8 University of Minnesota Summer Programs for High School Students in 2024-2025
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a modern university that offers a range of opportunities for high school students to gain practical experience before graduation. Whether your interests lie in STEM, business, environmental science, or the arts, these programs provide a hands-on learning environment that extends beyond traditional academics. They equip you with essential skills while offering insight into potential career paths, making them valuable for both college preparation and professional development.
Programs at the University of Minnesota connect you with industry professionals and research experts, allowing you to contribute to real-world projects in meaningful ways. These programs are ideal for students looking to explore new interests or deepen their expertise in specific fields.
Below we have put together a list of 8 summer programs at the University of Minnesota open to high school students in 2024-2025. Read on!
Location: YWCA Midtown and the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Eligibility: Applicants must be female and entering 8th grade and above in Fall 2024
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend from YWCA Minneapolis Girls Inc., but an amount has not been specified
Application Deadline: Applications for this year’s summer programs are closed, but check this website to stay updated on upcoming dates
Dates: June 24 – July 19, 2024 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Girls Inc. Eureka! is a five-year program designed for girls passionate about STEM. In collaboration with the University of Minnesota's College of Science and Engineering, Eureka! fosters a supportive environment among girls from across the Twin Cities. The program helps you explore your career aspirations while guiding you through high school and preparing you for future academic success. Through a blend of mentorship and hands-on experiences, Eureka! empowers young women to pursue STEM fields.
The program takes place each summer at the University of Minnesota, with additional enrichment activities held monthly at YWCA Midtown during the school year. You will benefit from practical exposure to emerging career paths and connect with adult role models working in STEM and other non-traditional industries. Eureka! offers a platform for girls to develop their interest in STEM, gain valuable skills, and excel both academically and professionally.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN and virtual
Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled in high school and have completed a year-long course in single variable calculus by the end of the school year
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: May 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program). Check this website for upcoming dates
Dates: June 24 – 28, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The Math Modeling Camp is a free program where high school students apply mathematical models to tackle real-world challenges, such as analyzing the effects of traffic on a bridge or predicting the climate’s impact on natural resources. Designed to sharpen problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and focus, the program includes hands-on projects. Preference is given to students from Minnesota, and those in the Twin Cities, as the camp is non-residential and does not provide housing or meals.
Organized in collaboration with IMA-MathCep, this week-long camp offers you the chance to work under the supervision of the University of Minnesota faculty. You will explore open-ended modeling problems, develop practical solutions, and present your findings to peers. Through this experience, you will not only enhance your mathematical skills but also gain a deeper understanding of how math plays a critical role in solving pressing global issues, from infrastructure to public health and environmental sustainability.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Eligibility: Applicants must be entering grades 7–9 (as of 2024–2025 school year) and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Information about the 2025 camp will be available in early 2025
Dates: Dates and application instructions for the 2025 NSTI camp will be announced in early 2025. Contact ctscamps@umn.edu for more information
The National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) is a free, two-week day camp at the University of Minnesota that offers students a hands-on introduction to careers in science, engineering, and transportation. Through interactive lab activities, expert-led sessions, and exciting field trips around the Twin Cities, you will explore how various transportation systems work together and discover the many opportunities in this field. Due to limited space, admission to NSTI is competitive, with priority given to first-time applicants.
At NSTI, you'll get to design and build a model bridge, tour key transportation hubs like airports and transit facilities, and take a behind-the-scenes look at construction and maintenance sites. The camp also includes a tour of the University of Minnesota campus, giving you a glimpse into college life and future educational paths in transportation.
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12 in fall 2024
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Information about the 2025 camp will be available in early 2025. Contact ctscamps@umn.edu for more information
Dates: August 5 – 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The CAV Career Pathways Camp is a one-week program designed for high school students with an interest in vehicles and advanced technology. This day camp offers an opportunity to explore the world of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) and learn about the innovative careers shaping the future of transportation. You will engage in hands-on activities with automated vehicles, gaining firsthand experience in this rapidly evolving industry.
Throughout the week, you will go on field trips to organizations at the forefront of CAV technology, attend informative sessions with industry professionals and University of Minnesota researchers, and discover career opportunities related to CAVs. This camp is a great launchpad for students interested in exploring the future of transportation technology.
Location: Keller Hall, Minneapolis, MN
Eligibility: Female students from junior high and high school
Cost: Two-week program is $125; One-week program is $75
Application Deadline: Applications for the current session are closed; refer to this website to stay updated
Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
One-Week Camp: June 24 – 28, 2024
Two-Week Camp: June 10 – 21, 2024
The 2024 Summer Computing Academy at the University of Minnesota is a hands-on program designed for female junior high and high school students to learn computer programming using Python. The academy offers lectures on fundamental programming concepts and the Python language, combined with extensive lab time where you can develop programs for robots, image processing, and more. Graduate students and professors provide instruction, while teaching assistants offer close supervision in the lab.
The program also includes career exploration activities, and on the final day, you will present your project to family and friends. The academy offers two tracks: a one-week program for students finishing grade 6 or above, and a two-week program for those finishing grade 8 or above with some familiarity with computers. No specific programming language knowledge is required.
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11 or 12 in fall 2024
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: April 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program). Visit this website to stay updated on the latest dates
Dates: TBA for 2025. Three sessions were offered in 2024:
July 29 – August 2, 2024
August 5 – 9, 2024
August 12 – 16, 2024
Discover STEM is a summer program for students entering 11th or 12th grade to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Hosted by the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering, this program offers opportunities to connect with peers, learn about current research, and discover academic and career pathways through presentations, lab tours, science experiments, and technology demonstrations.
You will learn from a diverse group of presenters, including CSE faculty, graduate researchers, recent alumni working in industry, and current undergraduate students. Each session showcases the wide range of STEM disciplines available at the College of Science and Engineering, helping you explore potential college majors.
Location: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Eligibility: High school students in 9-11 grade
Cost: Free for ten students who are selected for the summer program
Stipend: Students will receive a $400 stipend
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program). Visit this website to check upcoming dates
Dates: July 15 – 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Go4Brains is a week-long program offered by the University of Minnesota’s Department of Neuroscience aimed at 9th to 11th-grade students from underrepresented backgrounds in science and medicine. The program offers hands-on learning and career exploration in neuroscience. You will participate in brain research, lab experiments, career skills workshops, and networking with experts. Through lectures, poster sessions, and career-planning workshops, you will gain the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to pursue a career in neuroscience. A key feature of the program is the long-term mentoring support from faculty and students, providing guidance even after the camp ends.
Go4Brains helps you explore your interest in neuroscience while offering tools for success in your academic journey. You will hold a human brain, tour research labs, conduct experiments, and become involved in outreach programs. You’ll also receive guidance on college applications, CV writing, and financial aid while building connections with mentors and peers. Limited to just ten students, this program provides a solid foundation for those who want to explore neuroscience.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Eligibility: Students who are completing UMTYMP Algebra or Precalculus during the school year before the program
Cost: $150; Scholarship funds are available for students based on financial need
Application Deadline: No information available
Dates: July 9 – 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
For over 40 years, the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP) has been one of the nation’s leading programs for gifted students in mathematics. This accelerated program challenges students to expand their mathematical knowledge through engaging, high-level topics. During the summer session, you will explore mathematical concepts presented by UMTYMP instructors, tackling questions like how Google Maps calculates routes, what video games reveal about the universe's structure, and how origami connects to geometry.
In high school, UMTYMP students experience a fast-paced curriculum, covering a chapter per week and focusing on big-picture concepts rather than rote memorization. As they advance to calculus, the emphasis shifts to problem-solving, collaboration, and communicating mathematical ideas. Graduates of the full UMTYMP sequence often progress to advanced undergraduate math courses, with many continuing their studies at the University of Minnesota or other institutions, directly enrolling in 4000- or 5000-level classes.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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.