Data Science is a rapidly expanding and exciting field with increased passion among high school students these days and if you’re a high school students who is passionate about using data to make a difference, exploring research universities in data science is a great way to get experience in the field and even qualify your resume. In this blog post, I will outline the Top 10 Data Science Research Opportunities for High School Students in 2024.

Top Data Science Research Opportunities

1. Research Science Institute at MIT

Description: Each summer, 100 of the world’s most accomplished high school students gather at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the Research Science Institute (RSI). RSI is the first cost-free to students, summer science & engineering program to combine on-campus course work in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research.

Participants experience the entire research cycle from start to finish. They read the most current literature in their field, execute a detailed research plan, and deliver conference-style oral and written reports on their findings.

Age: High School Juniors Only

Location: Cambridge, MA

Length of Program: 5-6 Weeks

Do you want to get into RSI? Then watch this video to gain insider tips from Rishab who actually got accepted to RSI.

2. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Data Science

Description: Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is an online summer program where participants engage in single-subject intensive study and benefit from small class sizes and academically motivated peers.

Courses are offered in a range of subject areas, including Business, Bioscience, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Engineering, Math, Philosophy, and more. Each course is customized by its instructors to give students deep exposure and hands-on experience. Academics and social activities are integrated into every aspect of our program.

• Age: High School Students from Grades 9 to 12
• Location: Remote
• Length of Program: 2 Weeks
• Application Due: Depends on Program

3. DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago

Description: The Data Science Institute Summer Lab program is an immersive 8-week paid summer research program at the University of Chicago. In the program, undergraduate students (and Chicago-area high school students) are paired with a data science mentor in various domains, including: computer science, data science, social science, climate and energy policy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical research. Through this pairing the research assistant will engage with and hone their skills in research methodologies, practices, and teamwork.

Length of Program: 8 weeks

Application Due: January 16, 2024

Program Fee: $4,800

4. AI4ALL/UW at the University of Washington

Description: The University of Washington’s, Taskar Center for Accessible Technology invites students from traditionally underrepresented groups to join us for a free, 20-week data science introductory workshop. To be eligible for the program, students must be rising high school juniors, high school seniors, or college freshmen. At the workshop, students will learn how to understand, analyze, interpret and discuss real-world applications of data science and machine learning with the ultimate goal of understanding impactful technology decisions. Age: High School Juniors, Seniors, or College Freshmen

Location: Online

Length of Program: 20 Weeks

Application Deadline: TBD

Cost: Free

5. Google Summer of Code

Description: Google Summer of Code is a global, online program focused on bringing new contributors into open-source software development. GSoC Contributors work with an open-source organization on a 12+ week programming project under the guidance of mentors. GSoC also allows students to attend lectures and workshops on various open-source software topics, including data science.

Age: +18

Location: Remote

Length of Program: 12 Weeks

Application Due: January 22, 2024 – February 6, 2024

6. Veritas AI

Description: Veritas AI is an AI program for high school students founded and run by Harvard graduates. The AI Scholars program teaches students the fundamentals of AI from researchers and practitioners and gives students the opportunity to build a real-world project with a group of fellow students.

Age: High School Students from Grade 9-12

Location: Remote

Length of Program: 10 Weeks

Application Due: January 14, 2024 – April 14, 2024

7. Girls Who Code

Description: High school students gain the computer science skills they need to make an impact and prepare for tech careers in our free, virtual Summer Programs. Summer Program participants invest in their future by learning about tech jobs and meeting industry leaders, all while building a supportive community of sisterhood. These Programs offer incredible benefits including professional connections, financial grants, tech support and much more – no previous computer science experience required!!

Age: High School Students from Grades 9 to 12

Location: Remote

Length of Program: 2 or 6 Weeks (Depending on the program)

Application Due: Late March

8. NIST Summer Research Program

Description: NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, offers a summer high school intern program across 6 of its divisions, which can include data science opportunities.

Age: High School Juniors and Seniors

Location: Boulder, Co or Gaithersburg, MD

Length of Program: 8 Weeks

Application Due: February 9, 2024

9. Wartron Data Science Academy

Description: We believe data science is not just a collection of techniques; it is foremost motivated by real-world problems. The data scientist of the 21st century must be able to identify relevant problems, provide sensible analyses, and ultimately communicate their findings in meaningful ways. By the end of the Wharton Data Science Academy, students will not only be equipped with essential data science techniques such as data visualization and data wrangling but will also be exposed to modern machine learning methodologies, which are all building blocks for today’s AI field. Along the way, students will develop a working proficiency with the R language, which is among the most widely used by professional data scientists in both academia and industry.

Age: High School Students

Length of Program: 4 Weeks

Application Deadline: April 3, 2024

10. Code Connects at Columbian University

Description: This 5-week program allows students to develop data science skills and conduct research with top university faculty. Students are paired with PhD candidate mentors and have the opportunity to work on current research at Columbia.

Age: Incoming 10th – 12th graders and college freshmen

Location: Remote

Length of Program: 5 Weeks

Application Due: TBD

Program Fee: USD $3995

Applying for Data Science Research Opportunities

• Start your research early. Many program have deadlines in the fall or winter, so it is crucial to start planning early
• Write a solid personal statement. Your personal statement should highlight your academic achievements, research interests, and career goals.
• Get letters of recommendation from your teachers or mentors. Letters of recommendation help you stand out from other applicants.
• Practice your interviewing skills. Many programs require applicants to interview with faculty members or researchers.