15 Research Programs for High School Students in Wyoming

If you are a high school student interested in advancing your research career early, research programs can be a worthwhile way to get started. Participating in a structured research program during your high school years gives you the opportunity to dive into scientific inquiry while gaining hands-on experience that extends far beyond typical classroom learning. You will develop critical thinking skills, learn to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and analyze data under the guidance of experienced mentors. These programs are invaluable for deepening your understanding of scientific methodologies and discovering whether a research-focused career aligns with your aspirations, providing a practical foundation that will serve you throughout your academic and professional life. Beyond academic skill development, you’ll experience collaborative problem-solving, learn to present your findings effectively, and build a network of peers and mentors within your chosen field.

Why should you choose a program in Wyoming?

Wyoming presents a distinctive and compelling environment for research, particularly if your interests lie in environmental science, geology, astronomy, or ecology. The state’s natural features, ranging from high-altitude alpine environments to prairie grasslands, offer unparalleled opportunities for field research that are often unavailable elsewhere. You gain direct access to diverse ecosystems and unique research questions about adaptation, conservation, and environmental change. Wyoming is also an excellent place for astronomical research due to its low light pollution and clear skies, which are perfect for observational studies. In addition, the University of Wyoming and its affiliated research centers provide access to world-class facilities and active faculty mentors. While many programs are national or online, those rooted in Wyoming provide unique outdoor laboratories and a supportive research community dedicated to fostering young scientists. 

This article helps you by detailing 15 such research programs for high school students based in Wyoming:

Key Takeaways

• 15 research programs in Wyoming range from free residential experiences at the University of Wyoming, to paid virtual internships like Stanford’s AIMI program, to nationwide mentored research through MIT PRIMES-USA and sci-MI.
• Wyoming’s geography makes it especially strong for environmental science, geology, and astronomy research. The Wyoming Field School has students conduct authentic archaeological excavations at three distinct sites, and the Teton STEM Academy includes a field excursion to the university’s 2.3-meter Wyoming Infrared Observatory.
• Several programs are free or low cost and specifically funded to support Wyoming students. The Wyoming Research Scholars Program pays $17 per hour, and Upward Bound Math Science is fully funded, covering room, board, books, and supplies with some stipends available.
• Remote and virtual mentored research options make several programs accessible regardless of location. MIT PRIMES-USA, CrowdMath, and sci-MI are all free and open to students nationwide or worldwide, pairing them with a mentor to work on original research questions.
• Cost varies widely among the paid programs, from $350 for the weeklong Engineering Summer Program, up to $4,120 for Stanford AI4ALL and $2,400 for Stanford’s AIMI Summer Research Internship.
• Several programs culminate in a formal presentation or symposium. Upward Bound Math Science ends with a science fair-style research symposium, and the Wyoming Field School results in a completed field school credential that counts toward professional archaeology requirements.
• Wyoming’s research programs are a strong way to build field-based and mentored research skills, but they are not the only path for a student interested in independent research in other fields. Those who want to pursue a research project outside the sciences represented here might consider Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs, a mentored virtual research program with 600+ specializations across subjects like data science, political theory, and machine learning.

1. Engineering Summer Program

This weeklong program gives high school students the opportunity to explore engineering through hands-on projects and real-world problem-solving. You will work one-on-one with faculty members and advanced engineering students in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, tackling challenges across multiple engineering disciplines.  You will develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through direct engagement with these projects, while learning how engineering concepts are applied to practical innovation. The program also explores the connection between engineering and a wide range of career paths, helping you gain a broader understanding of the field. You will also experience college life firsthand, staying in campus residence halls and dining in university facilities. By the week’s end, you will have completed projects demonstrating your ability to work through complex technical problems. You will gain confidence in presenting your solutions effectively and understand the breadth of opportunities in engineering.

2. University of Wyoming Teton STEM Academy

The Teton STEM Academy offers a residential summer experience where you will explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through the lens of human space exploration. You will learn advanced concepts across multiple STEM disciplines, while focusing on designing Mars missions. You will participate in hands-on experiments using liquid nitrogen and other laboratory equipment, complete design challenges such as 3D-printing spacecraft components and collaborate on team-based projects that reflect real-world research. The program culminates in a field excursion to the University of Wyoming’s 2.3-meter Wyoming Infrared Observatory, where you will experience professional-grade astronomical equipment and learn from working astronomers. You will live on campus, receive all meals, and interact daily with professional astronomers and experienced educators.

3. Windy Ridge Foundation Astro Camp

This weeklong program will let you explore space exploration and planetary science through hands-on investigation and field-based learning. The camp challenges you to think like a scientist as you take part in realistic mission design activities focused on exploring planets outside our solar system. You will combine classroom learning with field experiences, including hikes to nearby mountain ranges, and apply planetary science principles to Earth environments. You will collect water samples from local ecosystems and analyze them using laboratory microscopes to search for signs of microscopic life. You will also participate in geological investigations that mirror actual planetary research. The program provides you with direct exposure to the Wyoming Infrared Observatory. Throughout the week, you’ll work alongside professional astronomers and experienced educators who are keen to help young people develop their scientific interests.

4. University of Wyoming Summer High School Institute

The Summer High School Institute offers you a comprehensive pre-college experience, so you can have a genuine taste of university-level learning and residential college life. During the 20-day program, you will live on campus in university residence halls, while taking college-level courses in STEM and humanities. Beyond the classroom, the program balances academics with social development and recreation, including activities such as whitewater rafting and cultural events. You will also get to interact with like-minded Wyoming students from across the state, making connections that extend beyond summer. By the end of the program, you will gain confidence about your academic abilities and readiness for college-level work.

5. University of Wyoming Wyoming Field School

The Wyoming Field School gives high school students the opportunity to participate in authentic archaeological excavation and research across three distinct sites. You will learn and apply professional field techniques, including excavation methods and artifact documentation using survey equipment. You will also learn artifact identification and the stabilization of fragile materials. Depending on your session, you might excavate paleolithic sites, investigate historical mining towns, or survey and analyze lithic workshops. The program includes  6 college credits, which should transfer to any academic institution. You will live in field camps and engage in physically demanding work, requiring good physical fitness and preparedness for remote living. By the end of the program, you will have completed a field school, which is a crucial requirement for entry-level employment in archaeology, giving you a strong professional advantage in the field.

6. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship – AI in Medicine

The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging (AIMI) runs a two‑week virtual Summer Research Internship program that introduces you to artificial intelligence  and machine learning in healthcare. As an intern, you’ll attend lectures by Stanford researchers on topics such as deep learning, medical imaging, and AI ethics. You will then work in small groups on a research project that applies machine‑learning methods to real medical imaging or health data. Along the way, you will receive mentorship from Stanford students and researchers, while gaining experience with coding, data analysis, and research communication. The program is project‑driven and expects you to work fairly independently between live sessions, which helps you build the self‑direction and time management skills needed for research.

7. Upward Bound Math Science Summer Program – University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming (UW)’s Upward Bound or Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) is a six‑week residential summer program that includes a significant research component. During the program, you’ll take classes in core academic subjects while also enrolling in a science‑based mentorship course that walks you through designing and completing an individual research project. You’ll work with mentors to refine your research question, collect data, and strengthen your scientific communication skills. The experience culminates in a research symposium where you present your project in a “science fair”–style event to staff, peers, and family members. The program is fully funded, including room, board, books, and supplies, and some students receive stipends for participation.

8. Wyoming Research Scholars Program

The Wyoming Research Scholars Program provides top high school students in Wyoming with an early introduction to university research even before entering college. This program recognizes your exceptional potential and facilitates direct connection between you and the University of Wyoming research faculty. By participating, you gain valuable exposure to the university research environment, meet potential faculty mentors, and begin building crucial relationships. You will also start developing the foundational skills necessary for success in advanced scientific training.

9. UW Teton STEM Academy – Journey to Mars

At the Teton STEM Academy, you’ll spend a week living on the University of Wyoming (UW) campus and exploring the interdisciplinary science behind human missions to Mars. You’ll investigate topics in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and engineering through activities such as designing and 3D‑printing spacecraft components, conducting experiments with liquid nitrogen, and assembling underwater “satellites” to simulate space operations. Faculty and graduate students guide you through hands-on investigations that resemble small-scale research projects, from designing experiments to interpreting results. The program also emphasizes mentorship, with a small cohort of students working closely with instructors and having structured time to ask questions about STEM pathways. 

10. NC State Global Training Initiative – Online Research Academy

The NC State’s Online Research Academy is a four-week virtual program that gives you the opportunity to work with a university faculty mentor on a college‑level research project. You’ll choose from interdisciplinary topics such as artificial intelligence for business, green materials, biomedical engineering, financial math, and robotics, and then meet regularly in small groups while putting together your own project under your professor’s guidance. Over 5–10 hours per week, you learn how to design a research question, apply methods such as data analysis or modeling, and present your findings in a structured format. The program emphasizes mentored research  rather than just lecture-based learning, and you finish with a GTI certificate and an evaluation letter that you can use in college applications. For you as a Wyoming student, this program offers the opportunity to gain direct faculty mentorship and research experience from a major research university without leaving home

11. UC San Diego – Research Scholars Program 

UC San Diego’s Research Scholars Program offers high school students the opportunity to explore research through courses available in multiple formats, including live online tracks. In these online courses, you’ll assume the role of a researcher, working with UCSD faculty and mentors on subjects such as bioengineering, life sciences, marine science, medicine, sports medicine, and business. Depending on the track, you might use at‑home lab kits, computational modeling, and data analysis tools to conduct experiments or research projects and then present your results in a format similar to undergraduate research presentations. Courses are organized as short, focused sessions lasting 1–3 weeks, so you can focus on a single subject area at a time. Many tracks award 3 pre‑college units, giving you a transcriptable record of your work with a major research university.

12. MIT PRIMES-USA

PRIMES-USA extends MIT’s highly selective mathematics research program to high school students across the United States through remote mentorship. By eliminating geographic barriers, the program allows students nationwide to participate in mathematical research while maintaining the same standards as the on-campus PRIMES program. As a participant, you’ll follow a structured research process that includes advanced reading, active research, independent study, and formal write-up. You will work remotely with an MIT graduate student or postdoctoral mentor, developing your independent thinking and mathematical maturity, and learning how mathematicians approach complex research problems. The program emphasizes collaborative exploration of unsolved mathematics questions, giving you a taste of genuine mathematical discovery. Like the on-campus program, PRIMES-USA is highly competitive and only admits students demonstrating exceptional mathematical ability and dedication.

13. CrowdMath / MIT PRIMES

CrowdMath is an open, collaborative research mathematics initiative jointly offered by MIT PRIMES and the Art of Problem Solving. This program allows high school and college students worldwide to contribute to research on unsolved mathematical problems through a crowd-sourced approach. Rather than individual projects, you will join teams of students investigating specific open problems. You will experience the collaborative nature of mathematical research and the excitement of contributing to genuine mathematical discovery. The program typically runs in spring and summer, allowing flexible participation alongside other commitments. All students who contribute meaningfully to CrowdMath projects participate in original mathematical research without requiring the application process or selectivity of individual PRIMES programs, making it broadly accessible.

14. Science Mentorship Institute (sci-MI)

The Science Mentorship Institute (sci-MI) is a free, virtual research program designed to make high-quality STEM research opportunities accessible to students, regardless of their location. You will be paired with an academic mentor for project-based learning in fields such as neuroscience, biology, computer science, electrical engineering, or chemistry. You will work one-on-one or in small teams on authentic research problems while learning key research skills, including research methodology, design experiments, interpret data, and present your findings at the program’s conclusion. The program typically runs 5-7 weeks in summer, offering flexibility to accommodate your schedule. sci-MI’s focus on inclusivity—providing free programs with no hidden costs—makes it particularly valuable for talented students who lack financial resources or geographic access to paid programs.

15. Stanford University – Stanford AI4ALL (Online Program)

Stanford AI4ALL is a two‑week online summer program that introduces you to artificial intelligence through live instruction, hands-on projects, and mentorship from Stanford researchers. You’ll spend each weekday in a virtual classroom learning core AI concepts such as machine learning, computer vision, and AI ethics directly from Stanford AI experts. In small groups, you work on team research projects that apply AI tools to real‑world challenges such as medical image analysis or social‑impact applications of AI, guided by graduate‑student mentors. The program emphasizes responsible, human‑centered AI, so you will explore topics such as algorithmic bias, fairness, and the societal impact of artificial intelligence. You’ll finish with a project you can showcase and a clearer sense of how AI research is conducted in a university setting, all from the comfort of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these programs are free or fully funded?
The University of Wyoming Teton STEM Academy, Windy Ridge Foundation Astro Camp, Upward Bound Math Science, UW Teton STEM Academy’s Journey to Mars, MIT PRIMES-USA, CrowdMath, and sci-MI are all free. The Wyoming Research Scholars Program pays students $17 per hour rather than charging a fee.

Do I need to be a Wyoming resident to apply to these programs?
Some do require Wyoming residency, including the University of Wyoming Summer High School Institute and the Wyoming Research Scholars Program. Others, like the Engineering Summer Program, are open to both Wyoming and out-of-state students, and fully virtual options like MIT PRIMES-USA and sci-MI are open nationwide or worldwide.

Which programs give access to real field research or observatory equipment?
The Wyoming Field School has students conduct authentic archaeological excavations using professional survey equipment, and the Teton STEM Academy and Windy Ridge Foundation Astro Camp both include access to the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Infrared Observatory.

Can I participate in a mentored research program without traveling to Wyoming?
Yes. Programs like MIT PRIMES-USA, CrowdMath, sci-MI, NC State’s Online Research Academy, and Stanford’s AIMI and AI4ALL programs are all fully virtual, letting Wyoming students access mentored research experiences from major universities without leaving home.

What if I am interested in research outside of the fields represented in these Wyoming programs?
These programs cover a range of sciences, but students looking for a research based credential in a more specialized or different subject area might consider Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs, a selective virtual research program that pairs students with a mentor to develop an original research paper across subjects like data science, political theory, and machine learning.

Image source: University of Wyoming