10 STEM Extracurricular Activities for Summer 2025

This summer, many academic programs are available for high school students pursuing careers in everything from aerospace engineering to computer science. The popularity of STEM extracurricular activities isn’t wavering any time soon, so here are just 10 of many opportunities for future scientists and mathematicians to explore. 

STEM Research Programs

Molecular Biophysics: Understanding How the Arrangement of Atoms in Protein Gives Rise to its Shape and Function

Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment

This research program introduces students to organic chemistry and biochemistry through the study of molecules, including proteins, DNA, RNA, and pharmaceuticals. The primary goal is to learn how a protein’s three-dimensional shape may change its function. This understanding will inform students as they discover how structural biologists collect experimental data used in building 3D structures and the computational methods developed to construct these structures.

Students of this research program can study the structure of any protein relevant to cardiology, psychiatry, or oncology. They’ll also explore how their newfound knowledge of molecular biophysics could inform the design of a novel drug to treat a disease, in addition to learning general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications.

Faculty Advisor: Data Scientist; PhD, Molecular Biophysics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Designing Safer Vehicles to Achieve Vision Zero in the Era of Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric (CASE) Vehicles

Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment

This research program, which focuses on the science and engineering of designing safer vehicles, is based on Vision Zero, or the United Nation’s global movement to end traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by taking a systemic approach to road safety. Students will learn the fundamentals of designing safer vehicles, including the five pillars of road safety and various biomedical principles. They’ll also engage in in-depth research of crash data, develop design specifications, and propose design features to mitigate certain types of injuries.

For their final project, students will complete a final research paper using general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications.

Faculty Advisor: Principal Scientist in Research and Development at a leading automobile manufacturer; Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Center for Applied Biomechanics (CAB) in the University of Virginia

The Management of Medical Emergencies in Zero Gravity and for Long-term Space Missions

Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment

High school students interested in the intersection of healthcare and space exploration can gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and medical considerations involved in providing healthcare during space missions. As our species’ interest in long-duration space travel and habitating on other celestial bodies grows, so does the need for well-trained healthcare professionals who can manage emergencies in zero-gravity environments.

Students participating in this research program will learn about potential medical issues that may arise during extended space missions and how to address them using innovative and practical medical techniques. They’ll also be trained in general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications.

Faculty Advisor: Resident Physician, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic; MD, Baylor College of Medicine

Innovative Solutions to Real-Life Business and Social Problems Using AI and Cloud Technology

Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment

This program introduces students to how artificial intelligence and cloud technologies can support humans in our day-to-day activities and propel our species into the future. Students will study the latest cloud computing, AI, and Web3 Decentralized Applications technologies, which can be combined to create next-generation, multi-cloud, innovative Intelligent Autonomous Networked (IAN) business and social solutions. Students will also learn general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications.

Faculty Advisor: Associate Professor, Computer Science, New York University

Mechanical Engineering Applications: Planes, F1 Cars, and Rockets

Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment

Students participating in this STEM program can study some of the most exciting technological advances of the modern age, all of which were made possible by mechanical engineering. They’ll discover fascinating plane designs as they learn how planes stay in the air and how they’re controlled, as well as the different types of engines that fuel them. Students will also learn how rockets are designed and flown and discover the technological marvel of Formula 1 engines.

This research program, ideal for students interested in physics, mechanical engineering, and aerospace engineering, also teaches students general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications.

Faculty Advisor: Research Fellow, Phutung Research Institute; Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University

Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessments: Safeguarding Digital Assets

Application deadline: March 31, 2025 for Early Bird Special and May 31, 2025 for regular enrollment

Students will learn the ins and outs of vulnerability assessment, which is the cornerstone of effective cybersecurity. They’ll participate in hands-on activities as they study a systemic approach to identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating vulnerabilities in applications, APIs, and cloud/network infrastructure. Using Vulnerability Discovery tools, program participants will conduct external and internal vulnerability scanning on sample systems to identify opportunities for exploitation by bad actors.

Students will also be trained in general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications. This research program prepares students for internships and entry-level positions in cybersecurity during their collegiate studies.

Faculty Advisor: Research Fellow, Microsoft; Former Visiting Associate Professor, Stanford University

Other STEM Extracurricular Opportunities

UCLA Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)

Application deadline: May 1, 2025 for international students and June 1, 2025 for U.S. students

SCIP is a pre-college program designed to offer exceptional high school students a taste of university life. Students get to live alongside UCLA undergraduates as they experience a broad range of academia via lectures, leadership seminars, workshops and coursework.

Program participants can select one or two courses to participate in and there are plenty of STEM classes available, including:

• Astronomy

• Chemistry

• Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences

• Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

• Neuroscience

• Physics

• Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

• Statistics

• Medicine

• Life sciences

Successful SCIP students will earn a college credit, certificate of completion, and useful skills to help them manage college applications, academics, and university life.

Girls Who Code Summer Programs

Application deadline: Anytime during the 2024-2025 school year

Female and non-binary high school students have the opportunity to learn valuable computer science skills, find community, and build their professional networks through free and virtual Girls Who Code programs. There are two summer programs to choose from, including Pathways and the Summer Immersion Program (SIP). 

Pathways, the more flexible option, is a six-week, self-paced program designed to teach cybersecurity, web development, data science, and artificial intelligence. Students can go at their own pace as they learn coding languages like Python, CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. SIP, however, offers two weeks of live virtual courses sponsored by industry-leading companies interested in teaching young people about game design. SIP participants get immersed into the tech and gaming world as they’re introduced to computer science, UX design, and step-by-step game design processes.

New York University’s Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS) Summer Program

Application deadline: April 15, 2025

CS4CS, named as one of Forbes’ “10 Tech-Focused Summer Programs For High School Students In 2025”, introduces high school students in New York City to computer science and cybersecurity fundamentals. Through hands-on activities like coding and programming practices and theatre-based communications workshops, students learn about various relevant issues like “white-hat” hacking, digital forensics, steganography, and more.

Stanford University’s High School Summer Programs

Application deadline: Varies by program

Stanford offers many different STEM summer programs, each more fascinating than the last. Stanford Medicine’s Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center (CSSEC) hosts a summer internship designed to educate high school students on cardiothoracic surgical anatomy and physiology, as well as surgical techniques that will be utilized in pre-medical and medical training. Meanwhile, the university’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) offers both an internship and a bootcamp for students interested in learning about the “limitless opportunities at the intersection of AI and medicine”. There are many more programs available at Stanford University this summer, so we suggest browsing and finding the one that suits you or your student best.

Any student pursuing a career in STEM must be academically and professionally prepared for stiff competition from their peers. The best way for a young scholar to stay competitive is to participate in extracurricular activities that fortify their academic profiles, expand their network, and strengthen their skillsets. There’s plenty to do this summer, and the good news is there’s still time to apply.