Summer programs provide hands-on experience in fields like STEM, engineering, music, ecology, astronomy, and architecture. If you're considering a future in these areas, summer programs offer specialized training, mentorship, and real-world experience. In Maine, various universities, organizations, and labs host summer programs. Here’s a list of 13 great summer programs in Maine for high school students.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs in areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. You can choose either quantitative or qualitative research methods.
After selecting your track, you’ll collaborate one-on-one with a professor or PhD scholar from a leading university to develop a 20-page research paper suitable for journal submission. The program provides specialized field knowledge, expert guidance, a recommendation letter, and feedback to improve future projects and college applications. Apply here for this unique opportunity!
Subject Areas: STEM, humanities, data science
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Multiple year-round cohorts
- Winter seminar: December 2, 2024 onwards
- Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Application Deadline: November 10, 2024 for the winter cohort, February 9, 2025 for the spring cohort
2. 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.
In the AI Fellowship, you’ll examine AI’s influence on fields such as finance, medicine, and gaming, with opportunities to publish or present your work. 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, finance, medicine
Location: Remote
Program Dates: 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
- Need-based financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. October 20, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, created by Harvard and Oxford researchers, allows high school students to work one-on-one with PhD mentors on an independent research project. You’ll get guidance to develop a college-level research paper, with additional support from writing coaches.
You can choose subjects like mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, and more. The program ends with a symposium where you can present your research, with the potential for publication.
Subject Areas: STEM, humanities, and social sciences
Location: Remote
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
The Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program offers an in-depth experience in genetics and genomics research. Under the guidance of scientific mentors, you'll develop and implement your own independent research project. This project will include data analysis and a presentation of your findings at the end of the program. This 10-week program has been running since 1924 and is extremely competitive, with a 6% acceptance rate.
Subject Areas: Genetics, genomics research
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Program Dates: May 31 – August 8, 2025
Cost: No cost, stipend of $6,500. The program covers travel from your home to the lab and back
Eligibility: Students who have completed grade 12, are at least 18 years old, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application Deadline: January 27, 2025
The Maine Research Internships for Teachers and Students (MERITS) program, supported by NASA, offers six-week paid summer internships for high school juniors. The program focuses on STEM applications through hands-on research and technology development at institutions across Maine. You can apply for internships in fields such as astrophysics, biological science, chemistry, earth science, manufacturing, and space communications.
Subject Areas: STEM
Location: Host institutions across Maine
Program Dates: Six weeks in the summer
Cost: Stipend provided, amount unspecified
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S citizens, residents of Maine, and enrolled at a Maine school
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
This internship offers high school students the opportunity to engage their communities through political organization. Ideal applicants are committed to political equity and voter participation in Maine, with a passion for community involvement and education. You will host events to raise political awareness among young people, create public service announcements on topics like voter rights for classroom use, and produce the Youth Council newsletter. Interns work 5 hours per week. Applications are followed by interviews, with 3 to 4 interns selected each semester.
Subject Areas: Community organization, politics, communications
Location: Maine (Remote/various locations)
Program Dates: TBA
Cost/Stipend: Interns are paid $15/hour
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: May 16, 2025
Upward Bound provides a residential on-campus experience to prepare you for high school and future academic goals. As a rising sophomore or junior, you'll take courses like Art, French Culture, Immigration, and Earth Science along with a STEM course in Chemistry, Microbiology, Physics, or Technology.
The program offers access to advanced labs and studios, plus elective workshops to enhance your learning. You'll receive support in college preparation, including financial aid guidance, assistance with the Common Application, and interview skills. You'll also participate in field trips to a Shakespeare theater, various colleges, and the beach.
Subject Areas: STEM, humanities
Location: Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME
Program Dates: No information available
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students who attend one of the 14 eligible Maine high schools and are first-generation college students or from a limited-income household
Application Deadline: Students must apply to Upward Bound to be eligible for the summer program. Upward Bound deadline: December 1, 2024
This free health career exploration camp, hosted by the University of New England, is tailored for high school students from rural or underserved communities. It offers hands-on learning experiences across various healthcare fields, including dental medicine, osteopathic medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, and public health, among others. This program offers a glimpse of college life while introducing you to different healthcare career paths and offering guidance on the college admissions process.
Subject Areas: Medicine, nursing, healthcare, neuroscience, dentistry, pharmacy, public health
Location: University of New England, Biddeford, ME
Program Dates: June 22 – 24, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12. Priority will be given to Maine students from underserved or rural communities
Application Deadline: May 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The six-week Summer Forestry Immersion Program provides an exciting camping experience in Maine's forests. You will explore forest ecology, wildlife habitats, and various careers related to the outdoors. The program offers a solid foundation in forestry, natural resources, and forest-based manufacturing while helping you develop essential skills like communication, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. You’ll also learn about various forest-related and outdoor recreation career opportunities and receive guidance on preparing for these paths.
Subject Areas: Ecology
Location: Various forests in Maine
Program Dates: Six weeks in the summer
Cost: No information available
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025. You can sign up to be notified here.
The Camp Chewonki Leaders-in-Training program is designed for those interested in building advanced leadership skills. Geared toward experienced backcountry travelers, this program includes a challenging canoe expedition in Canada’s remote wilderness. You’ll be involved in every aspect of the trip, from food prep and river scouting to portaging and risk management as Leader of the Day. Leadership skills are reinforced through goal setting, journaling, and group activities, with increasing responsibility as the program progresses. You'll gain practical experience in communication, group dynamics, and trip facilitation.
Subject Areas: Leadership, risk management
Location: Expeditions start from Wiscasset, ME
Program Dates: June 29 – July 21, 2025
Cost: $7,350. Financial aid available
Eligibility: Students completing 10th or 11th grade
Application Deadline: January 1, 2025
The Maine College of Art & Design Pre-College program is a three-week intensive experience that simulates the pace of a first semester in art college. You’ll build your admissions portfolio, enhance your critique skills, and earn college credits while working alongside professional artists and designers. The program includes studio classes, evening work, and weekend sessions.
Each student chooses two majors from options including Ceramics, Fashion & Textile Design, Animation, and Comics & Graphic Novels. You’ll have one-on-one meetings with Admissions Counselors for portfolio reviews. At the program’s conclusion, you will exhibit your work in a final showcase and earn three college-level studio elective credits.
Subject Areas: Art, design
Location: Maine College of Art & Design, Portland, ME
Program Dates: July 12 – August 2, 2025
Cost: $4,600 or $5,100 depending on shared or single room. Financial aid available
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18
Application Deadline: April 15, 2025
Islands Through Time allows rising high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit while exploring the ecology, culture, and history of Downeast Maine through drawing and painting. Hosted by the College of the Atlantic near Acadia National Park, this program combines academic and artistic experiences.
You will stay at the college’s island field stations, gaining hands-on experience in data collection and research. Activities include visiting whale feeding grounds, seal haul-outs, seabird colonies, and small island communities. The program will also enhance your writing skills by connecting literature to the local environment.
Subject Areas: Ecology, research, art, history
Location: College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME
Program Dates: July 27 – August 8, 2025
Cost: No information available
Eligibility: Rising junior or senior in high school
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
The Chip Moody Consider Engineering Program is a free, four-day overnight program at the University of Maine for high school juniors interested in engineering. You will participate in engineering experiments and problem-solving challenges as well as network with faculty and engineers. The camp is geared toward students interested in STEM who demonstrate excellent leadership and communication skills. The program aims to help you decide if you want to pursue engineering as a career. To apply, you have to submit your high school transcript, a letter outlining how you would benefit by attending, a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor, and a list of your extracurricular activities.
Subject Areas: Science, Math, Engineering
Location: University of Maine, Orono, ME
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Three sessions were offered in 2024:
- July 14 – 17, 2024
- July 21 – 24, 2024
- July 28 – 31, 2024
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
Application Deadline: April 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.