8 Research and Summer Programs in Colorado For High School Students

The top research programs in Colorado for high school students, selected based on prestige, location, and affordability. See Research opportunities in other states here.

Institution
Location
Tuition
Event type

Polygence Core is an online research program that connects motivated high school students with expert mentors from top universities. Founded by researchers from Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, Polygence helps you explore any topic you're passionate about through one-on-one mentoring over 3–6 months, ending with a project of your choice—like an academic research paper ready for publication, a prototype, or podcast.

Hosting Institution

Polygence

Online/In Person

Online

Cost

Starting at $2695

Application Deadline

Dec 16, 2024

Recommended for you

Categories

Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Sci, Econ, Engineering, Humanities, Medicine, Neuro, Psychology

Explore the program

Polygence Pods Research Program

Summary

Learn Academic Research skills and build a foundational understanding of cutting edge subjects in Polygence Pods. Join a group of 6 students and meet weekly with a PhD-level mentor who is an expert in their respective field. Perfect for beginners, your program will culminate in a short-form research paper.

Hosting Institution

Polygence

Online/In Person

Online

Cost

Starting at $495

Application Deadline

Varies by program

Short courses

Categories

Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Other

Explore the program

Other programs

Summer Child Health Research Internship

See website

Hosting Institution

University of Colorado

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Boulder (CO)

Cost

Free

Application Deadline

Feb 1, 2024

Categories

Medicine

Summary

The Department of Pediatrics offers summer research opportunities for rising high school seniors, college students and first-year medical students. At the completion of research program, the summer research interns will be expected to provide a 2-3 page written summary of their research experience. In addition, all students will provide an oral or poster/PowerPoint summary of their research. Students and mentors will also be encouraged to produce abstracts for submission to local, regional and national meetings. If the students’ research is accepted for presentation at a scientific meeting, the Child Health Research Internship will provide funding for travel and registration for the student to travel to one scientific meeting.

SciVet Summer Program

See website

Hosting Institution

Colorado State University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Fort Collins (CO)

Cost

$1,070

Application Deadline

No deadline

Categories

Biology, Medicine

Summary

The Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center in exploring scientific and veterinary practices first-hand. We will be carrying out investigations, using real tools, and collecting data both in the lab and the field as well as taking a real and sometimes gritty look at the field of veterinary medicine. The NSEOC’s SciTrek and SummerVet programs are now combined into one extra-ordinary experience for high school students (grades 10-12) interested in both science and veterinary medicine.

Honors Summer Institute

See website

Hosting Institution

Colorado State University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Fort Collins (CO)

Cost

$1,000

Application Deadline

No deadline

Categories

Medicine

Summary

The Honors Summer Institute is a 1-week camp for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with exceptional academic achievements. Our mission is to draw undiscovered talent into the Honors Program. Our program is an extension of the CSU Honors Program and engages students with sample classes from five different disciplines: ARTivism as a Tool for Social Justice, Construction Management, Fashion Fundamentals, Animal Behavior, and Natural Resources.

Native Education Forum

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Hosting Institution

Colorado State University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Fort Collins (CO)

Cost

Free

Application Deadline

No deadline

Categories

Social Science

Summary

"The Native Education Forum is a five-day summer program for rising high school seniors and incoming CSU freshmen. Students gain university classroom experience, research issues critical to Native American/Indigenous communities, and get valuable assistance from professionals in the university application process. During the program, students will have the chance to interact with university faculty, staff, and current students as they discuss and evaluate important issues that affect Indigenous communities. The 2023 Native Education Forum will be held on campus over five days and students will stay overnight in a residence hall. Students finishing their junior year in high school or higher or graduating seniors who have been admitted to and plan to enroll at CSU"

Colorado State: First Generation Business Summit

See website

Hosting Institution

Colorado State University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Fort Collins (CO)

Cost

Free

Application Deadline

No deadline

Categories

Business

Summary

"Whether you’re planning to become the next superstar CEO or still trying to figure out your path after graduation, the free Summit gives you a jump-start on campus life and your career. Stay overnight in an air-conditioned CSU residence hall on campus and eat in our dining centers as you learn the skills that will transform how business is done. Work alongside other first-generation students and College of Business faculty as you get valuable experience. Attendees sharpen business knowledge in the classroom and at area businesses, develop the skills to successfully present to large groups, learn about career paths"

Colorado State: Venture Validator Summer Camp

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Hosting Institution

Colorado State University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Fort Collins (CO)

Cost

$75

Application Deadline

Jun 8, 2024

Categories

Business

Summary

The Venture Validator Summer Camp is a week-long program hosted by the CSU College of Business Institute for Entrepreneurship designed for incoming 7th-12th grade students to explore what it takes to become an entrepreneur. Throughout the program students will be coached and mentored by leading CSU faculty members, local entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts. Students will conduct customer discovery and market research, create a business model, analyze their competitive landscape, prototype products and ultimately hone in on business ideas that they'll pitch with the goal of creating successful ventures.

CU Anschutz Medical Campus: Biomedical Research Camp

See website

Hosting Institution

University of Colorado

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Boulder (CO)

Cost

$1,150

Application Deadline

May 31, 2024

Categories

Medicine

Summary

This is a 2-week course. Get a head start on your future coursework, internship, or research career with an introduction to biomedical laboratory techniques, visits to cutting edge facilities, exploring the ethics of biomedical research, learning about research careers, meeting scientists, and developing your own scientific research proposal. Prior knowledge of cells, DNA, RNA, and protein is helpful for the labs, but not required.

STEM Research Experience

See website

Hosting Institution

University of Colorado

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Boulder (CO)

Cost

$1,995

Application Deadline

Mar 31, 2024

Categories

Comp Sci, Engineering

Summary

In this 4-week program, CU Boulder and CU Anschutz faculty and graduate students act as mentors to highly motivated high school students interested in gaining real world laboratory experience. Each mentor works with 2 students based on research interest. Students are expected to work in their Mentor's lab on assigned research projects approximately 25-30 hours a week (Monday-Friday). This course will focus on research topics such as how to find and read scientific articles, how to determine the validity of data and good writing techniques.

Are there many Research Opportunities for High School Students in the state of Colorado?

Universities such as the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, and the Colorado School of Mines offer research programs specifically designed for high school students. These programs provide hands-on experiences across disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and environmental sciences. Students have the chance to work with faculty and researchers, contributing to ongoing projects and gaining valuable skills.

Moreover, organizations like the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) and the Colorado State Science Fair (CSSF) provide platforms for students to showcase their research and compete for scholarships and recognition. These events foster a spirit of scientific inquiry and allow students to network with peers and professionals.

In addition to university programs and competitions, Colorado also hosts various summer research internships and camps. These programs, often in collaboration with research institutions, offer immersive experiences in fields like aerospace, energy, and biomedical sciences. Students can collaborate with experts and gain exposure to cutting-edge research.

What research opportunities are available?

For a full set of research opportunity listings, see our guide to research opportunities for high school students.

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