8 Research Programs for High School Students in South Dakota
South Dakota offers a variety of research programs for high school students looking to deepen their understanding of fields they are interested in. Whether you want to conduct research in science, technology, engineering, or the arts, there's a program in South Dakota for you. These opportunities provide hands-on learning experiences, and many of them allow you to connect with peers who share your interests. Contributing to research can also enhance your college applications by showing colleges your academic skills and ability to think independently.
Check out these 8 research programs available to high school students in South Dakota!
Note: The following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
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: Sanford Research Lab
Cost: Not mentioned
Dates: May 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Applicants must enter senior year in the fall of the upcoming academic year. Home-schooled students are eligible and must be at least 16 years old by May 27th.
The PROMISE Scholars Summer Internship is a 10-week program for high school students interested in biomedical sciences. Hosted at Sanford Research, this internship offers experience in laboratory research alongside professional scientists. You will gain experience in experiment design, data analysis, and scholarly article reviews while exploring the ethical principles of research. The program also includes opportunities to present findings at the Sanford Research Symposium, engage in career coaching seminars, and earn 3 undergraduate elective credits at the University of South Dakota. With a $4,000 scholarship offered and a focus on scientific outreach, this program is an excellent foundation for aspiring researchers.
3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
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: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Various according to the cohort. Multiple 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: SDSU Oak Lake Field Station
Cost:
Non-refundable $75 pre-registration fee
Full registration fee of $300
Dates: Likely July 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Likely May end
Eligibility: The program is intended for high school students entering grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
The Natural Resources High School Program is a hands-on exploration of the natural world, covering wildlife, plants, soils, and water. Designed for high school students interested in ecology or natural resource careers, this program covers bird identification, lake ecology, pollinator diversity, and small mammal tracking. It is led by SDSU faculty, graduate students, and agency biologists. Although not a traditional research program, this program will help you gain experience in natural resource management, providing a strong foundation for future research in ecology.
Location: University of South Dakota
Cost: Not mentioned
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: May 26
Eligibility: High school students
The USD Business Analytics Adventure is a five-day program for high school students to explore business analytics through hands-on projects and real-world applications. Hosted at the USD Ellis Finance and Analytics Lab, this program offers insights from industry leaders. You will learn about analytics processes and work on business projects. This program is a great way to build the skills needed for future research involving market analysis, econometrics, and business strategy. You will also earn a general college credit, tour companies, connect with professionals, and enjoy activities like a movie night at the Vermillion Theater.
Location: South Dakota State University
Cost: Not mentioned
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Ninth through twelfth-grade students are eligible to apply
The South Dakota Youth Institute, held at South Dakota State University, offers high school students a chance to tackle global challenges while gaining recognition as a Borlaug Scholar. You will research and present solutions to critical global issues, engage in discussions with experts, and collaborate with peers from across the state. You will connect with leaders working to improve food security and combat poverty worldwide. The program fosters leadership, research skills, and an understanding of global and local issues. As part of this program, you will write a research paper with guidance.
Location: Solberg Hall Computer Lab, SDSU
Cost: Free of cost
Dates: June 24 – 27
Application Deadline: Check this site for updated information
Eligibility: All participants must be current high school students.
The SDSU Data Science Camp is a free, four-day residential program for high school students (grades 9–12 in the fall) held at South Dakota State University. You will gain experience in data analysis and learn foundational skills in statistics and R programming through activities and projects. You will explore real-world topics such as COVID-19, crime rates, and video game sales and learn to utilize AI tools for practical applications like game development. Alongside academic learning, the program includes campus exploration and recreational activities.
Location: Lee Medical Building in Vermillion
Cost: $100 per student. A limited amount of financial aid is awarded on a need basis
Dates: June 8 – 13
Application Deadline: May 12
Eligibility: The program is open to students who will be juniors and seniors in high school in the fall
The Healthcare Summer Careers Camp at USD is designed for high school juniors and seniors to explore healthcare professions. Limited to 40 students, this camp offers hands-on experiences, medical demonstrations, and tours of nearby facilities to help you discover potential career paths. You get to stay on USD's campus, interact with healthcare professionals and faculty, and gain insights into courses that would prepare you for future success in the field. Alongside learning, you'll connect with peers who share your interests and enjoy recreational activities.
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.