10 STEM Programs for High School Students in Indiana
If you’re an academically motivated high school student in Indiana, pursuing a STEM program in the state is a great (and accessible) way to build a strong foundation for college and beyond. These programs give you hands-on experience, research opportunities, and mentorship from experts. You’ll get to solve real-world problems, work with cutting-edge technology, and explore different STEM fields before choosing a career path.
Whether you’re into engineering, coding, or environmental science, STEM programs help you build skills and connect with professionals. They also make your college application stand out, especially for competitive STEM majors. Some even offer college credit or scholarships, giving you a head start on your future.
In this blog, we cover 10 STEM programs for high school students in Indiana!
10 STEM Programs for High School Students in Indiana
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program Dates: Summer: June - August, fall: September - December, winter: December - February, spring: March - June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I priority application deadline is March 9!
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: High school students based in Indiana can apply
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Indiana University Bloomington
Cost: $125
Application Deadline: April 11
Program Dates: July 13 – 18
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of at least 3.0
Indiana University’s Jim Holland Summer Enrichment Program in Biology (SEP) gives you an in-depth experience in biology, going beyond what’s usually taught in high school. You’ll take part in hands-on lab sessions, field trips, and group discussions, exploring topics like genetics, evolution, environmental science, and molecular biology. Through these activities, you’ll gain direct exposure to scientific research and practical learning.
As part of the Jim Holland Summer Science Programs, SEP opens the door to more advanced opportunities. If you stand out in the program, you may be invited to the second-year SSRP, where you’ll work in a research lab, collaborate with university faculty, and carry out an independent research project. After SSRP, you could advance to the RISE program, a two-week residential camp focused on STEM career and college preparation, offering mentorship and guidance to help you plan your academic and professional future.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students based in Indiana can apply
Veritas AI offers two great programs for high school students interested in AI, machine learning, and data science. You’ll work on exciting projects, collaborate with peers, and receive 1-on-1 mentorship from Harvard graduate students and alumni, giving you a unique learning experience.
The AI Scholars program includes 25 hours of group classes with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. You’ll finish with a group project that showcases what you’ve learned. If you want to go further, the AI Fellowship allows you to work with AI experts and publication mentors who will guide you in submitting research proposals to high school or college-level journals. Both programs require a basic understanding of Python, and completing the AI Scholars program is recommended before applying for the AI Fellowship. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Cost: No cost; stipend is provided
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: 8 to 10 weeks between June and August
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, or seniors who come from families whose annual income is under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Students must also have completed at least two semesters of chemistry.
The American Chemical Society’s Project SEED offers summer research opportunities for high school students from low-income backgrounds.Throughout the program, you’ll get hands-on lab experience and work on independent or team-based research projects, guided by experienced mentors.
Alongside lab work, you can participate in field trips and poster competitions, which add to the learning experience. If you decide to pursue a chemistry or STEM-related degree after the program, you may also be eligible to apply for Project SEED scholarships.
Location: The Westin Indianapolis | Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research | IU Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Indianapolis, IN
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: November 8 (tentative, based on previous years)
Program Dates: February 23 – 24
Eligibility: Indiana high school students in grades 10 –12
The Molecular Medicine In Action (MMIA) program offers high school students the chance to explore medical research at no cost. If you’re selected for this two-day intensive experience, you’ll gain hands-on exposure to cutting-edge scientific techniques like cancer research methodologies and genetic analysis.
During the program, you’ll take part in advanced lab work, working with gene studies, microscopy, and cancer cell research. It begins with introductory sessions and expert presentations from Indiana University researchers, followed by a night at the Westin Hotel in Indianapolis. The program wraps up with a visit to IU School of Medicine's Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, where you’ll get to explore state-of-the-art research facilities.
Location: Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN
Cost: Participation is free. Selected participants will receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: January 31
Program Dates: EPCR is a two-year commitment, with in-person programs for summer of this year and next year, each lasting 10 weeks. The first year runs from May 19 to July 25.
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors entering their freshman year are eligible to apply.
The EPCR initiative offers underrepresented students the chance to explore careers in medical and cancer research. As a participant, you’ll work alongside an experienced researcher who will guide you through scientific methodologies while you conduct a summer research project.
The program spans various approaches, including wet lab work, computational analysis, and patient-focused studies. You'll commit full-time to weekly professional development workshops and lab work, where you’ll develop key research skills like analytical reasoning, experimental planning, results analysis, and problem-solving. Throughout the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art research facilities, use specialized equipment, and connect with a network of over 100 distinguished scientists.
Location: Multiple locations, including Indiana University in Indianapolis, IN, and Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN
Cost: The program fee is $8,800; need-based financial aid is available to help students from lower-income families attend at a reduced cost
Application Deadline: January 24 for international applications & February 21 for domestic applicants
Program Dates: Programs begin mid-late June and the duration varies based on the program
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who will have completed the prerequisites by the summer and will be between 15 and 18 years old during the program
The Summer Science Program provides rising high school seniors with hands-on experience in scientific research, focusing on STEM fields such as environmental science, biomedical research, and engineering. You’ll work in small groups of three, collaborating directly with university professors to collect, analyze, and interpret original research data.
Professors mentor you closely, offering personalized guidance to master techniques relevant to your field. Additionally, the curriculum includes skill-building in areas like time management and project execution, preparing you for academic and professional challenges.
Location: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Cost: Free program with stipends: $4,000 for high schoolers, $3,500 for undergrads (plus $1,300 for fall).
Application Deadline: January 15
Program Dates: June 2 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 from public schools in the greater Indianapolis area.
The MPESC-Prep program offers you mentored STEM training, focusing on biomedical research, physician-engineering, and clinical practice. During the eight-week summer session, you will work on hands-on research projects within university labs while gaining exposure to clinical environments.
You'll also have the chance to build long-term relationships with your mentors, allowing you to return for repeated summer placements and deepen your research experience. Throughout the year, the program provides ongoing support, guiding you as you work toward graduate school or professional program applications.
Location: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Cost/Stipend: No cost; participants receive a stipend, but the amount is not specified
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 2 – July 25
Eligibility: High school juniors enrolled in a Marion County public high school with a minimum 3.0 grade point average
The Future Scientist Program offers you the opportunity to directly engage in scientific research at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. During the eight-week summer experience, you will work with university faculty mentors, contributing to active research projects.
You'll gain practical laboratory skills, such as data collection, experimental design, and analysis, which will be essential for your academic and professional growth in science. In addition to hands-on experience, the program will enhance your academic trajectory by developing your research methodology, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Location: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN
Cost: The program fee is $7,000, which covers tuition, housing, and meals at the Ross Program; need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline: March 15
Program Dates: June 15 – July 26
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18; in some cases, younger or older students may be considered
The Ross Mathematics Program offers you a unique opportunity to dive into mathematical research, designed for high school students with a strong interest in mathematics. This immersive residential experience focuses on theoretical concepts and abstract reasoning rather than competitive math.
You will engage in daily mathematical puzzles and work closely with instructors and peers, forming a collaborative intellectual community. The program’s in-depth approach allows you to explore a single mathematical topic over an extended period, building a deep understanding. You will also develop essential skills in mathematical communication, particularly in constructing rigorous proofs to validate theories.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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