If you’re a high school student into physics, a summer program is a great way to go deeper than the classroom allows. You get intensive coursework, hands-on experience applying theory in practice, a clearer sense of where physics can lead as a career, and a group of peers and mentors who share the interest. Here are ten of the best physics summer programs for high schoolers. Dates and eligibility shift year to year, so confirm the current details with each.
Research Science Institute (RSI)
RSI, hosted at MIT with the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), is one of the most prestigious and selective summer research programs anywhere, with an acceptance rate lower than top colleges. Students do an intensive research project mentored by working scientists and present their findings at the RSI Final Symposium.
Program dates: about 6 weeks, late June to August
Eligibility: high school juniors
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
YYGS runs an “Applied Science and Engineering” track covering real-world applications of physics, technology, and engineering, with lectures on electromagnetism, mechanics, and thermodynamics. Students work on group projects and hear from industry professionals about how physics is used in fields like engineering, tech, and healthcare.
Program dates: multiple sessions through the summer
Eligibility: high school sophomores and juniors, ages 16-18
Summer Science Program (SSP)
SSP’s Astrophysics track has students do real observational astronomy, including calculating the orbit of a near-Earth asteroid from their own measurements. Lectures, lab sessions, and mentorship from astronomers build skills in both physics and data analysis, and teams present their findings at the end.
Program dates: early June to July
Eligibility: high school sophomores and juniors, ages 15-18
Harvard Secondary School Program
Harvard’s pre-college program offers physics courses at both introductory and advanced levels, covering classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics through lectures, discussions, and lab sessions. Students can take courses for college credit and get mentorship from faculty.
Program dates: multiple sessions through the summer
Eligibility: high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Carnegie Mellon Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
SAMS covers physics fundamentals (classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics) through lectures, lab sessions, and research projects, with faculty mentorship. It’s aimed at students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM and is free for those admitted.
Program dates: about 6 weeks in summer
Eligibility: high school juniors, at least 16 years old
University of Chicago Summer Session
UChicago’s summer session includes a physics research experience that introduces high schoolers to experimental work in university labs, spanning particle physics, condensed matter, and quantum mechanics. Lectures, workshops, and mentorship round it out, and students present their research at the end.
Program dates: multiple sessions through the summer
Eligibility: high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Stanford’s physics course covers advanced topics, classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics, through lectures, discussions, and hands-on experiments, with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving. Group projects and networking with peers and professionals are part of the experience.
Program dates: multiple sessions through the summer
Eligibility: high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
The Jackson Laboratory program offers research in genetics and biophysics, where students work under leading scientists, get real lab experience with experimental techniques, and present their findings. It’s a good fit if your physics interest leans toward the life sciences.
Program dates: mid-June to early August
Eligibility: high school juniors and seniors
University of Pennsylvania Summer Science Initiative (PSSI)
PSSI offers a physics curriculum with hands-on research projects, lectures on fundamental concepts, lab sessions, and faculty mentorship. Students work on projects across mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum physics, and present their findings at the end.
Program dates: early July to early August
Eligibility: high school juniors and seniors
QuarkNet Summer Research Program
I’m personally an alumnus of this program and have great things to say about it. I got to learn from high-energy experimentalists and was put in touch with some very talented undergraduate and PhD students. The program was completely free, which was a major plus for me. At the end, I prepared a presentation and spoke in their lecture hall, which was a valuable experience. I was also connected with several physics professors. I didn’t end up pursuing a research opportunity with any of them, but it’s worth considering if you enjoy the program.
Program dates: varies by location
Eligibility: high school juniors and seniors
How to apply
Once you’ve found programs you like, start applying. Have your list ready before the calendar year you want to attend begins. If you’re aiming for a summer program, your shortlist should be set by January of that year. RSI is the exception, with an earlier deadline, so plan to apply months ahead. Watch Rishab’s video below for more on applying to summer programs.
A physics summer program lets you learn from real experts at a higher level than school allows, with better classes and exposure to current research. You’ll also meet a concentration of other talented students you might not find at your local high school.
For more, see Rishab’s list page, which has 50+ more programs worth considering.
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