Looking for ways to explore your passions this summer? Detroit offers a variety of programs designed for high school students like you to gain real-world experience in fields like technology, art, and leadership.
From immersive summer camps to hands-on internships and mentorships, these opportunities can help you sharpen your skills, connect with professionals, and prepare for the future. Whether you want to design innovative tech projects, create compelling art, or build leadership abilities, these programs provide structured learning, collaboration with peers, and access to industry experts.
Here is a list of 11 programs that can make your summer both productive and inspiring while helping you grow and explore your interests.
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 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.
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 on college applications. Apply here!
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Data Science, and more.
Location: Virtual.
Program Dates:
- Winter Seminar: December 2, 2024 onwards.
- Spring Seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards.
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. The Winter II Cohort deadline is December 1, 2024.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
The Summer High School Research Program offers a six-week, immersive experience in emerging energy technologies, CAD/3D modeling, and semiconductor engineering. Designed to bridge STEM concepts with real-world applications, the program keeps you engaged in engineering as a potential career. You will attend campus sessions four days a week from July to early August, each week focusing on a unique theme.
The energy technologies track prepares you for the battery industry, while CAD/3D modeling helps you develop skills in design, 3D printing, and robotics research. The semiconductor engineering focus provides hands-on experience in chip design and fabrication, offering a deep dive into cutting-edge technology.
Subject Areas: STEM, Emerging Energy Technologies, CAD/3D Modeling, Semiconductor Engineering.
Location: Wayne State University, College of Engineering, Detroit, MI.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for six weeks from July to August.
Cost: There is currently no information available on the website.
Application Deadline: To be announced for the Summer 2025 program.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
3. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduates, offers two programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program focuses on collaborative learning in AI applications, while the AI Fellowship provides personalized mentorship from PhD experts for independent research projects. Previous projects have explored AI in medicine, educational tools, and gaming algorithms. The program emphasizes technical skill-building and applying AI concepts to real-world challenges.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Finance, Medicine, Gaming, Environment.
Location: Virtual.
Program Dates: The program runs multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Cost:
- $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (10-week bootcamp).
- $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks, 1:1 mentorship).
- $6,900 for both AI Scholars + Fellowship.
- Some need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. The winter cohort deadline is December 1, 2024.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python.
The University of Detroit Mercy’s Beginners Investment 101 Summer Camp offers high school students a foundational understanding of investment principles under the guidance of industry experts. You will explore key concepts such as the time value of money, compounding, and the distinctions between saving and investing. The program provides insights into financial instruments like stocks, bonds, and other assets, explaining how they are traded and the factors that influence investment decisions.
You'll also learn about diversification, sectors, and benchmarks. Additionally, the camp highlights career opportunities in the investment field, featuring portfolio managers, brokers, financial planners, analysts, and venture capitalists.
Subject Areas: Business Administration, Investment.
Location: University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI.
Program Dates: To be announced for the Summer 2025 program.
Cost: $175. Limited number of scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
The BAI program, in partnership with CultureSource, offers rising high school seniors in Detroit a unique opportunity to gain paid internships at leading arts and culture organizations. This selective program accepts only 25 interns each year. Over the course of eight weeks, you will gain exposure to creative career paths while engaging in college preparation activities.
In addition to hands-on work experience, you will participate in cultural site visits and curriculum days covering essential skills such as leadership, financial literacy, public speaking, and college readiness. You’ll spend three days a week working on-site, with the remaining days focused on activities designed to prepare you for college and a career in the cultural sector.
Subject Areas: Arts and Culture.
Location: Multiple art organizations across Detroit, MI.
Program Dates: The program will run for eight weeks starting from June 30, 2025.
Cost / Stipend: There is no cost. Interns receive a stipend of $16.43 per hour.
Application Deadline: Applications will open on January 13, 2025 and close on March 13, 2025.
Eligibility: Rising seniors from Detroit public and charter schools are eligible to apply.
The Aviation Career Education (ACE) program offers high school students an introductory exploration of the aviation industry. Through a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on activities, you will learn about aviation history, the fundamentals of flight, and the various roles within the aviation sector.
The program includes field trips to aviation facilities, museums, and educational institutions, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field. You’ll also gain practical experience with flight simulators, drones, and model rockets, while engaging with industry professionals. ACE aims to inspire and prepare you for the wide array of career opportunities available in aviation.
Subject Areas: Aviation, Theory of Flight.
Location: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for a week in July.
Cost: There is currently no information available on the website.
Application Deadline: To be announced for the Summer 2025 program.
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9th-12th are eligible to apply.
The CCS Precollege Summer Experience is designed to help you build a standout portfolio and prepare for college. Whether you want to explore a completely new field or refine your skills in a favorite subject, this program offers a range of studio concentrations, including Animation, Character Concept and Visual Development, Drawing, Film and Photography, Fashion Design, and more.
Over three weeks, you will work on a focused project, engage with professionals, and receive feedback from admissions counselors. You’ll also have the opportunity to live on campus, connect with peers, and showcase your work in a final exhibition—all while earning three college credits.
Subject Areas: Animation, Character Concept and Visual Development, Drawing Studio, Film and Photography, Fashion Design, Illustration, Painting, Ceramics and Metals, Product and Interior Design, Transportation Design.
Location: College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI.
Program Dates: July 13 – August 2, 2025.
Cost: Resident: $4,095 | Commuter: $3,545. Both merit and need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Click here to apply!
Eligibility: High school students who have completed freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior year are eligible to apply.
The Science & Engineering Exploration Camp offers a week-long immersive experience in engineering, science, and robotics. You’ll design and program robots, explore forensic science, biology, and chemistry, and gain hands-on skills in coding, CAD, and 3D printing.
The second week focuses on biomedical sciences, featuring lab experiments, biomedical engineering activities, and visits to the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and School of Nursing for high-tech simulations and interactive patient scenarios. This program provides a comprehensive introduction to STEM and health careers, preparing you for future academic and professional pursuits.
Subject Areas: Engineering and Biomedical Sciences.
Location: University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for two weeks in July.
Cost: $250 for one camp and $500 for both the camps. Some scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: To be announced for the Summer 2025 program.
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th grade students are eligible to apply.
This course gives you a solid introduction to cybersecurity and ethical hacking. You’ll start with the basics and learn practical skills like hacking wireless routers, cracking passwords, and understanding core principles.
You’ll explore topics such as high-tech crime, cryptography, steganography, mobile forensics, and phishing detection. The program also offers hands-on experience in social engineering, helping you understand the strategies cybersecurity experts use to tackle modern threats
Subject Areas: Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking.
Location: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for four days in July.
Cost: $100. Limited scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: To be announced for the Summer 2025 program.
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th grade students are eligible to apply.
Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) is a citywide summer employment program that provides job training and placement for youth aged 14 to 24, offering up to 120 hours of work. You can access a wide variety of job opportunities, such as community cleanups, event planning, retail, and roles with the Junior Police or Fire Cadets.
GDYT offers a tiered employment model. Tier 1, Career Exploration, introduces first-time workers (ages 14-16) to job opportunities through community service, team projects, and job shadowing for youth with little to no prior work experience. Tier 2, Ready for Work, is for those (ages 16-24) with some experience and focuses on developing career readiness through placements with employers or vocational training. Tier 3, Career Pathway Internships, offers competitive internships for youth (ages 17-24) with previous work experience, focusing on specific career pathways.
Subject Areas: Hospitality, Food Service, Healthcare, Non-Profit, Senior Citizen Support, Police, Fire Cadet, Accounting, Event Planning, and more.
Location: Multiple locations in Detroit, MI.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for six weeks from July to August.
Cost / Stipend: There is no cost. Interns receive a stipend of $12 - $15 per hour.
Application Deadline: To be announced for the Summer 2025 program.
Eligibility: High school students living in Detroit are eligible to apply.
Oakland University’s Summer Business Camp is a week-long program for high school students, designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of business and leadership. You’ll explore topics like accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship, and global business trends, including the role of artificial intelligence in today’s economy.
The camp features interactive workshops, group projects, and presentations from local business leaders. Field trips to companies like Stellantis and Rocket Companies provide real-world insights into supply chain management and operations.
Location: Oakland University, Rochester, MI
Dates: July 29 - August 2, 2024 (TBA for 2025)
Cost: $325 (includes lunch)
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering grades 10–12.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.