If you're passionate about technology and eager to explore its vast potential, enrolling in technology programs can be an excellent way to kickstart your journey. These programs offer hands-on experience in areas like coding, robotics, and data analysis, giving you the chance to work with cutting-edge tools. 

For students in Florida, local technology programs provide unique opportunities to connect with industry professionals and explore the tech landscape close to home. Participating in these programs not only enhances your technical skills but also strengthens your college application. Demonstrating your proactive involvement and enthusiasm for technology can set you apart in the competitive college admissions process. Here is a list of 10 tech programs that high school students can apply to!

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Tech Track

Location: Virtual.

Cost: Individual Research Program: $2,990 | Premium Research & Publication Program: $5,900 | Research Fellowship: $8,900. Some financial aid is available. 

Eligibility: All high school students can apply.  Here is the application form.  

Application Deadline: Deadlines vary with the cohort. Applications are due in February, May, September, and December, for the summer, fall, winter and spring cohorts, respectively.

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year including spring, summer, fall, and winter.

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with the chance to engage in research in their chosen field, such as data science and computer science, under the mentorship of experienced PhD professionals. Established by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, this program is fully online, enabling participation from any location globally. Students work closely with a PhD mentor to develop a research paper that meets university-level standards.

Check out our in-depth review of Lumiere Education here! 

2. Veritas AI 

Location: Virtual.

Cost: AI Scholars - $2,290 (financial aid is available); AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase - $5,400. Some need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.

Eligibility: AI Scholars - open to all high school students; AI Fellowship - high school students with prior experience in AI concepts or Python can apply, or students who have completed the AI Scholars program. 

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Fall cohort deadline is September 8, 2024 & winter cohort deadline is December 1, 2024.

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year including spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, focuses on offering programs tailored for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session bootcamp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. 

Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1-1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. An added bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. The fellowship encourages students to explore interdisciplinary approaches, enabling them to merge AI with various fields such as finance, medicine, sports, environmental science, and more! You can also check out some examples of past projects here. 

3. Florida State University - Young Scholars Program

Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.

Cost: Free!

Eligibility: Rising seniors enrolled in a Florida high school can apply.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February. 

Program Dates: June 9 - July 20, 2024.

The Young Scholars Program (YSP) is a six-week summer residential program at Florida State University, focused on science and mathematics for Florida high school students interested in STEM careers. Managed by the Office of STEM Teaching Activities within the College of Arts and Sciences, YSP is open to students who have completed eleventh grade at a Florida high school, with a few spots available for exceptional tenth graders. Participants take courses in math, science, and computer programming, with room, board, and tuition provided free of charge.

4.Florida Atlantic University - I-DeepLearn Summer Workshop

Location: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL.

Cost: Free!

Eligibility: Rising female 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students, with a minimum 3.25 high school GPA, can apply. Students must have completed pre-calculus, Computer Science I or fundamental programming skills, and basic Python to apply.

Application Deadline: There is no information available on the website. You can check here for updates.

Program Dates: June 17 - June 21, 2024.

I-DeepLearn's Summer Workshop provides a unique opportunity for female high school students to delve into the world of machine learning and deep learning. This highly competitive program, with a cohort size of 24 students, focuses on the latest advancements in AI, particularly in healthcare applications. Over the course of one week, participants engage in hands-on programming projects and interactive discussions, exploring key concepts in machine learning, deep learning, and Python programming. The workshop also includes research projects on AI applications, guided by mentorship from leading researchers in the field.

5. Florida State University - Create with Code Summer Camp

Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.

Cost: Free!

Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a Florida school can apply.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May.

Program Dates: Session 1 - May 30 - June 2, 2024 | Session 2 - June 5 - June 9, 2024. 

Hosted by the Florida State University, Create with Code is a week-long, half-day camp designed for highly motivated Florida high school students interested in science and programming. Held at FSU’s Tallahassee campus, the camp introduces participants to coding in Python, data visualization, and machine learning, with no prior programming experience required. The camp is run by FSU’s Office of STEM Teaching Activities (OSTA), which has been creating educational opportunities for K-12 and university students since 1983.

6. University of Florida - iD Tech Camp

Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Cost: $899.

Eligibility: High school students with an interest in technology can apply. 

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Program Dates: The program typically runs for a week in the summer.

The iD Tech experience offers students a taste of college life while utilizing the state-of-the-art labs and exploring the picturesque campus and its landmarks during outdoor activities and breaks. The iD Tech program at UF combines hands-on STEM learning with campus exploration and engaging activities like dress-up days, raffles, and gaming tournaments. Students are mentored by educators recruited from institutions like Stanford and NYU. With a focus on creativity, this camp has a goal of helping students bring their technological visions to life, from developing apps and games to creating AI bots and viral videos, all while fostering a passion for STEM and innovation.

7. Florida International University - Upward Bound Math Science

Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL. 

Cost: Free!

Eligibility: High school students from low-income families, who are potential first-generation college students attending school in North Miami, North Miami Beach, Miami Central, Miami Northwestern, Miami Norland, or Miami Carol City can apply.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May. 

Program Dates: June 20 - July 29, 2024.

Florida International University’s Upward Bound Math-Science program, a federally funded initiative, supports high school students in excelling in STEM fields. It offers academic instruction, tutoring, mentoring, hands-on research, and college preparation, with year-round counseling, university faculty exposure, computer training, and financial literacy education. The program also provides tailored support for students facing educational barriers, including underrepresented groups, those with limited English proficiency, disabilities, or who are homeless or in foster care. It enriches students in math and science while building personal, career, and cultural skills. The year-round program includes a summer residential component for a firsthand college experience. 

8. University of Central Florida - Camp Connect 

Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL. 

Cost: $200.

Eligibility: Rising 8th through 11th graders can apply.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May.

Program Dates: June 24 – 28, 2024.

Camp Connect at the University of Central Florida introduces rising 8th through 11th graders to the world of engineering. The camp provides hands-on experience through activities, presentations, and lab tours, with each day focusing on a different engineering department. Sessions are led by UCF faculty and students, allowing participants to explore various engineering disciplines. Throughout the camp, students work on a team project, culminating in a presentation on the final day. This immersive approach enhances understanding of engineering concepts while fostering teamwork and practical skills. 

9. Gulf Coast State College - UVS STEM Camp

Location: Gulf Coast State College Charles Hilton Center, Panama City, FL.

Cost: $100.

Eligibility: Students entering grades 7th-10th can apply.

Application Deadline: Applications close five days prior to start date.

Program Dates: Session 1 - July 8 - July 11, 2024 | Session 2 - July 15 - July 18, 2024.

Gulf Coast State College’s Unmanned Vehicle System (UVS) Youth Summer Camp offers a hands-on opportunity to apply STEM education in real-world scenarios. Students work on a team to design, build, and program a terrestrial unmanned vehicle system, developing skills in design, CAD, 3D printing, electronics, mathematics, programming, and data collection. The camp culminates in a challenge where participants test their custom-built UVS against practical problems. In addition to technical skills, the camp promotes self-reliance, risk-taking, and effective communication. 

10. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University - Aerospace Camp

Location: Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL.

Cost: $4,700. 

Eligibility: High school students aged 15 and over can apply.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April. 

Program Dates: June 23 - July 12, 2024.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a four-week summer camp that introduces high school students to college life and career opportunities in aviation, mechanical engineering, global security, and NASA astronautics. Campers can explore subjects ranging from the history of space flight to Space Shuttle operations and U.S. space policy, earning three college credits upon successful completion of the program.

Bonus Opportunity - Ladder Internship Program

Location: Virtual. 

Cost: $2,490. Some financial aid is available.

Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks, can apply.

Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary depending on the cohort. 

Program Dates: There are multiple cohorts throughout the year.

Ladder Internships is a competitive program designed for driven high school students seeking hands-on experience with start-ups. Participants in the program engage in internships with fast-growing companies across a wide range of industries, including tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, and more. During the internship, students collaborate closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach, working on real-world projects and presenting their results to the company. Interns receive personalized training in communication, time management, and other essential skills, along with the opportunity to participate in group training sessions with their peers. The internships, which are conducted virtually, usually span 8 weeks.

Image Source - Florida State University Logo