Montana offers a range of summer programs for high school students eager to explore their passions and sharpen their skills. From research immersions and pre-college programs to research internships and mentorship opportunities, these programs enable you to dive deep into fields such as science, technology, humanities, and more.
Whether you’re looking to conduct scientific research, delve into environmental studies, or explore innovative technologies, these summer opportunities in Montana provide an ideal setting for personal growth and academic advancement.
Here is a list of 9 programs for high school students in Montana that you can explore!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
Subject Areas: STEM, Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Theory, History
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
2. Montana Learning Center—Dinosaur Camp
Montana Learning Center and Carter County Museum offer a unique six-day overnight camping experience centered on paleontology. Over three days, you’ll participate in field expeditions at active dig sites in the Hell Creek Formation, where you’ll excavate dinosaur fossils, identify microsites, collect plant fossils, gather amber, and more. You’ll tour the Carter County Museum, sort materials collected in the field, and learn the basics of fossil preparation.
You’ll even help prepare fossils for display in a Montana Learning Center exhibit at the museum, with your name listed as the discoverer on exhibit placards. Space is limited to 12 students, and participants receive a special museum collections tour and a fossil cast as a keepsake.
Subject Areas: Paleontology and Geology
Location: Carter County Museum, Ekalaka, MT
Cost: $1,400 (includes transportation, housing, meals, snacks, and all activities)
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: August 11 – 16
Eligibility: Students entering 9th – 12th grades
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, designed by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, offers high school students the chance to work individually with PhD mentors on independent research projects. You receive guidance in crafting a college-level research paper, along with support from writing coaches.
You can select from a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, and more. The program concludes with a symposium, providing an opportunity to present your research findings, and there is also potential for publication.
Subject Areas: STEM, Social Sciences, Humanities
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available
- Individual Research Program: $2,990 (12 weeks)
- Premium Research & Publication Program: $5,900 (16-20 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Apply here!
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA are eligible to apply
4. University of Montana Summer Programs
The University of Montana collaborates with local schools, international and community partners, and the U.S. Department of State to offer unique programs to high school students that foster leadership and cross-cultural understanding.
- UM Summer: This two-week residential program offers you four engaging course options and the chance to dive into student life and connect with UM faculty. Upon completing the program, you earn two college credits.
- UM Summer History Institute: The History Department’s annual week-long summer institute offers high school students from the Missoula area an introduction to historical studies and college life at UM. This program aims to spark your interest in history and the humanities while helping you prepare for successful college applications.
- Taiwan Spring Study Tour: Open to current sophomores and juniors, this fully funded program takes you to Taiwan, where you’ll develop language skills and broaden your global perspective. The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center and Shih Chien University in Taipei have partnered to offer Montana high school students the chance to immerse themselves in Chinese language and culture.
- Youth Exchange Program: In an effort to bridge the urban-rural divide and strengthen democracy, this program brings together 12 high school students from Montana and 12 from Chicago for a 15-day journey through Chicago, Montana, and Washington, DC.
- Mansfield Center Internships: Montana high school students can apply for internships to learn about public diplomacy and international exchange through hands-on experience. These internships typically run for five to eight weeks.
Subject Areas: Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, Criminal Justice, Environmental Science, Ecology, Public Policy, Democracy, International Relations, Political Science, History
Location: Varies depending on the program.
Cost: The Pre-College program costs $3,000, while the others are free. $500 scholarships are available for the pre-college program
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the program
Program Dates: Vary depending on the program
Eligibility: Montana high school students. Check specific eligibility requirements on the program page
5. RiverStone Health—MedStart Summer Camp
MedStart Summer Camp is a five-day program designed to inspire Montana high school students to explore careers in healthcare and experience college life. During the camp, you’ll gain hands-on experience in various healthcare roles, like performing CPR on mannequins. You’ll experience campus life and participate in job shadowing at local facilities to explore a wide range of healthcare careers. After completing MedStart, you’ll earn one college credit from Montana Tech, transferable across the Montana University System.
Subject Areas: Medicine and Healthcare
Location: Various university campuses in Montana
Cost: $500. Scholarships available
Application Deadline: March 15
Program Dates: Multiple five-day sessions between June and July
Eligibility: Montana high school sophomores and juniors, homeschooled or GED students, who are no older than 18. Students from low-income families, disadvantaged backgrounds, rural areas, or minorities are encouraged to apply
6. Montana Technological University—Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Summer Program
Montana Technological University offers high school students entering their junior or senior year the week-long Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Summer Program. This residential program provides hands-on learning in materials labs, along with field trips to local industries, insightful guest speakers, and a design-based project. The final project encourages friendly competition. Previous activities have included slip casting, making composites, beadmaking, and producing blades from steel rods.
Subject Areas: Science, Engineering, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering
Location: Montana Technological University, Butte, MT
Cost: Free!
Application Deadline: March 31. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Program Dates: June 15 – 20
Eligibility: Montana high school sophomores and juniors
7. Yellowstone Writing Project’s Rural Journalism Camp
The Yellowstone Writing Project’s Rural Journalism Camp offers Montana high school students a week-long residential experience focused on the practice and principles of daily journalism. As a participant, you’ll dive into pressing issues that American journalists face today and refine your skills by reporting on real events throughout the Bozeman area. After camp, you’ll develop a journalistic piece that highlights an important aspect of your life within your community.
Subject Areas: Journalism
Location: Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Cost: Free!
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: TBA
Eligibility: Montana high school students
8. Montana Conservation Corps—Youth Expedition Program
The Montana Conservation Corps Youth Expedition Program allows high school students to learn about ecology and discover Montana’s natural landscapes. This conservation-focused program includes 11-day trips around the state, where you will tackle projects like trail maintenance, invasive species control, and habitat restoration. These expeditions are available as 2- or 4-week sessions, operating from the program’s North Branch office in Kalispell and South Branch office in Bozeman, Montana.
Subject Areas: Conservation Ecology
Location: Kalispell and Bozeman, MT
Cost / Stipend: No cost. Participants receive a stipend of $100 for the 2-week expedition and $200 for the 4-week expedition
Application Deadline: TBA. You can sign up here to get notified
Program Dates: Typically between June and August
Eligibility: Montana high school students aged 14 to 18
9. Montana Learning Center—Camp Explore the Universe
Camp Explore the Universe is a five-day overnight astronomy camp where you’ll engage in hands-on activities to deepen your knowledge of astronomy. Using advanced telescopes and cameras, you’ll observe the Moon, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. You’ll also safely view the Sun by day and capture images of deep-sky objects like Pluto. At Montana Learning Center’s Canyon Ferry Lake campus, you’ll explore the phases of the Moon, learn to observe Jupiter and Saturn, and enjoy scavenger hunts, astronomy games, and the lakeside environment.
Subject Areas: Astronomy
Location: Montana Learning Center, Helena, MT
Cost: $850 (includes housing, meals, snacks, supplies and all activities)
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: July 14 – 18
Eligibility: Students entering 9th – 12th grades
Image Source – Horizon Logo
