12 Summer Programs for High School Students in Oklahoma
If you're a high school student in Oklahoma interested in gaining skills over the summer, you should consider participating in a summer program! Participating in a summer program will enable you to explore subjects you're interested in, gain practical field experience, and establish professional connections.
Many well-known universities and research centers in Oklahoma offer programs that provide insight into the latest trends in your chosen industry, help you improve your skills, and allow you to learn from experts. These experiences can strengthen your academic profile by demonstrating your ability to handle advanced material and your interest in your field. Additionally, these programs can help you explore potential career paths and inform your academic decisions.
Here are 12 summer programs for high school students in Oklahoma, covering a range of fields such as business, STEM, art, business, marketing, college preparation, and more.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts are available throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The main summer deadlines are March 17, April 14, and May 12. The final deadline for the summer session is generally in June. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Students must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate high academic achievement (accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4).
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to develop an original research project in a field of their choice. Participants will be paired with a PhD mentor from a renowned university who will provide personalized guidance throughout the project.
During the program, you'll have individual sessions with both your research mentor and a writing coach to help you choose a research topic. Over the 12 weeks, you'll explore your chosen topic and attend workshops on the research process. By the end of the program, you will have completed an independent research paper. The program is fully virtual and encompasses a variety of fields, including engineering, computer science, architecture, medicine, data science, and more. You can find additional details about the application here!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship): $6,900. Financial aid is available.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts run throughout the year.
Application Deadline: The deadlines vary depending on the cohort. You can apply here!
Eligibility: The AI Scholars program does not require any prior experience; applicants should be interested in AI. For the AI Fellowship program, applicants must either complete the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students aiming to build a foundation in computer science. These programs cover various concepts in data science and artificial intelligence, including neural networks, natural language processing, image classification, Python coding, sentiment analysis, and more.
Veritas AI provides up to 100% financial aid for the 10-week AI Scholars program. In this program, you'll work in groups of 3-5 on real-world, hands-on projects that reflect your interests and skills. Additionally, the AI Fellowship offers one-on-one mentorship from top university professionals to develop unique machine-learning projects over 12-15 weeks. These programs are designed for beginners seeking practical experience.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Starts at $2,490. Financial aid is available.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts are available throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort.
Eligibility: The program is open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to working 10-20 hours per week for 8-12 weeks.
Ladder Internships provide a valuable opportunity for high school students, especially those unable to attend in-person internships. The program pairs you with a leading startup where you'll work on a real-world project under the supervision of a manager. Examples of projects include competitor analysis for a health tech company or developing a machine learning model to predict customer behavior.
As an intern, you'll receive one-on-one mentorship from your manager and a Ladder coach. You'll work 5-10 hours per week and present your project at the end of the program. The internship offers various fields, such as finance, tech, AI, engineering, health, consulting, and more. Note that the internship can be selective. You can find more details and explore options on the application form.
6. Horizon
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can find out the exact cost by raising an interest form here.
Program Dates:
Summer seminar: June 24–September 2, 2024
Fall seminar: October 23, 2024–February 19, 2025
Horizon Labs offers flexible dates, but you need to apply at least 4 weeks in advance.
Application Deadline: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the 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 few tracks require prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon is a research program that connects high school students with distinguished professors or PhD scholars from top universities. In the program, you will collaborate with your mentor on a college-level research project tailored to your interests, with options available in both STEM and social sciences. Horizon allows students to choose between conducting quantitative or qualitative research.
You will produce a 20-page, university-level research paper that can be submitted to reputable journals for publication while still in high school. The program offers the opportunity to conduct specialized research with guidance from a leading scholar. Additionally, each student receives a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on their project, which can be valuable for future work and college applications. You can apply here!
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops.
Cost: $2900. Need-based financial aid is available.
Program Dates: The 2024 edition of the program started on July 3 and spanned 4 weeks.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The primary summer deadlines are March 17, April 14, and May 12, with the final deadline for the summer cohort usually falling in June. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students.
The Young Founder’s Lab is a startup boot camp created and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work on developing a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world issue, with mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and others.
Alongside building your startup, you will attend interactive classes on business fundamentals, participate in workshops and skill-building sessions, and examine case studies and panel discussions. This program offers a valuable opportunity to explore the business world while still in high school, providing both theoretical and practical insights into creating a successful business. You can read the program’s brochure here.
Location: Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond, OK
Cost: $600
Program Dates: July 13–July 18, 2025
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If you apply before December 31, 2024, you’ll get a $50 discount on the fees.
Eligibility:
High school students in 9th-11th grades with 21 ACT or 1040 on the new SAT or 1020 on the new PSAT including Reading, Math, Writing, or 20 on the preACT can apply.
Students who have yet to take these tests can apply with a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor.
The Honors Summer Academy (HSA) is a one-week college experience designed for academically gifted high school students in grades 9-11. Hosted by Oklahoma Christian University's Honors Program, HSA will allow you to earn two hours of transferable university credit by selecting two courses from a diverse range of subjects that match your interests and academic level. The program includes in-person instruction and online activities to prepare you before you arrive on campus.
The curriculum covers various fields such as engineering, business, chemistry, cyber security, cell biology, and the humanities, offering a thorough introduction to college-level academics. You will participate in hands-on projects, lab work, and collaborative learning activities that encourage intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. Course options include STEM subjects like Introduction to Engineering and Cyber Security, humanities subjects like Introduction to Musical Understanding and Introduction to Apologetics, and professional studies such as Wise Business Practices and Cell Biology.
Location: Cameron University, Lawton, OK
Cost: There is no cost to attend the program.
Program Dates: June 16–June 21, 2024 | June 23–June 28, 2024; TBA for 2025
Application Deadline: April 15, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Oklahoma residents who are rising freshmen, sophomores, or juniors in high school can apply.
NanoExplorers is a residential STEM program at Cameron University designed to immerse high school students in nanotechnology. This hands-on academy combines practical applications in chemistry and physics with theoretical knowledge, allowing participants to explore nanostructures. Activities include building and programming aquatic drones, using DNA in forensic science, and understanding the physics behind amusement parks.
Throughout the program, you will engage in a mix of academic sessions and interactive projects. The first week covers the basics of nanotechnology, laboratory experiments, and the role of nanostructures in various scientific fields. After a weekend break, including an educational visit to Frontier City amusement park, the second week focuses on advanced topics like circuit building, polymer science, and environmental chemistry. Evening activities include career discussions, recreational sports, and social events. The program concludes with presentations, a quiz bowl, and chemical demonstrations. The academy accepts only 24 participants.
Location: Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City, OK
Cost: $3,300; includes tuition, meals, and housing. A $50 application fee is also required to submit your summer application.
Program Dates: June 22–July 5, 2025
Application Deadline:
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Audition submissions will be accepted starting November 1, 2024.
Students who submit their application by January 15, 2025, will receive a 15% discount on tuition.
Additionally, early applicants will be considered for financial aid if they qualify.
Eligibility: This program is available to students currently in grades 9-12, with a particular focus on rising juniors.
Oklahoma City University’s Pre-College Intensive is designed for high school students planning to pursue musical theater, acting, or vocal performance at the college level and preparing for the audition process. During the program, you will receive diagnostic feedback and personal recommendations from OCU professors to aid in your future academic and career goals. The focus will be on individual growth and readiness for college auditions, including building a college list, selecting appropriate repertoire, and mastering self-taping.
Navigating the audition process—whether online or in-person—is a key component of college admissions. This program will guide you through self-taping, choosing the right repertoire, interacting with admission panels, and performing effectively. You will attend dance and acting classes, receive private voice lessons from OCU voice faculty, and participate in one-on-one coaching and repertoire-building sessions. Additionally, you will have the chance to attend faculty masterclasses, where you will perform and gain insights from OCU faculty members. The program also covers building your college list, pre-screens, and the overall college audition process.
11. Sooner Discovery
Location: University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Cost: $2,150–$5,840, depending on the course, the applicant’s education level, and whether the program is residential or non-residential. Financial aid is available.
Program Dates: June 9–July 5, 2024; TBA for 2025
Application Deadline: May 1, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility:
Students who have completed their sophomore or junior year of high school can apply.
Students must have a 19 on the ACT in the subject area they wish to enroll in. For subjects other than math, English, or science, they need a 19 in the reading section.
For the SAT, students must have a score of 510 in evidence-based reading and writing to enroll in subjects other than math or science.
Sooner Discovery offers high school juniors and seniors a chance to experience college life at the University of Oklahoma. This month-long program, held in June, will allow you to earn college credits by taking challenging courses taught by OU’s faculty. You will live on campus, gaining firsthand experience of collegiate life and developing academic skills for future success.
In the mornings, you will select a general education course, while afternoons are dedicated to an “Introduction to Academic Discovery” course, which focuses on effective study techniques and the college application process. Outside of the classroom, Sooner Discovery provides various social and cultural experiences. With the guidance of Discovery Guides—OU undergraduate mentors—you will participate in activities that build community and offer insight into university life. Weekend trips will enable you to explore Oklahoma’s heritage, including visits to museums, aquariums, and outdoor adventure sites. Additionally, weeknight events offer opportunities for relaxation and bonding with fellow students.
Location: Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Cost: $199
Program Dates: June 10–June 14, 2024; TBA for 2025
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Female students entering grades 9–12 who have an interest in STEM or engineering subjects are eligible to apply.
The STEM Engineering Discovery for Girls camp is a week-long program aimed at inspiring young women interested in STEM fields. This immersive camp offers an engaging environment where participants can explore various aspects of engineering through hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and problem-solving challenges.
During the week, you will tackle real-world engineering problems and learn to apply scientific principles to develop innovative solutions. The camp includes daytime sessions focused on learning and project work, as well as evening activities designed to foster camaraderie and networking. By the end of the week, you will gain a better understanding of how engineering can influence your future and contribute to addressing significant global challenges.
Location: Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Program Dates: July 22–July 26, 2024; TBA for 2025
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 8–12 can apply.
The Drone Xperience Summer Day Academy at Northeastern State University offers 8th to 12th-grade students a chance to explore drones and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This hands-on program enables students to build and fly their drones while investigating potential STEM careers.
Over the five-day camp, you will participate in a combination of academic classes, training seminars, and recreational activities such as Fly Days and photography sessions. The academy provides a thorough introduction to both the technological and operational aspects of the drone industry. Guided by experienced instructors from local technical institutions and police agencies, you will gain practical skills in drone construction and piloting, as well as an understanding of the broader applications of UAS technology across various industries.
Location: Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Alva, OK campus
Cost: The program is free for all accepted participants and is funded by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
Program Dates: May 27–May 31, 2024; TBA for 2025
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024; TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Oklahoma students who will be in grades 9-12 in the fall are eligible to apply.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s STEM Summer Camp is a week-long program designed for high school students to gain hands-on experience in the field of renewable energy. Participants will explore the basics of electricity, electronics, and robotics, with an emphasis on renewable energy generation. The program includes activities such as operating nacelles, using simulators, climbing towers, and visiting operational wind turbines and solar fields.
During the seven-day camp, you will engage in various activities and labs covering solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. The schedule features interactive presentations, tours of wind and solar facilities, and career-oriented discussions led by industry professionals. In addition to technical training, you will enjoy recreational activities such as movie nights, games, and visits to local attractions like Alabaster Caverns State Park. The camp accommodates up to 25 students each year.
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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