Students seeking STEM internships should begin by consulting their teachers or guidance counselors; they likely already possess a comprehensive list of available internship opportunities with application deadlines and application forms.
This summer program provides students with an unprecedented immersion into biomedical research at NIH biomedical facilities. Pairing up with researchers, they spend five weeks learning all aspects of the research process.
Research Science Institute (RSI)
RSI is one of the world’s premier high school science internship programs, providing participants with intensive STEM classes at MIT led by professors before spending five weeks conducting research under supervision by an experienced mentor at either a university or a lab. Projects completed during an RSI internship are college-level in terms of depth and difficulty, making this experience stand out on college applications.
Applications must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in their junior year (grade 11) of high school or its international equivalent. Candidates must demonstrate excellence academically as well as show leadership potential through extracurricular activities in science, mathematics, verbal arts, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, RSI scholars must possess excellent standardized test scores (PSAT/SAT math/evidence-based reading scores of at least 740 for PSAT or SAT math and evidence-based reading; AP Physics 1&C scores of 4; and an excellent standardized test score on AP classes that matches their level AP classes ideally, PSAT/SAT math/evidence-based reading scores of at least 740 and take an AP class that matches up with what would best suit them at school level RSI scholars will have PSAT/SAT math scores of at least 740, with at least four on both sections and an excellent score on verbal portion for admissions).
RSI scholars must possess more than an excellent transcript and test scores to be considered RSI scholars; they should demonstrate a passion for STEM-related careers through writing about it in their essays, participating in STEM competitions, or showing work from classes like chemistry, biology, and physics.
Recommender letters are also essential. RSI requests two, with at least one coming from a math or science teacher who knows the student well; alternatively, summer research project participants may provide one from their research supervisor. Finally, applications require current official high school transcripts as well as all nationally administered standardized tests such as PSAT, SAT, and ACT scores for consideration.
Although RSI can be highly competitive, it’s certainly worth your while if you have an interest and qualifications related to science. Attract attention by making an impressionful interview performance, and best wishes with this opportunity!
California Academy of Sciences – Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
The Academy of Sciences CiS internship program offers San Francisco high school students a full-year, paid internship and youth development opportunity at no cost. It is highly competitive, rigorous training with numerous learning opportunities to help understand science, prepare for college, and acquire transferable skills. Furthermore, this is also a fantastic opportunity to build their resume and make connections with like-minded individuals.
This exceptional internship allows students to engage in cutting-edge research in particle physics and accelerator technology through the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, working alongside world-class scientists. Furthermore, students will attend weekly CiS training sessions and participate in an annual Science & Sustainability Symposium.
SLAC offers an unprecedented internship for high school students interested in particle physics and accelerator technology through their Careers in Science Internship Program – winner of the 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentorship. Students currently enrolled at one of SFUSD’s high schools may apply to participate.
As a CiS intern, you will conduct outdoor fieldwork and facilitate learning experiences for museum visitors. In addition, interactive training sessions will take place twice each week as you gain career advice from working professionals as well as receive guidance with college application processes. You may even join project groups, present at STEM conferences, or contribute educational materials used by the Academy.
The Jefferson Lab High School Internship offers students an exceptional and engaging learning experience that connects them with internationally recognized experts in particle physics, nuclear fusion, and accelerator science. The eight-week internship is available to rising juniors and seniors whose GPA exceeds 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, as well as those who pass an employment drug test to qualify.
The NYSCI Explainers program is an intensive one-year internship designed to give high school students hands-on science and engineering presentations to museum visitors. Trained NYSCI Explainers will host interactive demonstrations and exhibits while also attending career development workshops, STEM nights, field trips, and networking events – an ideal internship for those aspiring to become science teachers or STEM professionals.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is a scientific agency working to understand and preserve our planet’s oceans, atmosphere, and ecosystems. Their internship programs offer students and recent graduates an exceptional opportunity to be engaged in real-world projects and research that further NOAA’s mission of protecting the environment – from one-day events through summer internships to multi-year fellowships.
NOAA offers internship opportunities in many fields, including marine biology, climate science, meteorology, and fisheries management. Through NOAA Pathways Programs, students from high school through graduate school have clear pathways into federal internships that often foster more outstanding commitments towards environmental conservation and stewardship.
NOAA Inclusive Fisheries Internship (IN FISH) seeks to cultivate a pipeline of talented individuals interested in oceanography, marine biology, and fisheries science careers. This program combines on-the-job training, formal research experience, and mentorship in order to build skills while sparking passion for the natural world.
NOAA science interns play an invaluable role in NOAA’s mission, including tracking hurricanes, studying marine life, monitoring climate patterns, and developing cutting-edge technology. Interns gain exposure to NOAA’s state-of-the-art laboratories and research vessels, which introduce them to advanced science.
NOAA internships provide many exciting opportunities, with their Coastal Ocean Mapping and Charting Internship being one of the most unique experiences available. Saildrones collect real-time ocean data via sail drones deployed in both tropics to observe hurricanes as well as Arctic conditions near sea ice, providing vital data that improve weather and climate prediction models.
NOAA internships are also available at state and local levels through Sea Grant College Programs, giving undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to work closely with a mentor on projects in areas like marine ecology, oceanography, fisheries management, or watershed management. Furthermore, team meetings and “Meet and Greets” with other scientists offer insight into how NOAA researchers think and communicate about their work.
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Every summer, The Broad Institute hosts top high school students for an unparalleled learning experience centered around genomics – a field revolutionizing medicine and science alike. Through this program, they gain exposure to world-renowned scientists and researchers working alongside them. It offers them a fantastic chance to work alongside these leading minds while experiencing genomics firsthand. This program provides a 10-week paid internship with mentorship and academic support, giving participants laboratory experience as well as the opportunity to participate in seminars and lectures about genomics before writing a research paper at the end of their internship. The City of Hope Research Summer Program for high school students provides them with the chance to create their biomedical projects under the supervision of highly respected mentor facilitators while finishing up with both a research paper and oral presentation – fully accredited and offering participants a $4,000 stipend as compensation for their time and dedication.
The Garcia Center for Biomedical Sciences at UC Santa Barbara provides high school students with an exciting research internship that opens them up to scientific research in biological, environmental, and physical disciplines. Each student works alongside either a faculty or postdoctoral mentor and conducts their work for 40 hours weekly before presenting it at a scientific symposium.
NIH offers numerous internships for high school students, such as its Summer Research Internship (SRI). This 10-week program gives top high school students an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on research experience at nationally acclaimed laboratories while simultaneously expanding their understanding of any field they may wish to pursue as a potential career choice.
The AFRL Scholars Program offers high school students a full-time research experience at one of the various sites, such as AFWERX in Nevada and Texas, AMOS in Hawaii, the Pentagon in Washington DC, or Catalyst Campus in Colorado. Each site offers unique research projects; therefore, the exact details will depend on each project’s specifics. Students enrolling are free, and each is assigned a research project under supervision from an AFRL staff scientist.