13 STEM Programs for High School Students in Missouri
If you're a high school student in Missouri interested in science, technology, engineering, or math, there are several strong programs that offer early exposure to these fields. Many are hosted by universities or local research centers and give you the chance to explore college-level topics through labs, coding challenges, and engineering design work.
These programs not only build technical skills but also introduce you to how professionals think and collaborate in STEM environments. Whether you’re interested in robotics, biology, environmental science, or data analytics, each program on this list is designed to stretch your academic abilities and connect you with mentors and peers.
To help you get started, we’ve curated 13 STEM programs for high school students in Missouri!
1. Kummer Centre for STEM Education - Miners in the Making
Location: Missouri S&T Campus, Rolla, MO
Cost: Free
Dates: August – May (school year, Monday to Friday)
Eligibility: K-12 students (ages 5-16) from Phelps County, MO
Application Deadline: Rolling; limited to 100 students
Hosted by Missouri S&T’s Kummer Center for STEM Education, Miners in the Making is a free after-school program that blends academic support with daily ASTEM (Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) enrichment. Students participate in various project-based activities such as robotics, 3D printing, and Future City challenges, under the guidance of trained educators and Missouri S&T students. The program operates throughout the academic year on weekday afternoons and welcomes local students from Rolla, Newburg, and nearby Phelps County districts. Transportation is provided for certain schools, and all sessions are held in a licensed, structured environment that emphasizes safety and education.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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. You can find more details about the application here.
3. Saint Louis Science Center - Youth Exploring Science (YES) Program
Location: Saint Louis Science Center, MO
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round; daily in summer and Saturdays during the school year
Eligibility: St. Louis-area high school students (apply as incoming 9th graders)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the fall for the following year
The YES Program is a long-term STEM and leadership initiative that supports St. Louis-area high school students from underserved backgrounds through all four years of high school. The program integrates hands-on STEM experiences with project-based learning in areas such as aerospace, engineering, computer science, agriscience, and integrative medicine. Students gain college and career preparation support while also growing as peer mentors and community ambassadors.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
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.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
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 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, students get a chance 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.
5. Saint Louis University - STEM Immersion Experience
Location: Saint Louis University North Campus, St. Louis, MO
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 – 11
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders with a minimum 2.5 GPA, living within 50 miles of St. Louis
Application Deadline: Typically in April
This 6-day residential camp aims to assist underrepresented high school students who are exploring STEM careers. The program combines practical STEM activities with college readiness workshops and mentorship from industry professionals. Students learn about financial aid and the college application process, and they also have the opportunity to connect with STEM leaders and role models to gain insights into future career options. Open to students from diverse backgrounds in the St. Louis area, the camp includes meals, housing, and all activities at no cost to accepted students.
6. Saint Louis University - Engineering Summer Academy
Location: Saint Louis University North Campus, St. Louis, MO
Cost: $850; scholarships available
Dates: June 8 – 13
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders
Application Deadline: Typically in April
The Engineering Summer Academy is another exceptional program offered by SLU, providing high school students with a focused introduction to several engineering disciplines through a residential, week-long experience. Guided by SLU faculty and student mentors, students explore projects in various fields, including aerospace, mechanical, biomedical, electrical, computer, and civil engineering. The program also includes off-campus site visits, guest lectures from working engineers, and opportunities to learn more about campus life.
7. Emerson STEM Academy - St. Louis Community College
Location: STLCC-Florissant Valley Campus, St. Louis, MO
Cost: $72.50/credit hour (dual enrollment); $25/credit hour (dual credit); textbooks and materials covered for dual enrollment
Dates: Classes begin August 25
Eligibility: High school students (GPA 2.5+) from participating North St. Louis County districts
Application Deadline: March 10
The Emerson STEM Academy is a dual enrollment and dual credit program designed for students from North St. Louis County who are interested in STEM careers. Developed in partnership with Emerson Electric and STLCC, the program allows students to earn up to 12 college credits (or even an associate degree) before high school graduation. Courses are taken through the Florissant Valley campus, with access to tutoring, mentoring, and college student resources. Students also participate in a speaker series and specialized orientation sessions. Those enrolled in dual enrollment courses receive free textbooks and supplies, and some may qualify for transportation support.
8. BESt Healthcare Institute
Location: St. Louis, MO (multiple partner sites)
Cost: Free; students may earn a stipend of up to $400-$500 based on performance
Dates: June 23 – July 18
Eligibility: Full-time 9th-11th grade students in the St. Louis region with a 3.0+ GPA
Application Deadline: April 1
The BESt Healthcare Institute is a 4-week summer program aimed at preparing high school students for future careers in healthcare. The program integrates academics, healthcare exposure, and professional development to enhance science and math skills, while also providing ACT/SAT preparation. Students attend lectures, visit clinical sites, and receive mentorship from healthcare professionals. Leadership training and personal development are central to the experience.
9. University of Missouri - Mini Medical School
Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Cost: $650 per session (includes housing, meals, scrubs, and materials); scholarships available
Dates: Session 1: June 7 – 11 | Session 2: June 14 – 18
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in Missouri with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Deadline: March (exact date TBA)
Mini Medical School offers high school juniors a realistic preview of medical student life. Participants engage in clinical simulations, anatomy labs, and patient-centered learning activities during their week on campus. The program also features seminars on medical school admissions, visits to cutting-edge cancer research labs, and opportunities to interact with current medical students and faculty. Through a partnership with the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, students also explore cancer-focused research and imaging technologies, with additional scholarships available for those interested in oncology. Open to Missouri residents or those attending high school in the state, the program encourages applicants from rural and underrepresented communities.
10. Webster University - Phage Summer Research Camp
Location: Browning Hall, Webster University, Webster Groves, MO
Cost: $400 (lunch included)
Dates: July 28 – August 1
Eligibility: Students aged 14-18 (rising 9th grade to graduated 12th grade)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Webster University’s Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics offers a summer camp for high school students to engage in hands-on research on bacteriophages — viruses that infect bacteria and are crucial in medicine. Students work alongside college faculty in both lab and field settings as part of an ongoing research project. The camp is designed for those curious about microbiology and interested in gaining real-world experience in a university research environment.
11. University of Missouri - Hacker Tracker Cyber Security Camp
Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Cost: $299
Dates: July 14 – 16
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-12
Application Deadline: Rolling
This 3-day cybersecurity camp introduces middle and high school students to ethical hacking, digital forensics, coding, and cyber defense fundamentals. Participants act as expert witnesses in a simulated investigation, utilizing tools such as Slowhttptest and Tshark to identify cyber attacks targeting a fictional gaming company. Taught by university faculty and cybersecurity professionals, the camp blends technical skills with discussions around ethics, online risks, and teamwork. Students finish the program by presenting their findings in a mock trial setting.
12. Washington University - Summer Focus Program
Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Cost: Free; students receive a $4,500 stipend
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Eligibility: 11th graders from the Greater St. Louis area; no prior research experience required
Application Deadline: January 27
The Summer Focus program is part of Washington University’s Young Scientist Program (YSP), which aims to engage high school students (especially those from underrepresented backgrounds) in scientific research. Each year, a small cohort of 15-18 students is selected for this 8-week, paid internship on campus. Students are paired with a dedicated lab Mentor and a Tutor, working together on real-world biomedical research projects. Alongside lab work, students take two structured courses: one on science writing and communication, and the other on college preparation and professional development. The summer culminates in a research symposium where students present their findings to peers, family, and faculty.
13. Code Wizards - Python Language Track
Location: Online
Cost: $699 per course
Dates: June 2 - August 21 (multiple time slots available)
Eligibility: Students ages 14-18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions till slots are filled
This 3-course summer program introduces teens to Python programming through a structured, project-based format. Students begin with the basics, such as writing simple apps and understanding key programming concepts, and gradually progress to intermediate and advanced work, including reading files, utilizing APIs, and building more robust programs. Each level comprises 12 lessons, delivered over three weeks, with small-group classes meeting four times a week for 55 minutes. The curriculum supports gradual skill development and offers continued learning options after the track concludes. This course is suitable for high school students interested in learning the fundamentals of coding, app development, and working with data.