and-engineering-program) | Fermilab | Free | in_person | Grades 11–12 | 2027-02-01 | | [American Association of Physics Teachers High School Physics Photo Contest](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/american-association-of-physics-teachers-high-school-physics-photo-contest) | AAPT | Free | virtual | Grades 9–12 | 2027-05-15 | | [Ceres Connection Student Naming Program](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/ceres-connection) | MIT Lincoln Laboratory | Free | virtual | Grades 9–12 | Rolling | | [CTD Equinox Academic Program](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/ctd-equinox) | Northwestern University - Center for Talent Development | $4,000 | in_person | Grades 10–12 | Rolling | | [High School Honors Science Program (HSHSP)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/high-school-honors-science-program-hshsp) | Michigan State University | $1,500 | in_person | Grades 11–12 | Rolling | | [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab High School Internship](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/lawrence-berkeley-national-lab-high-school-internship) | Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory | Free | in_person | Grades 11–12 | 2027-03-22 | | [Brookhaven High School Research Program (HSRP)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/brookhaven-high-school-research-program-hsrp) | Brookhaven National Laboratory | Free | in_person | Grades 11–12 | 2027-03-20 | | [Penn Experimental Physics Research Academy](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/penn-experimental-physics-research-academy) | University of Pennsylvania College of Arts & Sciences | $8,800 | in_person | Grades 10–12 | 2027-05-01 | | [Brookhaven National Lab Science Associates Program](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/brookhaven-national-lab-science-associates-program) | Brookhaven National Laboratory | Free | in_person | Grades 11–12 | 2027-03-20 | | [Physics Unlimited Premier Competition](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/physics-unlimited-premier-competition) | Physics Unlimited | Free | virtual | Grades 9–12 | Rolling | | [USA Astronomy & Astrophysics Olympiad (USAAAO)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/usa-astronomy-astrophysics-olympiad-usaaao) | USAAAO | Free | hybrid | Grades 9–12 | 2027-01-31 | | [National Science Bowl (High School)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/national-science-bowl-high-school) | U.S. Department of Energy | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2026-12-10 | | [US Physics Team Training Camp Invitee](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/us-physics-team-training-camp-invitee) | American Association of Physics Teachers | Free | in_person | Grades 9–12 | 2027-01-20 | ## Frequently asked questions ### How many physics programs are listed for high school students? ExtracurricularHub currently lists 55 verified physics opportunities for high school students, each with cost, eligibility, deadline, and an official application link. ### Are any of these physics programs free? Yes — 24 of the programs featured on this page charge no participation fee. Free programs are often funded and can be more selective, so apply early. ### Which deadlines are coming up soonest? The next deadlines: International Observe the Moon Night (September 19, 2026); International Physicists' Tournament (IPT) (November 1, 2026); National Science Bowl (High School) (December 10, 2026). Deadlines change every cycle — always confirm on the program's official site. ### Do physics extracurriculars help with college admissions? Yes — sustained, escalating involvement in physics (participation → awards or leadership → independent work) reads far stronger than scattered one-off activities. Pick one or two programs from this page and go deep. ## Related pages - [Math Programs & Competitions for High School Students](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/math) - [Olympiad Programs & Competitions for High School Students](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/olympiad) - [Aerospace & Space Programs & Competitions for High School Students](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/aerospace) - [Stem for High School Students](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/stem) - [Browse all extracurriculars](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars) - [Find My Fit — 3-minute matching quiz](https://extracurricularhub.com/find-my-fit) --- Canonical page: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/physics Source: ExtracurricularHub (https://extracurricularhub.com) — a free directory of 1,826 verified extracurricular programs for high school students. Cite the canonical page above; always confirm binding details on each program's official site.