Top STEM Internships for High School Students 2025
by
Indigo Research Team
&
Published:
February 14, 2025
Last Updated:
February 19, 2025
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Did you know that NASA allows high school students to work on aerospace projects? Imagine getting practical experience with the latest space technology while still in high school. This is only possible because of STEM internships for high school students. Securing a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) internship as a high school student transforms your educational journey. It puts you in a position to learn from professionals, gain practical experience, and explore STEM career opportunities.
Some of the things you learn in the programs range from coding and robotics to environmental science and biomedical research. Several programs provide students with entry to leading-edge laboratories where they get expert guidance and work on meaningful projects. Opportunities also exist across government agencies, tech companies, and universities. If you plan to advance your STEM knowledge, consider these top internship opportunities in 2025.
Here are some of the most influential high school stem internships:
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship program allows high school students to gain practical experience working together with scientists and engineers. Students work on actual projects to acquire practical skills in aerospace technology, robotics, programming, and scientific research. They also help to analyze satellite data and support engineering design efforts and scientific research. Mentors also provide career insights into STEM careers.
Students can choose between full-time or part-time positions. This arrangement allows participants to combine their academic studies with practical work experience. Students will find it easy to participate because the program offers multiple sessions throughout the year that match their individual schedules. The internship offers participants hands-on experience with advanced technology and research to strengthen their foundation for STEM career paths.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) organizes one of the best internship programs for high schoolers who want to study biomedical science or behavioral and social sciences. Principal Investigators lead research teams in which interns participate to work on projects from biology and engineering to epidemiology and pharmaceutical sciences. The research areas available for study include fundamental science, translational research, and clinical trials. All these help interns experience actual healthcare issues.
Participants develop practical skills through direct laboratory work and data analysis while partnering with field specialists to learn scientific methods. They also assist in disease mechanism research, developing new treatments, and analyzing health data. Students who plan to become professionals in medicine, public health, and research fields receive important health training through this program. Perhaps the best part of this internship is the flexibility to choose where you work based on projects that match your academic focus.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is one of the best paid internships for teens in the United States. It allows high school students to experience what it feels like to work in the Department of Navy laboratories. During the program, interns work alongside leading scientists and engineers to gain practical experience in STEM disciplines such as robotics, cybersecurity, aerospace, and marine technology. For eight weeks, they work on innovative projects and learn advanced research methods and problem-solving skills.
Some of the projects in this internship include data analysis, coding, prototype design, and testing innovations. Participants gain firsthand access to military-level engineering and scientific advancements. They also discover potential career paths in the defense and research sectors. Many interns go on to pursue careers within the Department of Navy, where they tackle science and technology challenges.
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Internship program is one of the most advanced STEM internships for high school students. Here, students get practical experience in various research areas including engineering, energy management, and information technology. They work with experts on laboratory projects and learn about plasma physics and fusion energy science. A week-long plasma physics course led by top scientists starts the program to establish a solid foundation before participants begin their projects.
During their internship, students perform research which enhances their technical skills and leads to tangible improvements in energy technology. At the end of the program, they demonstrate their research results using both speech presentations and posters which helps them improve their analysis and communication.
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Program is one of the best STEM internships for high school students who live in Idaho. This program offers a conducive environment for students to collaborate with seasoned scientists and engineers to create innovative solutions for complex real-world problems. During the first week interns work alongside their mentors to both define their work objectives and secure necessary resources for a productive internship period.
Through the next couple of weeks, mentors will support and guide interns to succeed in the program. Participants also attend weekly seminars and community events for career development. Finally, they complete a project that they can present using different formats such as posters or digital presentations and videos.
The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program is one of the best STEM internships summer of 2025. This program supports high school students to gain hands-on experience at the California Academy of Sciences. At the start of their internship, students perform outdoor fieldwork and interact with visitors. They also attend training sessions that teach them about science communication, STEM careers, and college preparation.
Interns who advance through the program go on to lead teams, participate in research initiatives, and work closely with Academy scientists. Interns also make presentations at STEM conferences. They also help design exhibits, and receive close mentorship from experts in the field.
The JSA/Jefferson Lab High School Summer Honors Program is one of the best summer internships for STEM enthusiasts in Virginia. Here, high school students can participate in scientific or technical projects with guidance from Jefferson Lab staff. To participate in this program, you must dedicate six weeks in the summer to engage in full-time research in physics, engineering, and computer science. The hands-on activities in this program help develop practical skills and open your mind to several science and technology career opportunities.
Candidates are being selected based on their academic achievements and their clear interest in STEM disciplines. As such, adding a relevant extracurricular activity essay can improve your chances of getting accepted into the program. Students complete the program by presenting their work and showcasing their contributions to current projects at Jefferson Lab.
The Princeton Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) is an elite STEM summer internship for high school students. It gives high school students practical research opportunities next to top scientists who work on the latest scientific breakthroughs. With sponsorship from Princeton University, this prestigious program places participants directly into engineering and natural sciences projects.
Each year research topics get updated to match current advancements in energy science, materials science, and machine learning technology. Some of the activities interns engage in include:
The program links academic teachings to hands-on research. This approach helps students to build research and critical thinking skills. Students assist on active research projects which enables them to learn about complex scientific techniques.
If you're looking for good internships for 14 year olds, The Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) HOPP Summer Student Program is one of the best options. This program engages high school students in an intensive, eight-week research in biomedical or computational sciences. Some key areas of research include:
Experienced scientists guide interns through research activities in MSK labs where they learn practical laboratory techniques and data analysis methods. Students perform independent projects that support the Principal Investigator's active research and build their technical skills.
In addition to laboratory work, the program offers professional development activities that introduce students to translational medicine and research. Interns join events sponsored by the Memorial Hospital clinical departments and the Office of Scientific Education & Training to explore more diverse career paths in healthcare and medical research.
Students in the BioBus Junior Scientist Internship gain practical experience by participating in scientific research and science communication. Research scientists mentor interns as they work on independent projects with research-grade microscopes. The research topics range from mutant microscopic worms and fruit fly behavior to soil contamination and engineering projects such as microscope design. Some notable projects interns have done in the past include:
Interns also join teaching and outreach initiatives which enable them to present scientific ideas to wider audiences. This activity teaches them communication skills as they present their research findings to communities through practical demonstrations. The BioBus Junior Scientist Internship includes 3 programs: Harlem, Women in STEM, and Lower East Side Junior Scientist programs. While every program focuses on STEM research they target different student populations and have varying meeting schedules throughout the week.
During the Genspace BioRocket Internship, high school students engage in six months of research in genetic engineering and biology. They learn about molecular biology research methods while working with scientific mentors. Then they develop their own summer research projects. Besides hands-on activities, students also build communication skills so they can articulate complex scientific ideas to various audiences. One way they do this is by engaging in improv training sessions.
The program also includes exclusive lab tours, field trips to biotech environments, and career development sessions. Through their discussions with experts, students gain a deeper knowledge about careers in science, technology, and design fields. The program opens them to more opportunities by linking them to various research internships across the city.
The Columbia Engineering HK Maker Lab offers a summer design-oriented program where students learn engineering fundamentals by participating in practical projects and structured coursework. During the program, participants learn about innovation techniques while they develop practical skills in prototyping. Then, with the support of expert instructors, they finish design projects that apply engineering principles to solve real-world challenges.
The program emphasizes early exposure to STEAM careers. As such, it encourages participants to build technical skills and a strong foundation in engineering. Candidates who complete the program successfully may secure paid research lab or healthcare institution internships during the next summer.
The AFRL Scholars Program allows high school students to gain practical research experience by working directly with AFRL scientists and engineers. In this program, students learn about aerospace technology, robotics, cybersecurity, and materials science. Some of the research topics for the 2025 summer session include:
By the end of this program, students solve actual problems by applying theoretical classroom knowledge to new technological developments.
The America on Tech TECH360 Program is one of the best STEM internships for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. They study AI's historical development, current trends, and ethical issues. They also learn about the inner workings of generative and predictive AI models. Next to AI is data science and machine learning. Students learn these concepts too as they are integral to the development and application of AI tools.
For their final project, students create an AI-powered tool and pitch it to mock clients. The best projects make it to Demo Day where a panel of judges decide which team has the best presentation.
The Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars (TUBERS) program enables high school students to conduct laboratory research in biomedical engineering. Students spend six weeks in Tufts' Biomedical Engineering labs where they explore scientific questions and create new techniques for examining cells, tissues, and organs.
Interns perform every stage of the scientific method, from forming hypotheses and running experiments to analyzing results. Then, they share their research results with their peers and supervisors during presentations. This collaborative aspect of the program helps students to develop scientific communication skills.
The Indigo Research Intensive Seasonal (IRIS) Program connects high school students with professors and researchers from leading universities. This online program offers various STEM subjects including genetics, AI, computer science, astrophysics, neuroscience, and environmental science. The aim is to produce a publishable research paper by the end of the program.
Participants start the program with foundational research techniques, time management, and citation strategies. Then, they develop abstracts, annotated bibliographies, and organize sources before drafting their research papers. Then, they create abstracts, annotated bibliographies, and organize their sources to prepare for writing. With close guidance from instructors and peer reviews, students successfully complete an advanced research paper.
STEM internships for high school students are the best places to gain practical experience, professional guidance, and direct access to advanced research facilities. Earning a spot in these programs distinguishes you from your peers and sets you up for success in future academic or career endeavors. And the best part is that these programs are mostly free. Most times you just have to maintain a good academic track record and proven interest to earn a spot. And what's a better way to prove your interest in STEM than publishing a research paper?
If you want to transform your STEM research interests into a published paper, consider registering for the IRIS Program. It will give you direct access to top university researchers who will guide you in improving your writing skills and producing high-quality research within a few weeks. Apply now to start your research journey.
Yes, SpaceX occasionally offers internships for high school juniors and seniors. However, most internships at SpaceX are primarily for college students.
Most STEM internships start at 16, but some programs, like the BioBus Junior Scientist Internship, accept younger students. The Memorial Sloan Student Program accepts even younger interns.
NASA internships are highly competitive. The exact acceptance rate varies by program and application cycle but it's generally around 4–6 percent.
Yes, programs like the NASA SEES Internship and AmeriCorps STEM initiatives offer hands-on research and service opportunities during a gap year.
If you want to transform your STEM research interests into a published paper, consider registering for the IRIS Program. It will give you direct access to top university researchers who will guide you in improving your writing skills and producing high-quality research within a few weeks.
If you want to transform your STEM research interests into a published paper, consider registering for the IRIS Program. It will give you direct access to top university researchers who will guide you in improving your writing skills and producing high-quality research within a few weeks.
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