Spring is a practical time to explore academic interests outside your standard coursework. Unlike summer programs, which are often time-consuming and intensive, spring programs run alongside your school semester. This allows you to develop technical skills gradually while applying concepts from your classes in real time. Many spring programs focus on structured learning in areas like engineering, programming, research, and scientific analysis.
Nevada, in particular, offers strong access to university-led spring programs for high school students. Institutions host academic-year workshops, laboratory exposure programs, and college-credit courses that allow you to engage with college-level material early.
Why should you choose Nevada as a high schooler?
Nevada offers access to specialized research environments, university infrastructure, and applied STEM ecosystems that support high school learners. Institutions such as the University of Nevada and the Desert Research Institute provide pathways into environmental science, atmospheric research, engineering, and computational modeling. Nevada’s academic programs also align closely with workforce sectors such as aerospace systems, renewable energy, robotics, and cybersecurity. Many spring programs for high school students in Nevada are structured as dual enrollment, technical competitions, or research preparatory programs. Additionally, Nevada’s centralized higher education system and statewide STEM outreach initiatives make it easier to participate in academic enrichment programs without relocating.
Below is a curated list of 15 spring programs for high school students in Nevada. If you want to explore similar opportunities, you can also review or blog on summer programs for high school students in Nevada here and an extended list of summer programs for high school students in Las Vegas here.
1. UNR Collegiate Academy
Location: Participating high schools throughout Nevada
Cost: $100 (3–4 credits) per course
Dates: Classes follow the school district’s academic calendars and start on the first day of instruction
Application Deadline: Varies by semester and school
Eligibility: Nevada high school students with a minimum GPA of 2.5
This concurrent enrollment program enables you to take university-level courses taught by qualified high school teachers in collaboration with UNR faculty. It allows you to earn up to 15 transferable university credits upon successful completion of the academic requirements. The courses offered cover diverse subject areas, including English, mathematics, and social sciences, all adhering to the academic standards of the University of Nevada, Reno. You’ll gain access to university-level research tools and online library databases, including the UNR Knowledge Center. This program helps you transition to higher education by familiarizing you with collegiate grading systems and academic expectations.
2. CSN Dual Enrollment Program
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cost: $92 per course credit, plus any additional technology fee | Reduced pricing of $62.50 per course credit is available for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) students
Dates: Follow the academic calendar
Application Deadline: Open enrollment for qualified students who meet ACT / SAT / CSN Placement score criteria
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 | Must be 16 years or older
This program allows you to enrol in college-level courses at the College of Southern Nevada to fulfil high school graduation requirements while earning college credit. You will be paired with an academic advisor who can assist you in completing an associate’s degree while still in high school. Core courses include precalculus, English composition, physical anthropology, and introductory American politics. You will be able to utilize CSN’s academic support services, including the writing center and tutoring laboratories, to manage your coursework. By participating, you can accelerate your degree completion and reduce the overall cost of post-secondary education.
3. DISCOVERY Children’s Museum Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cost: No cost | This is a volunteer program
Dates: Varying shifts available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 to 17
This program requires you to commit to 16 service hours per semester as a facilitator within the museum’s scientific and educational exhibits. You will receive training in public speaking and informal education techniques to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences. In this role, you’ll understand how scientific concepts are translated into interactive learning environments and how educational materials are managed within the museum’s specialized labs. The program focuses on building professional communication and leadership skills in a public-facing, educational environment.
4. FIRST Nevada Robotics Season
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cost: $6,300 for team registration of 10–20 students, though there is fundraising guidance available
Dates: April 9–11 for the Las Vegas Regional challenge
Application Deadline: Team registration typically closes December–January
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 participating through a registered FIRST team
FIRST Robotics is one of the most prestigious and intensive robotics challenges in the country, and has you work in teams to design, build, and program high-performance robots to solve a specific annual challenge. You will gain experience with industry-standard software, including SolidWorks for CAD modeling and Java or C++ for robot control systems. The program requires you to apply mechanical engineering principles to assemble drivetrains, manipulators, and sensors. You will also participate in local and regional competitions where you must collaborate with other teams to achieve objective-based goals. This initiative develops technical skills in electronics, software engineering, and strategic project management.
5. UNLV SISTEM (Student Interactions with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
Location: UNLV Campus, Las Vegas, NV or virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: February 11–March 11 (Wednesdays)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students in Southern Nevada
SISTEM is a series of five weekly sessions hosted at the UNLV Advanced Engineering Building that introduces you to various STEM careers and research. You will engage in hands-on activities and listen to lectures from university faculty and industry professionals in fields like mechanical engineering, aerospace, and civil engineering. The program emphasizes technical discovery and the application of scientific principles to real-world engineering challenges. By attending all five sessions, you earn a certificate of completion, which serves as an academic credential for college applications.
6. UNLV Upward Bound Math & Science
Location: UNLV Campus, Las Vegas, NV
Cost: Free
Dates: Academic year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 13–19 with a stated desire to attend a college or university | An academic or personal need for the program | Potential first-generation college student, with a family income that meets U.S. DOE guidelines
This program provides you with rigorous academic support and enrichment in STEAM fields throughout the academic year. You will participate in Saturday sessions and after-school workshops that include an intensive mathematics and science curriculum, as well as research opportunities. The program utilizes university labs and equipment to expose you to degree-level scientific inquiry and faculty mentorship. You will also receive guidance on dual enrollment and college course planning to ensure you are prepared for post-secondary education. It is a strong option for first-generation college-bound students from low-income households.
7. UNR Upward Bound Math Science Programs
Location: UNR Campus, Reno, NV
Cost: Free
Dates: Academic year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Income-qualified or first-generation students at target high schools, aged 13–19 | The complete list of requirement criteria are available here
UNR’s year-round academic programs provide thorough academic support to first-generation college-aspiring students, including a spring component consisting of monthly College Preparatory Saturday Sessions and bi-monthly counseling meetings. You will engage in STEM exploration and research experiences designed to strengthen your preparation for university-level majors in math and science. The curriculum includes intensive tutoring in subjects such as physics and calculus, as well as workshops on technical writing and college essay development. Upward Bound also offers on-campus sessions at various universities to provide access to university resources and to build your academic profile.
8. Beal Bank USA Southern Nevada Regional Science and Engineering Fair
Location: UNLV Campus, Las Vegas, NV
Cost: Free
Dates: March 5
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students in Southern Nevada
This regional fair is an intensive competition featuring self-directed projects in fields such as chemistry, behavioral science, medicine, and more at the UNLV College of Sciences. This program requires applying the scientific method or engineering design process to address original research questions or technical problems. Your project must be properly planned and documented, with all experiments clearly detailed and recorded, in a format mirroring professional scientific literature. The fair introduces you to the rigors of peer review and formal scientific communication used in higher education. The fair is associated with the International Science and Engineering Fair, meaning that successful students who qualify for the next stage advance to the international competition, providing a platform to showcase their research on a global level.
9. MIT PRIMES-USA
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-long (January to December) | Phase 1: January 1–March 14
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in the United States. While not required, it’s preferred that you also be either a USAMO or USAJMO qualifier, have received a grade A for a college-level proof-based math course, participated in a summer math program, or have a letter of recommendation from a college professor of mathematics.
MIT PRIMES-USA is a rare opportunity to work on unsolved problems in mathematics in a year-long research and mentorship program. The spring component focuses on the first steps in working with your mentor to begin advanced reading and active research, a highly academic phase of the program. This groundwork is necessary to ensure you have the material ready for your research paper preparation at professional events such as the Fall PRIMES Conference. Your mentor will guide your reading efforts and teach problem-solving so that you can get started on your original research project. You will need a strong foundation in mathematics and the ability to work independently on complex theoretical tasks.
10. Columbia University: Academic Year Weekend Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,815 per course
Dates: January 23–March 29
Application Deadline: October 9 (early deadline) | December 15 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: Current high school students
This program enables you to enrol in actual undergraduate-level courses at Columbia University during the spring semester. You will attend online lectures and seminars every weekend for up to four courses at a time, benefitting from instruction provided by Columbia’s renowned faculty. Available subjects include intensive tracks in data science, machine learning, neuroscience, mathematics, law and creative writing. The curriculum is designed to challenge you with the same academic rigor expected of undergraduate students at a research university. You will receive an official Columbia University transcript and a letter of recommendation upon successful completion of your coursework.
11. NYU Precollege
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course
Dates: January 20–May 5
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0
This program allows you to take credit-bearing undergraduate courses at New York University during the spring academic term. You can choose from over 30 subject areas, including digital media, global health, and advanced mathematics, delivered through NYU’s online learning platforms. The program lets you develop collegiate-level research and analytical skills within a fast-paced academic environment. You will learn via both synchronous and asynchronous sessions, engaging with NYU faculty and a global cohort of peers. Upon successful completion, you earn transferable college credits and gain insight into the academic expectations of a major urban research university.
12. The New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) Junior Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Semesters run Fall and Spring
Application Deadline: Spring cohort applications close January 13
Eligibility: Students ages 13–17 from anywhere in the world
This program invites you to solve real-world sustainability and technology challenges sponsored by global industry leaders. You will work in international teams on Launchpad, the Academy’s virtual collaboration platform, to develop innovative solutions to issues such as access to clean water and sustainable urban planning. The program requires you to utilize the design thinking process and conduct technical research to support your project proposals. You will receive mentorship from professional scientists and engineers who provide feedback on your team’s progress. This experience develops your skills in cross-cultural collaboration, project management, and scientific communication.
13. Johns Hopkins CTY Online Courses
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on course format | Financial aid offered
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High schoolers in grades 9-12 who meet JHU’s criteria
This program offers you the opportunity to take rigorous, credit-bearing online courses in subjects such as computer science, world languages, and critical writing. You will engage with an advanced curriculum that utilizes digital platforms for synchronous and asynchronous learning. The program emphasizes deep inquiry and the development of high-level analytical skills through projects such as software programming or historical research. You will interact with a global community of peers and receive personalized feedback from university-vetted instructors. Successful completion provides you with a formal academic record from one of the nation’s leading research universities.
14. International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) Campaigns
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: Monthly campaigns
Application Deadline: Rolling | You just need to register 1 month before the campaign
Eligibility: High school students
IASC is a unique program that lets you join a global asteroid search campaign in which you will receive high-quality astronomical images from major observatories such as Pan-STARRS. Using specialized, professional astronomical software and working alongside global peers and researchers, you will analyze these images to identify Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and Main Belt asteroids. If you and your team discover a previously unknown asteroid, you will be credited with its detection in the Minor Planet Center database. If you are interested in observational astronomy, this program is a solid opportunity.
15. EnergyMag Virtual Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Dates: Rolling | Half-time internships of 2-8 weeks in the summer, quarter-time internships of 1-9 months in the academic year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have completed at least one honors science or honors English class and have a GPA of over 3.25
EnergyMag offers a rare opportunity to conduct research remotely in fields such as energy systems and sustainability. You will conduct research to produce a technical report or a literature review on a specific energy sector. A mentor will guide your efforts to refine your research question and analyze industry data regarding the environmental project in question. The program focuses on developing your technical literacy in energy systems and sustainability trends, offers a flexible schedule, and emphasizes technical writing and research skills.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like maths, science, or humanities, 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 – Johns Hopkins University