For high school students, summer is a great opportunity to explore interests, build skills, and gain valuable experience that can enhance college applications. From the rich agricultural environment and natural resources to Nebraska's educational institutions and local industries, the state offers a range of student programs. Whether through a pre-college program, an internship, a camp, or a research-intensive course, these experiences can shape future research opportunities and even play a role in your college essays. 

Here are 7 summer programs in Nebraska that offer high school students an excellent way to make the most of their summer.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15

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: 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 

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 PhD 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.

2. Big Red Summer Academic Camps

Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), Lincoln, NE

Cost: $500 (includes meals and accommodation); scholarships available

Program Dates: June 8 – 13

Application Deadline: May 3

Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12

Big Red Summer Academic Camps offer a range of specialized courses, from digital media and entrepreneurship to veterinary science and filmmaking. Each camp focuses on immersive learning experiences tailored to a specific interest area and is led by university faculty and guest experts. You will participate in hands-on projects, group activities, and presentations. This program emphasizes experiential learning, with highlights such as field trips to local businesses or organizations, evening social events, and a final showcase event for friends and family.

3. Veritas AI 

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

Program dates: Various according to the cohort

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

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs tailored 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. The fellowship encourages students to explore interdisciplinary approaches, enabling them to merge AI with various fields such as finance, medicine, sports, environmental science, and more! You can also check out some examples of past projects here.

4.  Nebraska 4-H Youth Leadership Conference

Location: Nebraska State 4-H Camp, Halsey, NE

Cost: $250

Program Dates: No information available 

Application Deadline: No information available 

Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18 

Designed for students interested in developing leadership skills, the Nebraska 4-H Youth Leadership Conference focuses on building confidence, communication skills, and teamwork abilities. The program includes workshops, outdoor team-building exercises, and sessions led by current 4-H members and professional mentors. The conference also includes keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and a community service project that allows you to apply what you’ve learned in a real-world context. This program is ideal for students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities and want to develop their leadership potential.

5. Lied Center for Performing Arts Broadway Intensive

Location: Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln, NE

Cost: $325. Housing at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln available for an additional $215. Need-based scholarships available

Dates: June 24 – 28

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions starting April 1

Eligibility: Incoming high school freshmen to recent graduates

The Lied Center for Performing Arts offers a rigorous summer camp for high school students who want to pursue a professional career in musical theater. The five-day intensive is meant for students who are intermediate to advanced performers, giving you the opportunity to learn from Broadway and professional theater artists. 

You will work on strengthening both musical theater performance fundamentals and specialized skills needed for a successful career in this field. Classes include ‘Musical Theatre Fundamentals,’ ‘Musical Theatre Audition Techniques,’ and ‘Performance Practice.’ To apply, you need to submit a video audition of you performing a musical theater song. 

6. High School Research in Molecular Engineering at the University of Nebraska

Location: University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

Cost: Stipend and travel funds provided, amount unspecified. You must be a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S. to receive the stipend

Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 

Application Deadline: TBA

Dates/Duration: June 24 – 28

The HiRe-ME (High School Research in Molecular Engineering) program at the University of Nebraska is a free, week-long summer camp aimed at giving high school students experience in molecular engineering. You will learn about materials processing, molecules, and macromolecules. Lab activities include dissolving polymers, casting thin films, and using a scanning electron microscope to look at porous films. You will also have the chance to learn about careers in molecular engineering by talking to current students and scientists. 

7. Nebraska High School Press Association Summer Camp

Location: University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

Cost: $350. Scholarships worth $100 available

Dates: July 14 – 16

Application Deadline: June 2

Eligibility: High school students

The Nebraska High School Press Association Summer Camp is a three-day camp for high school students who want to explore different tracks within journalism, such as Yearbook, Newspaper, Video, Journalistic Writing, Editorial Leadership, and Photography. Workshops are taught by college instructors and high school teachers. This camp gives you the chance to meet other student journalists, refine your writing and reporting skills, and experience college life as you live on campus at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. 

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.