Arkansas offers a variety of programs aimed at enhancing the educational experience for high school students. Whether you’re interested in science, technology, the arts, or leadership, there are opportunities throughout the state to explore your passions, build new skills, and prepare for your future. From research camps in the Ozarks to STEM initiatives and art workshops, these programs allow you to learn beyond the classroom and connect with like-minded peers.
In this blog, we’ll showcase 9 top programs in Arkansas for high school students. These opportunities are designed to challenge, inspire, and help you grow, whether you’re looking to delve into scientific research, explore creative fields, or develop leadership skills. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in fields like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. You can choose between quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Once you select your track, you’ll work one-on-one with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university. Your goal is to produce a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can submit to prestigious journals.
This program provides an in-depth look into specialized fields with expert guidance, along with a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback for future projects and college applications. Apply now for this unique research opportunity!
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Data Science
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
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 Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
2. Project CAVES
Project CAVES offers gifted high school students a 7-day residential experience in cave science. This program includes hands-on studies in cave ecosystems, karst geology, bat populations, and hydrogeology, providing a unique learning opportunity outside the traditional classroom.
Hosted by Deer/Mt. Judea School District and funded by the Office of Gifted and Talented Education, the program selects 15 students through a competitive process. All costs, including tuition, room, board, and supplies, are fully covered.
Subject Areas: Geology
Location: Geological sites in the Ozarks.
Program Dates: June 9 to 15
Cost: Tuition, room, board, and instructional supplies are fully funded through a grant from the Office of Gifted and Talented Education. However, students are responsible for their travel to and from the camp and any personal expenses.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in science, particularly in areas such as cave ecosystems, geology, and biology. Selection is based on an application process, with only 15 students chosen to participate.
Application Deadline: May 3
3. Young Founders Lab
The Young Founders Lab, created by Harvard entrepreneurs, is a boot camp where you’ll work solo or in teams to build a revenue-generating start-up. You’ll collaborate with real founders from companies like Fintech Launch and Fair Opportunity Project.
The program covers business basics, ideation, market research, prototyping, growth strategies, marketing, and launching. It wraps up with a Demo Day to showcase your start-up.
Subject Areas: Business and entrepreneurship
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Vary based on cohort
Cost: $2,900 (4 weeks) | $3,500 (12 weeks). Financial aid is available.
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary based on cohort. Summer deadlines are usually in May/June.
4. Arkansas and the World: International Affairs Summer Camp
The University of Central Arkansas’s Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies offers the Arkansas and the World: International Affairs Summer Camp, a rare U.S. camp focused on international affairs and diplomacy. This camp combines classroom instruction with experiential learning, including workshops on international relations, UN fundamentals, and Model UN practices.
You will engage in UN General Assembly simulations, country representation in committee sessions, and competitions like the SDGs Poster Competition and Global Trivia. The camp concludes with an emergency UN General Assembly session to resolve an international crisis.
Subject Areas: International relations, Political Science
Location: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas
Program Dates: TBA
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: TBA
5. AI Robotics and Ethics Camp at The University of Central Arkansas
The AI Robotics & Ethics Camp at the University of Central Arkansas is a free commuter camp for Arkansas high school students who have completed at least one computer science course. The camp focuses on programming and building AI-powered self-driving cars, while also exploring the ethical implications of these technologies.
Students will engage in hands-on activities and examine AI and robotics in popular culture through movies and stories. The camp ends with a showcase where teams present their projects and learnings.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics
Location: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas
Program Dates: June 17 to 21
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: April 19
6. SummerStage
The SummerStage Theatre Program is an eight-day residential summer camp for high school students offered for free through the Arkansas Department of Education’s AEGIS program. Hosted by TheatreSquared, this camp allows students to collaborate with peers from across the state to create and perform original theater works.
Participants work as both writers and performers, guided by professional playwrights, poets, directors, and actors. The program emphasizes nontraditional theater methods and culminates in a showcase of the ensemble’s original script. Students also explore creative writing, performance art, music, and visual art, developing technical skills and fostering creativity and collaboration in a supportive environment.
Subject Areas: Theatre, Writing
Location: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas
Program Dates: July 6 to 13
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to Arkansas residents who are rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders at public or private high schools or homeschooled students at the same grade levels.
Application Deadline: May 1 (applications are accepted until the program is full, but early application is encouraged due to limited spots)
7. AEGIS Summer Camp: Water & Wilderness – Plugged into Nature
The Water & Wilderness: Plugged into Nature camp is a two-week summer program for Arkansas students entering grades 10 through 12. Funded by the Arkansas Department of Education’s AEGIS program, this free camp offers an immersive experience in field biology, allowing students to disconnect from digital devices and explore diverse Ozark habitats.
You will work with field scientists on research activities like tracking reptiles, monitoring bats, studying birds, and examining aquatic life in the Kings River. The program includes discussions on conservation literature, Socratic Circles on naturalist writings, reflective journaling, a capstone glade field study, a canoe trip, and an overnight camping experience.
Subject Areas: Biology
Location: Ozark Natural Science Center (ONSC), Ozark Plateau, Arkansas
Program Dates: TBA
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to Arkansas students entering grades 10-12 in the upcoming academic year.
Application Deadline: May 24
8. In-Person Design Camp
The University of Arkansas offers five-day architecture camps designed to introduce high school students to the dynamic world of architecture. During these camps, you’ll learn fundamental design principles through hands-on projects, tours, presentations, and discussions. Led by the experienced faculty of the Fay Jones School of Architecture, the program provides an opportunity to explore architecture early on.
Subject Areas: Architecture and design.
Location: University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Little Rock; and virtual
Program Dates: June 10–14, June 17–21, and June 24–28
Cost: Free to $750
Eligibility: High School Students
Application Deadline: TBA
9. Engineering Scholars Program
The Engineering Scholars Program aims to boost the number of students pursuing engineering in Arkansas by offering hands-on projects, plant tours, and interactions with industry professionals. This one-week residential summer program provides high school students with academic and lab sessions across various engineering fields, including robotics. Along with practical engineering exposure, the program also offers counseling and advising sessions to help you plan your high school coursework and prepare for a successful college career in engineering.
Subject Areas: STEM
Location: University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Program Dates: June 16 – 22
Cost: NA
Eligibility: 8th-11th graders
Application Deadline: May 15
Image Source – Horizon Logo
