8 STEM Programs for High School Students in North Dakota
For high school students in North Dakota, participating in STEM programs can give you direct exposure to scientific research, hands-on learning, and mentorship from university faculty or industry experts. These experiences help you explore real-world applications of STEM concepts beyond the classroom.
For high school students in North Dakota, engaging in STEM programs can strengthen your problem-solving and collaboration skills while allowing you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. These programs often involve projects and research experiences that help you develop critical thinking and technical abilities. Additionally, participating in STEM programs designed for high school students and located in North Dakota can make your college application more competitive, especially when applying to selective STEM undergraduate programs.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Depends on program duration
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on the cohort
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
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. You can pick a program duration that works for you. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year. No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Once you apply and get selected, 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.
Location: University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks, ND
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: The Round 1 application deadline was December 2, January 1 (Round 2), March 15 (Round 3)
Program Dates: June 9 - July 10
Eligibility: Native American students in 7th–12th grade with tribal enrollment or descendency from a federally recognized tribe and involvement in their tribal community can apply.
The INMED Summer Institute is an intensive healthcare program designed for Native American high school students, organized by the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences. The program focuses on key subjects like biology, chemistry, math, physics, communications, and basic first aid, all taught on the UND campus. These enrichment classes provide a solid foundation in healthcare-related topics and help you explore whether a future in the healthcare field is the right fit.
You’ll also attend talks led by American Indian health professionals, offering insights into various healthcare careers and real-world experiences. The program fosters a strong sense of community, bringing together a cohort of around 60 Native American students. In addition to classroom learning, educational trips are included to broaden your understanding of different health professions and settings.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: $2,490 (Financial Aid Available)
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies, on average, raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company.
During this 8-week-long virtual internship, students are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other valuable skills. They will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort.
Location: University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks, ND
Cost: $1800 (includes boarding, transportation, tours, and other activities)
Application Deadline: March 17
Program Dates: June 15-20 and June 22-27
Eligibility: High school students entering the 11th or 12th grade at the time of the program
Hosted by the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota, the International Aerospace Camp is designed for high school students interested in aviation. Over five days, you’ll learn from experienced flight instructors, professors, and counselors, exploring careers in aviation management, air traffic control, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and piloting. The program includes hands-on flight training, starting with the basics and progressing to cross-country flights, instrument management, night flights, and drone operations.
You’ll also gain practical experience using advanced technology like flight simulators, an altitude chamber, and radar simulation labs, with access to over 100 aircraft models, including helicopters. This immersive environment offers a comprehensive introduction to both the technical and professional aspects of the aerospace industry.
Location: Northrop Grumman, New Town, ND
Cost: Not specified
Application Deadline: Admission is on a rolling basis
Program Dates: Junior year is from November to May, and Senior Year is from November to April
Eligibility: You must be a U.S. citizen, a high school junior with at least a 3.25 GPA. You should attend a Northrop Grumman community school like Central High or Red River High and have a strong interest in STEM.
Organized by Northrop Grumman, a leading provider of satellites, unmanned vehicles, and cyber solutions, the High School Involvement Partnership Mentoring Program (HIP) offers high school students mentorship in STEM pathways. Through HIP, you’ll work closely with Northrop Grumman scientists, engineers, and researchers who can guide you in exploring STEM careers while helping you develop professional workplace skills.
The two-year program begins in your junior year with 10–12 virtual one-hour sessions focused on Northrop Grumman’s products and STEM areas like cybersecurity and systems engineering. You’ll also participate in 2–3 site visits to the North Dakota center for hands-on activities. In your senior year, you’ll be paired with a mentor to collaborate on a project, gaining real-world experience. HIP participants also have access to competitive internship opportunities, with the potential to pursue future roles at Northrop Grumman.
Location: University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks, ND
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Typically in the spring
Program Dates: Late/early June - Early/Mid July (6 weeks)
Eligibility: 9th–11th graders in North Dakota’s target schools enrolled in the UND Upward Bound Program can apply if they’re first-generation college students or meet federal income guidelines.
This six-week program offers a college-level curriculum in STEM subjects and beyond, giving you the opportunity to live on campus and experience academic life firsthand. The program is divided into three stages: Upward Bound, Pre-Bridge, and Bridge.
For Upward Bound and Pre-Bridge students, the curriculum includes English, Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, and Geometry, with a mix of classroom learning, seminars, and fieldwork. Science courses feature lab research to help you develop practical skills. You can also choose job shadowing opportunities on campus or gain hands-on experience at work sites of your choice for 10 hours per week, allowing you to explore potential career paths while applying what you’ve learned.
Location: University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks, ND
Cost: Not specified
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Program Dates: June 25-27
Eligibility: High school students in 9th-12th grade
The BatSuBot Camp is a three-day robotics program focused on engineering, manufacturing, and hands-on problem-solving. On Day 1, you’ll learn to design a 3D model for your robot using modeling software, guided by a mechanical engineering expert. Day 2 includes a tour of a local manufacturing company, followed by assembling your robot based on real-world design insights. On Day 3, you’ll troubleshoot and fine-tune your robot in preparation for the final event—a robot fighting tournament where you’ll compete to push your opponent’s robot out of the ring. The tournament is open to the public, giving you a chance to showcase your skills. Throughout the camp, you can expect a mix of technical learning, practical experience, and competitive fun.
Location: North Dakota State University College of Engineering, Fargo, ND
Cost: $325 if payment’s done by May 12 and $350 if payment’s done between May 12- June 7
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring and are first-come, first-served
Program Dates: July 28-31
Eligibility: Students in 9th-12th grade
The NDSU College of Engineering offers a seven-day STEM camp for high school students to explore different engineering fields. Mornings are spent conducting research in campus labs under the mentorship of NDSU professors. In the afternoons, you’ll visit engineering-focused companies to see real-world applications of what you’ve learned. The camp provides a hands-on, immersive experience that introduces you to various engineering pathways in both academic and industry settings.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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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