15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Indiana
If you are a high schooler looking for a productive way to spend your summer, consider structured STEM programs. These programs go beyond classroom instruction: they place you in real lab settings, engineering workshops, and research environments where you can build practical skills in areas like coding, data analysis, scientific investigation, or biomedical research. Many STEM programs are run by well-established universities and research organizations, giving you access to mentors who are faculty members, Ph.D. students, or industry professionals. Participating in programs with selective admissions can also signal to admissions officers that you are willing to pursue rigorous, self-directed learning outside of school.
Why should you attend a program in Indiana?
Indiana is a strong destination for STEM learning opportunities thanks to its concentration of universities, healthcare institutions, and engineering-focused organizations that regularly host programs for high school students. Depending on the opportunity, you may work on engineering challenges, conduct scientific research, learn programming skills, explore healthcare careers, or participate in aviation and technology-based projects. These opportunities can benefit students in Indiana who want to take advantage of local resources, as well as students from other states interested in exploring reputable STEM programs in the region.
In this blog, we have narrowed down 15 STEM programs for high school students in Indiana.
If you’re looking for science programs in Indiana, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 programs span biomedical research, AI, engineering, robotics, cybersecurity, data science, chemistry, neuroscience, and computing, so students with a wide range of STEM interests can find a relevant option in Indiana or online.
Several programs are free or paid, including Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM (up to $4,000 stipend), ACS Project SEED ($4,000 stipend), IU RISE ($600 stipend), and Ivy Tech STEM Summer Youth Camp (free), while others, such as Purdue Summer College, offer official university credit and a permanent transcript.
Many programs prioritize Indiana residents or students from specific backgrounds, including Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM (Indiana high school students), IU RISE (underrepresented rising seniors), and ACS Project SEED (students from low-income households), so local and first-generation students should take note of these targeted opportunities.
Programs vary significantly in length and format, from four-day introductory camps, such as Ivy Tech STEM Camp and IU Indianapolis School of Science Summer Camp, to eight-week research placements, such as Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM and ACS Project SEED, so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.
Application deadlines for the most selective programs fall early, including University of Notre Dame Summer Scholars (February 18), ACS Project SEED (April 6), and IU RISE (April 10), while programs, such as Rose-Hulman Operation Catapult and Ivy Tech STEM Camp, fill on a rolling or first-come basis, so students should apply as soon as applications open.
1. Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM Summer Program
Location: Indiana CTSI at Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN + partner research institutions, Indianapolis, IN
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; eligible students may receive stipends up to $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 8 – July 30
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Indiana high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have completed at least one high school chemistry course
This free program pairs you with faculty researchers at Indiana University or the Indiana Bioscience Research Institute to contribute to projects in computer science, life sciences, chemistry, biomedical engineering, or other STEM fields. The program's research mentorship structure is designed to give you professional-grade lab experience that mirrors graduate-level STEM research. Alongside lab work, you will attend weekly group meetings, undergo training in scientific instrumentation, and participate in research workshops on topics such as ethical research conduct. The experience can help you build time management and teamwork skills. You will present your findings at a poster session at the end of the summer.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can check details and apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase accepts previous AI Scholars participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers a range of online programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about data science and AI fundamentals and work on real-world projects. Another track for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. During this program, you will get a chance to work 1-on-1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A key feature of this program is that it offers you access to the in-house publication team to help you get your work published in high school research journals. You can check out examples of a few past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Ivy Tech STEM Summer Youth Camp
Location: Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis, IN
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 20 students (first-come, first-served basis)
Dates: July 13 – 16 (STEM camp)
Application deadline: Open until full
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 16; no prior STEM experience required
This four-day STEM Summer Youth Camp at Ivy Tech Indianapolis introduces students to a wide range of science and technology concepts through interactive, hands-on activities and collaborative projects. You can explore engineering, biotechnology, robotics, chemistry, physics, and health sciences while learning skills such as 3D printing, robot programming, electrical circuit design, DNA extraction, and health measurement techniques. The camp emphasizes experimentation and creativity, allowing you to engage directly with real-world STEM applications in a supportive and beginner-friendly environment. In addition to lab activities, you will also visit the world’s largest children’s museum, extending the learning experience beyond the classroom and exposing students to broader science and innovation topics.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: STEM Track
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, spring, fall, and winter. Options range from 12 weeks to a year.
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school who demonstrate strong academic performance
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive one-on-one research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program will pair you with Ph.D. mentors to work one-on-one on a research project. At the end, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose from areas such as computer science, engineering, data science, chemistry, psychology, physics, international relations, economics, and more. You can learn more about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. ACS Project SEED
Location: Multiple participating institutions across the U.S., including in Indiana
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 8–10-week summer research experience; dates vary by institution
Application deadline: April 6
Eligibility: High school students under 18 who have completed at least one year of high school chemistry; applicants’ annual family income should not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
ACS Project SEED is a long-running national summer research initiative that connects high school students with hands-on chemistry and STEM research opportunities at universities, laboratories, and industry sites. During the program, you will work closely with professional scientists and mentors on real research projects while gaining exposure to laboratory techniques, scientific problem-solving, and STEM career pathways. In addition to research placements, Project SEED also supports professional development through workshops, webinars, and college-readiness programming focused on scientific communication, career exploration, and lab preparedness. You may also get to return to the program next year to continue working on chemistry research.
6. Indiana University Bloomington's Jim Holland Research Initiative in STEM Education (RISE)
Location: Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Cost/Stipend: $125 non-refundable registration fee; $600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 21 – July 3
Application deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with at least a 3.2 GPA who are taking or have taken science and math courses and are interested in STEM careers; counselor verification, parent acknowledgment, and math/science teacher recommendations are required.
Designed for rising seniors from varied and underrepresented backgrounds, RISE is a two-week residential research camp hosted by IU Bloomington's Department of Biology. You will work alongside university researchers, gaining hands-on experience in lab techniques and scientific research methodology. The program is designed to connect students who may not otherwise have access to professional STEM mentorship with real-world research experiences that make a meaningful difference in college applications and career decisions. STEM career guidance and college preparation are integrated into the curriculum alongside the research component. You will also get to present your work before the camp concludes.
7. University of Notre Dame Summer Scholars
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: $5,200 + $75 non-refundable application fee; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session I: June 6 – 20 | Session II: June 27 – July 11
Application deadline: February 18
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors (rising juniors and seniors) who are at least 16 years old by August 1; a strong academic record, extracurricular involvement, counselor report, transcript, and teacher recommendation are required.
During the Summer Scholars program, you will spend two intensive weeks on Notre Dame's campus enrolled in a college-level course taught by Notre Dame faculty. You can choose from courses in cryptography, engineering, data science, life sciences, research computing, and neuroscience. Over the course of the program, you will engage with the same material as Notre Dame undergraduates, gaining firsthand insight into what studying STEM at a competitive university actually looks like. The program combines coursework with campus activities and field trips tied to your field of study. The residential setting gives you a full picture of university life.
8. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Operation Catapult
Location: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN
Cost: $2,700 (includes room and board)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: Session 1: June 8 – 18 | Session 2: June 22 – July 2 | Session 3: July 14 – 24
Application deadline: Rolling until full; first-come, first-served enrollment
Eligibility: Students applying in the summer after 10th or 11th grade who have completed at least one year of chemistry or physics; a school transcript and a counselor or teacher recommendation are required for the application.
Operation Catapult is a residential STEM summer program that gives high school students an early look at engineering, applied science, and college life through immersive, project-based learning at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Over about two weeks, you will work on hands-on technical projects that may involve robotics, biodiesel production, machine design, and experimental engineering challenges while collaborating closely with faculty and peers. The program is designed to help you apply concepts from math and science courses in practical settings, with opportunities to conduct experiments, solve engineering problems, and explore how engineers think and work. Beyond the classroom and labs, you will live on campus and experience the collaborative environment of a STEM-focused college community. If you choose to later attend Rose-Hulman, you can use two hours of free elective college credit that you will receive upon completing the program.
9. Purdue University’s Summer College for High School Students
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cost: Varies by course type and participant residency status; ~$744 – $3,109 for residential short-term programs + a $60 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1,000+ spots available
Dates: June 21 – July 31 (Various sessions and courses within this window)
Application deadline: Priority deadline February 1; final deadline April 1
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 – 17; grade-level requirements and prerequisites (such as prior biology or chemistry) may apply to individual courses.
Purdue’s Summer College allows you to enroll in real university courses alongside undergraduate students while experiencing campus life before college. You can choose from courses across STEM, business, humanities, and interdisciplinary subjects, including traditional multi-week college courses and shorter residential options. Over the course of the program, you will attend classes, learn through simulations, workshops, and discussions, and explore topics like materials engineering, data science, nuclear engineering, health sciences, or programming. You will also earn official Purdue credit and a permanent university transcript, making the program an experience that closely mirrors actual college academics in rigor and expectations. The on-campus format additionally allows you to live in residence halls, interact with Purdue faculty and peer mentors, and gain exposure to the independence and structure of university life.
10. Project SELECT @ Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Location: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology campus, Terre Haute, IN
Cost: $1,650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: July 12 – 18 | July 19 – 25
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Incoming high school sophomores and juniors
Project SELECT is a week-long science and engineering exploration camp at Rose-Hulman for students in high school. Through hands-on projects and lab activities, you will explore how STEM concepts can be applied to solve real problems. You will work on real-world projects in small teams under the guidance of Rose-Hulman faculty. You will also test your designs using university equipment. The experience can help you experience life on a college campus and gain exposure to advanced STEM problem-solving.
11. Rose POWER @ Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Location: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN
Cost: $1,650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Session 1: June 7 - June 12; Session 2: June 14 - June 19
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 10th- and 11th-grade students who identify as girls; no prior STEM experience required
Rose POWER is a week-long engineering and innovation camp designed to help students gain confidence, build, design, and experiment in a collaborative makerspace environment. You will spend the week working in Rose-Hulman’s innovation centers, where you will create gadgets, prototypes, and hands-on engineering projects while learning to use fabrication tools and design technology. Under the guidance of faculty and college students, you will learn how engineers approach creative problem-solving while developing practical skills in design, prototyping, and teamwork. As the camp is structured around exploration and experimentation rather than prior technical experience, it is accessible for students who are curious about engineering but may not yet have had access to advanced STEM resources or makerspaces.
12. Indiana University Luddy Pre-College Summer STEM Camp
Location: Indiana University Bloomington’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, Bloomington, IN
Cost: $950
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 26 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling; opens in January
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12; no prior programming or technical experience required
The Luddy Precollege Summer STEM Camp introduces high school students to a wide range of modern computing and technology fields through an immersive residential experience at Indiana University Bloomington. Over the course of a week, you will explore topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, virtual worlds, smart homes, cryptocurrencies, and data collection using robots, while also learning Python programming and computational problem-solving. The program combines hands-on technical activities with exposure to how technology is used across science, engineering, and society, giving you a broad introduction to interdisciplinary computing. You will also interact with faculty, current college students, and technology professionals while working collaboratively on projects and activities tailored to different experience levels. The camp is designed to support both beginners and students with more advanced technical interests.
13. IU Indianapolis School of Science Summer Camp
Location: Indiana University Indianapolis School of Science, Indianapolis, IN
Cost: $375
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 30 students
Dates: June 8 – 11
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
This four-day STEM Summer Camp at IU Indianapolis introduces high school students to a broad range of scientific disciplines through hands-on experiments and lab-based activities. You will spend the days exploring programs across the School of Science, including biology, chemistry, environmental science, neuroscience, physics, psychology, and forensic science, while working in modern university laboratories and learning from faculty and staff. Rather than focusing on a single topic, the camp is designed to expose you to multiple STEM pathways and help you better understand how scientific research and problem-solving work across disciplines. The experience can help you narrow down your areas of interest before college.
14. Indiana State University Sycamore Summer Scholars
Location: Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN
Cost: $500 – $600 program fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application deadline: May 22
Eligibility: High school students graduating in the next two years who have at least a 2.4 GPA; students with a 3.0 GPA or higher may enroll in both GH 199 and UC 110 seminars, while students with GPAs between 2.4 and 2.99 can only enroll in UC 110 seminars.
Sycamore Summer Scholars is a residential pre-college experience that allows high school students to explore academic interests while earning college credit at Indiana State University. Based on your GPA, you will enroll in GH 199 or UC 110 seminars, both spanning various disciplines, including STEM areas. Over five days, you will live on campus, attend seminar-style courses taught in subjects ranging from forensic anatomy and medical genetics to law, gaming, environmental economics, ethics, and social work, and experience university life alongside other motivated students. The program emphasizes both academic exploration and personal growth, giving you the chance to engage in college-level discussions, collaborative projects, and campus activities while learning more about potential majors and career pathways. As the seminars vary widely in theme and difficulty, the program can help you figure out your interests or dive into a specific academic area.
15. Indiana Tech High School STEM Camp
Location: Indiana Tech, Fort Wayne, IN
Cost: Residential: $600 | Commuter: $450
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application deadline: Open until full or one week before camp, whichever is earlier
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
Held on Indiana Tech's Fort Wayne campus over four and a half days, this camp introduces you to engineering disciplines through academic sessions and hands-on activities. You will choose one out of four focused areas: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Robotics Engineering. Over the week, you will engage in hands-on STEM activities such as dissections, programming, and building robots, working with machines, or soldering, depending on the track you choose. All sessions will be led by Indiana Tech faculty and staff, who will additionally offer insights into STEM career paths. The schedule includes social and recreational activities such as scavenger hunts, video games, sports, and water-balloon launching.
Frequently asked questions
1. What STEM programs are available for high school students in Indiana?
Options include biomedical and chemistry research programs, such as Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM and ACS Project SEED, engineering and robotics programs, such as Rose-Hulman Operation Catapult, Indiana Tech STEM Camp, and Rose POWER, university-based computing and AI programs, such as IU Luddy Pre-College Camp and Veritas AI, introductory multi-discipline camps, such as Ivy Tech STEM Camp and IU Indianapolis School of Science Camp, and residential college-credit programs, such as Purdue Summer College and Indiana State Sycamore Summer Scholars.
2. Are there free or paid STEM programs for high school students in Indiana?
Yes, several programs are free or provide financial compensation. Indiana CTSI SEED/STEM is free to attend and offers up to $4,000 for eligible students, ACS Project SEED provides a $4,000 stipend for qualifying applicants, IU RISE offers a $600 stipend, and Ivy Tech STEM Summer Youth Camp is free. Lumiere Research Scholar Program and Veritas AI offer need-based financial aid for their virtual programs.
3. Which Indiana STEM programs are best for students interested in engineering?
Students interested in engineering might consider Rose-Hulman Operation Catapult for a two-week project-based residential experience, Indiana Tech STEM Camp for a focused track in electrical, mechanical, biomedical, or robotics engineering, and Rose POWER for students who identify as girls and want a hands-on introduction to engineering design and prototyping.
4. Do any Indiana STEM programs offer college credit?
Yes, Purdue University Summer College awards official Purdue credit and a permanent university transcript upon completion. Rose-Hulman Operation Catapult provides two hours of free elective college credit for students who later attend Rose-Hulman, and Indiana State Sycamore Summer Scholars offers credit through GH 199 and UC 110 seminars depending on GPA.
5. Which Indiana STEM programs are open to students outside the state?
Veritas AI and Lumiere Research Scholar Program are fully virtual and open to students anywhere in the world. University of Notre Dame Summer Scholars, Rose-Hulman programs, and Purdue University Summer College all accept out-of-state and international applicants, and ACS Project SEED places students at institutions across the country.
6. When should I apply to STEM programs for high school students in Indiana?
The earliest deadlines include Purdue Summer College (priority deadline February 1), University of Notre Dame Summer Scholars (February 18), ACS Project SEED (April 6), and IU RISE (April 10). Programs, such as IU Indianapolis School of Science Camp (May 31) and Indiana State Sycamore Summer Scholars (May 22), fall later in the spring. Students should begin researching options in the fall, as programs, such as Rose-Hulman Operation Catapult and Ivy Tech STEM Camp, fill on a rolling or first-come basis and have no fixed deadlines.