What Summer Programs Are Available for High School Physics Students?

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A high school freshman is seeking summer physics programs, particularly unpaid internships or college classes. While it is possible to enroll in college courses, the student may lack the necessary math background, as algebra-based physics requires knowledge up to pre-calculus, and calculus-based physics requires at least one semester of calculus. Research opportunities at local colleges are limited, as professors prioritize their own students and may not have the time to train high school students. To improve future prospects, the student is advised to focus on building math skills up to calculus and learning computer programming, particularly Python, along with Linux skills. Recommended resources include Khan Academy for math and programming tutorials, which are free and well-regarded by educators.
lingualatina
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I am a freshman in high school, and I would be really interested in doing some sort of physics program over the summer. I'd be especially curious about doing an unpaid internship or taking a class at a college. Would this be at all possible? If so, what programs could you recommend? Thanks in advance.
 
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Anyone can pay to take a class at a college, during the summer or during the normal semester. However, chances are good you don't have the necessary math background to take a physics course. Algebra-based physics expects you know math through pre-calculus, and calculus-based physics expects you've taken at least one semester of calculus. Remember, even if you fail the course, you still must tell future colleges you apply to about that grade.

As for research, you can try asking around at local colleges, but don't expect much. Taking on a research student takes up a great deal of a professor's time, and they don't get any benefit from taking on a high school student. You don't have the math or science background to do anything very useful, you'll take a lot of training to be useful for anything, and their own students have top priority. Many of their own students can't get research positions.

If you want a shot at something a few years from now, spend your time learning some skills that can make you more useful. Study math up through calculus. Learn some computer programming and Linux skills. There are summer internships available for advanced high school students through NASA, NIH, and MIT. Try applying for those a few years from now.
 
Thanks a lot for the information. Do you have any recommendations for introductory computer programming/Linux books or calculus books? For math proficiency, I've taken Algebra I and I'm currently in Geometry.
 
I'd suggest watching lectures from the Khan Academy. It's free and includes practice problems. You can find information to learn Python online for free as well; that's a good programming language to start with.
 
My teachers all really like Khan Academy, so I will be sure to take a look at it. I'll look into Python as well.
 

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