Extracurriculars & Programs in Washington for High School Students

Washington's opportunity map runs from UW research programs and Fred Hutch cancer-lab internships in Seattle to Museum of Flight aviation academies and a statewide tech-industry youth pipeline.

Aerospace and software money funds an unusual number of free STEM seats here — Seattle-area students have big-lab access most states can't match.

17 verified programs match this page; 13 of the featured listings are completely free.

Featured programs

Browse 17+ curated programs for high school students:

• 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
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute R2L NextGen — Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute: Free week-long program in Washington DC for Hispanic high school students interested in public service and policy. Includes meetings with Congress mem
• DO-IT Scholars — University of Washington: Empower your future with DO-IT Scholars, a free hybrid program for 10th-11th graders with disabilities. Build leadership skills, explore STEM, and pre
• National Geographic Bee (GeoBee) — National Geographic Society: Premier geography competition with school, state, and national levels. Tests geography, culture, and current events knowledge.
• Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Paid laboratory internships in cancer and biomedical research.
• US Presidential Scholars Program Semifinalist — U.S. Department of Education: Semifinalists are among the top 600 academic students nationally based on SAT/ACT scores. One of the highest honors for academic achievement.
• UW Math Academy — University of Washington College of Engineering: Transform your math skills with a free summer program at UW focusing on advanced mathematics and engineering design. Boost college applications with h
• Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholar — Freedom Forum: 51 high school juniors (one from each state + DC) receive $1,000 and trip to Washington for journalism conference.
• INTEL Science Talent Search (now Regeneron STS) Finalist — Society for Science: Most prestigious pre-college science research competition in US. 40 finalists compete in DC. Top prize $250,000. Many winners become major scientists.
• Fred Hutch Cancer Center Summer Research Program — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center: Cancer and immunology research at leading research center.
• Pacific Northwest Ballet School Summer Course — Pacific Northwest Ballet: Summer ballet training with Pacific Northwest Ballet faculty. Classical technique and repertoire in Seattle.
• Washington Aerospace Scholars — The Museum of Flight: Yearlong Museum of Flight program for Washington high school juniors: a free online UW aerospace course (Nov-Mar) leading to a six-day summer residenc
• National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) — NFFTY: Major festival for filmmakers 24 and under, held each spring in Seattle with a virtual option; high schoolers can submit shorts in six categories (ent
• Youth Ocean Advocates — Seattle Aquarium: Free Seattle Aquarium program where high schoolers (grades 9-12) train as marine conservation interpreters and advocates, with behind-the-scenes acces
• Engineering Academy — University of Washington College of Engineering: Free one-week summer program at UW Seattle giving high school sophomores and juniors their first broad exposure to engineering through hands-on design
• UW Youth & Teen Programs — University of Washington Continuum College: University of Washington enrichment courses for grades 4-12 — robotics, creative writing, debate, engineering, and more — offered on the Seattle campu
• Young Executives in our Community (YEOC) — University of Washington Foster School of Business: Free nine-month Saturday academy at UW's Foster School of Business for Washington State sophomores and juniors - college prep, business lectures, and

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