14 Science Programs for High School Students in Michigan
If you are a high school student interested in science, participating in a structured program can help you explore subjects beyond the scope of a typical classroom course. Many programs combine academic instruction with laboratory activities, research projects, field studies, or mentorship, allowing you to examine topics such as biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and engineering in greater depth. These experiences can help you develop research, analytical, and scientific communication skills while exploring potential academic interests.
Why should you attend a science program in Michigan?
Michigan is home to institutions such as the University of Michigan and Michigan State University that offer science programs for high school students. Through these programs, you may conduct research, analyze data, participate in laboratory activities, explore healthcare and engineering topics, or study specialized areas such as nuclear physics and environmental science under the guidance of faculty and researchers. These opportunities can be valuable for both Michigan students looking for programs nearby and out-of-state students interested in exploring science programs in the region.
We have narrowed down this list to 14 science programs for high school students in Michigan.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship @ University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend of $3,000 is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 6 – 10 interns/year
Dates: June 14 – July 24
Application Deadline: Opens December 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors enrolled in Michigan high schools
This is one of the most selective science programs for high school students in Michigan, focused on biomedical research experience. Over six weeks, you'll work full-time in a university research lab, contributing to ongoing scientific projects by assisting with data collection and analysis. The program features structured science communication sessions supported by the U-M Museum of Natural History. Living on campus enables interaction with peers from various programs and provides a real university experience. At the program's conclusion, you'll publicly present your research findings.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) @ Facility for Rare Isotope Beams
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 26 – 31
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: U.S. high school students
Over one week at Michigan State University's Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, you explore nuclear physics through experiments and demonstrations connected to active research infrastructure. Faculty researchers guide you through technical topics spanning nuclear science, astrophysics, and cosmology. The program balances lab activities with academic discussion, giving you exposure to both theory and application. Career pathways in physics and engineering research are also part of the conversation throughout the week.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Science Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students 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 science, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP) @ Michigan State University
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 31
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11
MAP introduces you to research and academic pathways in agriculture, environmental science, and applied STEM fields. During the program, you work with faculty mentors on projects related to topics like food science or forestry. The experience includes field visits that help you connect classroom learning with real-world environmental applications. Living on campus lets you experience university life while collaborating with peers on projects. Leadership seminars run alongside the research work, building communication and teamwork skills throughout the program.
6. RYSE MED Program @ Henry Ford Health
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 28 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders aged 16 and older in Metro Detroit
RYSE MED combines healthcare exposure with research-focused learning in a hospital environment. During the summer component, you participate in workshops, clinical simulations, and research discussions related to medical topics. You work with peers to explore health equity challenges and create an infographic presenting your findings. The program also includes mentorship that continues throughout the academic year, helping you stay engaged beyond the summer experience. Through guided sessions, you learn about medical careers and how research contributes to improving healthcare outcomes.
7. High School Summer Science Program @ Eastern Michigan University
Location: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8 – 12 students/year
Dates: June 22 – July 13
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Local high school students who have completed at least one science class
Over three weeks, you work closely with EMU faculty mentors and undergraduate researchers in a cohort of just 8 to 12 students, conducting experiments and analyzing results across biology, chemistry, or physics. The small group size means you receive individualized guidance throughout the research process. You also learn how to document scientific processes accurately and practice lab safety and research ethics alongside the technical work. The program concludes with a presentation of your research findings.
8. University of Michigan Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising 12th-grade Michigan residents
This program introduces nuclear engineering concepts through structured academic instruction and technical exposure. You participate in math and science sessions that build foundational knowledge related to nuclear technology and visit facilities such as the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory to help you understand how research is conducted in specialized environments. Discussions focus on nuclear energy and its real-world applications. Some students also engage with faculty on academic topics related to engineering research. Discussions on nuclear energy and its broader implications run throughout the program alongside the technical instruction.
9. University of Michigan Future Ready Scholars
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 17
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: High school students in Southeast Michigan
Future Ready Scholars combines STEM exploration with structured college preparation activities. Over two weeks, you work in teams on projects using the Engineering Design Process to tackle real-world problems, building both technical and collaborative skills. The program also includes job shadowing opportunities and academic skill-building sessions. Saturday sessions during the academic year allow you to continue the work after the summer portion ends. The combination of project-based learning and college preparation activities gives the program a practical orientation throughout.
10. Henry Ford Health Department of Surgery High School Mentorship Program
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students/year
Dates: Summer internship between June and August
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Detroit-area high school students
This mentorship program introduces you to clinical environments and surgical learning experiences. You participate in sessions at the Surgical Simulation Suite where you practice technical skills like suturing and knot-tying. Observing healthcare teams helps you understand how patient care operates in professional settings. You also interact with physicians and medical students, learning about medical career pathways. Some students continue into a paid internship after completing the program. If you are exploring healthcare careers, this is one of the more hands-on science programs for high school students in Michigan.
11. Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS)
Location: Ann Arbor, MI (University of Michigan)
Cost: $1,400; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; admits ~100–200 students
Dates: Session 1: June 21 – July 3 | Session 2: July 5 – July 17 | Session 3: July 19 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Current high school students (grades 9–12)
MMSS offers two-week sessions at the University of Michigan, where you take university faculty-taught courses in advanced math and science topics. The daily schedule is intensive, and the coursework often touches on current research questions in the field. You can attend one of three consecutive sessions depending on your availability. The program admits roughly 100 to 200 students total across all sessions, making it selective but not unusually small.
12. Stanford AI in Medicine and Imaging Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Cost: $45 application fee + $2,400 program fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students
Dates: June 15 – 26 | July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: February 13 (Financial Aid) | February 20 (Standard)
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students in grades 9–12, at least 14 years old
This interdisciplinary program focuses on using artificial intelligence to study healthcare challenges. Over two weeks, you work in teams on case studies involving medical imaging and AI-driven predictive models, guided by mentors through structured project development and problem-solving. The program sits at the intersection of technology and healthcare, and discussions throughout explore interdisciplinary career paths combining the two. Students who do well in the program may have the option to continue research after the summer.
13. George Mason University - Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual options available
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students at least 15 years old
ASSIP at George Mason University is a research-focused internship that offers high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty mentors on advanced STEM projects. Over eight weeks, you work on a research project that typically involves academic writing, data analysis, and structured research planning. Some students complete independent projects while others collaborate with peers, and the experience varies depending on your assigned mentor and subject area. The program concludes with an opportunity to present your research findings publicly. Virtual participation options are available, adding flexibility for students outside the Fairfax area.
14. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Topics in Biochemistry
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
This course introduces advanced biochemistry topics through structured lessons and discussions. You work through advanced biochemistry topics, including molecular biology, proteins, and genetic engineering, through structured lessons and discussion. The coursework is designed to show how biochemical research connects to the broader health sciences. Students complete a final project applying the concepts learned during the program. It provides conceptual depth that can support biology-focused science programs for high school students in Michigan.