If you’re a high school student in Minnesota interested in learning about how data shapes the world, consider participating in a data science program. These programs are one of the best ways to start building real skills before college, as they go well beyond what a typical computer science class covers. You’ll work with tools like Python, R, and SQL, learn how to clean and visualize datasets, build predictive models, and draw conclusions from large amounts of information. Some programs pair you with university researchers or industry professionals, while others are more course-based. What’s common across all these programs is that they will push you to think analytically and work with data in meaningful ways.
Why should you choose a program in Minnesota?
Minnesota is home to major research universities, including the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, which runs several programs designed to bring high school students into real research environments. Beyond academia, Minnesota offers a growing tech and healthcare sector; companies like UnitedHealth Group, 3M, and Target are headquartered here, and many of them have active relationships with local universities and STEM education pipelines. If you’re planning to stay in-state for college, getting familiar with programs at institutions like the U of M gives you a genuine head start on applications, faculty connections, and research opportunities down the line.
In this list, we have put together 15 data science programs for high school students in Minnesota, spanning university-based research experiences, summer institutes, and online programs open to Minnesota residents.
You can also check out our blog on online data science research summer programs for high school students for more options beyond Minnesota.
15 Data Science Programs for High School Students in Minnesota
1. Under the Hood: A Data Science & AI Experience
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Week 1: $125; Week 2: $175
Program Dates: Week 1: July 13 – 17; Week 2: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Registration closes when sessions fill
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11 or 12 in the current school year
Under the Hood is the University of Minnesota’s flagship data science and AI summer program, run by the UMN Data Science and AI Hub. Week 1 is designed for beginners and covers Python fundamentals and building first predictive models using real-world data from ecology and sports. Week 2 moves into advanced territory, covering neural networks, computer vision, and generative AI using industry-standard tools like PyTorch. Both weeks are held in UMN’s Keller and Tate Halls, where you’ll get access to research-grade labs, interact with autonomous robotics, and hear directly from researchers working at the frontier of the field. Technical mentors, guest speakers from industry, and project judges from the professional world are woven into the daily schedule, including a Friday Grand Finale where you’ll present your work.
2. University of Minnesota’s Discover STEM
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Program Dates: August 3 – 7; August 10 – 14
Application Deadline: April 20 – May 18
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11 or 12; Students from underrepresented communities are especially encouraged
Discover STEM is an in-person summer program at the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering that exposes you to the full breadth of STEM pathways, including data science, computing, and engineering. This is taught through a mix of faculty research presentations, laboratory tours, technology demonstrations, science experiments, and Q&A sessions with graduate researchers, recent alumni in industry, and undergraduate students. Each session has a unique schedule, so the experience reflects the variety of careers and research areas available within STEM rather than following a fixed track. Admission is competitive and based on a holistic review of transcripts and personal statement responses.
3. Summer Computing Academy
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Two-week program: $175; One-week program: $100
Program Dates: Two-week camp: June 8 – 18; One-week camp: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Two-week program: Rising 9th graders or above with some familiarity using computers; One-week program: Rising 7th graders or above with no prior computer experience required
The Summer Computing Academy at the University of Minnesota is a hands-on Python programming camp held on campus in Minneapolis, taught by graduate students and professors from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Throughout the program, you’ll spend the majority of your time in a computer lab developing programs for small robots, image processing, and other applications under close teaching assistant supervision, building practical coding skills that directly connect to data science work. Career planning and discovery activities are woven into the schedule throughout the week, and on the final afternoon, you’ll present your completed projects to parents and friends.
4. Analytics U
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Program Dates: August 4 – 8
Deadline: April 1 – June 2
Eligibility: High school students with a demonstrated interest in business and STEM
Analytics U is a week-long program designed to show you how data science can be applied to solve real-world problems. You’ll work alongside a group to tackle a data challenge from start to finish, collecting, analyzing, and presenting findings to a panel by the end of the week. One of the program’s standout moments is an immersive industry experience at the Mall of America, where you’ll gather real data before heading back to campus to dig into it and build your presentation. Throughout the week, you’ll also attend an Analytics 101 session, industry site visits, an admissions panel, a campus tour, and a Q&A with current undergrads. The program wraps up with group presentations and a celebration on the final day. Analytics U also includes professional development workshops and networking with professionals from the Minneapolis metro area.
5. Carleton College SLAI’s Computer Science: Programming and Beyond
Location: Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Cost: Varies by program or format; $75 application fee; Scholarships offered
Program Dates: 3-week: July 5 – 24; Session 1 (1-week): July 12 – 17; Session 2 (1-week): July 19 – 24
Deadline: December 15 – February 2 (round 1), March 2 (round 2), March 16 (final)
Eligibility: High school students with some coding experience
Carleton’s Summer Liberal Arts Institute (SLAI) Computer Science program uses computer science as a lens for exploring how computational thinking applies to real problems in the world. You’ll spend mornings in classes covering two broad research directions: how computers can perceive and interpret information about the world around them, and how they can respond intelligently to complex situations. The three main course topics are Computer Vision, Web Development, and Computer Organization. Computer Vision is particularly relevant for those interested in AI and machine learning, as it covers how computers detect, classify, and extract meaning from images, with applications in facial recognition, autonomous vehicles, and object tracking. You’ll also work in teams to solve an actual computer vision problem. Afternoons will be spent in a research group focused on one topic in depth. Classes are taught by Carleton faculty with undergraduate teaching assistants providing additional mentoring throughout.
6. Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) Camp
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Program Dates: August 3 – 7
Deadline: March 6 (tentative)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12 with an interest in automotive technology, engineering, programming, manufacturing, or robotics
The CAV Camp at the University of Minnesota is a 1-week program focused on one of the fastest-moving areas in technology: connected and autonomous vehicles. You’ll get hands-on access to automated vehicles, take field trips to organizations actively building CAV technology, and work directly with University of Minnesota researchers and industry practitioners. You will also pair up to assemble and program an automated electric skateboard from scratch, simulating the kind of advanced driver-assist systems found on modern vehicles. This project runs through the full week and covers team building, engineering design, programming, and robotics, with teams presenting their completed systems at a closing ceremony.
7. iD Tech Camps at Macalester College’s Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Location: Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN
Cost: Starting at $1,049
Program Dates: Multiple one-week sessions from June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 13-17; Intermediate to advanced coding experience recommended for the AI/ML course
iD Tech runs week-long STEM camps at Macalester College in Saint Paul, with a dedicated Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning course. In this course, you’ll explore how machine learning models are built and trained, from image recognition and object detection to neural network design using Python and real datasets. Instructors are recruited from universities including Stanford and NYU, and class sizes are kept small to ensure hands-on time with the material. Beyond the AI/ML track, you can also choose the Python Coding and AI Agents course, which introduces Python fundamentals alongside applied AI concepts, making it a solid entry point for students newer to programming. Between sessions, you’ll enjoy outdoor activities, campus exploration, and traditions like gaming tournaments.
8. National High School Research Program’s Data Science Track
Location: Virtual; On-person opportunities may be available depending on location
Cost: Varies by track (scholarships offered); Some tracks are free for students from specific regions
Program Dates: 4-5 weeks during the summer; Varies by track
Application Deadline: February 1 (priority); March 15 (2nd priority)
Eligibility: Incoming 9th-12th graders and rising college freshmen; Specific requirements vary by track
The TCS National High School Research Program gives you the chance to conduct original research in one of three cutting-edge fields: Data Science, Quantum Computing, or Artificial Intelligence. The Data Science track is the entry point for those interested in working with real-world datasets and applying computational methods to problems across industries, including medicine, finance, and defense. The program runs in two phases: the first two weeks are dedicated to intensive technical training, building the skills you need to work at a college research level. Weeks three through five shift into active mentored research alongside professionals from government, academia, or industry. You’ll develop your own research projects, present findings at the TCS National Research Symposium, and walk away with a completed research paper, poster, and presentation deck that you can use in college applications. Special events, including expert panels, virtual lab tours, and networking sessions, are interwoven throughout.
9. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free for qualifying families; Students from families earning $200,000 or more are required to pay a fee of $2,400
Program Dates: 4 weeks in July; Online prerequisite courses open February 2
Application Deadline: Online course registration opens on January 28
Eligibility: U.S. high school students entering their senior year
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is a four-week summer program jointly hosted by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT’s School of Engineering. Through project-based, workshop-style courses, you’ll engage with cutting-edge topics, including artificial intelligence, autonomy, radar, satellites, and more, with data science woven throughout multiple tracks. The program is structured in two parts; you’ll first complete independent online prerequisite courses, and your progress in these courses will determine your selection for the summer program. The four-week summer component builds on these prerequisites through intensive team-based work, where you’ll design, build, and test systems that address real engineering and AI challenges under the guidance of MIT faculty and Lincoln Laboratory engineers.
10. Harvard Secondary School Program (SSP): Computer Science and Engineering Courses
Location: Online
Cost: $4,180 (4-credits); $8,160 (8-credits); $75 non-refundable application fee; Financial aid offered
Program Dates: June 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 7 (early); February 11 (regular); April 1 (late)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors to seniors (including graduating seniors) who are between the ages of 16-19
Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program is a selective, credit-bearing summer program that allows you to take college-level courses at Harvard, with strong options in data science, AI, and computer science available to students participating in the online format. Data science-relevant courses in the 7-week program include Introduction to Computer Science with Python, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python, Introduction to Probability for Engineering and Data Science, and Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, and Artificial Intelligence, among others.
11. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $45 application fee + $2,400; Financial aid offered
Program Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26; Session B: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) and residing in the U.S.; Must have strong math and/or programming skills
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program developed by Stanford’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging, designed to introduce high school students to how AI is developed and applied in clinical and research settings. You’ll participate in lectures led by Stanford researchers, clinicians, and trainees covering machine learning basics, medical imaging AI, datasets, model evaluation, and responsible AI. You will be placed into small teams paired with Stanford Student Leads and research mentors, working on a focused health AI research project that covers how to frame research questions, explore data, and communicate findings. You’ll also attend a Meet-the-Expert speaker series that connects you with professionals from academia, healthcare, industry, and government discussing real-world AI applications and career pathways.
12. Kode With Klossy’s Summer Camps: Data Science Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive teens ages 13-18
Kode With Klossy is a free two-week coding camp for young women and gender-expansive students, offered virtually for scholars anywhere in the world as well as in-person in select cities. The Data Science curriculum is one of three available tracks and focuses on examining data and building meaningful insights using SQL, Python, and data visualization tools. By the end of camp, you would’ve completed a data visualization project on a topic you care about personally, giving the technical work a real sense of purpose and ownership. The program is taught by licensed educators with the support of at least two instructor assistants per class, and includes a speaker series featuring women working in technology.
13. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Online
Cost: $4,120; Financial aid offered
Program Dates: June 15 – 26
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Students currently in grade 9 at the time of application
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week program developed in collaboration with the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI and Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. It’s designed to expand access to the field of artificial intelligence and inspire the next generation of AI practitioners. You’ll attend lectures with Stanford faculty in CS and AI, participate in live demos with AI companies, and engage in career workshops that explore how AI is transforming fields from healthcare to disaster response. The heart of the program is a team research project where you’ll choose one of four focus areas: Computer Vision, Medical AI, Natural Language Processing, or Robotics, and work in small groups led by Stanford graduate students and postdocs on original investigations into AI’s societal impact. Past student projects have included building a machine learning pipeline that uses satellite imagery to identify poverty-stricken regions, creating an AI-powered robotic system that recognizes and sorts objects using computer vision, and developing an NLP-based classification tool to analyze communications during disaster scenarios.
14. Young Scholars NASA Data Science Analysis and Research Paper Program
Location: Hybrid (primarily virtual with optional in-person participation at George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus, VA)
Cost: Need-based scholarships available; Performance-based awards up to $2,000
Program Dates: June 13 – August 29
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served (limited to 50 students)
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Scholars NASA Data Science Analysis and Research Paper Program is a virtual summer initiative hosted by George Mason University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Schar School, allowing you to conduct authentic research using real NASA mission data. You’ll work with exoplanet candidate data from the NASA TESS mission and the James Webb Space Telescope, applying statistical methods including time-series analysis, Bayesian statistical analyses, chi-squared, and standard deviation to validate whether candidates are genuine exoplanets. Tools used throughout the program include Python, Jupyter notebooks, GitHub, AstroImageJ, and FITS files, a professional toolkit that mirrors what working astronomers use in the field. You’ll also participate in remote or in-person nighttime telescope observation sessions using the 32-inch telescope at George Mason University, the second-largest university telescope on the East Coast. You’ll select a unique exoplanetary system to study and write an individual scholarly research paper under the guidance of GMU faculty, to produce work suitable for student competition submission or professional journal publication.
15. NextGen Bootcamp’s Python for Data Science & AI Machine Learning
Location: Online
Cost: $1,899
Program Dates: Multiple sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school and college students with no prior coding experience; Should be comfortable with basic computer use
NextGen Bootcamp’s Python for Data Science and AI Machine Learning course is a live online program that takes you from Python fundamentals to applied data science and machine learning. The first half of the course builds core Python programming skills, while the second half focuses on data science using industry-standard libraries, including Pandas for data manipulation, Matplotlib for visualization, and Scikit-learn for machine learning models. You’ll work on real-world projects throughout, gaining hands-on experience that goes beyond theory, and have access to 1-on-1 bonus training sessions alongside the group instruction. All sessions are live-streamed with the ability to ask questions and interact with the instructor in real time, and class recordings are available for 30 days after each session. A self-paced option is also available for those who need more flexibility.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program, 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!
Image source: University of Minnesota