As semesters come to a close and high schools let out for the year, many high-achieving students are interested in finding summer research programs.
And there is a wealth of potential summer programs for students interested in astronomy. Instead of spending days or weeks finding programs throughout the world, let Pioneer Academics save you time.
Pioneer Academics used our meticulous standards to hand-select the best astronomy summer camps and programs from around the world.
Advice from a Former Admissions Officer
Academic Development Manager | Pioneer Academics Former Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Wake Forest University Former Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Important note: The “best” program is always going to be the program that best fits your needs, goals, and interests. Check out my thoughts on things to consider when selecting a summer program here: College Application: Tips on Selecting a Summer Program Meeting Admission Officers’ Standards.
Students interested in the programs on this list have done the difficult task of identifying a specific field of interest. There is nothing wrong with being “undecided” or painting broader strokes, such as an interest in STEM or the humanities, but transformative educational experiences often happen when students are able to pinpoint a question or concept that really resonates with them. Begin with my general tips about selecting a summer experience and identify what you are looking for in terms of program duration, level of intensity, and co-curricular experience. But, above all, take this opportunity to really sink your teeth into your passion.
💡Bonus tips for choosing the right academic programs:
Click here to read the in-depth investigative report and its summary on the academic programs and publications by the Pulitzer-winning journalist on ProPublica and Chronicle of Higher Ed!
Pioneer Academics offers the world’s only fully accredited online research program for high school students. Respected for its selectivity and rigorous academic standards, Pioneer Academics helps students develop the strengths needed to conduct research at an undergraduate level. Students in this program receive mentorship and education from some of the nation’s leading instructors. Throughout this program, students get the resources and support they need to conduct in-depth research in various areas by accessing digital libraries and methodology seminars. As this summer program wraps up, each student will complete a full-length research paper based on their chosen topic.
Yale University’s Summer Program in Astrophysics (YSPA) isn’t exactly like astronomy camps or internships, but it combines elements of these experiences to give students an outstanding education. This program is perfect for students who excel at both science and mathematics. Participants spend two weeks engaged with an online learning community. Then, students take part in four weeks of on-campus courses and lab work using cutting-edge technology at Yale University. During the second portion of this summer research program, students spend their days attending lectures at the Leitner Planetarium or using the Leitner Observatory’s computer labs to utilize their software creation skills. This university also provides residential housing and student activities when classes aren’t in session. At this program ends, YSPA offers a mini-conference for students to present their research projects to an audience of their peers.
Whether it’s for graduate fellowships or leading programs, Texas Tech University is a renowned facility. Students looking for an on-campus astronomy camp might want to learn about Texas Tech University’s summer program. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week intensive research program for high school juniors and seniors. Selected students can choose from various research disciplines that cover STEM fields offered for this university’s undergraduate students, including astronomy. Program participants get to learn from and work alongside undergraduate students attending Texas Tech University while utilizing the latest research technology. When students aren’t working on their research opportunities, this program requires participation in discussions and educationally stimulating field trips.
If you’re a student who keeps up with the National Science Foundation, you might be familiar with this program. This week-long program happens at one of several Physics Fronter Centers named by the National Science Foundation. Select groups of students interested in astronomy can attend the Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) program, an event taking place each summer on Michigan State University’s campus. Those who participate in this program learn and take part in hands-on projects within one of the world’s leading rare-isotope laboratories, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. Other resources available through this program include the chance to ask questions to professional researchers and take a closer look at college life. Students also perform a wide range of nuclear physics experiments alongside a community of eager learners.
NASA offers internships for high school students, with eligibility limited to U.S. Citizens who meet a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0. These paid internships are available during fall, spring, and summer sessions across various NASA facilities. Applicants submit a single application that is considered agency-wide. Stipends for OSTEM interns are determined by academic level and session length. Prior experience is not mandatory, and opportunities are open to high school, undergraduate, graduate, and educator levels. Additionally, NASA sponsors internships at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California.
ISSYP is a two-week online learning opportunity for high school students wanting to learn about astronomy and science. This virtual program starts with students getting an introduction to topics such as quantum mechanics, the solar system, cosmology, special relativity, and dark energy. Students in this course work independently, in breakout groups, and complete experiments at home. This program also lets the Perimeter Institute’s researchers discuss their prior research experiences with students in an environment for participants to ask questions. Students worldwide also have time to build virtual working relationships with their peers during these virtual summer camps.
The Summer Science Program is the result of a partnership between the California Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvey Mudd College. This annual residential offering for high school juniors covers a few topics, including biochemistry, genomics, and astrophysics. In the astrophysics program, the main topic covered is near-earth asteroids. After this program pairs students into groups of three, each group learns how to complete an observing proposal in the same way an astronomer would. Coursework includes choosing asteroids, taking images, performing complex calculations, and analyzing data. Participants also learn the mathematical side of astronomy, including interpolation and differential equations. Students can also immerse themselves in multiple telescope observing runs and learn how to write software in the Python programming language.
The John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth hosts a summer science program for students interested in the all-encompassing topic of astrophysics. Students learn about stellar evolution, black holes, distances between planets, the formation of neutron stars, and the chance to explore galaxies in a state-of-the-art setting. This astronomy camp teaches students the mathematical side of astrophysics by exploring specific topics, including Kepler’s Third Law, Stefan-Boltamann Law, and the Drake Equation. There’s also time for students to discuss astrophysics, science, engineering, and similar topics in an academic group setting. Available in commuter and residential course options, these programs only accept 18 to 20 students per program.
REACH is a three-week astronomy program with an optional three-week extended course. This program combines astronomy-related research with hands-on group work for students from underrepresented groups wanting a deeper dive into astronomy. Students work on research projects alongside astronomers from the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA). In these projects, students build their projects around astronomical data and research actively taking place within CIERA’s research department. High school students also get an in-depth look at using Python programming for astronomy-related work. During this program, students also get the support they need to explore potential career paths in astronomy.
Students looking for a genuinely unique astronomy summer program might want to check out a summer camp hosted in Hawaii by the Science Camps of America. At this camp’s Air and Space program, those who participate learn about space exploration, the Earth’s atmosphere, and space exploration. Plus, each high school student in this summer program can explore part of the universe by viewing Hawaii’s beaches, shores, forests, and mountains. Students also visit and conduct research observatories where astronomers, climate scientists, and people in postdoctoral positions work on various projects. These astronomy camps also let students hone their engineering skills by working with electronics used in the science field.
💡Bonus tips in choosing the right academic programs:
Read the in-depth investigative report and its summary on the academic programs and publications by the Pulitzer winning journalist on ProPublica and Chronicle of Higher Ed! (Link to our blog of info graph of the report)
Are you a high-performing high school student interested in summer astronomy research? If so, Pioneer Academics encourages you to attend one of our free online information sessions.
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