High School Summer Programs

The Clinical Anatomy Summer Program (CASP) at Stanford University is for high school students considering careers in medical and health-related fields, such as medicine, surgery, dentistry, EMT/paramedics, nursing, biomedical engineering, occupational therapy, physical therapy, sports medicine, and medical education. 

This summer we will offer two in-person sessions and one virtual session that will introduce students to the anatomy of the human body. Students will attend lectures given by Stanford Medicine faculty, engage in anatomy activities, observe surgical demonstrations, and attend workshops with Stanford physicians.

The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery offers a 7-week, summer internship for outstanding high school and undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers in the biomedical/biological sciences. This highly-selective program allows students to work on a research project in a given field, exposing them to the latest biochemical, molecular, and analytical techniques. Not your average resume-builder, this opportunity is free to students who are looking to get a head start and hands-on training.

SMASH Academy is a free-of-cost, STEM-intensive college preparation program for underrepresented and low-income high school students. Students admitted to this program will spend 5 weeks at Stanford University, where they will engage in STEM coursework, participate in networking activities, and prepare for the college application process. Students spend 3 consecutive summers in this program to gain support throughout high school and connect with long-lasting mentors.

The SMASH Medical Curriculum is comprised of five sessions designed to be interactive and expose the students to a range of healthcare careers. Led by social science researcher Serena Bidwell, our instructors are medical students, residents, faculty, and staff from the Stanford Department of Surgery.

Dates: 06/20/2022 - 07/01/2022
Description: We live in a golden age of surgical technology. New techniques and markets allow us to develop and evaluate interventions at a rigor and pace unknown to past generations. New startups regularly flower out of research in university laboratories, with benefits accruing to both companies and scientists. This 2-week course will position students precisely at this juncture, focusing on medical innovation and drawing themes from clinical medicine, engineering design, and business principles. Students will hear from Stanford University faculty and Silicon Valley MedTech Industry experts, who are on the frontline and leading the effort in medical innovation. The course will provide an invaluable opportunity to seek mentorship and guidance from some of the leaders in the field. Diving into real-world case studies and discussing with professionals will prepare them for their final “shark tank” style project in which they develop and pitch their own innovation. All students who are interested in medical innovation, surgery, biomedical engineering and MedTech entrepreneurship are welcome to apply. 

Dates: 07/11/2022 - 07/22/2022.
Description: Long overdue, issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are finally rising to the forefront of our national consciousness. One of the most persistent challenges facing the field of Medicine is that our institutions do not reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. This absence of diversity directly impacts young people who “opt-out” of careers in which they are not represented. True progress towards diversity, equity, and inclusion will require us to address multiple long-standing barriers simultaneously and in this summer program, we aim to equip high school students with the skills, knowledge, and resources to prepare them for college life, STEM courses, and ultimately, careers in Medicine. We will also teach students how to how to recognize, confront and remediate unfair practices, and how to be an advocate for themselves and others. You will hear from Stanford faculty, who are on the frontline and leading the effort to promote DEI in medicine. Students will attend lectures and participate in a variety of activities with in-depth interactions with near-peers, staff, and faculty and together explore opportunities and career paths in medicine. The course will provide an invaluable opportunity to seek mentorship and guidance from some of the leaders in the field. Stanford faculty will share their own experiences and walk through the latest evidence-based strategies to navigate complex situations and overcome obstacles related to DEI. Through this 2-week course, you'll also begin to build a community of peer supporters and find a safe space to discuss belonging in Medicine. So, if you're curious about a career in medicine and biomedical research, then join us for a summer of exploration and learning about how to navigate a career in medicine.