As a high school student, you have the opportunity to delve into areas like STEM, healthcare, climate science, genomics, art, and ecology by joining summer programs designed around these disciplines. These programs offer hands-on learning experiences tailored to your interests. 

Summer programs enhance your academic profile for college admissions while giving you valuable skills to boost your resume. By participating in specialized summer programs, you can showcase your dedication and potentially open doors for future internships. Summer programs also help you develop critical thinking and effective communication skills and present a platform to network with mentors and peers.

Here are 12 enriching summer programs for high school students in Maine.

1. Lumiere Research Program

Location: Virtual 

Cost: Individual Research Program ($2,990), Premium Research & Publication Program ($5,900), the Research Fellowship ($8,900), Professor Premium Publication Program ($8,900). Financial aid available

Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. November 24 for the upcoming Winter cohort

Program Dates: Individual Research (12 weeks) | Premium Research (16-20 weeks) | Research Fellowship (6-12 months) | Professor Premium (16-20 weeks)

Eligibility: Open to students anywhere in the world

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. Maine AHEC Health Careers Explorations Camp

Location: University of New England, Biddeford, ME

Cost: Free

Program Dates: June 22 – 24

Application Deadline: May 3

Eligibility: Maine high school students entering grades 10-12 from rural and underrepresented communities

This free Health Career Exploration Camp hosted by the University of New England is an opportunity for high school students from rural or underserved communities who are interested in exploring a future in healthcare. The camp offers a comprehensive, hands-on experience designed to introduce you to a wide variety of healthcare careers while also providing insights and guidance on navigating the college admissions process. Throughout the camp, you will explore patient care and medical research, dental medicine, osteopathic medicine, and treatments related to neurodevelopmental disabilities. 

The program also introduces you to nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant roles, and public health. Each area provides you with a hands-on understanding of the work involved, as well as the educational and professional requirements needed to pursue a career in these fields. 

3. Ladder Internship Program

Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. 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. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

4. Maine College of Art & Design Pre-College

Location: Maine College of Art & Design, Portland, ME

Cost: $4,600 – $5,100, depending on private or shared room

Program Dates: July 12 – August 2

Application Deadline: April 15

Eligibility: Students aged 15-18

The Maine College of Art & Design Pre-College Program is a three-week course designed to refine your ability to engage in artistic critique and form connections with peers from across the country while working under the mentorship of professional artists and designers. The program provides you with a preview of what to expect as an undergraduate and includes daily schedules of studio classes, projects and collaborative work. 

The program offers personalised attention and one-on-one sessions with Admissions Counsellors in preparing your application and portfolio for art school. The course culminates in a final exhibition, where you’ll present your work to fellow students, faculty, and guests. The program also gives you three college-level studio elective credits, which can be applied toward your future academic pursuits. 

5. Camp Chewonki Leadership Expeditions

Location: Wiscasset, Maine

Cost: $7,350. Financial aid available

Program Dates: June 29 – July 21

Application Deadline: January 1

Eligibility: Students completing 10th or 11th grade who meet these physical requirements

This program is designed to equip you with essential leadership skills in the wilderness, preparing you for leadership roles in various settings. You’ll canoe and camp outside, preparing food, scouting rivers, and portaging. Throughout the program, you’ll develop key competencies such as effective communication, understanding group dynamics, facilitation techniques, and best practices in risk management. The program is structured to provide you with increasing levels of responsibility, both on the trail and within the camp environment.

6. University of Maine’s STEM Exploration Course

Location: University of Maine, Orono, ME

Cost: Free

Program Dates: July 22 – August 9

Application Deadline: One week prior to program start date

Eligibility: Full-time high school students. You will need a recommendation from your guidance counselor

This three-week program offers hands-on field and laboratory work that spans a variety of STEM disciplines in climate change and engineering. The program includes collaborating with peers on group research projects and career planning exercises on potential career options. The program also features guest lectures from experts in various fields, providing unique insights and perspectives on current environmental issues and innovations in science and technology. With over 40 hours of coursework and lab work, this program provides a comprehensive experience that concludes with a student research symposium that you can participate in.

7. Tanglewood Leadership Programs

Location: Lincolnville, ME

Cost: TBA. Scholarships available

Program Dates: 

• Leadership One (ages 14-15): July 6 – 17 | August 3 – 14

• Leadership Two (ages 15-16): July 27 – August 14

• Leadership Three (ages 16-17): June 29 – July 17

Application Deadline: Registration will open in mid-January

Eligibility: High school students aged 14-17Tanglewood’s Leadership Development Program equips you with essential ecology knowledge and practical outdoor skills along with communication, decision-making, group dynamics, problem-solving, global diversity, and sustainable living. The program offers three leadership camps for high school students divided by age groups. 

In Leadership One, students aged 14-15 undertake a community service project like removing invasive species from a watershed. In Leadership Two, you’ll learn how to canoe, build a bridge, and visit an island. Leadership Three gives students aged 16-17 the chance to go on multi-day hikes along the Appalachian Trail.  

8. Upward Bound's Jump Start Program

Location: Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME

Cost: Free

Program Dates: TBA

Application Deadline: Open until all spots filled

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending one of the 14 Maine high schools funded by the program who will be the first in their family to graduate with a 4-year degree or have a household income below the federally determined income guideline

Upward Bound offers two summer programs at Bowdoin College for eligible Maine high school students. As a rising sophomore or junior, you’ll take a variety of community-focused courses that broaden your perspective and deepen your knowledge. The program includes classes like Art, French Culture, Immigration, and Earth Science, and you can also explore a STEM discipline through courses in Chemistry, Microbiology, Physics, or Technology. 

For seniors, the program shifts towards college readiness, with coursework designed to refine your college essay writing abilities and explore critical Social Justice topics. This combination helps build a foundation for your college applications, equipping you with the skills to craft compelling personal statements and engage meaningfully with current societal issues. The program also includes guidance on financial aid applications, navigating the Common Application process, and mastering college interview techniques.

9. College of the Atlantic—Islands Through Time

Location: College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine

Cost: $4,400

Program Dates: July 27 – August 8

Application Deadline: TBA

Eligibility: Rising junior or senior in high school

This course offers a dynamic blend of academic learning and creative expression through drawing and painting. It’s designed for students who want to combine their passion for the environment with the arts. The program provides hands-on experience conducting fieldwork and data collection at offshore island research stations. 

These field stations offer access to Maine’s natural beauty and wildlife, including activities such as visiting whale feeding grounds, observing seal haul-outs, exploring seabird colonies, and connecting with small island communities. In addition to ecological research, the program encourages artistic and creative exploration through drawings and paintings capturing the island’s ecosystem and cultural history, and also includes reflective writing.

10. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME

Stipend: Students receive $6,500 plus room, board, and transportation

Program Dates: May 31 – August 8

Application Deadline: January 27

Eligibility: High school students who have completed grade 12, are at least 18 years old, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

This program is designed for students pursuing genetic research. It provides an in-depth experience that will help you develop essential skills for a future career in the sciences. The program includes laboratory-based discovery, working with advanced technologies and methodologies used in contemporary genetics and genomics. 

In addition to honing your technical laboratory skills, you’ll also learn how to effectively communicate scientific research and conduct your own independent research project under the guidance of experienced scientific mentors. By the end of the program, you’ll have a fully developed project that culminates in a final presentation, where you’ll share your findings with an audience of researchers and fellow students. The program also conducts career development workshops and opportunities to network with leading scientists in genetics and genomics. 

11. Forestry Immersion Program

Location: Forests in Maine

Cost: No information available

Program Duration: Six weeks in the summer

Application Deadline: TBA. You can fill out this form to be notified when applications open

Eligibility: High school students

The six-week Forestry Immersion Program held by the Maine Tree Foundation provides you with the opportunity to camp in the wilderness while gaining hands-on experience in forestry and natural resource management. This program enables you to delve into forest ecology and explore ecosystem function, gaining a comprehensive understanding of forest dynamics, wildlife habitats, and the critical role forests play in maintaining biodiversity and environmental health. You will develop a foundation in natural resources and forest-based manufacturing through this program.

The program also includes activities that promote communication, leadership, and teamwork. Additionally, you’ll explore career paths in forestry, natural resource management, environmental conservation, and outdoor recreation, learning from experienced professionals and industry leaders who will share insights into their careers and provide advice on how to prepare for these fields.

12. Maine Space Grant Consortium—MERITS Program

Location: Host institutions across Maine

Cost: Stipend provided, amount unspecified

Program Duration: Six weeks in the summer

Application Deadline: January 31

Eligibility: High school juniors who attend school or are homeschooled in Maine, are U.S. citizens, and have a GPA equivalent to an A

Supported by NASA and the NSF EPSCoR Maine-eDNA project, this program allows high school juniors to engage in a six-week, paid summer internship. This selective program is designed for students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and are eager to gain real-world experience in these fields. 

During this internship, you will be placed at one of several host institutions across Maine, which may include leading research universities, laboratories, and technology centers. You will have the chance to work alongside professional researchers, scientists, and engineers who are actively contributing to advancements in various STEM fields and engage with ongoing research projects. You will develop skills in areas such as data analysis, experimental design, and technology implementation. The program also offers mentorship from experienced professionals in the field.

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.