Looking to learn beyond the classroom? Summer programs for high school students offer a unique opportunity to step beyond the classroom and dive into specialized fields. Whether you're exploring artificial intelligence, engaging in engineering projects, or developing your artistic skills, these programs give you the chance to gain hands-on experience and advanced knowledge.
You’ll work with professionals and educators who will guide you through industry practices and help you strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Beyond technical skills, you’ll also build soft skills like communication and teamwork, which are essential for success in both academics and the workplace.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 7 summer programs in Milwaukee for high school students.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. You can choose between quantitative and qualitative research, making this one of the few programs that offer such flexibility.
After selecting your subject and research type, you'll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university to guide you through the research process. Your goal will be to create a 20-page, university-level research paper, which you can submit to prestigious journals for publication. This program provides a great opportunity for you to dive into specialized research under expert guidance, gain valuable feedback, and receive a letter of recommendation for future academic endeavors.
Subject Areas: Data Science, Political Theory, Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Chemistry, and more.
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 10–12) with a GPA of 3.67 or higher.
Program Dates:
- Winter Cohort II: December 2, 2024 – February 19, 2025
- Offered year-round with Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Location: Online
Cost: $5950 onwards; financial aid options available
Application Deadlines: Winter Cohort II - December 1, 2024; Rolling deadlines aligned with cohort start dates.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week mentorship opportunity designed for high school students who want to engage in college-level research. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors from top universities, offering personalized guidance to explore advanced topics and develop an independent research project.
You’ll work through a structured curriculum that includes topic selection, literature review, research methodology, and academic writing, leading to a 20-25 page research paper. The program helps you build critical thinking, analytical, and scholarly writing skills, providing hands-on experience in fields such as biology, psychology, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, and more.
You also have the flexibility to tailor your project to your interests, aligning it with your academic goals. Beyond research, the program strengthens your college applications with opportunities for publication, letters of recommendation, and recognition for your work.
Subject Areas: Biology, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, gender studies, engineering, chemistry, business, international relations, environmental studies, etc.
Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide with a strong academic record and interest in independent research.
Program Dates: Offered year-round with Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Location: Online
Cost: Program fees vary based on the chosen track. Financial aid and scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: December 29, 2024 for Winter Cohort II. Rolling deadlines aligned with cohort start dates.
The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Summer Programs offer high school students a unique chance to explore careers in engineering, nursing, and business through a week-long residential experience. These programs immerse you in hands-on projects, interactive workshops, and real-world problem-solving activities, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of various STEM and business fields.
Throughout the program, you will engage in lectures, lab experiments, and group projects, applying theoretical concepts to real challenges. You’ll cover topics like robotics, biomedical engineering, and entrepreneurship, gaining insights into potential career paths. The program also helps you develop critical soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. By living on campus, you’ll experience college life and have access to MSOE’s state-of-the-art facilities.
Subject Areas: Engineering, Nursing, Business, Robotics, Biomedical Engineering, and Entrepreneurship.
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have completed their freshman, sophomore, or junior year.
Program Dates:
- June 23–28, 2024
- July 21–26, 2024
- July 28–August 2, 2024
Location: Milwaukee School of Engineering campus, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Cost: $950 per session, covering program materials, meals, and housing.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with limited slots available. Early application is encouraged.
The Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Summer Camps offer high school students the chance to gain hands-on experience in career-focused fields. These free programs introduce you to technical and vocational disciplines through engaging workshops that emphasize skill-building and real-world applications.
You’ll work in MATC’s state-of-the-art facilities, guided by experienced instructors as you complete project-based activities simulating real industry scenarios. Whether you’re a beginner or have some prior experience, the camps cater to varying skill levels, helping you explore career paths in areas like CNC machining, welding, and other technical trades. By participating, you’ll gain foundational knowledge in cutting-edge technologies, develop problem-solving skills, and understand how these disciplines apply to various industries.
Subject Areas: CNC Machining, Welding, Electrical Engineering, and Technical Trades.
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12.
Program Dates: Summer 2024; specific dates to be announced.
Location: Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until the camp reaches capacity. Early registration is recommended.
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) Summer Pre-College Program offers high school students the chance to explore and develop their passion for visual arts and design. This immersive experience is ideal for aspiring artists who want to enhance their technical skills, expand their creative thinking, and experience college-level art education. Over two or three weeks, you’ll engage in intensive studio practice, guided by MIAD’s esteemed faculty and professional artists.
The program offers two tracks: Core Studio Concepts, which focuses on foundational skills in drawing, painting, and design, and Advanced Studio Concepts, which dives deeper into disciplines like sculpture, digital media, and portfolio development. You’ll work in state-of-the-art facilities, participating in hands-on workshops, critiques, and collaborative projects that promote artistic exploration and conceptual growth.
Subject Areas: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Digital Media, Design, and Visual Arts.
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering grades 10 through 12.
Program Dates:
- Core Studio Concepts: July 14 – July 25, 2025
- Advanced Studio Concepts: July 14 – August 1, 2025
Location: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Cost: Core Studio Concepts: $1,785 (supplies included), Advanced Studio Concepts: $2,130 (supplies included)
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
The Marquette University Biomedical Engineering Bootcamp is an immersive program designed to introduce high school students to the intersection of biology, medicine, and technology. Over three half-day sessions, you will engage in hands-on activities that explore biomechanics, bioelectronics, and biocomputing. Under the guidance of Marquette faculty and students, you’ll simulate injuries on test dummies, measure impact forces, track muscle activity using sensors, and experiment with blood flow in artificial vessels.
The bootcamp emphasizes practical problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, showing you how biomedical engineers use technology to address real-world medical challenges. This program is perfect for students interested in STEM, especially those considering careers in biomedical engineering or healthcare technology.
Subject Areas: Biomechanics, Bioelectronics, Biocomputing, Biomedical Engineering, and Medical Technology.
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering grades 10–12.
Program Dates:
- Session 1: July 31 – August 2, 2024
- Session 2: July 31 – August 2, 2024
Location: Marquette University Opus College of Engineering, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Cost: $225 per session. Scholarships are available for students with financial need.
Application Deadline: Registration is open until the program reaches capacity. Early application is encouraged.
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging (AIMI) offers a two-week virtual Summer Research Internship for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in healthcare. This program provides a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of technology and medicine through lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentorship from Stanford faculty and graduate students.
During the program, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of AI, machine learning, and data science, applying these concepts to solve real-world medical challenges. You will collaborate on research projects, using biomedical imaging and data analysis tools to explore innovative solutions for healthcare advancements.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Biomedical Imaging, and Healthcare Technology.
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering grades 9–12 in Fall 2025. Applicants should demonstrate strong math skills and interest in AI and medicine.
Program Dates: June 16–27, 2025
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,500. Scholarships and financial aid are available for eligible students.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.