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Extracurriculars for a Career in Data Scientist

73 high school activities and programs that build real experience toward a career in data scientist.

MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA · Hybrid

Mathematical modeling and problem-solving skills developed through rigorous STEM coursework prepare students for data-driven careers.

Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)
Boston University · Boston, MA · In-Person

Practicum track explicitly offers structured research in data science alongside computational methods.

MathILy
Bryn Mawr College · Bryn Mawr, PA · In-Person

Mathematical modeling and problem-solving skills developed are core to data science work.

Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Stanford University · Stanford, CA · Hybrid

Mathematical modeling and advanced quantitative reasoning are essential tools for data science work.

Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Girls Who Code · Virtual · Virtual

Participants gain hands-on experience in data science through the program's curriculum and projects.

Clark Scholars Program
Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX · In-Person

Research projects involving data collection and analysis develop skills central to data science work.

Wharton Global Youth Program
The University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, PA · Hybrid

Data science is explicitly listed as one of the program's main study topics.

Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
PROMYS Foundation · Boston, MA · In-Person

Strong mathematical foundations from number theory and modeling are essential for statistical and computational work.

Stanford Math Tournament
Stanford University · Palo Alto, CA · In-Person

Mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills developed through competitive mathematics transfer to data analysis and modeling work.

Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars
Carnegie Mellon University · Pittsburgh, PA · In-Person

Covers computational thinking and mathematical modeling foundational to data science.

Stanford AI4ALL
Stanford University · Stanford, CA · Hybrid

Students engage in rigorous academic study and research using data-driven approaches to solve real-world AI challenges.

AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Stanford University · Stanford, CA · Virtual

Students gain technical foundations in data analysis and model evaluation applied to medical imaging datasets.

Georgia Tech Summer Institute
Georgia Institute of Technology · Atlanta, GA · In-Person

Advanced STEM academic enrichment and technical exploration prepare students for data-driven science careers.

Cornell Tech Summer Innovation Intensives
Cornell University · Ithaca, NY · In-Person

Data science is explicitly featured as a main program track alongside AI and product innovation.

Cornell Precollege Studies Online Program
Cornell University · Ithaca, NY · Virtual

Math and science coursework builds analytical and quantitative reasoning skills essential for data science work.

International Quant Championship (IQC)
WorldQuant BRAIN · Multiple

Develops predictive models and analyzes financial datasets using quantitative tools and algorithms.

Fermilab Program for Research, Innovation, and STEM Mentorship (PRISM)
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory · Batavia, IL · In-Person

Research projects involve analyzing data and presenting findings through abstracts, posters, and final presentations.

DSI Summer Lab
Data Science Institute (DSI) at the University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · In-Person

Students engage in applied, interdisciplinary data science research with mentors across multiple domains.

QuarkNet Summer Internship
Fermilab / University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN · In-Person

The Masterclass program has students analyze real high-energy physics data using computational methods.

Technovation Girls
Technovation · Multiple · Hybrid

Students use tech and data-driven approaches to identify and solve real-world community problems.

USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
USA Computing Olympiad · Virtual · Virtual

Computational problem-solving and algorithm optimization are core to data science.

USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO)
Mathematical Association of America

Strong foundation in mathematical modeling and logical reasoning applicable to data analysis and algorithm development.

American Invitational Mathematics Examination
Mathematical Association of America · Multiple · In-Person

AIME builds the mathematical modeling and analytical thinking essential for data science work.

American Regions Mathematics League
American Regions Mathematics League · Multiple · In-Person

Mathematical modeling and analytical problem-solving in ARML competitions build foundational skills for data science work.

Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA · Hybrid

Interns develop skills in data mining, data science for social good, and computational analysis across research projects.

Student Research Internship Program
Scripps Research Translational Institute · In-Person

Program emphasizes statistics and computational science skills applied to health sciences research projects.

SEES High School Summer Intern Program
University of Texas Center for Space Research · Austin, TX · Hybrid

Interns focus on data analysis and visualization across multiple NASA mission datasets.

SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers and Community College Students
Stanford Compression Forum · Stanford, CA · In-Person

Program emphasizes science of information and communication with real research lab experience in data-driven domains.

National Youth Science Camp
National Youth Science Academy · Davis, WV · In-Person

Interdisciplinary science program develops foundational research and analytical skills for STEM careers.

Canada/USA Mathcamp
Canada/USA Mathcamp · Burlington, VT · In-Person

Advanced mathematical reasoning and modeling skills from Mathcamp underpin data science analysis and algorithm development.

American Computer Science League
American Computer Science League · Virtual · Virtual

Competition testing covers fundamental CS concepts including number systems and Boolean algebra relevant to data work.

Imagine Cup
Microsoft · Multiple · Hybrid

Winners use Azure Data Explorer and AI services to analyze and solve real-world problems.

Canadian Computing Competition
Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing, University of Waterloo · Ontario, Canada · In-Person

Students practice logical reasoning and algorithm design applicable to data analysis and computational problem-solving.

MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering and Science for High School Students)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA · Hybrid

Applied mathematics projects include computational work in theoretical computer science and data analysis.

Purple Comet! Math Meet
Unknown · Multiple · Virtual

Competitive math develops quantitative reasoning and analytical problem-solving skills foundational to data science.

Tapia STEM Camps
Rice University · Houston, TX · In-Person

Campers explore how algorithms shape real-world decisions and investigate data center impacts.

Research Program for HS Students – Summer 2026
University of Texas at Dallas, Computer Science K-12 Outreach · Dallas, TX · Hybrid

Workshop curriculum emphasizes data analysis skills and applying them to real-world research problems.

Academy for All
University of Texas at Austin Department of Computer Science · Austin, TX · In-Person

Machine Learning Edition covers understanding data, implementing ML concepts, and systems concepts.

High School Research Academy (HSRA)
University of Texas at Austin College of Natural Sciences · Austin, TX · In-Person

Data analytics is listed as one of the primary research fields available to HSRA participants.

Academy for Machine Learning
University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX · In-Person

Students implement ML concepts, test model performance, and analyze data through practical projects.

Stanford Summer College
Stanford University · Stanford, CA · In-Person

Math and Data Science courses include probability, statistics, data mining and analysis with real-world applications.

Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
NYU K12 STEM Education · Brooklyn, NY · Hybrid

Exposure to machine learning labs, data analytics, and computational research methodologies.

California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
University of California · Multiple · In-Person

Program emphasizes mathematical modeling and advanced science topics relevant to data-driven research.

SAGE Camp at SLAC
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory · Palo Alto, CA · In-Person

Students develop analytical and observation skills applicable to data-driven research careers at national laboratories.

Appalachian STEM Academy - High School
Oak Ridge Associated Universities · Oak Ridge, TN · In-Person

Students engage in guided science and math projects involving analysis and applied research methodologies.

Exemplary Student Research Program
Argonne Laboratory · Argonne Laboratory, Illinois · In-Person

Students analyze experimental data from synchrotron research, developing quantitative analysis and interpretation skills.

SHAD Canada
SHAD Canada · Multiple · In-Person

Heavy emphasis on STEAM education with artificial intelligence exposure builds foundational skills for data science work.

Ross Mathematics Program
Ross Mathematics Program · Multiple · In-Person

Mathematical thinking and logical reasoning developed here are foundational to data science work.

Broad Summer Scholars Program
Broad Institute · Cambridge, MA · In-Person

Students gain exposure to computational techniques and work on computational biology research projects.

The Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics
Hampshire College · Amherst, MA · In-Person

Advanced mathematical training underpins statistical modeling and data analysis in data science.

Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Lumiere Education · Multiple · In-Person

Research projects involve analyzing data and advancing knowledge in STEM fields.

SDSU Training Astronomy Research Scholars (STARS)
San Diego State University · San Diego, CA · In-Person

Students manipulate and analyze galaxy data from SDSS-IV using Python programming and data analysis tools to answer research questions.

Data Science Academy
Wharton Global Youth Program · Philadelphia, PA · In-Person

Core program focus on machine learning and data science tools directly prepares students for this role.

Moneyball Academy
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, PA · In-Person

Core focus on using data and statistical analysis to make discoveries and informed decisions in sports.

MDI Biomedical Bootcamp 2024
MDI Biological Laboratory · Bar Harbor, ME · In-Person

Students use bioinformatics tools to examine DNA sequences and learn to manage and analyze big data from molecular biology experiments.

Joaquin Bustoz Math-Science Honors Program (JBMSHP) Summer Program
Arizona State University · Arizona State University, Arizona · In-Person

Calculus and mathematical modeling coursework builds quantitative foundations for data science work.

Native American Science and Engineering Program (NASEP)
University of Arizona · Tucson, AZ · Hybrid

STEM focus with research projects and professional networking at tech companies like IBM and Raytheon.

KEYS Research Internship
BIO5 Institute · Tucson, AZ · In-Person

KEYS includes data science techniques training alongside bioscience research methodologies.

Carnegie Mellon Informatics and Mathematics Competition (CMIMC)
Carnegie Mellon University · Pittsburgh, PA · In-Person

Mathematical modeling and algorithmic problem-solving in competition mirrors data science analytical work.

Modeling the Future Challenge
The Actuarial Foundation · Multiple

Students apply mathematical modeling and data analysis to solve real-world problems for companies and governments.

BioGENEius Challenge
Biotechnology Institute · New York City, NY · In-Person

Students use AI, computational bioinformatics, and neural networks to analyze biotechnology research data.

National Science Bowl®
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science · Multiple · In-Person

Students develop mathematical reasoning and analytical skills through rapid problem-solving in quantitative domains.

North American Computational Linguistics Open Competition
NACLO · Multiple · In-Person

Students analyze language patterns and apply logic skills to solve complex linguistic puzzles.

Presidential AI Challenge
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education · Multiple

Students apply AI and analytical thinking to identify and solve community challenges with data-driven approaches.

Kaggle Data Science Competitions
Kaggle · Virtual · Virtual

Kaggle competitions directly simulate real data science work: exploratory analysis, model building, and predictive accuracy evaluation.

Pioneer Research Institute
Pioneer Academics · Virtual · Virtual

Mathematical and statistical research projects build analytical and problem-solving foundations for data-driven careers.

HMMT (Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament)
Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Multiple · In-Person

Advanced mathematical modeling and problem-solving are core competencies for data science.

International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
International Mathematical Olympiad · Multiple · In-Person

IMO develops the rigorous mathematical reasoning and pattern recognition essential for statistical analysis and data modeling work.

Experiences in Research
Berkeley Lab · Berkeley, CA · Hybrid

Students work on data science projects involving coding and non-coding analyses in a professional lab setting.

Adler Planetarium Far Horizons Teens
Adler Planetarium · Chicago, IL · In-Person

Students collect and analyze light pollution data to create scientific posters and presentations for research community.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Summer Student Program
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · New York, NY · In-Person

Computational biology summer program option develops technical skills for data-driven biological research.

InspiritAI AI Scholars Program
InspiritAI · Virtual · Virtual

Students analyze data and build models for real-world problems including job exposure and stock sentiment analysis.

US TechGirls Summer Exchange Program
U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs · Multiple · In-Person

Program covers STEM career exploration including data and algorithms as tools for solving real-world problems.