14 Missouri STEM Programs for High School Students
STEM programs for high school students offer a chance to explore STEM in ways that go beyond regular coursework. You will work in labs where you can test ideas, write code, or experiment with engineering tools. Through these activities, you’ll develop technical and analytical skills while engaging in collaboration and problem-solving. Many programs pair you with instructors, researchers, or mentors who will help you understand how STEM concepts are applied.
Missouri is home to university labs, medical centers, and specialized research institutes, giving you options that match different schedules, backgrounds, and experience levels. We have narrowed down a list of the 14 top STEM programs for high school students in Missouri. These programs include virtual options and offer deep learning, mentorship, and clear ways to build skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10 to 20 hours per week for 8 to 12 weeks
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort, typically January (spring), May (summer), September (fall), and November (winter)
Program Dates: Multiple 8 to 12-week cohorts across spring, summer, fall, and winter
Cost/Stipend: Program fee varies by track, with 100 percent financial aid available for some students
In the Ladder Internship Program, you work remotely with an early-stage startup on real projects that can involve technology, product, data, marketing, or other fields, depending on your track. You are matched to a company and role, then collaborate with founders or team members on tasks such as research, basic development, content creation, or market analysis. A dedicated Ladder coach supports you with regular check-ins that focus on planning your work and reflecting on progress. You also take part in structured workshops on topics like communication, basic project management, and presenting your work to a professional audience. Across the 8 to 12-week period, you develop a portfolio of concrete deliverables for the host company. The program is oriented toward giving you a realistic view of how small, high-growth organizations operate in tech and related sectors.
2. STAR 2.0 Program
Location: Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors at public or charter schools, with preference for students from urban Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas districts
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: January 9
Program Dates: June 15 – July 23
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of about $2,600 for the summer
STAR 2.0 is a summer program that places you in research labs at Children’s Mercy, where you will support projects related to pediatric health and clinical outcomes. You’ll attend sessions on research methods, medical ethics, statistics, and scientific writing that are designed for first-time researchers. Under the supervision of faculty and mentors, you will help collect, analyze, or organize data and learn how research teams communicate findings. A central component of the program is developing a short paper or abstract that may be suitable for presentation or submission to a student-friendly journal. The program also introduces you to medical and research careers through talks and informal conversations with clinicians and scientists.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students; advanced tracks, such as the AI Fellowship, are intended for students who have completed AI Scholars or have prior experience with Python or AI concepts
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size varies by program and season
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort, with typical deadlines in January, May, September, and November
Program Dates: Multiple 10 to 15-week cohorts in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Cost/Stipend: Program fee varies by track (for example, around $2,290 for AI Scholars), with significant need-based financial aid available
Veritas AI offers a set of online programs that introduce you to artificial intelligence through both instruction and project work. The AI Scholars track usually combines live teaching on Python, machine learning, and data science with small group exercises and short applications to topics such as computer vision or natural language processing. More advanced options, including deep dive tracks and the AI Fellowship, guide you through designing and implementing a specialized project that can connect AI to domains like finance, medicine, or climate analysis. Across these tiers, you receive structured mentorship from instructors or mentors with experience in AI research, industry, or both. Many students use their final projects as material for portfolios, competitions, or journal submissions. The overall focus is on helping you move from introductory concepts toward building and explaining an original AI project.
4. STAHR Scholars Program
Location: University of Missouri, Kansas City, Health Sciences Campus, Kansas City, Missouri
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA who are economically or educationally disadvantaged and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Application Deadline: February
Program Dates: June 9 – July 18 for the summer component, followed by academic year activities from August to April
Cost/Stipend: No cost to attend; students who meet program expectations may receive stipends or scholarships
The STAHR Scholars Program begins with a six-week summer session where you spend about 30 hours per week in health-related activities at UMKC’s Health Sciences Campus. You’ll observe clinical environments in areas such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing, while also completing a health-focused research or service project. There will be structured sessions that cover study skills, professional conduct, and information about health professions education. After the summer, the program continues into the school year with mentoring, additional exposure to healthcare settings, and guidance on future college and professional applications.
5. Missouri Scholars Academy
Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Eligibility: Missouri high school sophomores who are nominated by their schools and identified as academically gifted
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 330 students statewide each summer
Application Deadline: February
Program Dates: June 8 – 28
Cost/Stipend: Free to students; costs are covered through state and institutional support
Missouri Scholars Academy is a three-week residential program where you choose a primary area, such as science, mathematics, humanities, or social studies, to study in depth. Each weekday, you spend several hours in your major course and additional time in a minor course in a different field, which lets you explore interests beyond your main focus. A third component centers on personal and social development, including discussions about ethics, leadership, and the responsibilities of gifted students. Evenings and weekends include optional activities such as workshops, performances, and student-organized events that complement the academic day. You will live on campus and share classes with peers from across Missouri, which exposes you to a variety of perspectives and schools.
6. Saturday Academy
Location: UMKC Health Sciences Campus, Kansas City, Missouri
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 12 who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, and can attend in person on scheduled Saturdays
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: August 31
Program Dates: Every other Saturday from September 13 to December 13, for a total of eight sessions
Cost/Stipend: Free; a small completion stipend may be provided
Saturday Academy is a semester-long program where you spend Saturday mornings on the UMKC Health Sciences Campus exploring health careers. Sessions include activities such as basic clinical simulations, lab demonstrations, and workshops on study skills and test strategies. You will meet professionals and admissions representatives from medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing who discuss career paths and academic preparation. The program also supports you in building materials for future college or health program applications, including resumes and introductory personal statements.
7. BESt Healthcare Institute Summer Program
Location: WashU’s Danforth campus
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from underrepresented minority backgrounds in the St. Louis region
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Application Deadline: March 9
Program Dates: June 22 – July 17
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive compensation, typically a modest stipend, upon meeting program requirements
The BESt Healthcare Institute Summer Program is a four-week, STEM-focused experience that combines academic work, test preparation, and exposure to healthcare careers. You will take classes that reinforce math, science, and ACT or SAT skills while also attending talks by healthcare professionals and visiting clinical or campus facilities. There will be professional development sessions that address topics such as communication, teamwork, and personal presentation. Throughout the program, you will follow a structured daily schedule that balances classroom learning with site visits and group projects. Students who complete the program receive compensation and gain familiarity with healthcare environments in the St. Louis area.
8. KU Health Science Academy
Location: University of Kansas Medical Center and Kansas City, Kansas Community College, Kansas City
Eligibility: High school students from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 30 students per summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: June 9 – July 11
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; students receive a paid stipend at program end
The KU Health Science Academy is a five-week program that introduces you to healthcare careers through lab work, workshops, and project-based learning. You will rotate through activities at both the medical center and the community college, including anatomy labs, dissections, and skills sessions led by medical students, faculty, and interns. The program includes a research or inquiry project that you work on during the session. At the end of the program, you will present your project to the community and medical stakeholders, which gives you practice in explaining scientific or health-related ideas to an audience. There are cultural and creative activities, such as art or poetry workshops, built into the schedule to provide balance and reflection.
9. High School Summer Scholars Program – Washington University in St. Louis
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
Eligibility: High school students, typically rising juniors and seniors, who meet GPA and prerequisite requirements for chosen courses
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: April
Program Dates: June 7 – July 11
Cost/Stipend: Online fees: $4,075 for one credit-bearing course | Commuter fees: $4,075 for one credit-bearing course; $7,825 for two credit-bearing courses | Residential fees (includes housing and meals): $8,385 for one credit-bearing course; $12,135 for two credit-bearing courses
Through the High School Summer Scholars Program, you’ll enroll in regular undergraduate courses and earn college credit while still in high school. You can choose from subjects such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities, depending on your preparation and interests. The classes include other college students, and you are expected to keep pace with readings, assignments, and exams. Outside of class, optional enrichment sessions cover topics such as study strategies, academic planning, and preparing for selective college admissions. You may live in residence halls or commute locally, which lets you decide how immersive the campus experience will be.
10. Engineering with Biology Camp – Missouri University of Science and Technology
Location: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri
Eligibility: Students ages 14 to 18, generally in grades 9 to 12, with an interest in biology and engineering
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Cohort of about 24 students
Application Deadline: Mid-May or rolling until full
Program Dates: June 14 - June 18
Cost/Stipend: $650
The Engineering with Biology Camp introduces you to synthetic biology and biotechnology through laboratory projects and design challenges. You may work on experiments that involve engineered yeast, genetic circuits, or other biological systems used to address issues in health, food, or environmental quality. The sessions cover both wet lab techniques and basic modeling with simple electronics or software tools. The teams use what they learn to develop a proposal or prototype that applies biological engineering concepts to a defined problem. Faculty and graduate students will be present in the lab to supervise experiments and explain the reasoning behind each step.
11. Nuclear Engineering Camp – Missouri University of Science and Technology
Location: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri
Eligibility: Students ages 16 to 18, typically rising juniors and seniors
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 40 students
Application Deadline: Mid-May or rolling until full
Program Dates: June 7 - June 12
Cost/Stipend: About $1,000, usually including housing and meals
The Nuclear Engineering Camp provides a short introduction to nuclear science and technology through lectures, labs, and facility tours. You’ll learn basic concepts such as radiation detection, shielding, reactor operations, and nuclear materials in classroom sessions. Laboratory activities might involve working with radiation detectors, analyzing simple shielding setups, or using software to simulate reactor behavior. A highlight of the program is visiting the Missouri S&T research reactor and related facilities to see how nuclear systems are operated and monitored. The camp also discusses uses of nuclear technology in energy, medicine, and industry, including topics like imaging and cancer treatment. The curriculum focuses on showing how physics and engineering principles are applied in nuclear contexts.
12. Discovering Chemistry Camp – Missouri University of Science and Technology
Location: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri
Eligibility: Students ages 14 to 18
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Capacity of about 48 students
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Program Dates: June 29 – July 2 in the upcoming cycle
Cost/Stipend: About $800, including housing, meals, and materials
Discovering Chemistry Camp is structured as a multi-day series of experiments and demonstrations that highlight core ideas in chemistry. You might synthesize simple compounds, explore polymers, or examine reactions driven by heat, light, or electricity. Some activities connect chemical techniques to topics like astronomy or materials science, showing how chemists analyze things that are not easy to observe directly. During lab time, you’ll work with instruments and equipment used in university chemistry departments, with supervision from faculty and staff. There will be tours of research labs that introduce you to ongoing projects and give context for how chemistry is used in academic and industrial settings. The camp focuses on expanding your understanding of how chemists design, run, and interpret experiments.
13. Robotics Summer Academy – Saint Louis University
Location: Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9 through 12, with preference sometimes given to rising juniors and seniors
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Space for about 25 students
Application Deadline: Typically late April
Program Dates: About one week in June, for example, June 12 – 16 in recent years
Cost/Stipend: Around $650, with some scholarships available
At the Robotics Summer Academy, you work in small teams to design, build, and program a robot using custom hardware and off-the-shelf components. Short lessons introduce mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering concepts that you then apply immediately in the lab. Over the week, you’ll iterate on your design, adding sensors or adjusting code to improve performance in specific tasks. The program culminates in friendly competitions where each team’s robot is tested, and you take your robot home after the academy ends. Faculty and current engineering students will be present in the lab to help you troubleshoot and to explain how similar systems are used in university projects. The academy focuses on practical robotics experience in a day camp format that makes use of SLU’s engineering facilities.
14. Mini Medical School – University of Missouri School of Medicine
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Eligibility: Missouri high school juniors with a 3.0 minimum GPA
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Application Deadline: March 13
Program Dates: Session 1: June 7–11; Session 2: June 14–18
Cost/Stipend: $650; scholarships available
Mini Medical School is a residential program where you explore medical education through patient-based learning, anatomy labs, microbiology activities, and clinical skills workshops. You spend the week on campus, stay in residence halls, and take part in scheduled academic and social events. Sessions include lectures, specialty presentations, simulation labs, and panels with current medical students and physicians. The structured schedule offers consistent exposure to both classroom material and hands-on practice. Participants follow a full agenda from morning until evening, with limited unstructured free time. The program focuses on introductory experiences in medical education and clinical learning.
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