New York University is one of the nation’s top colleges, located in New York’s vibrant Greenwich Village neighborhood. In addition to taking in the sights and sounds of one of the world’s cultural capitals, NYU is home to many top-tier STEM programs. Fortunately for high schoolers, NYU also offers a range of summer programs, both residential and virtual, across the STEM disciplines. These are great opportunities to dive into a subject that interests you, get a taste of NYC life, and build your resume before heading off to college, be it NYU or elsewhere!
GSTEM is a program in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics designed to support bright STEM students—especially young women—belonging to identities historically excluded from these fields. This six-week program pairs students with a mentor to work on a STEM research project during the summer. Only current high school juniors are eligible to apply. Applications consist of transcripts, a teacher recommendation, four essays, an application fee, an online application form, and parent/guardian permission. Early bird applications open on February 1st, and rolling applications close on April 16th.
NYU, Coding for Game Design High School Summer Program
NYU’s two-week Coding for Game Design program equips rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with the skills needed to build video games. The curriculum covers game design basics, emphasizing C# and Unity for game design. A typical day consists of game design, workshops, critical gameplay, and development. There are four available sessions throughout the summer—two in-person and two virtual. Residential and commuter options are available for the in-person sessions. Applicants should have some knowledge of coding and should have earned at least a B+ in a previous coding class. The scholarship deadline is on April 1st.
NYU Tandon School of Engineering - Machine Learning
Machine learning is a hot new field whose implications are only just starting to be understood. High schoolers interested in the intersections of computer science, data analysis, and machine learning can spend two weeks at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering to learn the essential building blocks of artificial intelligence like cross-validation, linear regressions, and neural networks, as well as the real-world applications of these technologies. Students in grades 8-11 with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply. Applications open on December 15th.
NYU Tandon School of Engineering - XR Through Worlds
Another engineering opportunity, the two-week online Extending Reality Through Virtual Worlds program is a chance for tech-savvy students to learn the basics of virtual reality programming. A practice that sits at the junction of science and creativity, students use programs like Aero, Unity, and the Adobe Creative Cloud to create immersive video games and apps, while also studying the broad applications of virtual and augmented reality to daily life. Eligible applicants must be at least fourteen years old on the first day of the program. Applications open on December 15th and consist of an online form, school transcripts, and an application fee.
NYU Tandon School of Engineering - User Experience
User Experience, or UX, refers to the customer-facing design of digital technologies with the goal of smooth and intuitive user interactions. During this two-week online program, students will use Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite to explore fundamentals of design like User Interface and User Experience, design research, and visual design. Open to grades 9-12, applications consist of transcripts, an online application form, and an application fee. Applications open on December 15th.
NYU Tandon School of Engineering - Engineering for Good
NYU’s Engineering for Good program takes a holistic approach to the field of engineering by examining the possibilities of new technologies to benefit the public good. By drawing from robotics, remote sensing, AI, computational analytics, cloud computing, engineering design, and wireless communications, students create internet devices to develop solutions to social problems. A two-week in-person program, Engineering for Good is available to both residential and commuter students ages 14+, or 15 for on-campus housing. Applications open on December 15th and must include transcripts, an application form, and a fee.
Summer Program for Automation, Robotics and Coding
A two-week program on robotics, mechatronics, and programming, SPARC is dedicated to teaching young engineers the basics of various engineering fields as they apply to the design of robots. Students will work with electrical engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering to develop advanced technical skills. The program does not require previous experience in robotics, but students should be driven learners and have a high GPA due to the challenging nature of the course content. Applications open on December 15th and consist of transcripts, a strong GPA, an application fee, and an online form.
Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
The CS4CS program provides an introduction to computer science and cybersecurity throughout a three-week residency. Course content covers a range of modern cybersecurity concerns, like cryptography, white-hat hacking, steganography, digital forensics, and more. In addition to using cyber security programs, students will also be introduced to behavioral sciences as they apply to digital interactions like phishing schemes and identity theft. No previous experience is required and the program is free to attend. Only high school students residing within the five boroughs of New York City or smaller towns in the greater metro area are eligible to apply. Applications open on February 1st and consist of several essays and an online form.
Conclusion
No matter your interests, New York University is bound to have a STEM program that fits your needs. You’ll have the chance to explore a field in-depth before committing to a major, all while diversifying your extracurriculars so that you shine on your university applications. Summer at NYU is sure to be a transformative experience that prepares you for even more advanced study in your field!
