10 STEM Programs for High School Students in West Virginia
Participating in STEM programs before college can provide valuable learning opportunities for high school students. These experiences can expose you to scientific research, allowing you to work on real-world problems and better understand how science and technology impact society.
Hands-on learning in labs or fieldwork helps you develop skills that will be useful in your future academic path. Working with university faculty or industry experts offers mentorship that can guide your academic interests and help you build connections. Participating in a STEM program can also enhance your college applications by showing admissions officers your interest in the field.
Here are 10 STEM programs for high school students in West Virginia!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, allows high school students to work directly with PhD mentors on an independent research project. You’ll receive personalized guidance to produce a college-level research paper in your chosen subject area across STEM fields. Mentors will support you through immersive sessions, and writing coaches will assist with the paper’s development. During the application process, you can select your subject track and area of focus for your research project.
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting from $2990. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: December 29 for the upcoming winter cohort.
Program Dates: Vary according to cohort.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA.
Camp STEM, held at WVU Tech in Beckley, West Virginia, is a week-long program for high school students. The camp features classes and projects, such as building circuits in electronics, investigating crime scenes in forensics, learning about automobiles, and competing in a robotics challenge. You’ll meet professors and college students, gaining insight into STEM careers. The camp provides a focused environment for exploring STEM through practical learning and teamwork.
Location: West Virginia University Tech, Beckley, West Virginia
Cost: $600 covering room and board, food, travel, activities, etc. Scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: June 9–14
Eligibility: High school students interested in STEM can apply.
3. Veritas AI
Veritas AI offers several programs for high school and middle school students interested in AI, machine learning, and data science. These include project development, collaborative learning, and 1-on-1 mentorship, all guided by Harvard graduate students and alumni for a rich learning experience. For high school students, there are three options: AI Scholars, AI Fellowship, and AI Accelerator. A basic understanding of Python is required to enroll, and completing the AI Scholars program is recommended before applying for the Fellowship. In the AI Scholars program, you’ll attend 25 hours of group classes with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, culminating in a group project. The AI Fellowship program lets you work closely with AI experts and includes sessions on submitting your research to journals. The AI Accelerator offers 30 one-on-one mentorship sessions to guide you through independent research. Here are some examples of past projects!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Between $2,290 to $9,400. Financial aid is available.
Application Date: Varies according to cohort.
Program Dates: Variable based on the program and cohort selected.
Eligibility: High school students located anywhere in the world can apply. To be considered for the AI Fellowship, applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or have demonstrated past experience with Python coding and projects
The Next Generation Forensic Science Initiative offers high schoolers a week-long summer camp at West Virginia University. The program covers latent fingerprint analysis, death investigation, forensic biology, chemistry, and bloodstain pattern analysis. The camp allows you to engage with the material through real-world activities. You’ll have the chance to practice these skills at a mock crime scene, giving you experience of what forensic professionals do. This experience could be a good fit if you’re considering a career in forensic science.
Location: West Virginia University Tech, Beckley, West Virginia
Cost: $969 for day camp and $1,369 for overnight camp.
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: June 17–21; July 22–26
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Future Problem Solving West Virginia is a nonprofit organization focused on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills among students. The Global Issues program challenges students to address real-world problems through imagined “what if” future scenarios. Each year, topics cover key global challenges in business, civics, society, science, and technology, including food security, rising sea levels, agricultural industry adaptation, and the impact of nanotechnology on medicine and healthcare. Students in grades 10–12 can participate individually or in teams of up to four.
Location: Multiple locations throughout the U.S., including West Virginia. Students can participate through their school, clubs, or independently through a Future Problem Solving regional affiliate.
Cost: There is no cost for students; however, coaches have a registration fee. For more information on local fees and schedules, contact your Future Problem Solving regional affiliate.
Application Deadline: Unspecified.
Program Dates: Runs throughout the year. The world finals event is in June.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to participate.
The West Virginia Science and Engineering Fair (WVSEF) offers high school students the chance to qualify for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Middle school students can qualify for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge and the Lemelson Early Inventor Prize. At WVSEF, students may compete individually or as part of a team. The fair encourages students to explore scientific questions, develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and apply scientific methodology. You will gain experience in data analysis, research, communication, and public speaking .
Location: Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, West Virginia
Cost: Students can check with their high school. The Embassy Suites Hotel has reserved a block of rooms at $149 for registration.
Application Deadline: Here are more details regarding ISEF student resources.
Program Dates: March 10
Eligibility: High school students interested in participating in Regeneron ISEF can apply.
The West Virginia Bridge Design & Build Contest is a statewide competition for middle and high school students interested in STEM careers. You will design a bridge using the Bridge Design software, ensuring it passes a simulated load test while keeping costs low. The top 25 individuals or teams are invited to the Finals at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology Campus in Beckley, where they compete in a balsa-wood bridge-building challenge. This contest offers an opportunity to apply engineering principles and problem-solving skills.
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost. All finalists will be awarded prizes between $100 and $500.
Application Deadline: February 28. Stay updated here to register before the qualifying round ends.
Program Dates: TBA. Finalists will be notified by email on March 3 through an invitation with the event's details.
Eligibility: All West Virginia students in grades 6–12 (public, private, or homeschool) can enter the contest!
These four-day workshops are designed to introduce high school students to the principles of engineering and innovation. Each session features a unique theme. One session might focus on engineering and innovation, while another explores the intersection of engineering and environmental issues. Throughout the camp, you’ll work on team projects, participate in interactive workshops, and collaborate with WVU faculty and fellow students on design challenges. By the end of the program, you’ll present your projects and share your experiences.
Location: West Virginia University
Program Dates: June 24 – 28; July 15 – 19; July 29 – August 2
Cost: $425
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: TBA
The WVU High School ACCESS Early College Program allows eligible high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to earn college credits. This program offers a wide range of courses. Whether you’re aiming to get ahead in core subjects or explore new academic interests, this program provides a glimpse into university life. Courses cover the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. The application process includes completing an online application, submitting an Enrollment Authorization Form, and paying tuition if admitted and registered for courses.
Location: West Virginia University
Program Dates: Varies
Cost: $25 per credit for WV residents and $75 for non-resident students
Eligibility: High school student
Application Deadline: August 16 for the fall
10. WVU's Brain Camp
For those interested in neuroscience, WVU’s Brain Camp offers a week of learning and scientific discovery. Hosted by the Department of Neuroscience at West Virginia University, this camp explores brain science through lab work, experiments, and lectures. Limited to just 30 students, Brain Camp allows you to stay on WVU’s campus, attend presentations by faculty and graduate students, and participate in neuroscience research. You’ll learn about human neuropsych testing, brain anatomy, and basic lab safety.
Location: West Virginia University
Program Dates: July 14 – 20
Cost: $750
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: TBA
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.