If you’re a high school student in Denver, your summer can be more than a break—it can be a chance to learn, explore, and prepare for what’s next. Denver offers a variety of programs where you can build new skills, gain hands-on experience, and explore your interests in meaningful ways.
Whether you want to challenge yourself with academic courses, try your hand at creative projects, gain technical expertise, or work in a professional environment, there’s something for you. These programs are also a great way to meet new people, learn from mentors, and explore career paths.
Here are 11 programs that can help you use your summer to grow, learn, and take steps toward your goals.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates:
- Summer - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024
- Fall- October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Application Deadline: May 21, 2024 (Summer), September 25, 2024 (Fall)
Subject Areas: Data science, biology, chemistry, political theory, psychology
Eligibility: High school students, typically in 10th or 11th grade with a 3.67+ GPA. Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, public health and safety, social psychology, and medicine. 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 Ph.D. 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.
The program includes a letter of recommendation for every student, plus comprehensive feedback on projects that can assist with future work and college applications. Apply here!
Subject Areas: Business, Marketing, Management, Finance
Location: Seattle University, Seattle, WA
Eligibility: High schoolers in 9th grade to 11th grade particularly students from underrepresented communities interested in business
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: TBA for 2025
Cost: Free
The Summer Business Institute at Seattle University provides high school students with a comprehensive introduction to business fundamentals, covering areas like marketing, finance, and management. Through interactive workshops, case studies, and group projects, you’ll develop analytical skills and learn key business concepts. The program focuses on leadership and collaboration, giving you the opportunity to work closely with faculty and business leaders. This experience will provide valuable insights into potential career paths in the business field.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Duration: 10 sessions, 2.5 hours per session
Program Dates: Jun 9 - Aug 11 (Sundays, 11 AM - 1:30 PM EST)
Application Deadline:
- Early Admission - March 24, 2024
- Regular Admission 1 - April 21, 2024
- Regular Admission 2 - May 19, 2024
Subject Areas: Data science, biology, chemistry, political theory, psychology
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior Python experience.
Run by Harvard graduates, Veritas AI is a program designed to teach ambitious high school students about artificial intelligence. In the AI + Medicine program, you will learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. You will get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients in the larger context of public health and wellbeing. Here is the program brochure and the application form!.
Subject Areas: Business, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, STEM
Location: University of Denver, Denver, CO
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, recommended to have 3.5 GPA or higher
Application Deadline:
- Fall Quarter: August 1
- Winter Quarter: December 1
- Spring Quarter: February 15
- Summer Quarter: May 1
Program Dates: Courses are separated by quarter
Cost: $834 per credit (half-tuition scholarship applied)
The University of Denver’s High School Early Experience (HSEE) Program offers high school juniors and seniors a chance to earn college credits while exploring topics across business, social sciences, STEM, and the humanities. Through this program, you can explore subjects like microeconomics, computer science, or creative writing, engaging with college-level curricula and faculty. You’ll gain experience in academic research, critical analysis, and discipline-specific software based on your course choice, preparing you for the challenges of college academics.
Subject Areas: Engineering, Math, Physics, Chemistry
Location: Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
Eligibility: Rising seniors from underrepresented backgrounds or first-generation college students
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Program Dates:
- Session 1: June 1 – June 6, 2025
- Session 2: June 8 – June 13, 2025
- Session 3: June 22 – June 27, 2025
Cost: $50
The SUMMET program at Colorado School of Mines introduces high school students to engineering through an intensive two-week residential experience. If selected, you’ll work on hands-on projects covering key engineering principles across disciplines such as civil, mechanical, and environmental engineering.
You’ll have access to labs and use industry-standard software like MATLAB for data analysis and CAD tools for design applications. The program also includes sessions on college readiness and career exploration in STEM fields, giving you a comprehensive introduction to engineering education and potential career paths.
Subject Areas: Animal Care, Zoology, Veterinary Science, Conservation
Location: Denver Zoo, Denver, CO
Eligibility: Ages 18+ (high school seniors eligible) with a strong interest in animal care, previous experience handling animals recommended
Application Deadline: N/A – offers sent out by Early April
Program Dates: Dates vary – start dates expected in May or June
Cost: Free (paid Internship)
The Denver Zoo’s Animal Care Internship Program offers participants the chance to work closely with animal care staff, gaining hands-on experience in zoo-based animal care and conservation practices. As an Intern, you assist with daily tasks such as feeding, habitat enrichment, and observation of animal behaviors. Through this role, you will develop practical skills in animal handling, environmental maintenance, and tracking behavioral data, which are critical in fields like veterinary science and wildlife conservation.
Subject Areas: Leadership, College Preparation, Cultural Studies
Location: Denver Public Schools, Denver, CO
Eligibility: Rising 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, particularly from underrepresented groups
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: June 9 – July 2, 2025
Cost: Free
The Achieving Excellence Academy is a week-long program designed to empower high school juniors and seniors with college preparation skills and leadership training. Through workshops on cultural identity, community building, and academic success, you will explore key strategies for navigating college and beyond. The program includes sessions on goal setting, financial aid literacy, and career planning, helping you gain practical tools for academic and personal development. This academy offers a supportive environment to build confidence and connect with peers who share similar academic and leadership aspirations.
Subject Areas: Architecture, Urban Planning, Design
Location: University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO
Eligibility: Incoming sophomore, junior and seniors in Fall 2025
Application Deadline: N/A (scholarship applications due February 15, 2025)
Program Dates:
- Day Camp: June 23 – June 27, 2025
- Overnight Camp: July 19 – July 26, 2025
Cost:
- Day Camp: $750
- Overnight Camp: $2,000
The Architecture in the City program offers high school students an immersive experience in architectural design and urban planning. As a participant, you’ll engage in studio projects that explore architectural principles through model building, sketching, and digital design tools like SketchUp and AutoCAD. The program also includes field trips around Denver, where you’ll analyze city spaces and learn about sustainable design practices. This hands-on course offers a foundational understanding of architecture and urban design, making it ideal if you’re considering a future in architecture or related fields.
Subject Areas: Bioengineering, Biomedical Science, Leadership
Location: University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO
Eligibility: All high school students (grades 9-12)
Application Deadline: TBA – registration opens January 2025
Program Dates: June 9-12, 2025
Cost: $975 (limited scholarships available)
The BOLT program offers high school students a unique introduction to bioengineering through a combination of technical training and leadership development. You’ll work on bioengineering projects, gaining hands-on experience with tools like 3D printing and data analysis for biomedical applications. The program also focuses on leadership in STEM, offering mentorship sessions on career exploration, team collaboration, and project management. BOLT is designed to equip you with practical bioengineering skills and provide insights into career pathways in biomedical fields.
Subject Areas: Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Research Science
Location: University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who have completed the pre-requisites, and will be between ages of 15 to 19 years old
Application Deadline: January 24th, 2025 (international) | February 21st, 2025 (domestic)
Program Dates: Varies by program type and campus
Cost: Free for families whose incomes are under ~$75,000; maximum fee of $8,800
The Summer Science Program (SSP) at the University of Colorado Boulder is an intensive, research-driven experience where students engage in projects focused on either astrophysics or biochemistry. As a participant, you’ll undertake a real-world research project, using advanced techniques and software like Python for data analysis or spectrometry tools for biochemical studies. Working closely with faculty mentors, you’ll learn research methods, scientific communication, and analytical skills, culminating in a final research presentation.
Subject Areas: Healthcare, Medicine, Patient Care, Public Health
Location: Denver Health, Denver, CO
Eligibility: High school juniors
Application Deadline: Closed – 2025-2026 application opens in January 2025
Program Dates: Year-round
Cost: Free (paid internship)
The Medical Career Collaborative (MC²) program at Denver Health provides high school students with hands-on experience in the healthcare field through a year-long internship. As a participant, you’ll rotate through various departments, gaining practical skills in patient care, medical technology, and health administration. The program includes mentorship, college preparation workshops, and skill-building sessions to enhance your knowledge of healthcare careers and pathways. This immersive experience is ideal if you’re considering a future in medicine, nursing, or public health.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.