What’s one way to deepen your interest in science, technology, engineering, or math while still in high school? A STEM program!
For students in Prosper, TX, local STEM programs offer an accessible path to explore these fields through experiences, projects, and guidance from experts. Whether you’re curious about coding, robotics, healthcare, or research, these programs are designed to help you build technical skills and develop a stronger understanding of how STEM is applied beyond the classroom.
Prosper, TX, is within reach of several major universities, research institutions, and organisations that host STEM-focused camps, internships, and academic opportunities each year. Choosing a program nearby not only saves time and travel costs but also makes it easier to stay engaged throughout the summer or school year. With options ranging from in-person labs to remote research mentorships, students in Prosper have access to a wide variety of high-quality STEM experiences–many of which are designed to support both beginners and those ready for more advanced challenges.
12 STEM Programs for High School Students in Prosper, TX
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June)
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
If you want to explore an advanced academic field before college, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program connects you with a PhD mentor to complete an independent research project over the course of 12 weeks. This virtual program is designed to mirror the structure and depth of undergraduate-level research, allowing you to select a topic in STEM such as neuroscience, engineering, or computer science, or even a more interdisciplinary field like bioethics or computational biology. Throughout the program, you’ll work through developing a research question, conducting analysis, and writing a formal academic paper. Upon completion, you’ll also have the option to earn college credit through the University of California at San Diego. You can apply here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI offers structured online programs tailored to your current level of experience with artificial intelligence and computer science. The AI Scholars Program introduces you to foundational concepts like machine learning, supervised vs. unsupervised models, and AI ethics, all through small-group sessions and short guided projects. If you’ve already spent time learning to code or have experience in data science, the AI Fellowship pairs you with a mentor to work on an individualised research project that may be eligible for academic presentation or publication. You’ll also have access to peer-reviewed literature and collaborative discussions with students across the globe.
3. SMU Engineering Design Experience
Location: Southern Methodist University, Dallas
Cost: $1400
Dates: Female Camp: June 2–6 or June 16–20 | Male Camp: June 9–13 or June 23–27
Application deadline: Opens February 17
Eligibility: Rising 11th & 12th grade students
The SMU Engineering Design Experience is a five-day residential camp held at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, focused on giving high school juniors and seniors exposure to engineering fields. You’ll delve into areas such as civil, mechanical, computer science, and electrical engineering, with access to the Deason Innovation Gym–a fully equipped maker space with tools like 3D printers and laser cutters. During the week, you’ll engage in skill-building workshops, prototype solutions to real-world problems, and learn how to work within the engineering design process. The program is intentionally small, with a cohort of just 20 students, which allows for close mentorship from SMU engineering students and faculty. The program concludes with a presentation of your team project to faculty, family, and peers.
4. Workforce Development High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Participants receive a stipend based on their qualifications and responsibilities
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors at least 16 years old, residing in the DFW area and attending a public high school, with a minimum 3.25 GPA, can apply
The Workforce Development High School Summer Internship Program, hosted by Parkland Health in Dallas, is a paid internship designed to introduce high school juniors and seniors to career paths in healthcare. While it doesn’t involve clinical work, you’ll be placed in a non-clinical department where you’ll observe and assist professionals, gaining an understanding of operations within a hospital system. Interns are expected to work 20 hours per week, Monday through Friday, and receive compensation for their time. You’ll also take part in limited job shadowing opportunities, learn workplace skills, and explore different roles within healthcare, from administration and IT to public health.
5. National Breast Cancer Foundation High School Internship Program
Location: Dallas
Cost: None
Dates: Check website for updates
Application deadline: March 21
Eligibility: High school students part of the Frisco Independent School District
The National Breast Cancer Foundation, based in Frisco, runs a month-long internship for high school students, offering an inside look into nonprofit operations and professional development. You’ll spend the first two weeks rotating through departments like Programs, Development, and Marketing to understand how the organisation functions. Weekly sessions will also focus on essential workplace skills like resume building, public speaking, and interviewing. For the final three weeks, you’ll collaborate with fellow interns on a capstone group project to be presented to NBCF staff. In addition to the internship, NBCF also runs a High School Ambassador Program for students who want to volunteer and raise awareness about breast cancer throughout the year.
6. Prosper ISD Summer School
Location: Prosper High School Learning Cottages
Cost: $100 per session or free, depending on the program
Dates: June 2 – 18
Application deadline: On-site registration on May 27
Eligibility: Prosper ISD students (exact eligibility may vary by program)
Prosper ISD Summer School includes several academic programs aimed at helping high school students catch up or stay on track toward graduation. The Credit Recovery program allows you to retake courses and master content from classes you didn’t pass during the school year; each session lets you earn up to 0.5 credits. If you need help preparing for STAAR End-of-Course exams in subjects like Algebra I, Biology, U.S. History, or English I and II, the STAAR-EOC program offers targeted instruction to reinforce those skills. If you’re looking to stay aligned with your graduation cohort, these sessions offer a path to meet credit and testing requirements.
7. Town of Prosper Youth Classes
Location: Prosper Parks & Rec
Cost: $170
Dates: August 4–7
Application deadline:
Eligibility: Students ages 9–15
If you’re interested in how video games are created and want to try building some of your own, the Town of Prosper’s Youth Class in Video Game Design introduces you to the fundamentals of game development in a fun and interactive way. You’ll learn the basics of design principles, storytelling, and UI while working on several small games you can share with friends and family. This course doesn’t require any prior experience in programming or game design, making it a great entry point if you’re just starting to explore technology and digital creation. Classes are held locally in Prosper, making them easily accessible.
8. TWU ChemCamp – Texas Woman’s University
Location: TWU Denton campus
Cost: $125
Dates: June 9–13
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Students completing 8th-12th grades must be age 14 by the date of camp
Held on the Denton campus of Texas Woman’s University, ChemCamp is a hands-on summer experience that engages high school students in real-world applications of chemistry. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in lab experiments and activities that explore topics like green chemistry, solar cells, chemical recycling, and microplastics. Sessions are led by TWU faculty and researchers who will guide you through interactive lessons, 3D modelling, and demonstrations that highlight the impact of chemistry on global challenges. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to students who qualify.
9. UT Dallas – STEM Stars Summer Camp
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson
Cost: No information has been provided
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: Likely May
Eligibility: Students ages 9–15
STEM Stars at the University of Texas at Dallas is a one-week camp that focuses on technology, engineering, and design through hands-on activities with Arduino programming, electronics, robotics, and 3D design. The first part of the week is devoted to learning how to build circuits and program microcontrollers, while the remaining days are spent collaborating with a small team to develop a functional project. You’ll use sensors, LEDs, breadboards, and logic structures like loops and thresholds to solve a problem or create a prototype. The camp covers not just technical knowledge but also teamwork and project presentation skills, helping you understand how engineering works in a collaborative, real-world setting.
10. Summer Research Program @ UT Dallas
Location: University of Texas, Dallas
Cost: $1,200 registration fee, scholarships available for low-income students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: TBA on January 1
Eligibility: Students who have completed 10th or 11th grade
UT Dallas offers a competitive Summer Research Program that allows high school students to participate in university-led workshops or in-lab internships focused on computer science, AI, and related STEM fields. If selected for the lab-based internship, you’ll work multiple days per week under the supervision of faculty or graduate mentors, diving into research tasks like simulations, app development, or scientific readings.. Alternatively, the workshop track runs more like informal college courses, with group meetings held twice weekly and a focus on technical skill-building. Topics vary by year and may include deep-dive AI, data science, or software engineering. All participants receive a certificate and a letter detailing their project contributions.
11. Collin College Summer Camps
Location: Technical Campus, Allen
Cost: $100–$175
Dates: June–July
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors through seniors
Collin College offers multiple summer camps each year, covering a wide range of topics relevant to high school students interested in both technical skills and career exploration. The Automotive Exploration Camp introduces you to vehicle systems, repair techniques, and safety protocols while working hands-on with real vehicles provided by the college. For those more interested in electronics, Level I focuses on building basic circuits using breadboards, while Level II introduces soldering and desoldering techniques. These camps are led by faculty from the Engineering Technology and Computer Science departments and include both safety and skill development. All participants are provided with the necessary equipment and materials, and some sessions may be held on different campuses depending on the subject matter.
12. UT Southwestern HPREP
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Centre, Dallas
Cost: None
Dates: January 11 | January 18 | January 25
Application deadline: November 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12
The Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) at UT Southwestern Medical Centre is designed to introduce high school students to careers in health and biomedical sciences. During the program, you’ll attend hands-on workshops in areas like CPR, suturing, genetics, microbiology, and neuroscience. You’ll also participate in a college fair and small-group mentoring sessions with current students from UT Southwestern’s medical, public health, and graduate programs. Sessions typically run over several weekends or during scheduled breaks, and the curriculum is designed to give you both practical exposure and insights into what a career in healthcare might involve.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, 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!
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