STEM programs can be a powerful way to explore science, technology, engineering, and math in practical contexts. For high school students, these opportunities go beyond the classroom by introducing you to research projects, lab experiments, coding challenges, or engineering design work. They allow you to strengthen technical and analytical skills while also practicing collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking—tools that are valuable no matter what career you pursue later. Many programs also connect you with mentors in universities or industry, offering a clearer picture of what studying or working in STEM might look like.
For students in Missouri, local programs bring an added benefit. The state is home to research universities, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations that host summer programs designed for high school students. By choosing in-state opportunities, you not only gain access to quality STEM experiences but also avoid the travel and housing costs tied to out-of-state options. Missouri’s mix of accessible, community-rooted initiatives and academically rigorous programs makes it a strong choice if you’re looking to deepen your exposure to STEM.
Below, you’ll find 15 programs across Missouri that provide hands-on learning, mentorship, and structured ways to build your skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Here is a list of 15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Missouri
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts during the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Current high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
Through the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you can collaborate one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor over twelve weeks to design and complete an independent research project. The program is virtual, which allows you to connect with mentors and pursue topics ranging from physics and psychology to economics, engineering, and international relations. Along the way, you’ll gain practice in forming a research question, analyzing data, and presenting your findings. By the end, you will produce a research paper that reflects your academic exploration.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 10- to 15-week cohorts in a year, including winter, fall, spring, and summer.
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: High school students | AI Fellowship applicants should either have been AI Scholars participants or have some familiarity with AI concepts or Python.
If you are curious about artificial intelligence and want to explore it beyond the basics, Veritas AI offers structured online learning with the guidance of mentors from Harvard. The AI Scholars track introduces you to machine learning and data science through ten sessions that mix instruction with hands-on projects. If you already have a foundation in the subject can choose the AI Fellowship, where you work on a specialized independent research project that could focus on fields like finance, medicine, or climate studies. Many students use their projects as the basis for submissions to student research journals. This layered structure makes it possible to start from the fundamentals or build toward publication-level work, depending on your background.
3. STAR 2.0 Program
Location: Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: None, stipend $2,600
Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application deadline: April 8
Eligibility: Current freshmen, sophomore, and junior high school students attending public or charter schools; preference will be given to students who attend schools in the urban metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas school districts
The STAR 2.0 Program at Children’s Mercy Hospital gives you the chance to take part in real medical research during the summer. Working alongside faculty, you’ll contribute to projects that focus on improving patient care while also learning the essentials of research methods, medical ethics, statistics, and scientific writing. A unique aspect of this program is the opportunity to submit your work to a peer-reviewed journal, which is a valuable step for anyone considering a career in science or medicine. Beyond research, you’ll connect with professionals in the medical community, giving you insight into what it’s like to work in health sciences.
4. University of Missouri – STAHR Scholars Program
Location: University of Missouri, Kansas City
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer: June 9 – July 18 | Academic year: August – April
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA; economically disadvantaged or educationally disadvantaged; U.S. citizen or permanent resident
The STAHR Scholars Program at UMKC is designed to support students who are considering careers in health professions by giving them opportunities for academic and professional development. Beginning with a six-week summer session, you will spend around 30 hours per week on activities such as clinical shadowing in medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy, completing a health-related research project. You will also engage in service initiatives in the Kansas City community. After the summer, the program continues through the academic year with mentorship, additional healthcare-related experiences, and guidance on application preparation for professional schools. Participation is free, and those who meet program expectations can receive stipends or scholarships to support their goals. The program also provides special consideration for admission into UMKC’s health profession programs.
5. Missouri Scholars Academy
Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Cost: Free of cost
Dates: June 8 – 28
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Missouri high school sophomores
The Missouri Scholars Academy is a three-week residential program where you can explore subjects beyond the traditional high school curriculum. You select a major academic focus, such as mathematics, science, humanities, or social studies, and spend several hours each day engaging deeply with that field. In addition to this main course, you also choose a minor in a different area of study, giving you the chance to broaden your academic perspective. A third component of the program addresses the personal and social responsibilities of gifted students, encouraging self-reflection and critical thinking. Outside the classroom, afternoons and evenings are filled with activities like creative writing workshops, debates, theater, and cultural events.
6. Washington University – Young Scientist Program (YSP) Summer Focus
Location: Washington University, St. Louis
Cost: None; $4,500 stipend
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application deadline: February
Eligibility: High school juniors from the Greater St. Louis area (Missouri and Illinois)
The Summer Focus program at Washington University in St. Louis gives high school students from the St. Louis area the chance to take part in an eight-week, paid biomedical research internship. You will work closely with both a mentor and a tutor in a research lab, contributing to projects that are designed to be achievable within the program’s timeframe. Alongside this lab experience, you will also take part in courses that strengthen your ability to communicate science and prepare you for the college application process. At the end of the summer, you present your research at a closing symposium, showcasing the work you’ve completed to an audience of mentors, peers, and family.
7. Washington University – High School Summer Scholars Program
Location: Washington University, St. Louis
Cost: TBA
Dates: June 7 – July 11
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High schools juniors
Through the High School Summer Scholars Program at Washington University, you can enroll in undergraduate-level courses and earn college credit while still in high school. Courses span a variety of fields, from the natural sciences and mathematics to humanities and social sciences, allowing you to choose subjects that align with your academic interests. Along with your credit-bearing courses, you may also take part in enrichment opportunities that focus on college readiness and academic success. The program gives you the option to live on campus in residence halls or commute, depending on what best fits your needs. Beyond classroom work, varied activities help you prepare for the transition to higher education.
8. Saturday Academy – UMKC School Of Medicine
Location: UKMC Health Sciences Campus, Kansas City
Cost: Free
Dates: September 13–December 13
Application deadline: August 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12; economically disadvantaged or educationally disadvantaged; 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA
Saturday Academy is a free semester-long program at UMKC designed for high school students in grades 9–12 who want to explore health careers in more depth. Meeting every other Saturday across eight sessions, you’ll take part in hands-on activities, career exploration, and college preparation workshops led by professionals from medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy. The program covers both academic and practical growth, helping you strengthen study habits, prepare for standardized tests, and begin working on materials for college or health-related program applications. You will also gain exposure to different healthcare pathways through discussions and interactive simulations with practitioners.
9. BESt Healthcare Institute Summer Program
Location: WashU’s Danforth campus
Cost: None
Dates: TBA
Application deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from an underrepresented minority living in the St. Louis region
The BESt Healthcare Institute Summer Program, held on Washington University’s Danforth Campus, is a college preparatory experience for rising seniors with an interest in healthcare. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in interactive coursework, skills-based workshops, and career preparation activities that aim to strengthen both academic and personal skills. You live in campus residence halls during the week, giving you a sense of the college environment, and take part in evening social events that build community among peers. By combining classroom learning, campus life, and networking opportunities, the program prepares you for both college-level academics and the demands of a future healthcare career.
10. KU Health Science Academy
Location: University of Kansas Medical Center and Kansas City Kansas Community College, Kansas City
Cost: None; paid opportunity
Dates: June 9 – July 11
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students from Kansas City and Kansas public schools
The KU Health Science Academy is a five-week summer program hosted at the University of Kansas Medical Center and Kansas City Kansas Community College. During the program, you will participate in labs, dissections, workshops, and discussions led by medical students, teachers, and healthcare professionals. The experience includes a research project that is presented to community and medical stakeholders at the program’s conclusion. In addition to academic work, there are cultural and creative activities such as multicultural night, poetry workshops, and art projects with local professionals. Transportation is provided, making the program accessible, and you also receive pay for your participation, which further supports your involvement.
11. Missouri Science & Technology Summer Camps – CyberMiner Camp
Location: Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla
Cost: $600
Dates: July 20–24
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Students ages 14–16
CyberMiner Camp at Missouri S&T introduces you to computer science, computer engineering, and information science through a series of hands-on activities. During the program, you might find yourself assembling and disassembling computers, programming robots, experimenting with microcontrollers, or even engaging in discussions on artificial intelligence. The camp is designed to give you a broad view of how technology powers everything from business operations to software systems and hardware design. With around 60 participants each summer, you’ll also have the chance to collaborate with peers who share your interest in technology.
12. Missouri Science & Technology Summer Camps – Engineering with Biology
Location: Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla
Cost: $600
Dates: June 1-5
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Students ages 14–18
The Engineering with Biology Camp allows you to explore synthetic biology and its role in solving global challenges such as disease detection, food production, and environmental sustainability. Over the course of the program, you will work on lab-based projects that involve designing and testing genetic systems, experimenting with yeast to enrich food, and modeling biological systems using electronic kits. A major focus of the camp is on critical evaluation, where you compare different genetic approaches to determine the best solution to a problem. You’ll also take part in a design competition where teams propose solutions to real-world challenges. With only 24 students admitted, the camp ensures a focused and collaborative environment for participants.
13. Missouri Science & Technology Summer Camps – Nuclear Engineering Camp
Location: Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla
Cost: $1000
Dates: June 1-6
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Students ages 16–18
If you are interested in nuclear science, the Nuclear Engineering Camp at Missouri S&T provides an in-depth introduction to the field through lectures, group projects, and laboratory activities. You’ll examine topics like radiation detection, reactor operations, shielding, and nuclear materials while gaining exposure to how nuclear technology supports medicine, energy, and national security. Hands-on experiments and computational exercises help connect concepts in math and physics to real applications in nuclear engineering. The program also includes tours of facilities such as Missouri S&T’s own research reactor, the Callaway Nuclear Power Plant, and the radiology and oncology departments at Phelps Health.
14. Missouri Science & Technology Summer Camps – Discovering Chemistry
Location: Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla
Cost: $750
Dates: July 7-10
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Students ages 14–18
Discovering Chemistry Camp at Missouri S&T is structured to introduce you to the central concepts of chemistry through interactive experiments and lab tours. Activities range from synthesizing new molecules and studying the chemistry of polymers to exploring how chemical reactions are driven by heat, light, or electricity. The program also highlights how chemistry connects to astronomy by showing how techniques used on Earth can help scientists study stars and space. You’ll get the chance to tour working chemistry labs, interact with researchers, and use scientific instruments to tackle practical problems.
15. St.Louis University Robotics Summer Academy
Location: St.Louis University Campus, Missouri
Cost: $650
Dates: Likely in June
Application deadline: April (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Robotics Summer Academy at Saint Louis University gives you the opportunity to design, build, and program your own robot while learning about mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. Guided by SLU faculty and supported by engineering students, you’ll work in teams to fabricate custom hardware and prepare for friendly competitions where your robot is put to the test. While prior coding experience in languages like Java, Arduino, or Python can be helpful, the program is designed so you can still participate without it. Limited to 25 students, this day camp allows for close interaction with faculty and access to SLU’s engineering labs and facilities. At the end of the program, you’ll leave with a fully functional robot that you built yourself.
Image source – Saint Louis University