15 Programs for High School Students in Minnesota
If you're a high school student looking to explore academic interests beyond what's available during the school year, a structured program can be a good option to explore. These programs often combine coursework, research, or project-based work with mentor guidance, helping you build skills, gain exposure to new material, and develop connections. Whether your interests lie in the sciences, humanities, business, or the arts, these programs can help you test out a field before deciding to pursue it further.
Why should you attend a program in Minnesota?
Minnesota offers programs through various universities, research centers, and nonprofit organizations. You could conduct research in a university lab, take part in a business or creative project, or complete an internship in a field you're curious about. Whether you live in Minnesota or are coming from out of state, you can find a program suited to your interests and experience level.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 15 programs for high school students in Minnesota.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 programs for high school students in Minnesota are almost entirely free and span biomedical research (LHI-AHA, BME Internship), neuroscience (Go4Brains), STEM enrichment (Discover STEM, IMA-MathCEP), and college readiness (GEAR College Summer Camp).
Several programs, including Rooted in STEM, H2U, and M-ASCEND, run as year-long or multi-year commitments with mentorship, rather than single summer sessions.
Many programs specifically prioritize underrepresented students, first-generation students, or those who have faced barriers to STEM access, including H2U, Go4Brains, and GEAR College Summer Camp.
Remote options like Veritas AI and the Lumiere Research Scholar Program let students build AI or independent research skills regardless of location within or outside Minnesota.
1. University of Minnesota’s LHI-AHA Summer Research Scholars Program
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: Free + Stipend given
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 and U.S. citizens
The LHI-AHA Summer Research Scholars Program at the University of Minnesota’s Lillehei Heart Institute is designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in cardiovascular science and medicine. In this program, you will work with a faculty mentor in a research lab, contribute to ongoing projects, and develop hands-on laboratory skills. You will also attend seminars led by scientists, physicians, and industry professionals, explore careers in biomedical research, and take part in activities such as heart dissections, field trips, and Cardiopalooza, where you will present your research to peers and faculty.
2. Veritas AI: AI Scholars & AI Fellowship programs
Location: Virtual!
Cost: Varies; financial aid offered
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer cohorts, are scheduled every year; AI Scholars runs for 10 weeks, and AI Fellowship runs for about 12 to 15 weeks
Application Deadline: Multiple program cohorts run each year, including in the summer. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; for the AI Fellowship program, you need to have been an AI Scholar participant or have some experience working with AI or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs 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 boot camp, students learn 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 can work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus is access to the in-house publication team, which helps students secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. University of Minnesota’s Discover STEM Summer Program
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Dates: August 3–7; August 10–14
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11 or 12
The Discover STEM program at the University of Minnesota introduces high school students to a variety of STEM fields through hands-on activities led by university faculty, staff, and students. As a participant, you'll take part in experiments, engineering challenges, technology demonstrations, and problem-solving exercises, while building teamwork and critical-thinking skills. The program also includes tours of university labs and facilities, giving you an opportunity to learn about STEM research, academic pathways, and potential careers in the field.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer cohorts, are scheduled each year
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts run each year, including in the summer
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. Find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Mayo Clinic’s Career Immersion Program
Location: Mayo Clinic campus, Rochester, MN
Cost: Free
Dates: June 21 – 25
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors currently attending school in Minnesota
The Mayo Clinic Career Immersion Program gives high school students the opportunity to explore a wide range of healthcare careers through interactive, hands-on learning experiences. During the program, you will visit Mayo Clinic facilities, participate in specialty-focused activities, and learn about fields such as medical imaging, laboratory sciences, respiratory care, and surgical services. You will also meet healthcare professionals, hear about their educational journeys, and gain firsthand insight into the skills and responsibilities associated with different roles. By the end of the program, you will better understand the diverse career opportunities available in healthcare.
6. Discover STEM
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Dates: August 3–7 or August 10–14
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: High school students entering 11th or 12th grade in the fall; priority is given to students who have not previously participated in the program
The Discover STEM program at the University of Minnesota gives high school students the opportunity to explore a variety of STEM fields through interactive, hands-on learning experiences. In this program, you will participate in experiments, engineering design challenges, and technology-focused activities while working alongside university faculty, staff, and students. You'll also tour campus labs and research facilities, gain exposure to ongoing developments in STEM, and learn more about college programs and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
7. Rooted in STEM Mentorship Program
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Dates: January–December of senior year, with one Saturday session per month and additional summer enrichment opportunities
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Current 10th-grade students who demonstrate interest and aptitude in STEM, are interested in attending a four-year college, and can commit to the two-year program
The Rooted in STEM program at the University of Minnesota is a two-year mentorship and enrichment experience designed to help high school students explore STEM fields and prepare for college. As a participant, you'll be paired with an undergraduate mentor, attend monthly sessions featuring lab tours, research presentations, and hands-on activities, and connect with faculty, researchers, and industry professionals. Throughout the program, you will explore STEM majors and career pathways, develop meaningful connections with like-minded peers, and gain a deeper understanding of the academic and professional opportunities available in STEM.
8. H2U (Health to University) Program
Location: University of Minnesota (primarily virtual with faculty mentors and research teams based at the Twin Cities campus)
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-long program year
Application Deadline: Typically announced annually on the program website
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in health, science, problem-solving, global health, or health equity
The H2U (Health to University) Program at the University of Minnesota gives high school students the opportunity to engage in global health research while learning about health equity and public health challenges. As a participant, you will work alongside faculty mentors and research teams on ongoing projects, develop research and professional skills, and take part in lectures and discussions on key global health topics. Through the program, you will gain a deeper understanding of how research informs public health efforts and explore academic and career pathways in health-related fields.
9. University of Minnesota’s IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students (preferably in Minnesota) who have completed a one-year course in single-variable calculus
The IMA-MathCEP Camp is a one-week program for high school students interested in exploring the real-world applications of mathematics. In this program, you will examine how mathematical models are used to understand and solve complex problems related to topics such as disease spread, population growth, climate impacts, and transportation systems. Through hands-on projects and collaborative activities, you will apply mathematical concepts to real-world scenarios while gaining insight into how math is used in research, industry, and public policy.
10. BME High School Internship Program
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Dates: Six-week summer internship
Application Deadline: Not specified; check website for updates
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The BME High School Internship Program at the University of Minnesota is a six-week research internship that gives rising high school seniors hands-on experience in biomedical engineering. In this program, you will work alongside graduate student mentors on research projects, explore different areas of biomedical engineering through lab tours, and develop skills in scientific communication and research. You will also connect with faculty members, learn about careers in engineering and healthcare, and present your work at a poster session at the end of the program.
11. M-ASCEND High School Program
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN (with some online components)
Cost: Free
Dates: Academic-year Scholars Program
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by year
Eligibility: Primarily open to students from participating Twin Cities-area partner high schools; 10th- and 11th-grade students
The M-ASCEND High School Program at the University of Minnesota introduces high school students to cancer research, healthcare careers, and college readiness through hands-on learning experiences. In this program, you will engage with University of Minnesota faculty, researchers, and mentors while exploring topics related to cancer science and public health. Depending on the program component, you may participate in workshops, research activities, campus events, and mentorship opportunities that help you develop academic, professional, and leadership skills. The program supports students interested in future studies and careers in STEM, healthcare, and research.
12. Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) STEM Student Program
Location: Minnesota
Cost: None
Dates: Varies by specific event or competition
Application Deadline: Depends on the specific MAS event or competition you apply for (each program has separate registration timelines)
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6–12 (including high school students) who participate in MAS-supported STEM programs such as Science Bowl, State Science & Engineering Fair, or the Minnesota Junior Academy of Science
The Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) STEM Student Program is a statewide initiative that connects high school students with competitive STEM opportunities, including science fairs, science bowls, research showcases, and mentoring experiences. Through this program, you can participate in hands-on scientific inquiry, develop and present original research, and compete in academic STEM events at the regional and state levels. You will also gain access to mentorship from STEM professionals and educators, while building connections with peers who share similar academic interests. Overall, the program strengthens your research skills, encourages scientific thinking, and prepares you for future studies and careers in STEM fields.
13. GEAR College Summer Camp
Location: Minneapolis College, MN
Cost: Free
Dates: Typically runs in June
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students from Minneapolis Public Schools GEAR UP cohort; priority for first-generation, low-income students and students of color
The GEAR College Summer Camp at Minneapolis College is a short college-readiness program that introduces high school students to college life, career pathways, and academic opportunities in a supportive, hands-on environment. In this program, you will explore campus facilities, take part in interactive learning sessions led by faculty, and learn about topics such as financial aid, scholarships, student support services, and careers in high-demand fields. The program also includes field trips and experiential activities that help you understand different industries and what college-level study looks like, while building confidence and preparing you for your future academic journey.
14. Go4Brains Program
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free; $400 stipend
Dates: One-week summer program, typically held in early August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11, particularly those who have faced barriers to accessing science and medicine-related opportunities. A recommendation from a science teacher, organization leader, or community mentor is required
The Go4Brains Program at the University of Minnesota is a week-long neuroscience enrichment program designed for high school students interested in exploring careers in science, medicine, and brain research. In this program, you will learn about the human brain through interactive lectures, hands-on experiments, lab tours, and demonstrations such as EEG recordings of brain activity. You will also work closely with undergraduate, graduate, and faculty mentors, develop career and college-readiness skills, and gain exposure to neuroscience research and related career pathways. Throughout the week, you will connect with researchers and like-minded peers while exploring how neuroscience is used to understand and improve human health.
15. Hamline University High School Microscope Adventure Camp
Location: Hamline University, Saint Paul campus, St. Paul, MN
Cost: $598 (for registering before April 30) or $698 (after April 30)
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12
The Microscope Adventure Camp at Hamline University introduces high school students to the techniques and technologies used in modern microscopy. As a participant, you will investigate a wide range of specimens using professional-grade microscopes, learn the fundamentals of light and electron microscopy, and explore how scientists use imaging tools to study the world at a microscopic scale. You will also take part in team-based projects, analyze and enhance microscope images, and present your findings, thereby gaining hands-on experience with scientific research methods and visual data analysis.
Frequently asked questions
1. What are the best programs for high school students in Minnesota?
Strong options depend on interests. Students interested in biomedical research might consider the LHI-AHA Summer Research Scholars Program or the BME High School Internship; those interested in neuroscience might look at Go4Brains; and students interested in AI might consider Veritas AI's Scholars or Fellowship tracks.
2. Are there paid or stipend-based programs for high schoolers in Minnesota?
Yes, the LHI-AHA Summer Research Scholars Program offers a stipend alongside free participation, and the Go4Brains Program provides a $400 stipend.
3. Do any of these programs run for a full year rather than just the summer?
Yes, Rooted in STEM is a two-year mentorship program, H2U runs for a full program year, and M-ASCEND operates as an academic-year scholars program, all based at the University of Minnesota.
4. Can students outside Minnesota participate in these programs?
Most in-person programs prioritize Minnesota residents or specific school districts, but virtual options like Veritas AI and the Lumiere Research Scholar Program are open to students regardless of location.