Summer programs for high school students provide an opportunity to explore specialized fields and develop advanced skills. These programs are offered in disciplines like STEM, neuroscience, history, research, and more. Whether it's conducting experiments in a laboratory or competing engineering challenges, these programs offer experiences you wouldn’t typically have access to in high school.
You will typically work with mentors and peers in high school summer programs, improving your teamwork and communication. These programs can also help you prepare for college by enhancing your academic skills. These 6 summer programs for high schoolers in Durham are worth considering in 2024-2025!
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) is a rigorous, trimester-long online program for students who want to conduct independent research. This program allows you to choose a research topic from diverse fields such as machine learning, neuroscience, political theory, and biophysics. Over the course of the program, you will develop a 20-25-page research paper with the guidance of a PhD mentor.
You will learn to analyze scholarly literature critically, formulate complex research questions, and design robust methodologies. Through weekly mentoring sessions, you will develop expertise in data analysis, argument construction, and academic writing. By the end of the program, you will receive personalized feedback from your mentor and a letter of recommendation that can be useful when applying for future research opportunities.
Subject Areas: Data Science, Political Theory, Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Chemistry, and more
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
Application Date: February 16, 2025, for the spring cohort and May 18, 2025, for the summer cohort
Program Dates:
- Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
- Summer seminar: June 16, 2025 onwards
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Location: Online
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a virtual mentorship program for developing advanced research skills. Under the guidance of PhD-level mentors from prestigious universities, you will study a chosen academic field and produce an original research paper. You will start by conducting in-depth literature reviews, honing your ability to evaluate existing knowledge critically. You will then learn to identify meaningful research questions and design effective methodologies tailored to your topic. Through the research process, you will gain expertise in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, generating unique insights.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.3
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, with the upcoming Winter Cohort II starting on January 20, 2025
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Biology, Neuroscience, Public Health, Data Science, Physics, and more
Application Deadlines: December 29, 2024, for the upcoming Winter Cohort II
The Summer Accelerator program at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is designed to give students advanced STEM knowledge and practical skills. This hybrid program combines two weeks of online instruction with a residential week on campus. It allows you to explore subjects like biology, engineering, computer science, and physics. During the residential week, you will work on experiments, projects, and problem-solving activities. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. You will learn to develop solutions to complex challenges and confidently present your findings.
Subject Areas: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, and more
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders
Program Dates: Varies according to course
Location: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Durham, NC
Cost: $1,925 per course, financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until spots are filled
The Duke University Neuroscience Experience (DUNE) is a summer program for Durham high school students to gain research experience in neuroscience. This program allows you to work with professional scientists, developing skills in experimental design, data collection, and analysis. In addition to research, DUNE includes workshops that enhance scientific communication, helping you craft compelling research presentations and reports. By participating in DUNE, you will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, essential for success in any field.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Experimental Design, Data Analysis, Scientific Communication, and STEM Career Exploration
Eligibility:
- Current high school sophomores or juniors (grades 10-11 for the 2024-2025 school year) or seniors (grade 12) not planning to attend college in fall 2025
- Attend a public or charter high school in Durham, NC
- Be at least 15 years old by June 16, 2025
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8, 2025
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: The program is free for accepted students and includes a stipend
Application Deadline: February 9, 2025
The Duke Summer Training in Academic Research (STAR) Program is a six-week experience that gives you foundational skills in clinical research. You will work in research teams under the guidance of Duke faculty mentors. You will develop an original, hypothesis-driven research project, gaining an understanding of research methodology and data analysis. The program emphasizes skill-building in scientific writing and problem-solving. You will produce work that qualifies you for co-authorship on peer-reviewed manuscripts, offering the potential to contribute to scholarly publications.
Subject Areas: Clinical Research, Scientific Writing, Data Analysis, Medicine
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Program Dates:
- In-person program: June 23 – July 25, 2025
- Pre-reading: Early June (completed remotely)
- Remote activities: Early August
Location: Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina.
Compensation: Participants receive a stipend of $2,600 to attend the program
Application Deadlines: January 3, 2025
The Duke Research in Engineering Program (DukeREP) is a seven-week summer initiative hosted by Duke University's Biomedical Engineering Department. The program allows you to conduct hands-on research in Duke’s labs under the mentorship of researchers. You will gain valuable skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving. You will learn to navigate the research process, from formulating questions to conducting experiments and interpreting results. The program also offers exposure to career paths through lectures and discussions with professors and industry professionals.
Subject Areas: Biomedical Engineering, Scientific Research, Experimental Design, Professional Skills Development
Eligibility
- Rising juniors or seniors in high school during Summer 2024
- At least 16 years old
- Attend high school in North Carolina
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1, 2025
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 26, 2025
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.