If you're a high school student in Missouri confused about which summer program to attend, we've got you covered! From hands-on STEM camps and journalism workshops to art labs and sports management institutes, Missouri offers a variety of summer programs designed to help you develop skill sets and gain in-depth experience in fields that interest you. These programs offer practical learning opportunities, allowing you to work with professionals, and work on advanced skills that can come in handy while applying to future research programs/projects!
Here are 12 summer programs for high school students in Missouri.
Subject Areas: Biology, Biomedicine, Science Communication, College Preparation, and more.
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Stipend: $4,000
Application Deadline: January 27, 2025
Program Dates: June 2, 2025 - July 25, 2025 (8 weeks)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from the Greater St. Louis area are eligible to apply.
Over eight weeks, you will work full-time in biological and biomedical research labs under the guidance of graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and lab staff. You will be paired with a mentor to develop a hypothesis-driven research project and a tutor for weekly academic support and career discussions.
Past projects have dealt with the fields of genetics, cancer biology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and more. This program offers you hands-on lab experience and the chance to develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and professional development.
Subject Areas: A broad range of subjects that change every year (Music, Literature, ASL, History, Philosophy, Science, Programming, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Art, Sociology, and more).
Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Students have to be nominated by February 3, 2025.
Program Dates: June 8, 2025 - June 28, 2025.
Eligibility: Students who are Missouri high school sophomores can apply.
The Missouri Scholars Academy is a three-week residential program designed for 330 academically gifted high school juniors from across Missouri. This program aims to enhance your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills while providing opportunities to explore various academic disciplines. The program includes three core components: Academic Majors, where students focus intensively on a chosen field like mathematics, science, social studies, or humanities; Academic Minors, allowing them to explore a secondary area of interest; and Cor classes, which address personal growth, leadership, and the social responsibilities of gifted students. These elements are complemented by co-curricular activities that encourage collaboration and creativity. To become a scholar, you need to be nominated by your school through this form.
Subject Areas: Design Thinking, Communication Design, College Admissions Guidance.
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Program Dates: July 13, 2025 - July 19, 2025
Eligibility: Sophomores who are at least 15 years of age and from a rural or small-town high school within the WashU Pledge territory are eligible to apply.
The WashU Rural Scholars Academy, hosted by Washington University in St. Louis, is a program designed for high school students from rural areas to develop leadership, interpersonal, and academic skills. Throughout this week-long program, you will be engaging in hands-on activities, design workshops, and discussions that encourage personal and professional growth. You will also receive guidance on the admissions process for highly selective universities from WashU admissions officers, supporting your educational goals. Beyond the workshops, you will experience the academic and professional opportunities available in urban environments through interactive group activities in St. Louis.
Subject Areas: Biology, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Anthropology, Macroeconomics, Psychology, Statistics, Latin, and more.
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Cost: $8,385 for one course and $11,785 for two courses (residential fees). Need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: April 1, 2025
Program Dates: June 8, 2025 -July 12, 2025.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are academically motivated can apply.
The High School Summer Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis provides high school students with the opportunity to experience college life by enrolling in undergraduate courses for college credit. You can choose from a wide range of subjects across disciplines, such as biology, mathematics, psychology, and Latin, all taught by WashU faculty. The program includes both academic and personal growth opportunities, allowing you to explore your academic interests in-depth while gaining a glimpse into the college experience. Alongside credit-bearing courses, you will also participate in noncredit activities, including college readiness workshops, community-building events, and academic success programs.
You can select one or two courses that align with your interests and choose to live on campus in WashU's residence halls or commute to campus. This program is suitable for motivated high school students eager to earn college credit and develop critical thinking, communication, and time-management skills in a college environment.
Subject Areas: Healthcare, Pharmacy, Medicine, STEM, and more.
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Cost: Free. Stipends of up to $500 are awarded based on merit.
Application Deadline: April 5, 2024
Program Dates: 2024 dates TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from an underrepresented minority living in the St. Louis region are eligible to apply.
This summer program by the BESt Healthcare Institute is a four-week, STEM-focused program designed to encourage high school students to explore careers in healthcare and STEM. The program provides a practical learning experience through interactive, hands-on activities. You will engage with professionals from leading organizations, including BJC Healthcare, Cigna Healthcare, and Washington University, gaining insights into diverse healthcare career paths. You will also get the chance to build academic and life skills through college preparatory programming. Successful participants can earn a stipend of up to $500 based on their performance, attitude, and engagement.
Subject Areas: Journalism, Newsroom Training, Video Production, Speaking Skills, and more.
Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Cost: $715 (Scholarships available)
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Program Dates: June 22, 2025 - June 27, 2025
Eligibility: High school students can apply.
The Missouri University Journalism Workshop (MUJW) offers high school students a hands-on experience guided by the faculty of the Missouri School of Journalism and industry professionals. In this workshop, you can develop journalism skills, including writing, interviewing, and storytelling, as well as multimedia techniques, such as podcasting, audio, and video production. The program focuses on original reporting, newsroom training, and practical exercises.
The program uses the "Missouri Method", a learning-by-doing approach. The workshop also includes investigative reporting, accuracy in journalism, and covering underrepresented communities. You can bring story ideas to develop, samples of work to refine, or simply immerse yourself in learning. With opportunities to engage in real-world reporting and develop multimedia skills, this program provides a foundation for future journalism careers. You can also explore related programs in Advertising and Public Relations and Investigative Journalism offered by the university.
Subject Areas: Animation, Ceramics, Illustration, Painting, 2D and 3D Design, Life Drawing, and more.
Location: Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Cost: $2,500 (Scholarships are available)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full. Applications must be sent in by March 1, 2025, for scholarship consideration.
Program Dates: Session 1: June 15, 2025 - June 27, 2025 | Session 2: July 13, 2025 - July 25, 2025
Eligibility: High school students graduating in spring 2025 are eligible to apply.
The Kansas City Art Institute’s Pre-College ArtLab is a two-week residential program for high school students interested in developing their artistic skills. You will select a studio focus—ranging from animation, painting, product design, and illustration—allowing you to focus on a specific field while developing your own creative work. In addition to studio practice, the program includes sessions in art history, life drawing, and workshops, as well as visits to explore Kansas City’s arts scene.
Through this program, you will also gain valuable pre-college experience, earning three college-level credits while building an artistic foundation. The program is divided into sessions, with options like Animation, Ceramics, Illustration, Interdisciplinary, and Painting in Session 1, with the additional option of 2D + 3D Design in Session 2.
Subject Areas: STEM, Aviation, Engineering, Science, and more.
Location: Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: 2025 dates TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in the St. Louis area who currently have a 2.5 GPA or higher are eligible.
Saint Louis University's STEM Immersion Experience is a six-day, five-night residential camp designed to introduce underrepresented high school students in the St. Louis area to opportunities within STEM fields. The program combines hands-on activities and presentations from SLU’s academic departments—spanning aviation, engineering, and science—with practical college readiness resources, such as guidance on applications and financial aid.
Subject Areas: Computer Engineering, Information Science and Technology, Computer Science, Robotics, and more.
Location: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO
Cost: $600 (includes housing, meals and materials)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full.
Program Dates: 2025 dates TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
Missouri S&T’s CyberMiner Camp is a program for high school students interested in computer engineering and information science and technology. This hands-on program offers you the chance to explore robotics, artificial intelligence, and big data through activities like assembling and programming robots, dissecting and rebuilding computers, and mastering microcontrollers. At this camp, you will develop skills in soldering circuits, utilizing Arduino IDE, and transforming complex datasets into visual representations. Additionally, you’ll participate in an AI challenge, testing your problem-solving abilities against advanced algorithms, all while gaining insights into how technology drives innovation. In addition to the technical skills, the camp encourages connections among participants.
Subject Areas: Clinical Skills, Health Professions, Research Skills, and more.
Location: University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO
Cost: Free. Need-based financial support is available through stipends and/or scholarships.
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025
Program Dates: June 9, 2025 - July 18, 2025
Eligibility: Current U.S. sophomores or juniors who have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA can apply.
The University of Missouri’s STAHR Scholars Program (Students Training in Academia, Health, and Research) supports high school students interested in health professions through a comprehensive two-part experience. The program begins with a six-week summer session where participants engage in clinical observations, conduct health-related research with UMKC faculty, and take part in community service projects. Through this program, you will also build skills in writing, networking, and leadership, preparing you for future academic and professional opportunities in health care.
Following the summer program, you will receive year-round coaching and mentorship from health professionals, faculty, and UMKC staff to sustain your growth. This support can help strengthen your portfolio to become a competitive applicant for health programs. An additional perk for eligible students is automatic interviews for select UMKC health programs, including the BA/MD and MD pathways, offering a direct route to pursue a career in medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy.
Subject Areas: Sports Management, Careers in Sports, and more.
Location: Maryville University, St. Louis, MO
Cost: $700
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: 2025 dates TBA (Overnight institute)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
Maryville University’s Rawlings Sports Business Management (RSBM) Summer Institute is a program designed for high school students passionate about exploring careers in the sports industry. You will gain hands-on experience through workshops, real-world project work, and site visits to leading sports organizations. Networking is a key component of the program, with participants connecting with over 30 professionals from renowned organizations like Rawlings Sporting Goods, St. Louis Blues, Missouri Valley Conference, and the St. Louis Cardinals.
In addition to learning about the opportunities within sports management, you will also develop practical skills such as teamwork, project management, and professional networking.
Subject Areas: Animation Principles, 2D Design, Storytelling, and Digital Art
Location: Webster University, Webster Groves, MO
Cost: $350
Application Deadline: Rolling admission until full.
Program Dates: 2025 dates TBA
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 18 are eligible to apply.
Over the course of this week-long program, you will learn the foundational principles of animation, exploring various techniques and workflows. You will experiment with traditional animation methods such as pencil-and-paper drawing and stop-motion materials, as well as digital tools like Cintiq drawing tablets and industry-standard software such as Toon Boom Harmony.
By the end of the week, you will have created a short, animated film that can serve as a portfolio piece. In addition to developing technical skills, you can enhance your creative thinking and storytelling abilities while collaborating with peers and learning from industry professionals. Apart from this camp, the university offers a variety of Communications Summer Camps that deal with the basics of scriptwriting, film production, and game design.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.