15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Omaha, Nebraska
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student, summer programs are a practical way to explore college-level academics, build skills, and gain early exposure to potential career paths. Many programs offer learning opportunities, mentorship from faculty and industry professionals, and structured project work. Participating in a summer program can help you better understand academic expectations beyond high school and strengthen your college applications through focused, skill-based experiences.
What summer programs are available for high school students in Omaha, Nebraska?
High school students can choose from a wide range of summer opportunities in Omaha, including research internships at medical centers, university-hosted STEM programs, college preparation initiatives, and technical skills workshops. These programs often emphasize applied learning, exposure to specialized fields such as biomedical research, technology, and business, and direct interaction with professionals. These programs benefit both local and out-of-state students who want to explore their interests and build their profiles.
To help you identify options, we’ve curated a list of 15 summer programs for high school students in Omaha, Nebraska.
If you are looking for free online research opportunities, check out our blog here.
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Omaha, Nebraska
Location: UNMC College of Medicine, Omaha, NE
Stipend: $1,500
Dates: June 1–August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ with strong qualifications in STEM | Preference given to students from Nebraska and surrounding areas | Must be a US citizen or permanent resident | Cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above | Very selective; 4-5 students
UNMC’s Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience’s Travis B. Lewis Scholarship offers a select group of high school students the opportunity to complete a paid research internship, joining a cohort of college interns within the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. You’ll be placed with a Department research mentor to complete a research project contributing to your lab’s current work, with potential focus areas including HIV-1-associated dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Outside of hands-on work, you’ll conduct literature reviews, contribute project updates at lab meetings, and receive training in research protocols, ethics, and safety. You’ll also attend research seminars with researchers across UNMC departments and other Omaha-area institutions, Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience faculty presentations, and research forums with graduate students and postdocs. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at the UNMC Summer Undergraduate Research Program Poster session. Many students are ultimately listed as co-authors on laboratory publications based on their research contributions.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type | Full financial aid available
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring | Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
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. The program pairs high school students with PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 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.
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Location: University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE
Stipend: $1,500
Dates: 10 weeks beginning June 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16+ | Must be a US citizen or a permanent resident
The Nebraska Medical Center’s Department of Anesthesiology offers paid summer internships to high school students in medical research. You’ll work with a UNMC laboratory team to complete a hands-on research project in clinical anesthesiology, joining one of the Department’s Academic Divisions, such as Cardiothoracic, Pediatric, or Critical Care. You’ll receive training in both general and specialized preclinical and clinical research techniques from UNMC staff, and learn about academic and professional paths in medical research. You’ll attend weekly seminars alongside undergraduate and medical student Fellows on topics including anesthesiology, medicine, professional skills, and scientific presentations. Outside of your work, you’ll also have opportunities to network with clinicians and scientists across the Department. You’ll design a research poster and present your research to UNMC faculty, undergraduates, and medical students at the student poster symposium at the end of the program.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type | Full financial aid available
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) | You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students | 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 looking to get started in 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 have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. One benefit of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
Location: University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE
Stipend: $1,500
Dates: June 2–July 11
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade students aged 16+ in a commutable distance to campus | Must be from a participating school district; check with program coordinator or your school counselor to confirm eligibility | Very selective; <12 students
Hosted by the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s College of Information Science & Technology, the Summer High School Internship Program provides a 6-week, paid experience for high school students. You’ll work in campus labs alongside University of Nebraska faculty members to complete a research project matching your academic interests; specializations offered include robotics, bioinformatics, software engineering, and app development. You’ll learn research techniques across information technology and computer science through skill development activities, and prepare for your future through discussions on college majors and career paths in the field. You’ll submit a research project report midway through the program and deliver a final presentation on your work at the end of your internship. Past student research topics include the usage of technology in terrorism events, connections between social media and mass shootings, and cybersecurity in the aviation sector.
Location: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Cost: Free
Dates: July 27–31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12 with a cumulative GPA of 3.5+ | Must be within commuting distance to UNMC | Very selective; 5 high school students
High school students in the Omaha, Nebraska area interested in biomedical research can consider UNMC’s free, week-long Young Scientist Research Workshop. Hosted by the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, you’ll learn clinical research skills across biochemistry, physiology, and molecular biology through hands-on research activities. You’ll learn skills across the research lifecycle under the guidance of Department faculty and staff, including experimental design, formulating hypotheses, data analysis, and interpreting results. Your work will focus on Tribolium castaneum, with an emphasis on its physiology and genetic modeling. The Department also offers a paid, semester-long Research Apprenticeship Program for students at Omaha Public High School.
Location: Creighton University, Omaha, NE
Cost: Free
Dates: 6 weeks over the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 with a minimum 2.5 GPA in the Omaha metropolitan area | Must be from first-generation college-attending and/or low-income families | Students interested in the STEM-focused Math & Science Center program must have taken Algebra 1 and one science course (chemistry/biology/physics) with a grade of C or higher in each
Creighton University’s Upward Bound branch hosts a 6-week Summer Academy for high school students. You’ll live on campus at Creighton University, attending advanced courses in disciplines including math, science, humanities, foreign language, and specialized electives. You’ll be taught by a combination of University faculty, high school instructors, and community partners from other Omaha colleges and institutions. Advanced students may also take undergraduate-level courses for transferable college credit. You’ll finish the Summer Academy with the End of Summer trip, where you’ll tour college campuses and participate in fun activities; past locations include Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans. School-year Upward Bound programming includes tutoring, college counseling, standardized testing workshops, cultural activities, community service opportunities, and more.
Location: University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE
Cost: Free
Dates: Multiple week-long sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade students | Limited to 25 students
University of Nebraska at Omaha’s College of Business Administration offers a series of Summer Prep Academy programs for high school students across business and marketing fields. You’ll choose from options in Banking and Finance, Digital and Social Media Marketing, Exploring Economics, and Accounting Adventures, participating in specialized academic programming and hands-on activities. While you’ll primarily focus on your target subject, you’ll also study mathematics concepts relevant to business and finance and receive guidance on college applications, choosing a major, and exploring business careers. You’ll also attend off-site visits and network with Omaha industry leaders in banking, marketing, and finance, learning about what a career in the field would look like.
Location: University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE and multiple other US locations
Cost: Free
Dates: One week over the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Local high school students in grades 9–10
Funded by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation, the national GenCyber Summer Institute is offered at college campuses across the US, including the University of Nebraska, Omaha. You’ll develop skills in both defensive and offensive cybersecurity through hands-on activities and programming exercises, focusing on system protection and identifying cyberattacks. Your work might include using command-line tools in Linux, working with encryption algorithms, and handling network functionality. With a focus on both online safety and career development, you’ll also learn skills in keeping your personal networks safe, communicating cybersecurity concepts to peers, and exploring careers and college majors in cybersecurity and technology.
Location: Multiple NASA sites in the US, including Nebraska
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: US citizens with a minimum 3.0 GPA | Nebraska State Grant-funded programs are only open to Nebraska residents | While NASA broadly indicates internship eligibility for undergraduate and graduate students, high school upperclassmen, and graduating seniors aged 16+ are eligible to apply for some internships
Nebraska’s NASA Space Grant provides additional funding and support to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students interested in pursuing internships and research across STEM, operations, and more. You’ll apply directly to an internship posting and the Nebraska Space Grant, and must be accepted by both to receive funding support and Nebraska State Grant affiliation. Internship options vary, but focus areas might include waste resource recovery for space exploration, research and development for satellite servicing, and modeling propellant transfer operations. High school students are not eligible for all internships, so be sure to read each posting carefully before applying.
Location: University of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE
Stipend: $20,000/year throughout college
Dates: Program begins in the summer before beginning college, and extends throughout all four years of undergraduate study
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Current high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA | Only open to women | Applicants must also apply to College of Saint Mary; students must be accepted, enroll, and live on-campus to participate | Must pursue a major in Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics and have demonstrated interest in STEM | Must be a US citizen
STEM-focused high school seniors interested in attending Omaha’s University of Saint Mary can consider applying to its Marie Curie Scholars Program, a four-year opportunity beginning in the summer before you enter college. You’ll move into campus early in the summer to network with faculty and industry partners, attend social events with current students, learn professional skills, and participate in programming exploring academics and careers in STEM. Throughout your time in college, you’ll receive a yearly scholarship of $20,000 and have access to benefits including research opportunities, personalized tutoring, educational and professional development seminars, and program-exclusive campus clubs.
Location: Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE
Cost/Stipend: Free (Students must pay for any required textbooks/course materials)
Dates: 5-week courses: June 12–July 17 or July 18–August 22 | 10-week courses: June 12 - August 22
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions from March 26 to June 12
Eligibility: Nebraska high school students in grades 9-12 | Specific courses may have additional prerequisites
High schoolers in Omaha, Nebraska, looking to pursue college-level academics and get ahead in undergraduate coursework, can consider CollegeNOW! at Metropolitan Community College, a free dual enrollment program offering summer sessions. You can choose from courses across MCC’s academic programs, including Business, Community & Human Services, Creative Arts & Design, and Health Professions. If you’re looking to pursue higher-level study of core subject areas, courses like Introduction to Latin American Literature, US and Global Military History, Analytic Geometry, and Organic Chemistry can supplement traditional coursework in humanities, social sciences, and STEM. If you want to demonstrate preparation for a major in a discipline not offered at your high school, you can also choose from specialized options, including Architectural Design, Art History, Global Marketing, and Business Finance.
Location: Cerris Systems, Omaha, NE | Camps are offered at multiple other US locations
Cost: Free
Dates: June 1–19
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-19 | Students must live within a commutable distance to their chosen location | Women, minority students, and at-risk youth are particularly encouraged to apply
The Heavy Metal Summer Experience is a three-week summer program for high school students interested in hands-on technical work in trades such as sheet metal, electrical, and piping. You’ll complete hands-on work with craft professionals across trades, learning skills across fabrication, installation, construction, and safety at active job sites and union training facilities. You’ll receive mentorship on pursuing trade careers, apprenticeships, and union involvement from industry professionals, including craft workers, contractors, manufacturers, and vendors. You will receive a free tool kit and safety attire, including equipment from companies like DeWalt and Whiting-Turner, and take home the physical projects you completed, preparing you to undertake further hands-on work. While primarily geared toward students considering a trade career, this program also provides a strong foundation for hands-on majors such as Mechanical Engineering or Architecture.
Location: University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE
Cost: $275 per camp session
Dates: One week beginning June 22 (Biomedical Engineering) or July 21 (Zombies)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions beginning January 5
Eligibility: High school students entering grade 9
The Biomedical Engineering Camp at the University of Nebraska’s Omaha campus exposes high school students to core concepts and research in the field of biomedical engineering. You’ll study subfields including imaging and medical devices, supplementing your learning with hands-on activities and problem-solving. At the Zombies camp, you’ll study anatomy and virology through fun and educational activities. Coursework focuses on tracking disease progression, learning how a single disease affects all body systems, studying how treatments are developed for emerging diseases, and dissecting a sheep's brain.
Location: Remote and University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE
Cost: $150–$200
Dates: Multiple week-long sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Students in grades 5-10, ages 9-17 | Must be able to commute to campus
University of Nebraska Omaha’s Techademy program offers a series of summer workshops focused on computer science and information technology. You’ll pursue coursework in bioinformatics, web development, mobile app design, or robotics, working under university instructors to complete hands-on projects and coding assignments. Workshops are structured with interactive lessons and practical exercises, allowing students to build hands-on projects and apply new skills as they learn. You’ll finish the week by completing a final project, which you’ll present to your peers and family on the final day of the workshop.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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