Computer Science Research Programs for High School Students
EC Finder currently lists 24 computer science research programs for high school students. Of these, 20 are free to participate in and 21 offer virtual participation. Examples include Big Data at Berkeley – High School Data Science Bootcamp, CISA Cybersecurity Career Resources, and Cisco Networking Academy - Cybersecurity Courses.
- 24
- listed
- 20
- free
- 21
- virtual
- 24
- with a listed deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are computer science research programs for high school students?
- Computer Science Research Programs for High School Students are curated extracurricular listings for high school students interested in computer science. Each listing includes eligibility, cost, and deadline details where known, so you can compare options and find the right fit for your college application profile.
- Are any of these research programs free?
- Yes — 20 of the 24 research programs listed here are free to participate in.
- Can I participate virtually?
- Yes — 21 of the 24 research programs listed here offer virtual or online participation.
- Are computer science research programs good for a college application?
- Yes — computer science research programs are a common way for high schoolers to show sustained interest and initiative in computer science on college applications.
Related Categories
24 activities found·Browse by category
Big Data at Berkeley – High School Data Science Bootcamp
Big Data at Berkeley, a UC Berkeley student organization, runs a free 7-week Saturday bootcamp for high-school students interested in data science. Participants learn coding fundamentals, basic statistics, and how to use data science tools to solve real-world problems, all taught in person by Berkeley undergrads. During the program, students complete a project using real datasets and receive a certificate of completion, making it a strong, beginner-friendly tech EC.
CISA Cybersecurity Career Resources
Government resources for exploring cybersecurity careers including scholarships, internships, and educational pathways.
Cisco Networking Academy - Cybersecurity Courses
Free online courses (Introduction to Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Essentials) with hands-on labs and industry-recognized certifications.
Code.org Volunteer / Create CS Curriculum
Volunteer opportunity to help teach computer science to younger students or contribute to open-source CS education resources.
Coursera / edX - High School CS Courses
University-level CS courses from Stanford, MIT, Harvard available for free online. Topics include algorithms, AI, web development, and cybersecurity.
Cyber.org High School Pathways
Comprehensive curriculum with hands-on labs, assessments, and teacher support. Covers cybersecurity fundamentals, ethical hacking, and digital forensics.
CyberDefenders
Blue team focused platform with digital forensics and incident response challenges. Practice defending networks using real-world attack scenarios.
Cybersecurity Mentorship Programs (CyberAcademy by CyberWarrior Foundation)
Free mentorship connecting high school students with cybersecurity professionals for career guidance and skill development.
FreeCodeCamp Certifications
Self-paced online platform offering free certifications in web development, data analysis, machine learning, and more. Great for building portfolio projects.
Girls Who Code - Clubs & Pathways
Free, project-based programs including a cybersecurity track alongside web development, game design, and data science. Clubs meet after school/weekends; the self-paced Pathways program is virtual for high schoolers.
Google Code-in / Code Next
Google's programs for high school students to contribute to open-source projects and learn computer science fundamentals.
Hack Club
Global nonprofit network of 1,000+ high school computer programming clubs (100,000+ students) plus a Slack community active 24/7. Hack Club also funds teen builders directly: Hack Grant ($50-$200 for any project), Highway/Hardware Grant (up to $350), and $500 grants for in-person high school hackathons.
HackTheBox Academy
Industry-leading penetration testing platform with comprehensive learning paths. Free tier provides access to retired machines and foundational courses.
Lawrence Livermore Labs Biotech Summer Experience
Two-week summer program where HS students perform molecular biology and bioinformatics experiments (PCR, cloning, gels, sequence analysis) and submit sequences to GenBank.
Lockheed Martin CYBERQUEST® Academy
A free, virtual mentoring program for high school classes. Each fall, teachers register classes to receive four online sessions with Lockheed Martin cyber engineers. The curriculum builds basic cybersecurity skills and prepares students for the annual CyberQuest competition.
Neel Somani Young Innovators Scholarship
Scholarship recognizing students who led innovative projects, often in STEM or entrepreneurship.
NIST NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework
Free resources mapping cybersecurity careers, skills, and learning pathways. Essential for understanding the breadth of cybersecurity roles.
OverTheWire Wargames
Free online cybersecurity wargames teaching fundamental to advanced security concepts through hands-on challenges. Self-paced progression through difficulty levels.
Piedmont Makers Robotics (FTC/FRC Hub - East Bay)
Community nonprofit that runs multiple FIRST teams and an FTC league. Strong option if your school's robotics is limited. Bay Area focused.
SANS Cyber Foundations
Free online cybersecurity fundamentals course covering networking, operating systems, and security concepts. Self-paced with optional certification exam.
School Cybersecurity Club Formation Resources
Organizations like ISSA, ISC2, and (ISC)² provide free resources, speakers, and curriculum for starting high school cybersecurity clubs.
Stanford Computer Science Academy (SCSA)
Multi-week online CS courses taught by Stanford students covering Python, Java, web development, and data structures.
The Godwin Ogbeide Scholarship Foundation
Scholarship for Black HS seniors pursuing STEM, requiring academic achievement, community involvement, and commitment to STEM in college.
TryHackMe
Gamified cybersecurity learning platform with hands-on labs and challenges. Learn penetration testing, web exploitation, and network security through interactive rooms.
ECFinder provides links to outside extracurricular opportunities for informational purposes only. Students and families should research each program before applying. ECFinder does not operate or control the listed organizations and is not responsible for their actions or policies.