10 STEM Programs for High School Students in Kentucky
Kentucky offers a range of programs to help high school students develop advanced skills and explore their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These programs provide opportunities for hands-on learning, mentorship, and exposure to STEM applications. Participating in STEM programs strengthens your college applications, particularly if you’re applying to competitive STEM-focused undergraduate programs. By engaging in STEM activities beyond the classroom, you demonstrate initiative and curiosity.
In this blog, we’ll explore 10 STEM programs available to high school students in Kentucky.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
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.
2. 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. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: J.B. Speed School of Engineering, Louisville, KY
Cost: Fully funded, including lodging, meals, and extracurricular activities
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: July 14–21
Eligibility: Open to all students, with a focus on African American, Hispanic, Native American, and female students from Louisville-area public or private high schools.
The Brown-Forman INSPIRE Summer Enrichment Program provides a fully funded, week-long residential experience for students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in engineering. This program combines college preparation with workshops introducing foundational engineering concepts. You will engage in career-focused activities, including local industry site visits, collaborative design challenges, and mentoring by university students. The program emphasizes skill-building and career exploration, culminating in a final presentation ceremony. To apply, submit the application and a recommendation from a math or science teacher or other school personnel.
Location: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $2,500 provided
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: June 3–August 2
Eligibility: Open to students aged 16 or older by June 1 who have completed advanced Biology and Chemistry courses.
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine Summer Research Training Fellowship offers high school students an opportunity to gain experience in scientific research. The program selects at least four students to work in research labs for 25 hours per week. As a participant, you will collaborate with graduate students and research scientists, mastering laboratory techniques and conducting independent experiments. The program culminates in a final oral presentation where you will share your findings. This fellowship provides an introduction to laboratory research, ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in science.
Location: Western Kentucky University (WKU), Bowling Green, KY
Cost: $3,900 tuition; $400 deposit required. Needs-based financial assistance is available.
Application Deadline: Registration opens in January. Full tuition is due by June 1.
Program Dates: June 22 – July 12
Eligibility: Open to high-ability students who have completed grades 7–10.
The Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth (VAMPY) is a three-week residential camp for gifted students. You will select one focus area to study for six hours each weekday, complemented by a nightly study hall. Classes are taught by WKU faculty and high school teachers. You can also participate in supervised evening and weekend activities, including sports, art, and social events. For high-achieving students, VAMPY offers academic exploration and the chance to connect with peers.
Location: Western Kentucky University (WKU), Bowling Green, KY
Cost: Free, covering all program activities, materials, and meals
Application Deadline: April 14 for current UB students and May 15 for newly admitted students after March 1
Program Dates: Six-week summer residential program (exact dates to be confirmed, typically late May/early June through mid-July)
Eligibility: High school students from Allen, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, or Russellville districts who meet income guidelines and/or are potential first-generation college students, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.25
The Upward Bound (UB) program at Western Kentucky University is designed to prepare low-income and first-generation high school students for success in higher education. A highlight of this initiative is the six-week residential summer program, where you can live on campus and engage in academic enrichment and personal development activities. The program’s curriculum includes six classes: English composition, literature/reading, math, lab science, Spanish, and an elective, with a focus on STEM courses. You will engage in career exploration and college admissions workshops. UB fosters community through cultural events and bonding activities.
Location: Various college campuses, including Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: April 5
Program Dates: June 9–22
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–11, ages 16–17
The AgDiscovery Program is a free summer outreach initiative that introduces high school students to careers in agricultural sciences. Hosted at multiple universities, including Kentucky State University, the program blends hands-on learning with career exploration in fields like plant and animal sciences, biotechnology, veterinary medicine, wildlife biology, and agribusiness. You will attend lab experiments, workshops, and field trips led by USDA experts and university faculty. The program offers specialized tracks, such as Agribusiness, Animal Science, Plant Science, or interdisciplinary combinations.
Location: Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY
Cost: $180–$315, depending on half-day or full-day options
Application Deadline: Typically 2 weeks before the academy start date
Program Dates: Varies by academy; typically 5-day sessions in June and July
Eligibility: Open to rising 9th–12th-grade students
The STEM Summer Academies at Northern Kentucky University offer high school students the chance to explore advanced topics like neuroscience, cybersecurity, electrical engineering, and artificial intelligence. These academies provide learning experiences in college labs guided by NKU faculty, students, and industry professionals. Activities include dissecting animal brains, playing cybersecurity games, and building electrical circuits. The academies emphasize skill-building and exploration. Whether you’re interested in technology, biology, or engineering, NKU’s STEM Summer Academies provide a practical way to deepen your knowledge.
Location: Virtual
Cost: None, but virtual interns will receive a certificate of completion.
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Program Dates: July – August (5 weeks)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a neuroscience research program for high school juniors and seniors. You will collaborate with neuroscientists on research projects. You will be exposed to laboratory techniques, scientific discussions, and professional development courses. You will conduct guided research, attend expert seminars, and receive mentorship from Johns Hopkins faculty. The program concludes with a final research presentation, where you will share your findings through oral or poster presentations. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 - 27
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 14 and older. Student leads must be California residents, while student interns must reside in the U.S.
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week program for high school students. You will learn about the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The program is led by experts and focuses on collaborative research projects. It offers one-on-one mentorship from Stanford AI research engineers. The program also features Virtual Career Lunch and Learn sessions, where you can interact with guest speakers from academia, nonprofits, and government sectors, gaining insights into diverse career paths in AI and healthcare. You will receive a certificate of completion.
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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