8 STEM Programs for High School Students in North Carolina
Participating in STEM programs during high school can be an enriching academic experience. For high schoolers in North Carolina, there are many STEM programs offered by universities and research institutions. You can gain early exposure to fields like engineering, neuroscience, data science, and environmental science through these programs. They often include lab experience, mentorship from university faculty and industry experts, and the chance to work on research projects.
You can also gain a competitive edge for college applications by participating in a competitive STEM program. Whether exploring research at Duke University or designing engineering solutions through NC State’s camps, these experiences can help you deepen your interests, develop technical expertise, and network with like-minded peers.
Here are the 8 best STEM programs for high school students in North Carolina!
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.
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 STEM Pre-College Program at UNC Charlotte aims to help high school students explore careers in math, science, and engineering. Open to students in grades 6-12, the program offers a hands-on introduction to STEM. You will participate in field trips, lectures, robotics challenges, math and science competitions, and SAT/ACT prep. You can also take part in STEM fairs and the Science Olympiad through this program.
Location: UNC Charlotte
Cost: $125 application fee
Dates: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (10 sessions during the academic year).
Application Deadline: January 10
Registration Period: October 28 – January 10
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-12 with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or a grade of “C” or higher in math and science classes.
3. Veritas AI
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: 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.
Offered by the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), GEMS introduces students to STEM careers through lab-based activities in fields like engineering, mathematics, computational sciences, biomedical sciences, chemistry, and biology. You will work with peers and college students, exploring STEM topics aligned with U.S. Army research. The program aims to inspire students to pursue STEM careers. The program includes interactions with scientists, engineers, and STEM professionals.
Location: U.S. Army research facilities (varies by site).
Cost: Free (stipend provided).
Application Deadline: January – February (exact dates vary by site).
Program Dates: March – April (exact dates vary by site).
Eligibility: Rising 5th through 12th graders; Must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent legal residents.
Hosted by the College of Engineering at NC State University, this summer program offers rising 11th and 12th-grade high school students an opportunity to experience life as a college engineering student. You will explore a specific engineering discipline of your choice through projects, workshops, and guided lab sessions. You will stay on campus in university housing, gaining a firsthand understanding of college life. The program fosters collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation by connecting you with faculty, current engineering students, and like-minded peers.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC.
Cost: $1,500 (Financial aid available for students with demonstrated need).
Dates: June 23 – July 12.
Application Deadline: March 29.
Eligibility: Open to 11th and 12th-grade high school students.
The NCSSM Summer STEM Program is a one-week residential program focused on providing STEM education to students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. The program aims to prepare students for STEM careers through interdisciplinary projects that enhance their skills in science, mathematics, technology, and communication. You will participate in STEM activities, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and workshops led by educators and professionals. The program provides continued support by inviting rising 9th-grade participants (Cohort 1) to return for a second summer as rising 10th graders (Cohort 2).
Location: NCSSM-Durham Campus (Cohort 2) | Elizabeth City State University (Cohorts 1 and 2)
Cost: Free.
Application Dates: Application Opens: December 3, Application Closes: February 4.
Program Dates: NCSSM-Durham Campus (Cohort 2): June 15-20 | Elizabeth City State University (Cohorts 1 and 2): July 6-11.
Eligibility: Current 8th-grade students residing in North Carolina.
Duke Pre-College Summer Programs offer middle and high school students academic experiences to prepare for future studies. You can choose from courses in economics, science, engineering, and more, available in various formats: in-person on Duke’s campuses, marine science at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC, or online. You will engage with Duke faculty, industry professionals, and affiliates, gaining academic knowledge and life skills. The program emphasizes academic rigor, collaboration, and personal growth. Advanced courses like ‘Applied Econometrics’ and ‘Research Methods in Science and Engineering’ offer a deep dive into specialized fields.
Location: Duke University (East and West Campuses), Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, NC, and online.
Cost: Varies by course (financial aid details available on the program site).
Dates: Summer (specific dates vary by course).
Application Deadline: Open enrollment begins December 17.
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in grades 6-11. Recommended GPA of 3.5 or higher. Some courses may require prerequisites (details provided during registration).
DUNE is a summer research program to engage high school students in neuroscience research. You will work on research projects in neuroscience labs and receive personalized mentorship from scientists. In addition to lab work, you will participate in workshops that enhance your scientific communication and presentation skills, explore career pathways in academia, industry, and medicine, and receive guidance on applying to college. DUNE encourages students from all backgrounds, including those without prior research experience, to apply. The program culminates in a final research presentation at the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences.
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: Free; participants receive a stipend.
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Period: December 16 – February 9
Eligibility: Current high school sophomore or junior, or a senior who does not plan to attend college in the fall. Must attend a public or charter high school in Durham, NC.
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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