STEM Programs for High School Students

Explore science, technology, engineering, and math opportunities for high school students. From research programs to competitions.

STEM Categories

  • Computer science and coding programs
  • Math olympiads and competitions
  • Science research opportunities
  • Engineering design challenges
  • Robotics teams and competitions
  • Biology and chemistry programs

Current STEM program listings

699 matching programs are listed in the directory right now. The most recently added:

  • Presidential AI Challenge — White House Office of Science and Technology Policy: National K-12 AI competition where students build real-world AI solutions for community challenges, with finals at the White House.
  • Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) — Stanford University: Explore medicine, public health, and research in this free, equity-focused summer program for high school juniors. Build skills and strengthen college
  • PennApps Hackathon — University of Pennsylvania: Compete in the nation’s largest student-run hackathon for high schoolers. Build coding skills, innovate in tech, and boost your college applications.
  • Kaggle Data Science Competitions — Kaggle/Google: Join exciting online data science competitions for high school students! Build Python coding skills, explore AI, and strengthen your college applicati
  • EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship — Experimental Aircraft Association: Earn up to $12,000 for flight training toward a Private Pilot Certificate. Perfect for high school students seeking hands-on STEM experience and colle
  • MIT Global AI Hackathon — MIT RAISE & App Inventor Foundation: Join a free virtual AI hackathon for high schoolers to develop apps tackling global challenges. Gain hands-on STEM experience and boost your college a
  • Microsoft AI for Good Challenge — Microsoft: Empower global impact by joining this free AI competition for high schoolers. Develop machine learning skills, boost college applications, and tackle
  • NASA International Space Apps Challenge — NASA: Solve real-world space and climate challenges in NASA’s global hackathon. This free competition lets high schoolers build coding, data science, and te
  • International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) — IOAI Foundation: Compete in the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence to enhance AI and machine learning skills, boost college applications, and gain hands
  • Quantum Computing Summer School Programs — Various Universities & Google: Discover advanced quantum computing in hybrid summer programs for grades 11-12. Gain hands-on STEM experience, boost college applications, and explore
  • World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth (WAICY) — Ready AI: Join a global AI competition for grades 6-12 to solve real-world problems using artificial intelligence. Build STEM skills, boost college applications
  • Amgen Scholars Program — Amgen Foundation: Transform your summer with a paid high school research internship in biotech. Conduct hands-on projects at top universities to boost skills and colleg
  • Yau Science Awards (Asia) — Tsinghua University / Harvard University: Showcase your scientific research skills in this prestigious high school competition. Gain hands-on experience, boost college applications, and connec
  • Technology Student Association National Officer — TSA: Lead as a TSA National Officer in this hybrid STEM opportunity. Build leadership skills, enhance college applications, and gain hands-on experience in
  • NASA HUNCH (High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware) — NASA: Design and build aerospace hardware used on the ISS in this hands-on high school STEM program. Boost engineering skills and strengthen college applica
  • Stanford AI4ALL — Stanford University: Discover a free summer program empowering high school juniors with hands-on AI experience, skill-building for college applications, and diversity-focu
  • Women's Technology Program at MIT — MIT: Empower your STEM journey with a free four-week summer program for high school women at MIT. Gain hands-on engineering skills and boost your college a
  • Microsoft High School Internship Program — Microsoft: Paid summer internship offering hands-on computer science experience for high school juniors and seniors. Boost college applications while developing
  • PROMYS at Boston University — Boston University: Explore number theory in a 6-week immersive summer program for high schoolers. Build research skills, enhance college applications, and dive into hand
  • Mathematical Olympiad for Girls — Mathematical Olympiad Foundation: Elite math competition for high school girls to tackle USAMO-level problems. Boosts problem-solving skills, stands out on college applications, and in
  • NASA Student Launch — NASA: Design and launch high-power rockets in this exciting STEM competition. Gain hands-on aerospace experience, boost college applications, and explore en
  • Beaver Works Summer Institute — MIT: Elite summer program for high schoolers in Grades 10-11 focused on STEM fields like drones and cybersecurity. Gain hands-on experience and boost colle
  • CSAW High School Forensics Competition — NYU Tandon: Compete in a free high school cybersecurity competition! Analyze digital evidence, develop forensic skills, and boost your college application. Hybrid
  • Hertz Foundation Fellowship Application Prep — Hertz Foundation: Prepare for the elite Hertz Foundation Fellowship and boost STEM skills. Perfect for high school seniors aiming for competitive grad school applicatio

View all STEM programs in the directory

Frequently Asked Questions

Which STEM competitions are most prestigious?

At the national level, USAMO/USACO for math/computing, ISEF and Regeneron STS for research, and high placement in Science Olympiad and FIRST Robotics are highly regarded. International Olympiad qualification (IMO, IPhO, IChO, IOI, IBO) represents the highest achievement in each discipline.

How do I get started with competitive programming?

Start with platforms like USACO, Codeforces, or LeetCode. Learn a programming language (Python or C++ are common choices), then work through practice problems of increasing difficulty. Many schools have programming clubs, and online communities offer support and mentorship.

Should I focus on one STEM area or try multiple?

Early in high school, exploring multiple areas helps identify your interests. By junior year, developing depth in one or two areas typically provides more value for skill development and college applications than surface-level participation in many activities.

Do STEM extracurriculars help for non-STEM college majors?

Yes. Problem-solving skills, quantitative reasoning, and technical literacy are valued across fields. STEM activities also demonstrate intellectual curiosity and work ethic. Many students with STEM backgrounds pursue careers in law, business, policy, and other non-STEM areas.

How competitive are the top STEM programs?

Very. Programs like RSI accept about 1-2% of applicants. Top research competitions like Regeneron STS attract thousands of entrants for 300 semifinalist spots. However, many excellent programs are less competitive, and participation itself—not just winning—builds valuable skills.

What if my school doesn't offer STEM clubs?

Start one yourself, or participate in external programs. Many competitions accept individual participants or teams formed outside schools. Online communities, makerspaces, and local colleges may offer resources. Independent projects also demonstrate initiative and genuine interest.