14 Math Programs for High School Students in Nebraska
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 17
- 13 min read
If mathematics is a subject you enjoy and want to study more seriously, participating in a math program during high school can help you explore it in greater depth. Math programs give you time to focus on mathematical thinking beyond the pace of school lessons. These programs introduce you to topics such as proofs, advanced problem-solving, and areas like number theory and combinatorics. You may also spend time explaining your reasoning and working through problems step by step.
Nebraska has programs and academic opportunities that allow high school students to explore mathematics outside their regular classes. Universities and educational organizations host programs where you can study math in a structured environment.
Why should I do a math program in high school?
Participating in a math program helps you develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and how they are applied. You may work on complex problems and learn how to approach them with clear reasoning. These experiences can also support your college applications by showing that you pursued mathematics seriously outside the classroom. They also help you build skills that are useful for future studies in mathematics and related fields.
With that in mind, here are 14 math programs for high school students in Nebraska!
If you’re looking for research programs in Nebraska, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Several programs are free or paid, including EQUATE and NCMN internships at UNL ($15/hr), Creighton Community-Based Research ($1,200 stipend), EASE Summer Immersion (stipend provided), MIT MITES Semester (fully funded), and MIT PRIMES-USA (free), making Nebraska a state with strong no-cost math and STEM opportunities.
Programs span a wide range of mathematics sub-fields, including quantum materials and computational math (EQUATE), data science and machine learning (UNL Math and Data Science Camp, UNO IS&T), number theory and topology (SUMaC, MIT PRIMES-USA), applied statistics and public health (Creighton, UNMC Alliance), and independent research in pure mathematics (Lumiere, HARP, MIT PRIMES-USA).
Several programs are based at Nebraska universities, including UNL, UNO, Creighton, and UNMC, giving students direct access to university faculty, research labs, and campus environments without needing to travel out of state.
Students looking for year-long or extended research experiences can apply to MIT PRIMES-USA (one year, remote), MIT MITES Semester (six months), UNMC High School Alliance (one academic year), and Lumiere Research Scholar Program (12 weeks to one year), all of which build sustained research depth over time.
Most competitive programs have deadlines between February and April, with MIT PRIMES-USA setting December 1 as the earliest deadline. Students should begin identifying programs in the fall and apply well ahead of the spring semester.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1-on-1 structure; selective
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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 specialized math topics. 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 to pursue a research topic in pure Mathematics or to conduct math-focused research in quantitative fields such as Data Science, Astrophysics, Physics, Economics, Computer Science, Architecture, and Engineering. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: Early June to early August; exact dates determined between students and faculty
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th grade students aged 16+. Must be a Nebraska resident within commuting distance to UNL. Must be a U.S. citizen or have proof of employment authorization.
The EQUATE program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln places you inside active research projects focused on quantum materials and computation. You work with faculty mentors on problems that involve mathematical modeling, statistical mechanics, and computational methods. The experience is lab-based, but much of the work relies on quantitative reasoning and analysis drawn from applied mathematics. Over the summer, you contribute to a defined research problem while learning how math is used in advanced scientific research.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type. Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1-on-1 structure, 26% acceptance rate
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders with an average GPA of 3.93/4.0
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students with math-focused subjects such as theoretical math and knot theory, data science, machine learning, algorithms and data structures, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to research journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Location: Creighton University, Omaha, NE
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: June 1 - July 10; Colloquium on July 23
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current 10th-12th grade students with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Must have living arrangements within the Omaha area throughout the program; matriculating Creighton freshmen are eligible for on-campus housing.
Creighton University’s Community-Based Research Program is a six-week experience where you work on real-world public health problems using data and basic statistical methods. You are placed with a local organization, which means the work is grounded in actual community issues rather than abstract case studies. A large part of the program involves collecting data, either through surveys, interviews, or existing records, and then trying to make sense of it. The math here comes through interpretation, where you use statistics to understand patterns and trends in the data. The program ends with a presentation where you explain both your process and your conclusions.
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks in June - August
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Lincoln-area high school students aged 16+. Must be a U.S. citizen. Graduating seniors are ineligible unless they are attending UNL the following year.
NCMN’s STEM High School Internships offer high school students in Nebraska the opportunity to pursue advanced mathematics research through placements in physics and engineering. You’ll work under the mentorship of UNL professors and scientists, designing and executing a research project on a specialized topic in physics or engineering. You’ll learn skills in experimental design, advanced concepts in theoretical physics and/or engineering research, and gain an in-depth understanding of one or more of NCMN’s research areas. Chemistry projects are also available, though the field typically offers fewer opportunities for mathematics-driven research. You’ll design a research paper breaking down your project and findings, which you’ll present at the end of the program.
Location: University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE
Cost: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 15-20 students admitted
Dates: June 2 -July 11
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade students aged 16+ with an interest in math, science, computer science, and/or performing arts. Must attend school in a participating school district; confirm your eligibility with your school and/or the UNO program coordinator. Students must provide their own transportation to campus.
UNO’s College of Information Science & Technology (IS&T) offers paid internships for students looking to build technology-focused research experience in math, science, and computer science. You’ll be paired with an IS&T faculty member to develop a project contributing to their ongoing research; potential focus areas include bioinformatics, software engineering, database-driven web development, and more. Former students have pursued mathematics-driven projects on subjects such as analyzing data on technologies associated with terrorism, bioinformatics, and consumer health informatics, applying machine learning to foreign object detection, and more. You’ll develop a formal written report on your progress midway through the internship, then develop a final presentation that you’ll deliver at the end of the program.
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Cost: Early: $625 | Regular: $675 | Late: $725
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; 15 students
Dates: June 7 - 12
Application Deadline: Early: April 17 | Regular: May 1 | Late: May 22
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students
University of Nebraska’s Math & Data Science Camp is an intensive week-long program for high school students interested in exploring advanced quantitative work. You’ll learn how data science techniques are derived from mathematical principles, covering topics such as data transformations, high-dimensional data, algorithms, and machine learning. You’ll study the multidisciplinary applications of data science across computer science, biology, and finance, such as flagging spam emails, identifying cancerous cells, and forecasting housing prices. You’ll learn skills in machine learning, programming, statistics, and quantitative analysis, and apply them to research projects analyzing real-world data. Studying under UNL Mathematics professors, you’ll prepare for college-level academics in quantitative fields and explore career paths in data science, mathematics, statistics, and computer science.
Location: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 65 students admitted with ~30% acceptance rate
Dates: One academic year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 11th- and 12th-grade students aged 16+ from the Omaha metropolitan area in participating school districts. Must have completed Algebra 1, Biology, a physical science course, and an additional science course with a grade of “B” or higher. Students are typically eligible to participate for one year only; select 11th-grade students may be invited to continue the program in 12th grade.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s High School Alliance brings high schools from Omaha-area school districts to campus for college-level coursework in health sciences and STEM. You’ll take up to four undergraduate-level classes taught by UNMC professors, choosing from options including human genetics, biomedical research, community health, pathology, and cancer biology. You’ll gain professional development and networking experience through observing and shadowing health care professionals at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, conducting research in UNMC’s research facilities, and exploring careers across diverse health care fields. While the High School Alliance is broadly focused on health sciences, you’ll gain advanced applied math and statistics experience through coursework in population research, public health, genetics, and medical imaging.
Location: Creighton University, Omaha, NE | Program is also offered at Hampton University, Hampton, VA
Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 10 students admitted
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Typically in late spring
Eligibility: Rising 9th-10th grade African American students from the Omaha Public School district with a demonstrated interest in STEM.
Creighton University’s EASE Summer Immersion Challenge is an interdisciplinary science and mathematics program for Omaha-based African American students with a focus on infectious diseases and pandemics. You’ll study infectious disease from the perspectives of math, neuroscience, physics, public health, and chemistry, working with university faculty with research focuses in each field. You’ll learn skills in public-facing scientific communication, which you’ll apply to design social media content such as TikTok videos, blogs, and Instagram posts communicating information on the topics you’ve studied over the course of the program.
Location: University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, or Online
Cost: 1 credit-hour courses: $160 | Most other courses are typically $250; some variation possible
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: Semester-long courses are offered in the fall and spring
Application Deadline: Fall courses: September 27 | Spring courses: February 28
Eligibility: Omaha-area high school students attending a participating high school. Minimum GPA of 3.0. Requires both parent and high school counselor approval.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers a dual enrollment program for high school students attending area high schools, providing the opportunity to take on advanced coursework in mathematics. You can choose from college-level math courses such as Introduction to Applied Statistics and Calculus II, or learn advanced applications of mathematics to other fields in courses like Principles of Economics, Physics for Life Sciences, Quantitative Reasoning for Healthcare Professionals, and Foundations in Public Health. While general Dual Enrollment courses are determined between your school and UNO, the Early Entry Program provides a similar experience with more freedom in selecting your course choices. You’ll earn between one and five transferable college credits for your participation, allowing you to get ahead on course requirements once you begin college; many courses also prepare you to take AP exams in related fields.
Location: University of Nebraska campuses in Lincoln and Omaha, NE
Cost: $100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided
Dates: August 14-20
Application Deadline: Priority: April 30 | Standard: May 30
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors matriculating at the University of Nebraska as an Engineering major or pre-engineering program student.
The University of Nebraska’s Engineering Readiness Academy prepares graduating high school students to begin their Engineering degree at UNL or UNO through a rigorous summer math and science program. You’ll complete an intensive review of mathematics concepts across algebra, trigonometry, and pre-calculus, and prepare for college-level calculus coursework. Your coursework will also provide an introduction to undergraduate Chemistry courses. You’ll be taught by professors from the University of Nebraska’s Engineering programs, building connections with your future college instructors and advisors. You’ll earn credit for a freshman-level Engineering course, getting ahead on requirements while preparing for your first year of college.
Location: Remote; in-person conference hosted at MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free; fully-funded conference travel/attendance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: 6 months from June to December. Programming is most intensive in the summer, with weekly meetings and additional evening events during the school year.
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: 11th graders who are US citizens or permanent residents | Students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, underserved/economically disadvantaged communities, rural areas, as well as prospective first-generation college students and attendees of high schools with low admittance rates to top colleges, are particularly encouraged to apply.
MITES Semester is a six-month program where you take rigorous STEM coursework, including options in calculus and other math-related subjects. The summer portion is the most intensive, with structured classes, assignments, and group work that mirror college-level expectations. You also choose an elective, which may involve math-heavy topics like data analysis or computational science. The program continues into the fall with regular sessions focused on academics and college preparation. Much of the work is project-based, requiring you to apply mathematical concepts rather than just study them. The experience ends with a research presentation and a multi-day conference at MIT.
Location: Online | In-person camp offered at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $3,750; financial aid offered (In-person cost: $8,950)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 64 students (In-person: 40 students)
Dates: Session One: June 15 - July 3 | Session Two: July 6-24 | Algebraic Topology is only offered in Session One | (Residential: June 21-July 17)
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising 11th-12th grade students | Students should have experience with proofs, high school geometry, and algebra; some background in number theory and modular arithmetic is recommended. | Applicants to the Algebraic Topology program are recommended to have experience with group theory and a stronger background in proofs and higher mathematics
SUMaC is a math program for high school students focused on college-level number theory and topology, with options to attend remotely or on campus at Stanford. You’ll join either the Abstract Algebra & Number Theory Program or the higher-level Algebraic Topology Program based on your math experience. Each day, you’ll attend lectures, interactive lessons, and problem-solving sessions led by Stanford professors, undergraduates, and graduate students in the Math department. In addition to pure mathematics, your lessons will also cover connections between your coursework and other STEM disciplines, the history of mathematics, and modern math research. You’ll also attend guest lectures from professional mathematics researchers and industry experts in quantitative fields. You’ll finish the program by completing a math research project, which you’ll present to your SUMaC cohort.
14. MIT PRIMES-USA
Location: Remote
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective (exact numbers not provided); strict eligibility criteria substantially limit the number of qualified applicants
Dates: One year beginning January 1
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors | Students in the Greater Boston area may apply to the in-person PRIMES
MIT PRIMES-USA is a year-long research program where you work on an original math problem under the guidance of a mentor. The first phase involves reading and understanding existing work related to your topic, which can take significant time before any new work begins. Once your preparation is complete, you move into the research phase, where you attempt to solve or extend a problem that has not been fully addressed. You meet with your mentor regularly, but most of the work is independent and requires sustained focus. The process includes writing interim reports and revising your work over several months. By the end, you produce a formal research paper and present it at the PRIMES conference.
Frequently asked questions
What types of math programs are available for high school students in Nebraska?
Options include paid university research internships (EQUATE, NCMN, UNO IS&T), community-based research programs (Creighton), intensive summer camps (UNL Math and Data Science Camp, SUMaC), dual enrollment college courses (UNO Dual Enrollment), year-long independent research programs (MIT PRIMES-USA, Lumiere, HARP), college readiness programs (UNL Engineering Readiness Academy), and health sciences STEM programs with applied math components (UNMC Alliance, EASE).
Are there free math programs for high school students in Nebraska?
Yes, several programs are free or paid. MIT PRIMES-USA is fully free and remote. MIT MITES Semester is fully funded, including conference travel. UNMC High School Alliance is free for eligible Omaha-area students. EQUATE and NCMN internships at UNL pay $15 per hour. Creighton's Community-Based Research Program provides a $1,200 stipend. Programs like Lumiere, HARP, and SUMaC charge tuition but offer financial aid.
Which Nebraska math programs are best for students interested in research?
EQUATE at UNL places students in active research on quantum materials under faculty mentors. NCMN internships offer research placements in physics and engineering. UNO IS&T pairs students with faculty on technology and bioinformatics projects. For remote research, MIT PRIMES-USA is a year-long program where students work on an original unsolved math problem, and the Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers 1-on-1 Ph.D. mentorship culminating in an independent research paper.
Which programs are most selective for high school students in Nebraska?
MIT PRIMES-USA is among the most selective nationally, with strict eligibility criteria and a December 1 deadline. MIT MITES Semester is also highly selective and prioritizes students from underrepresented backgrounds. EQUATE and NCMN internships at UNL are described as very selective with limited spots. SUMaC at Stanford accepts only 64 students for its online program and 40 for its residential option.
Are there math programs in Nebraska specifically for underrepresented students?
MIT MITES Semester specifically encourages applications from students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, first-generation college students, students from rural areas, and those from economically disadvantaged communities. Creighton's EASE Summer Immersion Challenge is designed for African American students from Omaha Public Schools who are interested in STEM.
When should I apply to math programs for high school students in Nebraska?
MIT PRIMES-USA has the earliest deadline on December 1. MITES Semester closes on February 1, and SUMaC closes on February 2. Creighton Community-Based Research closes March 2, and EQUATE and NCMN both close March 15. UNO IS&T closes April 6. Students should begin researching programs in the fall and prioritize MIT PRIMES-USA and MITES applications before the end of November.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, 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 Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.