If you’re a high school student in Nevada looking to deepen your understanding of a particular field, signing up for a summer program can be beneficial. Many universities, research institutes, and organizations offer specialized summer programs that let you work alongside professionals and mentors while developing your projects or presentations. These programs offer you a chance to gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies and resources, all while expanding your network in the industry.
Engaging in summer programs offers a chance to develop skills outside the standard curriculum and apply them in real-world contexts. From data science and engineering to psychology and research projects, you can find a program that resonates with your interests.
If you’re keen on developing skills and exploring your passion, check out our list of the 11 top summer programs for high school students in Nevada.
11 Programs for High School Students in Nevada
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
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! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Subject Areas: Data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. You will be matched with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university who will mentor you throughout the research journey. By the end of the program, students will produce a 20-page, university-level research paper that can be submitted to prestigious journals for publication. This program also provides detailed project feedback and a letter of recommendation to support future research or college applications.
2. Columbia University’s Summer Online
Cost: $2,810 – $3,960
Program Dates: July 1 to August 9
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12
Subject Areas: Robotics, Environmental Science, Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Engineering
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the session
Columbia University’s Summer Online program offers high school students the opportunity to engage in challenging STEM courses like robotics, environmental science, artificial intelligence, and biomedical engineering. Led by Columbia faculty, the program includes hands-on projects and interactive lectures, providing participants with an authentic college-level learning experience.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Cost: $2,800 – $5,400. Financial aid available
Program Dates: Summer and fall cohorts are available
Eligibility: 10th-12th grade students with a strong interest in research and a minimum GPA of 3.3.
Subject Areas: Biology, chemistry, economics, psychology, political science
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Founded by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with Ph.D. mentors on independent research projects.
You will receive expert guidance to produce a university-level research paper, with additional support from writing coaches to enhance your writing skills. The program covers a broad range of subjects, including mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, and more. It concludes in a research symposium where you can present your findings, with the potential for your work to be published.
4. Summer@Brown Online
Cost: $3,094 to $5,998, depending on course length
Program Dates: July 17 to July 26
Eligibility: High school students globally
Subject Areas: Biological and Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Literature, Writing, Communications, Medical, Health Studies, Physical Sciences, and Math
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies based on course selected
Summer@Brown Online offers over 80 courses inspired by Brown’s Open Curriculum, designed to provide rigorous and engaging learning experiences. Courses are led by innovative instructors and can be taken at your own pace, primarily online, or in a blended format. The program combines academic challenges with personalized feedback, accessible from anywhere. Beyond coursework, students can participate in activities and workshops to enhance their learning. With a focus on growth and exploration rather than grades, Summer@Brown Online provides a supportive environment for motivated learners to engage with college-level academics.
5. Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation
This course allows students to apply their math and science knowledge to engineering projects, emphasizing critical problem-solving and teamwork skills in a laboratory setting.
Cost:
- Common Application Fee: $50
- EEI: Tuition fees: $3,575 + Lab Kit Fee: $247.12
- BMEI: Tuition fees: $3,575 + Lab Kit Fee: $296.20
Program Dates: June – August
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Applicants should have As and Bs in math and science classes, have completed Algebra II, a course covering trigonometric functions, and a year of high school chemistry and/or physics with a lab component.
Subject Areas: Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 17
The Johns Hopkins Online Program offers a blend of independent study and hands-on learning in Engineering Innovation (EEI) and Biomedical Engineering Innovation (BMEI). You will use lab kits to conduct experiments from home and participate in real-time study sessions to interact with peers and instructors. The program also provides continuous support through discussions on Microsoft Teams. You can explore engineering fundamentals through virtual labs, simulations, and projects in areas like circuit design and chemical reactions.
6. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Cost: $4,500 per course
Program Dates: Two sessions divided between June 17 – July 19
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students passionate about STEM fields with strong academic backgrounds.
Subject Areas: Computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 29
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Studies offers over 60 online summer courses designed for interactive and in-depth exploration of a wide array of subjects, including computer science, mathematics, and engineering. These ungraded courses focus on immersive learning, encouraging you to engage deeply with advanced STEM concepts. The program emphasizes hands-on projects in areas like cryptography and genetics, allowing you to work with scientific software and apply problem-solving skills to real-world scenarios.
7. UNLV Engineering Summer Program
Cost: $500 per module
Program Dates: July 1 – July 19
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors interested in STEM fields
Subject Areas: Robotics, software engineering, civil engineering
Location: UNLV campus
Application Deadline: June 15
The UNLV Summer STEM Camp on Climate Change and the Environment provides high school students with an opportunity to engage in hands-on learning about critical environmental issues. Running from July 1 to July 29 the camp offers morning and afternoon sessions where students can choose modules like Robotics, Cybersecurity, or Semiconductor Manufacturing in the morning, and Advanced Robotics, Python Programming, or Game Design with Unity in the afternoon. You will gain practical skills by working on projects such as Arduino-based robotics, motion capture technology, and coding in Python, all guided by expert instructors. The program focuses on building computational thinking, programming, and engineering skills in a collaborative and engaging environment.
8. Duke Pre-College Online Program
Cost: $795 per term
Program Dates: July 7-19
Eligibility: 10th-12th grade students with high academic performance
Subject Areas: Academic Writing: Composing the College Essay, Applied Econometrics, Ocean Sustainability, Population Genomics
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: April 1
Duke Pre-College Online Program offers students the chance to experience Duke’s academic environment from the comfort of their homes. Designed for rising 9th-11th graders, the program features a mix of live and self-paced sessions, with interactive group activities. You can choose from subjects such as Academic Writing, Applied Econometrics, Ocean Sustainability, and Population Genomics.
Enrollment consists of a two-step process: first, you need to apply to the program, and then you can enroll in your chosen courses upon acceptance.
9. FIRST Nevada
Cost: Upto $6000; Scholarship available.
Program Dates: Information available on inquiry.
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders interested in robotics.
Subject Areas: Robotics design, programming, teamwork, and competition opportunities.
Location: Statewide in Nevada.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
FIRST Nevada offers students a hands-on learning experience focused on robotics and engineering challenges. You will work in teams to build, program, and compete with robots in various challenges, developing essential skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and technical design. The program caters to different age groups, using LEGO® elements and motorized parts for younger students while high schoolers engage with advanced robotics kits.
With rolling admissions and scholarships available, you can explore a wide range of subjects, including robotics design and programming.
Each program follows an annual theme, encouraging creativity and innovation in developing solutions to real-world problems.
10. Harvard Secondary School Program
- Cost: $4,050–$7,900 + $75 application fee
- Program Dates: July – August
- Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with strong academic backgrounds and US citizenship.
- Subject Areas: Economics, neuroscience, computer science, law
- Location: Virtual
- Application Deadline: March 25
Harvard’s Secondary School Program offers high school students a chance to engage in college-level courses while honing their academic and research skills. With a focus on individual growth, you can explore subjects such as economics and neuroscience. Starting in December, students can choose from a variety of for-credit courses designed to help them explore career pathways and gain insights into college studies. The program requires a minimum of 4 credit hours, with an option to take up to 8. Alongside coursework, you have access to virtual activities, academic support, and some of Harvard’s online resources.
11. MITES Semester
Cost: Free (application required)
Program Dates: June to December
Eligibility: Rising seniors with a strong background in math and science with U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.
Subject Areas: Machine Learning, Thermodynamics, Astrophysics, Calculus, Physics, Computer Science, Science Writing, and Communication.
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Apply online during the fall semester of junior year in high school.
MITES Semester provides an immersive online experience in STEM subjects, allowing students to expand their knowledge throughout the semester. The program goes beyond academics by offering personalized college application guidance, including essay reviews, mock interviews, and school selection advice. You will also have opportunities to connect with admissions counselors at a college fair and attend an in-person conference at MIT. This national program supports participants with a comprehensive approach to college and career preparation—all at no cost.
Image Source – Horizon Logo
