15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Michigan
A STEM program can be a strong option if you are a high school student interested in exploring academic interests beyond the classroom. These programs often center on projects, research, and applied problem-solving, helping you build skills that are valuable for college-level study and future careers. You may also gain insight into how academic and professional work is conducted through labs, collaborative projects, guided mentorship, and interactions with peers, faculty, researchers, or industry professionals.
Why should you attend a program in Michigan?
Michigan is home to several universities, research centers, and organizations that offer STEM programs for high school students. Based on the program, you might conduct scientific research, explore healthcare topics, or pursue advanced coursework in mathematics, technology, or data science. These programs can be a good fit if you live or study in Michigan and want opportunities close to home, as well as for out-of-state students interested in exploring a different academic environment.
To keep this list focused, we’ve narrowed it down to 15 STEM programs for high school students in Michigan.
If you’re looking for online STEM programs, check out our blog here.
1. University of Michigan’s Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: Free. Interns receive funding of $3,000 for participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 6 students
Dates: June 14 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Current juniors attending high school in the state of Michigan who are US citizens/permanent residents
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship at the University of Michigan is a six-week, full-time residential program for high school students interested in life sciences research. You will work in a real research lab, assisting faculty and research teams with ongoing scientific projects. You’ll learn lab techniques, collect and analyse data, and understand the day-to-day workflow of professional scientists. The program also includes science communication training, guest speaker talks, and support around college and career planning. At the end of the program, you will present your research to scientists and members of the public.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fairly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students. 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. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you are introduced to 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, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is access to the in-house publication team to help 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. Michigan Math & Science Scholars Summer Program (MMSS)
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $1,400 tuition fee, $1,100 residential fee (optional), $100 application fee. Limited need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fairly competitive
Dates: Session 1 from June 21 – July 3, Session 2 from July 5-17, Session 3 from July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from all over the world
Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS) is a residential summer program at the University of Michigan for high school students interested in math and science. You enroll in one intensive course per two-week session. You’ll attend lectures led by university faculty and engage in lab work, and, in some cases, field trips connected to the course material. Living on campus prepares you for a daily schedule that mirrors college life. Outside of class, you take part in supervised evening and weekend activities around Ann Arbor, including campus events and optional excursions.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program STEM Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type | Full financial aid available
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring | Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
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 PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 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. You can find more details about the application here and review students' experiences with the program here and here.
5. High School Summer Science Program@Eastern Michigan University
Location: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8-12 students
Dates: June 22 - July 13
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High-school students
The High School Summer Science Program at Eastern Michigan University is a three-week summer research program for high school students. You will be placed in teams of two and matched with a faculty mentor and an undergraduate researcher. You work on a guided research project in biology, chemistry, or physics, with an emphasis on learning how scientific research actually happens. Throughout the program, you practice core lab skills, including experimental techniques, data collection, and lab safety. You also learn how to interpret results, follow research ethics, and communicate scientific ideas clearly. The experience concludes with a formal presentation where you share your findings.
6. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
Location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University, MI
Cost: None
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: July 26 - 31
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: U.S. high school students
Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) is a free, week-long summer program for U.S. high school students interested in nuclear physics and related fields. Hosted by the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), the program introduces you to how scientists study atomic nuclei and how this work connects to astrophysics and cosmology. You’ll participate in activities and experiments led by FRIB faculty, staff, and students. You will have the opportunity to interact with researchers, learn about different science careers, and get a feel for college life on campus.
7. University of Michigan-Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 - August 1
Application Deadline: Not Specified
Eligibility: Rising 12th-grade students
The Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers is a four-week residential summer program for rising 12th graders interested in nuclear engineering. The program includes morning sessions on math and science, as well as college entrance exam prep. In the afternoons, you take part in seminars on college readiness and community-based design projects. The program includes lab visits to facilities such as the Virtual Ford Nuclear Reactor and the ZEUS laser system, as well as field trips to the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams and a nuclear power plant. Some students are offered the opportunity to work with faculty on live research projects.
8. Summer High School Research Program-Wayne State University
Location: James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – July 31(tentative, based on last year)
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring
Eligibility: High school students
The Summer High School Research Program is a four-week, on-campus experience for students interested in engineering and applied STEM fields. You’ll spend four days a week working on real projects in areas like emerging energy technology, CAD and 3D modeling, or fuel cells. The program includes lab tours and a final presentation to faculty and mentors. Depending on your track, you might work with battery materials, design and test prototypes using CAD software, or explore clean energy systems like hydrogen fuel cells.
9. MSTL: Math, Science, Technology, and Leadership
Location: Michigan State University
Cost: $1,045 commuter, $2,100 residential if paid before March 1; $1,140 commuter (includes lunches) and $2,490 residential if paid after March 1
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22-26
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 and 10
The Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Leadership (MSTL) program at Michigan State University is a one-week summer program for high school students in grades 9 and 10. You will take two STEM-focused classes and one enrichment course. STEM classes cover advanced topics like stellar physics or the foundations of artificial intelligence, where you work through real concepts, equations, and applications. For instance, in the AI course, you can experiment with training models using university computing resources. The leadership course focuses on communication, teamwork, and how these skills connect to college and future academic work.
10. Engineering Scholars Program (ESP)
Location: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Cost: $1175 live-In tuition rate, $700 commuter tuition rate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21 - 26
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: All students in grades 9-11
The Engineering Scholars Program (ESP) is a one-week program that introduces high school students to engineering and science fields. You will explore engineering through project-based sessions, choosing two areas such as aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering; robotics; or environmental engineering. You will work with peers on applied projects and problem-solving challenges. You’ll attend talks and sessions with engineers who share what their work looks like in real settings and how they built their careers. The program also includes team competitions and outdoor activities.
11. Women in Engineering (WIE)
Location: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Cost: $1175 live-In tuition rate, $700 commuter tuition rate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21 - 26
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: All students in grades 9-11
The Women in Engineering (WIE) program is a one-week experience designed to introduce high school students to careers in engineering and science. During the program, you choose two engineering areas to explore, such as aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering, robotics, or environmental engineering. You’ll collaborate in teams and apply engineering ideas to real problems. You also hear directly from engineers who share their career paths and day-to-day work.
12. NEXT Scholars: Geospatial Engineering
Location: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Cost: $1175 live-In tuition rate, $700 commuter tuition rate; 10 fully sponsored slots provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 14 - 19
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: All students in grades 9-11
In the NEXT Scholars: Geospatial Engineering program, you will learn how engineers use tools like drones, GPS, and surveying equipment to study wetlands, forests, and coastlines in the Keweenaw Peninsula. You will collect real field data, analyze it in class, and turn it into clear, accurate maps. Along the way, you see how geospatial engineering supports conservation, land use planning, and sustainable development. The program shows how engineering and environmental science connect in the real world.
13. METAL Bootcamp: Casting Your Future
Location: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1- June 21 - 26; Session 2- July 12 - 17
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: All students in grades 9-11
This weeklong program introduces high school students to the fundamentals of materials science through hands-on work in metal casting and forging. Hosted by Michigan Technological University’s Materials Science and Engineering Department, the session focuses on how metals are designed, shaped, and tested in real manufacturing settings. By the end of the program, you will leave with a finished metal project and a clearer understanding of how materials science applies to engineering and manufacturing careers.
14. High School Engineering Institute (HSEI)
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost: $1,099
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 14-18; Session 2: June 21-25; Session 3: July 5-9; Session 4: July 12-16
Application Deadline: June 5 for Session 1; June 12 for Session 2; June 26 for Session 3; July 3 for Session 4
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12 in Fall, as well as recent graduates, high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or better in engineering core courses such as math, sciences, and technology
The High School Engineering Institute (HSEI) is a residential program for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are considering a career in engineering. Over one week, you explore different engineering majors through short lectures, lab demos, and team projects. You’ll work closely with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates. You also tour engineering labs and research facilities across campus. The program ends with student presentations and a clearer sense of which engineering paths fit you best.
15. Summer Engineering Exploration Camp
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 40 students
Dates: July 5-11
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-11. Preference is given to students who have limited access to engineering
The Summer Engineering Exploration Camp is a week-long program where you work in small teams to tackle a design challenge using the engineering design process. You will get to explore different engineering disciplines through planned activities. You will tour the campus and interact with current students and the admissions team. Team-building activities are part of the week, including kayaking and the Adventure Leadership Challenge. By the end, you leave with a clearer sense of how engineers think and work in real settings.