Best Summer Research and Internship Opportunities for High School Sophomores
- EduretiX
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 23
If you’re a 10th grader (sophomore), you’re probably at that exciting turning point where high school is no longer brand new, and now you’re ready to go deeper, explore your interests, and maybe even build a college-worthy resume.
One of the smartest moves you can make? Summer programs and research opportunities. They’re not just about boosting your applications, they’re about learning what excites you, building real-world skills, and connecting with mentors who can help shape your academic journey.
1. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) – Summer Courses
If you’re serious about engineering, AI, embedded systems, or autonomous tech, BWSI is one of the strongest summer pathways in the U.S. Students complete prerequisite online coursework in spring, and top performers are invited into the July summer teams.
Who can apply (Sophomore eligibility):
Students in grades 9–11 during the school year (so current sophomores are eligible).
2026 timeline (latest published cycle):
Summer program runs in July–early August; official yearly calendar is posted on the BWSI site.
Cost / aid:
Online prerequisites are free.
Summer program fee is $2,350 for families with income $150,000+; free for qualifying families.
Reference URL:https://bwsi.mit.edu/https://bwsi.mit.edu/faq/
2. NASA SEES High School Internship (UT Austin / Center for Space Research)
SEES places students into mentored NASA-linked research teams. Projects range from Earth observation to planetary science, often ending in real data products and presentations.
Who can apply (Sophomore eligibility):
Current high-school sophomores or juniors only (rising juniors/seniors).
Must be U.S. citizens and 16+ by the program start date.
Latest available dates (2025 reference):
Residential session: July 6–19, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Virtual teams run on varying schedules in June–July 2025.
2026 schedule is published on the SEES site each winter/spring cycle.
Cost / aid:
Program is NASA-funded and tuition-free; students cover travel/housing if selected for on-site participation.
Reference URL:https://www.csr.utexas.edu/education-outreach/high-school-internships/sees/eligibility/
3. Girls Who Code – Summer Immersion Program (SIP)
Girls Who Code SIP is a well-known entry point into CS for students who want structured training, projects, and a nationally recognized credential.
Who can apply (Sophomore eligibility):
Designed for rising juniors or seniors (current sophomores/juniors).
Timing:
Runs during June–August each summer; exact 2026 locations and dates are posted in the SIP application portal.
Cost / aid:
Free to attend, with need-based stipends available in some cycles.
Reference URL: https://girlswhocode.com/programs
EduretiX runs a lot of summer programs (online, in-person, residential) with our partner companies, where all high schoolers (Grades 9-12) are welcome. Fill this form to register your interest, and we can start planning your kid's summer already! We offer need based financial aid as well.
4. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp (Atlanta)
This is one of the rare CDC-run public health experiences for teens, built around outbreak investigation, epidemiology, and real CDC scientific workflows.
Who can apply (Sophomore eligibility):
Applicants must currently be sophomores or juniors (rising juniors/seniors).
Must be 16+ by the first day of camp.
Latest available dates (2025 reference):
Session 1: June 23–27, 2025
Session 2: July 21–25, 2025
2026 details are posted after mid-December 2025.
Cost / aid:
No tuition cost, but students arrange their own travel and housing in Atlanta.
Reference URL:https://www.cdc.gov/museum/camp/detective/faq.htm
5. National Youth Leadership Forum: Law & CSI (Envision / WorldStrides)
For sophomores interested in law, criminology, trial procedure, or forensic investigation, NYLF Law & CSI provides structured simulations, campus experiences, and career exposure.
Who can apply (Sophomore eligibility):
Open to students in grades 9–12.
2026 dates (official):
Atlanta (Emory University): June 25–July 2, 2026
Washington, D.C. (Georgetown University): July 12–19, 2026 or July 21–28, 2026
Cost / aid:
Tuition: $4,499 (room & board included).
Reference URL : https://www.envisionexperience.com/explore-our-programs/national-youth-leadership-forum-law-and-csi
6. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
TASS is a standout humanities/social-science seminar for students who want college-level discussion, serious writing, and a strong intellectual community.
Who can apply (Sophomore eligibility):
High-school sophomores and juniors (rising juniors/seniors).
Age 15–17 at program start/end.
2026 dates (official):
June 21 – July 25, 2026
Cost / aid:
Completely free; Telluride Association covers tuition, room, board, books, and activities, with travel aid available when needed.
7. School of The New York Times – Summer Academy
For sophomores who want a serious creative or journalism-leaning summer, the NYT Summer Academy offers intensive tracks in reporting, writing, culture, arts, and media.
Who can apply (Sophomore eligibility):
Students entering grades 10–12 (so rising juniors are eligible).
Timing:
Multiple two-week sessions each summer in June–August 2026 in New York City and online; session calendars are posted on the official academy site annually.
Cost / aid (latest published tuition):
Day program around $6,196 per two-week course; residential around $7,695, based on the latest published catalog.
Reference URL : https://nytedu.com/summer-academy/
8. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
YYGS is one of the strongest global academic summer programs for sophomores, with selective admissions, Yale faculty lectures, seminars, and three high-impact tracks.
Who can apply (Sophomore eligibility):
Current high-school sophomores or juniors.
Must be 16–18 years old by July 19, 2026.
2026 dates (official residential sessions):
Session I: June 21 – July 3, 2026
Session II: July 5 – July 17, 2026
Session III: July 19 – July 31, 2026
Cost / aid:
Tuition: $7,000 per two-week session; need-based aid available up to full tuition.
Reference URL:
Best Summer Research and Internship Opportunities for High School Sophomores
Start applying early. Many top programs open applications between November and February.
Focus on what excites you. Don’t worry about prestige, instead go for relevance and learning.
Don’t skip financial aid. Many paid programs offer full or partial funding.
Keep a résumé and personal statement handy. These are common application components.
Your sophomore summer is the perfect time to take that first big leap into the world of research, leadership, and college-level learning. Whether you want to build rockets, debate civil rights, or write the next great novel, there’s a program waiting for you.
Not only will these experiences shape your academic interests, but they’ll also introduce you to mentors, peers, and ideas that could change your future.
So go ahead—explore, apply, and grow.
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