15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Missouri
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 10 min read
Participating in a STEM program during high school is a solid option for any academically motivated student to gain practical experience and exposure to college-level academics. There are a lot of options out there, and a good one can provide you with relevant skills, industry insights, and valuable connections that can shape your future educational and career paths. You will find that many of these opportunities offer mentorship from professionals who can guide you through the complexities of scientific and technical fields.
Why should I participate in a STEM program in high school?
Participating in a STEM program can strengthen your college application by showing how you pursue your academic interests beyond coursework. If the program is selective, it helps admissions officers understand your level of preparation and commitment to STEM. The work you complete, such as projects, labs, or research, provides concrete examples you can reference in your essays and interviews.
When exploring programs, you should look for those that offer rigor and networking potential. Our blog narrows down our list of the top 15 STEM programs for high schoolers in Missouri by focusing on these factors, prioritizing those that are selective and hosted by prestigious organizations.
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, MO
Cost: Fully funded. Scholars earn a $4,500 stipend.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective, only 15-18 students accepted per year
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Current high school juniors residing in the Greater St. Louis area.
The Young Scientist Program (YSP) at Washington University in St. Louis is one of the most prestigious pre-collegiate research initiatives in the Midwest. The Summer Focus track pairs you with a mentor and a tutor to conduct an independent research project in a biomedical laboratory. You will engage in college-level research, learning to navigate scientific literature, design experiments, and analyze data using professional-grade equipment. The curriculum also includes a writing course to teach scientific communication and a "NextUp" course focused on college readiness. The summer culminates in a symposium where you will present your research to the WashU scientific community. Scholars receive a stipend upon completion, making this a fully funded, professional-level experience.
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: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
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 subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. 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 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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Kansas City, MO, at the Children's Mercy Research Institute
Cost: No cost, students are paid a $2,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Current freshmen, sophomores, and junior high school students who reside in Missouri or Kansas.
The Summer Training in Academic Research (STAR) 2.0 Program at Children's Mercy Kansas City is a premier opportunity for students interested in genomic medicine and pediatric research. In this program, you will spend six weeks on a research project at the Children’s Mercy Research Institute, working on inquiry-based projects under the mentorship of faculty and staff. The program is designed to introduce students to the "hard skills" of wet lab work and the "soft skills" of scientific communication and professional conduct. The $2,600 stipend makes it one of the most generous Missouri STEM programs and a strong contender for students considering careers in healthcare or biomedical research.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
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.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
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 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. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: St. Louis, MO
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 23 – July 11
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Current 9th and 10th-grade students attending school in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Hosted by the University of Missouri-St. Louis, the Bridge Program Summer Academy is a fully funded opportunity designed to give you advanced academic skills in mathematics and science. The curriculum introduces you to a college-like atmosphere where you attend daily courses, engage in career research, and participate in personal development workshops. This intensive format not only strengthens core STEM competencies but also prepares you for the rigors of higher education through ACT preparation and mentorship.
Location: Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Cost: No cost, participants earn a $4,800 stipend.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective.
Dates: Around 10 weeks in the summer.
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ attending a St. Louis area high school.
The CRISPr program is an intensive 10-week research internship organized by the WashU Cancer Research Club in partnership with the Siteman Cancer Center. You’ll be paired with a mentor to work 40 hours a week in a professional biomedical laboratory, gaining experience with cancer research techniques. The program also helps develop your scientific communication skills via workshops, culminating in a research symposium where you can present your findings to peers and faculty. This fully funded opportunity provides a significant stipend, making it one of the most accessible and rigorous Missouri STEM programs for high school students interested in oncology.
Location: UMKC Health Sciences Campus, Kansas City, MO
Cost: No cost; a stipend is provided upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g., first-generation college students) with a 3.0 GPA.
The Students Training in Academia, Health, and Research (STAHR) Scholars Program at UMKC is an initiative designed to prepare you for competitive careers in healthcare. You will engage in a rigorous six-week summer session at the UMKC Health Sciences District, taking college-level coursework in anatomy, physiology, and chemistry while receiving targeted ACT preparation. Beyond the classroom, you’ll also benefit from direct mentorship by medical, dental, and pharmacy faculty, gaining rare insight into the demands of professional school. The program places a strong emphasis on professional development, helping you craft competitive applications for future collegiate and medical programs. Participants who successfully complete the summer session receive a stipend, making this a fully funded, professional-level academic experience.
Location: St. Louis, MO
Cost: Free. You can earn a stipend of up to $400 (freshman/sophomore) or $500 (junior)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors currently enrolled in a St. Louis regional high school with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and participating in at least one extra-curricular activity or organization.
The BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute is a four-week program designed to expose students to careers in pharmacy and healthcare. The curriculum emphasizes mathematics, science, language arts, and ACT preparation, integrated with pharmacy-related coursework. You’ll participate in lectures, labs, and site visits to pharmacy operations, gaining insight into the pharmaceutical industry and clinical practice. The program is rigorous and highly selective, requiring high academic performance. It serves as a strong pipeline for students aiming for the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis.
Location: Nationwide across 40 U.S. states and territories, including various host institutions in MO
Cost: No cost.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8-10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Current high school sophomore, junior, or senior with at least one year of chemistry. Family income must not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) Project SEED offers high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to work in real chemistry laboratories. In Missouri, universities and research institutions host SEED scholars who work 8-10 weeks full-time on projects in topics ranging from organic synthesis to materials science. You’ll get to work directly under the supervision of a scientist mentor, conducting experiments and analyzing results. In addition to the hands-on research experience, the program provides a significant stipend and eligibility for renewable college scholarships. It is a powerful launchpad if you’re intending to pursue a chemistry or chemical engineering degree.
Location: St. Louis, MO
Cost: No cost, interns are paid wages and can also earn college credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by position, but usually around 8 weeks in the summer, as well as year-round training
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Sophomores and Juniors in St. Louis City and County high schools with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
The St. Louis Internship Program (SLIP) provides high school students with paid summer internships and year-round employability training. SLIP covers various industries, including placements in technology, engineering, and healthcare sectors, through its partnerships with local corporations and institutions. You will undergo rigorous training in professional etiquette, financial literacy, and goal setting before even being matched with an employer. The program's focus on workforce readiness ensures that you not only gain technical STEM exposure but also the soft skills necessary to succeed in a professional environment. You’ll work full-time during the summer and receive a paycheck.
Location: Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO
Cost: No cost, Fellows are paid a $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Academic year, semester-based, outside of school hours
Application Deadline: November 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors interested in environmental careers residing in the 16-county St. Louis metropolitan region.
The Missouri Botanical Garden Youth Fellowship is a competitive, paid leadership program for students interested in environmental science and sustainability. You’ll get to work directly with Garden experts to design and implement independent projects that address real-world challenges in conservation, horticulture, or community education. Alongside field-specific knowledge, you will be taught core professional skills including research methodology, project management, and public communication. You receive a $2,000 stipend upon completion of your project, making this a fully funded opportunity to build a portfolio in environmental science. By working within one of the world's leading botanical institutions, you will gain unique access to scientific resources and mentorship.
Location: Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 6 – 19
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11
AgDiscovery is a summer outreach program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help students explore careers in plant and animal science, agribusiness, and wildlife management. Hosted at Lincoln University in Missouri, the program allows you to live on campus and participate in hands-on labs, field trips, and workshops led by university professors and USDA scientists. Activities can include harvesting, aquaculture, detection of plant disease, and exploration of urban farming. The program is completely free, covering tuition, room, and board, removing financial barriers for students interested in agricultural sciences.
Location: WashU Medical Campus, St. Louis, MO
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: February 14, February 21, February 28, March 7, March 14
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school students from St. Louis area public school districts with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Run by the Washington University School of Medicine, the Saturday Scholars Program is designed for high school students interested in human anatomy and medicine. The program consists of a series of Saturday sessions where you attend lectures by medical school faculty and participate in anatomy lab demonstrations. You’ll get a rare look inside a medical school environment, observing cadavers and learning about human physiology in depth. This program is a fully funded opportunity for local students considering careers in healthcare or medical research. It offers rigorous academic content without the time commitment of a full summer internship.
Location: St. Louis, MO
Cost: Information not readily available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by open position
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center offers an authentic research internship for students interested in plant biology and agricultural science. You’ll get to work alongside principal investigators and postdoctoral researchers in state-of-the-art laboratories, contributing to projects that address global challenges like food security and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes the acquisition of advanced laboratory skills, such as genotyping, tissue culture, and data analysis. You’ll be treated as a junior scientist, attending lab meetings and seminars that provide a realistic view of a career in professional research. This experience is one of the few immersive Missouri STEM programs for high school students focused exclusively on plant science.
Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Cost: $200 application fee, though it can also be paid by schools or community sponsors
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 330 students selected statewide
Dates: June 7 – 27
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Gifted rising high school juniors nominated by their schools.
The Missouri Scholars Academy is a three-week residential program held at the University of Missouri for gifted high school juniors. While not exclusively a STEM program, MSA offers a rigorous "major" and "minor" curriculum that includes advanced topics in mathematics, science, and computer programming. Participation is low-cost, with much of the expenses funded by the state and the university, making it accessible to high-achieving students regardless of financial means.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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.
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