16 STEM Internships for High Schoolers in the Bay Area
If you’re a high school student looking for internships in San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area, this blog is for you. The Bay Area is well-known for its thriving technology industry and innovative startups, making it an ideal center for high school students passionate about STEM. From Silicon Valley tech giants to emerging startups and renowned research institutions, the Bay Area is a hub for STEM talent that offers a great opportunity to jumpstart your career by securing an internship.
An internship will not only provide you with invaluable hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to cutting-edge research and development but will also allow you to network with seasoned experts and explore potential career paths. Gaining practical experience early on demonstrates your passion and dedication to your chosen field. This enhances your college applications, giving you an edge in future academic and career pursuits.
To get you started, here's a list of 16 STEM internships for high school students based in the Bay Area spanning diverse areas such as biomedical research, AI, engineering, computer science, environmental science, technology, science communication, and more!
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary
Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, who can work for 5-15 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Summer cohort: April 14, 2024 (Regular Admission 1) | May 12, 2024 (Regular Admission 2)
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter. The summer cohort begins on June 3, 2024.
Cost: Starting at $1,990. Financial assistance is available.
Founded by Harvard alumni, Ladder Internships is a selective program that pairs high school students with startups and nonprofits around the world for virtual internships. You can choose a field to work in based on your interests, from a wide range of industries, including technology, machine learning, AI, computer science, finance, environmental science, sustainability, healthcare, medicine, media, journalism, and more. Ladder interns will work on meaningful projects and present their work at the end of the program. This internship program includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, among other skills, and group training sessions with fellow interns. You will be paired with a manager at the startup and with a Ladder coach, who serves as a second mentor.
Interns usually require 5-10 hours a week to work on assigned tasks and to meet the company management. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. The internship opportunities in this program span the globe, with a concentration in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and the UK. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
2. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Subject Areas: STEM fields
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school (check if your school qualifies here)
- Maintain a GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in science and math
- Be able to obtain a valid work permit (US citizens and others authorized to work in the US)
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024. (Selected applicants will be required to attend an in-person group interview on April 27, 2024.)
Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Interns get paid above minimum wage.
Careers in Science is a multi-year, year-round, paid internship and youth development program for San Francisco high school students who come from communities underrepresented in STEM, including girls and students of color. On Saturdays during the school year and weekdays in the summer, interns will get a chance to conduct fieldwork outdoors and facilitate learning experiences for Academy visitors on the public floor.
During the program, you will attend interactive training sessions to learn about careers from practicing STEM professionals and receive guidance on your college application process. In addition to this, you will go on college tours and get opportunities to present at STEM conferences and festivals. As an intern, you will also get to work on a science research or environmental action project led by an Academy researcher or partner. Interns will also serve on the CiS Leadership Council and are eligible for individualized mentorships with Academy experts.
3. High School Internship Program at Kaiser Permanente
Subject Areas: Healthcare
Location: Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be 16 years of age by June 1st, 2024.
- Be a current high school student or a graduating senior of the Class of 2024
- Have a permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area.
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for the 2024 program and will open in November 2024 for the 2025 program.
Dates: June 17, 2024 - August 2, 2024
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $15.50 - $18 per hour
For those interested in the healthcare industry, this internship offers practical experience and insight into it. During this internship, you will have the chance to work alongside healthcare professionals and learn about various medical disciplines, such as nursing, pharmacy, laboratory sciences, and more.
You will get to participate in hands-on activities, shadowing experiences, and educational workshops that enhance your understanding of healthcare practices. The program emphasizes mentorship, teamwork, and personal development, and can encourage you to explore your career interest in the medical field. Selected interns will attend weekly workshops to develop their skills, work and interact with supervisors and mentors, work on collaborative community service projects with peers, and build a network.
4. CURE Internship Program at UCSF with the Science and Health Education Partnership
Subject Areas: Biomedical research
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: Current 11th graders, who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and have completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or better, can apply.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Dates: June 10 - August 2, 2024
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will receive a stipend, but information on the exact amount is not available.
The CURE (Community, Urban, Research, and Education) Internship Program is for students interested in biomedical research. This internship provides a platform for you to immerse yourself in career opportunities across various fields of research, including basic, clinical, behavioral, and population sciences. As an intern, you will be mentored by UCSF faculty, post-doctorate students, and graduate students. You will get to conduct your research and present your findings in a 1-day Research Symposium at the end of the program. As a part of your internship, you will also receive college and career advice.
5. The Lawrence Teen Internship Program
Subject Areas: STEM fields
Location: The Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Eligibility: This program is open to teens currently in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade who are available for full-time summer internships.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Dates: May 4 - August 16, 2024
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will receive $3,500 for full summer participation. (Missed time will result in a deduction from the stipend. Each day missed is a $72 deduction).
At The Lawrence, the aim is to create and broaden pathways for young people in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), be it in research, business, or education. The Teen Internship Program provides an opportunity to combine teens’ passion for STEM in particular and education in general. This program offers an ideal opportunity for teens with a science-oriented mind and a relationship-oriented personality. As an intern, you will gain practical skills, knowledge, and tools to facilitate fun, engaging, and meaningful hands-on science learning for youth.
Teens accepted into the 4-month internship will undergo professional workshops, including science learning and teaching, leadership, and conflict resolution. After completing the training, you will be placed in a summer science educator role.
6. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Subject Areas: Information and communication, engineering, arts, linguistics, psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, technology, philosophy, and design.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be currently a high school junior or senior in the 2023-2024 school year (i.e. 11th or 12th grade at the time of application) OR a full-time CC student (within first three years of CC)
- Be at least 14 by June 17 (if you are a high school junior or senior).
- Be between the ages of 17 and 21 (inclusive) by June 17 (if you are a full-time CC student)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Dates: June 17, 2024 - August 9, 2024
Cost/Stipend: None
This program is aimed at providing high school and community college students early exposure to cutting-edge research in an academic environment as well as introducing students to the diversity of research topics pursued in engineering. Conducted by a highly esteemed institution during the summer, this internship offers a unique chance for students to explore diverse subjects remotely. You will spend most of the time conducting research from where you are located (if you are working on hardware projects, materials will be sent to you) while maintaining regular communication with your mentors and group members. You can anticipate a commitment of 30-40 hours per week, guided by Stanford's renowned faculty and industry experts who provide valuable insights into the evolving tech landscape.
Themes cover the science of information and communication, engineering, the arts, linguistics, psychology, biology, neuroscience, computer science, technology, philosophy, and design, among other areas. This program will help you develop technical skills and foster a success-oriented mindset.
7. High School Explainers Program at Exploratorium
Subject Areas: Science communication
Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: Students at least 15 years old, not more than 18 years old, and have completed their first year of high school can apply.
Application deadline: Applications for the year-round and summer High School Explainer program are typically available in June and March respectively. When the application is open, you will find it on the Exploratorium's Current Openings page.
Dates: Throughout the year (after school and on weekends) and in the summer (5 days a week)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend is paid according to the San Francisco minimum wage rate
If you are someone with an interest in science and want to do something a bit different from research, the High School Explainers Program might be a good option for you to consider. This internship invites diverse students to get an understanding of what it’s like to work in science communication.
As an intern, you will receive training that is focused on science content, exhibit facilitation, career readiness, and youth development and mentorship designed to help you demonstrate various science exhibits and concepts to the museum’s visitors. The program is a great way for you to develop holistically as you not only teach science to visitors but also develop communication and other soft skills in the process. You will also have the flexibility of working as an explainer either in the summer or through the school year!
8. UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP)
Subject Areas: Biomedical research
Location: San Francisco, CA
Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school juniors enrolled in an SFUSD high school, SF charter school, or College Track San Francisco.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Dates: June 7 - August 2, 2024 (8 weeks)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Part-time interns are paid $3200 and full-time interns are paid $4500 upon program completion.
Through SEP’s High School Intern Program, high school students learn how to conduct biomedical research during an 8-week paid summer internship at UC San Francisco. During the internship, you’ll be matched with a scientist mentor who will guide your learning of science content and skills to complete a unique research project. You’ll get to conduct original research under the direction of a UCSF scientist mentor.
As an intern, you will get to conduct biomedical science research alongside a scientist who will be your day-to-day mentor and teacher. Examples of past research topics include infectious diseases, neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, cancer, stem cell research, and developmental biology. You will have an opportunity to develop science communication skills, build your professional network through interactions with scientists and others at UCSF, and participate in College Counseling.
9. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Subject Areas: Space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, robotics, ecology, outreach and communications.
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Depending on the project, interns will work either remotely or on-site at any of NASA’s 10 field centers across the country including NASA’s Ames Research Center in the Bay Area.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
- Be a full-time student (high school through graduate level) or a part-time college-level student enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours.
- Be a minimum of 16 years of age at the time of application (no exceptions).
Application Deadline: July (Fall session) | November (Spring session) | April (Summer session)
Dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions –
- Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December)
- Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May)
- Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session duration.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships to high school and college-level students based in its various sites across the country including NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Santa Clara County which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area.
These internships provide training, mentorship, and career development to over 2000+ students annually alongside exposure to leading experts in science, engineering, finance, IT, and business. The internships are offered in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, robotics, ecology, and even outreach and communications. You will get to design experiments, analyze mission data, and develop innovative technologies.
You can explore different internship opportunities here by using the ‘Filter’ option to view the options open to high school students.
Subject Areas: Chemistry
Location: Varies based on lab choice. Opportunities are available in the Bay Area. Check here.
Eligibility: Applicants must; be current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (and recent graduates); have completed one course in high school chemistry; preference is given to students whose maximum family income does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size.
Note: Project SEED has multiple methods of documenting eligibility that you can access here!
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Dates: 8-10 weeks, June to August
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4000 is awarded to the interns.
Project SEED is a strong foundational program for budding chemistry enthusiasts to get an in-depth understanding of what it’s like to work in a chemistry lab. As an intern, you will work on an independent project at a research lab located in the nearest Project SEED location. You get to choose the type of project you’re interested in – from a wide range of choices. Depending on your project site, you might have the chance to go on field trips and campus tours, attend career panels, and more!
The main aim of Project SEED is to enable students from underrepresented communities to get a foundation in STEM by giving interns a chance to work in real laboratories. This is an intensive 8-10 week internship where you will be a part of different types of projects writing reports, conducting experiments, preparing reports, and a poster presentation at the end of your internship. Additionally, your coordinator can also choose to register you for the American Chemical Society National Meeting - where you will present your work to thousands of attendees!
Subject Areas: Computer science, data science, coding.
Location: Menlo Park, San Mateo County (Bay Area), CA.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be sophomores in high school during the 2023-2024 academic school year.
- Be full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City.
- Have a minimum 2.0 Cumulative GPA.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Dates: June 17 - July 26, 2024, for 30 hours per week.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students will receive a stipend upon successful completion of the six-week program.
Students at the Meta Summer Academy will have the opportunity to learn about the day-to-day operations of one of the world’s leading social media networks by being part of a dynamic workforce.
You will learn coding, explore careers, and develop soft skills that will help propel them into successful careers. You will be expected to participate for 30 hours/week. As an intern, you will be mentored by Meta summer academy mentors – these are employees at Meta. While this program focuses on the workings of Meta, you will learn a lot from the technology and computer science side of things. The position also offers you exposure to the tech industry. Meta provides transportation to all externs, which makes it accessible to applicants from across California. Landing an internship at Meta as a high school student is a matter of prestige, as the selection process is quite competitive, with only 150 students making it to the final cohort.
12. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Subject Areas: Immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, genetics and genomics.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, Santa Clara County (Bay Area), CA.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be juniors or seniors at the time of application (as of the spring of 2024). Students must be in the graduating class of 2024 or 2025.
- Be 16 years old or older by the start of the program.
- Be living in and attending school in the U.S. and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card to apply.
Application Deadline: February 24, 2024.
Dates: June 10 - August 1, 2024 (8 weeks).
Cost/Stipend: There is a $40 application fee, which can be waived. Students earn a stipend of $500 - $2,500. Housing and transportation are not provided.
(Note: Stipends of $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants).
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week program in which high school students with a broad range of experiences, interests, and backgrounds are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and researchers on a medically-oriented project. The goals of the program include increasing interest in biological sciences and medicine in high school students and helping students understand how scientific research is performed.
You must select one of eight study fields – Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Genetics and Genomics. Once selected, you will be assigned a particular field of study (branch) based on your preference, and spend two months as a mentee. You will be mentored by eminent scholars, researchers, and PhD fellows in the field of medicine. This is a fairly competitive program with a cohort size of about 50 students – at an acceptance rate of less than 3% (approximately).
13. Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR) High School Summer Program
Subject Areas: AI, machine learning, programming, robotics.
Location: UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Eligibility: Bay Area high school youth entering grades 10–12 can apply.
Application Deadline: April 30, 2024
Dates: July 8 - 12, 2024
Cost/Stipend: None
In this free program, students will explore cutting-edge AI technologies, concepts, and ethics as they learn about ongoing artificial intelligence research from Berkeley scientists and experts. You’ll get to work with UC Berkeley researchers across the areas of computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, planning, control, and robotics.
The entire program will take place on campus at BAIR Lab, where students participate in daily guest lectures and activities guided by BAIR Lab researchers, and select visits to research labs. Participants experience life on a college campus, including lunch provided daily at UC Berkeley dining halls and a campus tour. You can access the application here.
14. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Subject Areas: Biomedical research, biotechnology, healthcare.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, Santa Clara County (Bay Area), CA
Eligibility: High school and community college students considering careers in biomedical and biological sciences and/or healthcare. Students must be aged 16 or older at the time of the program to apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in November of the previous year.
Dates: June 17, 2024 - August 2, 2024
Cost/Stipend: None
The 7-week STaRS Internship is for high school and community college students considering careers in biomedical and biological sciences and/or healthcare. Headed by the prestigious Stanford University, the focus of this program is on the forefront of reconstructive surgery, a field that significantly benefits from biotechnological innovations and research to enhance surgical outcomes.
This opportunity will allow you to gain firsthand experience by working directly with top reconstructive surgeons and researchers, introducing you to a variety of biotechnological instruments and methodologies. The program provides practical skills in key areas, including tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and the development of medical devices. If you're interested in merging your enthusiasm for biotechnology with research, this internship program represents an ideal pathway.
15. Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (ICLEM) by JBEI
Subject Areas: Biotechnology, microbiology, and biofuels.
Location: JBEI Laboratories, Emeryville, Alameda County (Bay Area), CA.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
- Be 15 years old by December 31, 2023;
- Be currently enrolled as a sophomore or junior at a high school in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco County;
- Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient;
- Have a GPA of at least 2.5 and passed Algebra 1 and Biology;
Application Deadline: March 17, 2024.
Dates: June 10, 2024 - July 26, 2024.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; The interns receive a stipend of $3,000 for the program from June 14, 2024 to July 26, 2024.
Hosted by the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) of the U.S. Department of Energy, iCLEM is a 7-week, paid high-school internship program targeted to rising juniors and seniors from underrepresented, low-income backgrounds in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco Counties. iCLEM will give you a chance to connect with high-school teachers, undergraduate students majoring in science at UC institutions, and research advisors at JBEI, and will allow you to explore the industry field of microbiology.
During the program, four days a week will be in person at Emeryville laboratories and Tuesdays will be held remotely (the mornings will be college knowledge and application planning and the afternoons will be professional development in conjunction with the Berkeley Lab K-12 program). The program will allow you to broaden your understanding of biotechnology, microbiology, and biofuels. In addition to completing a research project, you’ll gain exposure to career exploration and preparation for the college application process.
16. Veritas AI Internship
Subject Areas: AI, ML, computer science
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program.
Application Deadline: October 20, 2024
Dates: The start date for the upcoming cohort is November 11, 2024.
Cost: $2,490 (some financial aid is available)
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more.
This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.