12 Summer Programs for High School Students in Ohio
Summer is a prime opportunity for high school students to dive deeper into their interests and explore potential career paths. Ohio offers a variety of programs that cater to many interests, from legal studies and artificial intelligence to creative arts and scientific research.
These programs not only provide hands-on experience and skill development but also offer a glimpse into the professional worlds you may one day enter. Whether it’s through intensive workshops, immersive internships, or academic research, summer programs are a great way to enhance both academic growth and personal development.
Here’s our list of the top 12 summer programs for high school students in Ohio.
Lumiere Education, established by Harvard and Oxford researchers, is a virtual platform for high school students to conduct advanced academic research. Through the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, participants engage in rigorous, university-level research under the guidance of esteemed mentors from top institutions.
The program offers three distinct tracks that cater to varying research goals. The Individual Research Program is a 12-week course where students work one-on-one with a mentor to produce a 15-page research paper on a topic of their choice. For those seeking publication, the Premium Research & Publication Program spans 16-20 weeks, including additional sessions with a publication specialist and a customized publication plan, though publication is not guaranteed.
The most intensive option, the Research Fellowship, extends over 6-12 months and involves original data collection and analysis, aiming for publication in international journals or presentation at prestigious competitions like MIT’s THINK or ISEF Regeneron. Each track is designed to provide a rigorous academic experience, preparing students for university-level research and beyond. Apply here.
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: $2,990. Need-based financial aid is available.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application deadline: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school. Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4).
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers a suite of programs designed to introduce high school students to the foundational concepts and advanced applications of artificial intelligence and data science. Throughout the program, students engage with key AI and data science topics such as neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, and Python coding, as well as a research project under the guidance of scholars.
The program is divided into three tracks, each catering to different levels of experience and focus areas.
The AI Scholars Program provides a 25-hour introduction to AI and machine learning, covering topics like linear regression and convolutional neural networks, and culminating in a group project. For a more intensive experience, the AI Fellowship offers a 12-15 week one-on-one mentorship, guiding students through the creation of an independent AI project, from ideation to execution, with opportunities for publication and presentation. Finally, the Deep Dive Programs—AI + Medicine and AI + Finance—allow students to explore AI's impact on specific industries, focusing on specialized topics such as medical data preparation and financial risk management, with hands-on projects to apply their learning.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (The 10-week bootcamp) | $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (the 12–15-week 1-1 mentorship) | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. October 20, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort.
Eligibility: High school students from around the world with a keen interest in AI can apply. For the AI Fellowship program, applicants will either need to complete the AI Scholars program or have past experience with AI concepts or Python.
Ladder Internships provides high school students with the chance to immerse themselves in the fast-paced world of startups through hands-on, real-world projects. In this program, you will be matched with companies that align with your specific interests, enabling you to work on projects that are impactful as well as within your interest. Over an 8-12 week period, you will be expected to dedicate 5-10 hours per week to your role, collaborating closely with managers who will guide you through the process and help set weekly goals. The program culminates in a final presentation, where you get to present your work to your company and peers, showcasing the skills and knowledge you’ve gained!
The program offers opportunities in various fields, such as health tech, environmental science, machine learning, and media. As an intern, you might contribute to launching a solar startup in Southeast Asia, support the development of a wealth management app, or help create a pitch deck for a trading app targeting the Swiss market—among other exciting projects! Each project is carefully chosen to ensure it provides substantial learning opportunities and adds value to your professional profile, making Ladder Internships a solid stepping stone for students interested in the startup ecosystem.
Location: Virtual.
Cost/Stipend: $2,490, need-based financial aid available.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application deadline: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students.
4. Horizon
Horizon Academic provides high school students with advanced research opportunities through its two main programs: Horizon Labs and Horizon Seminar. Horizon Seminar offers a structured experience where students engage in a college-level research project under the guidance of experienced professors or lecturers. The program combines individualized research topics with small group classes, ensuring that each student receives focused attention. With an average class size of just 4 to 6 students, participants benefit from personalized instruction over 14 classes led by senior instructors, as well as additional review sessions with teaching assistants.
Horizon Labs, on the other hand, is a one-on-one mentorship program tailored for students looking to delve deeply into specialized research areas. Participants work closely with leading researchers and lecturers from top universities, gaining access to cutting-edge studies and data. Over 20 hours of individualized mentorship, students can develop unique research projects, craft customized reading lists, and receive expert feedback on their paper drafts. Horizon Labs also provides guidance on publication opportunities, making it an ideal option for students aiming to produce research that could contribute to academic journals or conferences.
Location: Virtual.
Program dates: Fall seminar: October 23, 2024 – February 19, 2025 | Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Application deadline: September 25, 2024 for the upcoming fall cohort.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
The Young Founder’s Lab is an immersive start-up bootcamp designed for high school students by Harvard entrepreneurs. The program guides participants through the process of creating a revenue-generating start-up that tackles a real-world problem. Under the mentorship of successful entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X, students gain hands-on experience in the start-up ecosystem. The curriculum includes interactive classes on business fundamentals, ideation workshops, skill-building sessions, and case studies.
The program is divided into three phases, beginning with foundational business education and ideation. In the second phase, students engage in market and user research to develop a prototype of their product or service. The final phase focuses on launching the start-up, gaining traction, and achieving revenue generation. The program concludes with a demo day, where students present their start-ups to potential investors, offering a real-world experience of pitching and scaling a business.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops.
Cost: $2,900. Need-based financial aid is available.
Program dates: December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025 (3 weeks).
Application deadline: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort.
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students.
The University of Cincinnati’s Biology Meets Engineering Program (BME) offers high school students and in-service STEM educators a distinctive three-week experience that merges biology with engineering. Held on the UC campus, this program focuses on interdisciplinary learning by exploring how animal sensory behaviors can inform the development of robotics. The program’s integration of biology and engineering sets it apart, providing a unique perspective on how these fields intersect.
In addition to practical projects, the BME program includes an option to earn college credit and culminates with the opportunity to apply for an internship. This program is designed to not only enhance participants' understanding of sensory biology and robotics but also to prepare them for future academic and professional pursuits in these fields.
Location: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.
Cost: Free.
Program dates: Dates for 2025 are yet to be announced but will likely be in June.
Application deadline: TBA for 2025. Applications typically close in April, although reviewing of applications begins about a month earlier.
Eligibility: High school students.
NASA’s SCaN Internship Project (SIP) at the Glenn Research Center provides a unique, hands-on experience for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students across various fields, including both STEM and non-STEM disciplines. As an intern, you will work closely with NASA mentors on projects involving advanced communication systems and network software tools, gaining practical skills in designing and analyzing space communication systems. The program emphasizes long-term career development, with opportunities for students to return for successive sessions, progressively tackling more complex projects and receiving tailored training.
A key feature of the SIP is the mentorship component, where each intern is paired with an experienced mentor who provides guidance on project work, skill development, and career planning. The internship culminates in a Presentation and Awards Ceremony attended by SCaN personnel, NASA employees, and potential employers, offering interns valuable exposure and networking opportunities. The program funds one intern’s trip to the annual Space Generation Advisory Council meeting, held in different locations internationally.
Location: NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH.
Cost/stipend: Unpaid internship. Interns are responsible for their own housing.
Program dates: 10 weeks between early June and August.
Application deadline: TBA for 2025.
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism has been offering an annual workshop for high school students since 1946. This opportunity provides an immersive experience in journalism, where participants engage with faculty and industry professionals to explore various facets of the field. You will get the opportunity to dive into various specializations such as news reporting, broadcast journalism, magazine writing, public relations, and visual storytelling.
Each workshop not only emphasizes core journalistic skills but also includes discussions on ethics and diversity. Participants benefit from hands-on training in their chosen area, coupled with interactive sessions that delve into journalism’s evolving practices. One hour of college credit is offered to students who complete an optional writing assignment.
Location: Ohio University, Athens, OH.
Cost: $400 (includes food and housing).
Program dates: July 7 – 11, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program).
Application deadline: June 21, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program).
Eligibility: High school students who are above the age of 15.
The High School Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center offers an enriching opportunity for graduating seniors interested in biomedical sciences. Over eight weeks, interns work 20 hours per week to shadow a mentor in one of several pediatric specialties, such as Endocrinology, Human Genetics, or Critical Care. This internship provides hands-on experience in clinical and research settings, allowing you to engage in meaningful projects and gain insight into various medical disciplines at an early age!
The program includes weekly group luncheons for networking, interactive sessions with simulated pediatric patients, and opportunities for community service. The internship culminates in a presentation where you will summarize your internship experience. The application process is intensive, requiring your high school transcript, two recommendation letters, essays, resume, and standardized test scores.
Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
Cost/stipend: Interns are paid $13/hour.
Program dates: TBA for 2025. The 2024 program was 8 weeks starting June 4, 2024.
Application deadline: February 1, 2025. Applications will open in November.
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors resident in the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
This STEM Summer Camp introduces high school students to a range of science and engineering disciplines through an intensive week-long program. During the camp, you will engage in a range of hands-on projects and collaborative challenges to sharpen your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Activities include building and piloting boats across a swimming pool, tackling a STEM-themed escape room that emphasizes mathematics and biochemistry, and constructing and programming an Arduino-compatible robot to take home!
In addition to lab-based activities, the camp features field trips such as visiting the Honda Facility and Honda Heritage Center for insights into mechanical engineering, as well as exploring Terradise Nature Preserve and Marion Tallgrass Trail to study macroinvertebrates. Each participant receives a Certificate of Successful Completion from The Ohio State University at Marion.
Location: Ohio State University at Marion, Marion, OH.
Cost: $165 (lunch and lab costs included).
Program dates: June 10 – 14, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program).
Application deadline: May 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program).
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors.
Ohio University's College of Fine Arts Summer Pre-College Programs invite high school students aged 14–18 to explore a diverse range of artistic disciplines while gaining hands-on experience in a college setting. You will focus on one area of study such as Interior Architecture Design, Drawing and Painting, or Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments.
Throughout the program, you will work closely with faculty and visiting artists to refine your skills, develop your creative vision, and produce substantial personal work. The program includes days spent in studios, on film sets, and on stage, offering you a glimpse into the professional art world. In addition to coursework, the program also features extracurricular activities, such as independent film screenings, musical productions, and craft nights. College credit is awarded.
Location: Ohio University, Athens, OH.
Cost: $375 – $1,440 (depending on the program and whether you commute or live on campus). Need and merit-based financial aid is available.
Program dates: One- and two-week sessions in June.
Application deadline: TBA for 2025.
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18.
Ohio University's Summer Law & Trial Institute offers an immersive two-week experience for high school students interested in exploring the field of law. The program begins with virtual sessions that will introduce you to fundamental legal concepts, including analytical reasoning, case analysis, public speaking, and negotiation skills.
Following the virtual component, you will be required to travel to Athens, Ohio, for a week-long on-campus experience. Here, you will get the opportunity to deepen your understanding of legal education and career paths through hands-on activities such as trial simulations and public speaking exercises. The program also emphasizes professional development, including transitioning from high school to college and exploring legal career opportunities. Admissions are rolling, so it’s best to apply early.
Location: Ohio University, Athens, OH.
Cost: Free.
Program dates: July 15 – 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program).
Application deadline: June 7, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program).
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors. Preference is given to students from Southeast Ohio.
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.