Extracurriculars & Programs in Minnesota for High School Students

Minnesota's anchors: the University of Minnesota's math and research pipeline, Mayo Clinic health-science exposure, the Science Museum of Minnesota's youth programs, and one of the country's densest teen-arts scenes.

Twin Cities institutions run deep education outreach, so strong free and low-cost options exist in both STEM and the arts.

10 verified programs match this page; 5 of the featured listings are completely free.

Featured programs

Browse 10+ curated programs for high school students:

  • Mayo Clinic Summer Research Fellowship — Mayo Clinic: Clinical and biomedical research at world-renowned medical center.
  • Climate Generation Youth Summit — Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy: Youth climate leadership program developing next generation of environmental advocates. Includes training, networking, and action projects. Shows envi
  • Concordia Language Villages — Concordia College: Immerse yourself in a unique summer program with Concordia Language Villages. Build language skills, explore global cultures, and enhance your college
  • Teen Writing Project — The Loft Literary Center: Semester-long advanced fiction workshop for writers ages 15-18 at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, meeting weekly to workshop novels and short
  • Carleton Summer Liberal Arts Institute — Carleton College: Residential pre-college programs at Carleton College in Northfield, MN: 3-week for-credit courses (6 credits, $5,300) for sophomores and juniors, plus
  • Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council (WACTAC) — Walker Art Center: Paid teen council at Minneapolis's Walker Art Center: 11th-12th graders meet weekly during the school year with contemporary artists and plan events l
  • Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair — Minnesota Academy of Science: Minnesota's statewide research competition where middle and high schoolers who advance from regional fairs present original STEM projects in St. Paul,
  • ZooTeen Volunteer Program — Minnesota Zoo: Summer volunteer program at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley where teens 13-17 help run zoo camps, guide campers through behind-the-scenes areas, and
  • University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP) — University of Minnesota MathCEP: The University of Minnesota's renowned five-year accelerated math sequence for Minnesota's most talented students: enter via a qualifying exam in grad
  • Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC) — Science Museum of Minnesota: The Science Museum of Minnesota's youth development program where high schoolers (grades 9-12) work as paid museum employees on STEM crews in public h

Frequently asked questions

How many minnesota programs are listed for high school students?

ExtracurricularHub currently lists 10 verified minnesota opportunities for high school students, each with cost, eligibility, deadline, and an official application link.

Are any of these minnesota programs free?

Yes — 5 of the programs featured on this page charge no participation fee. Free programs are often funded and can be more selective, so apply early.

Which deadlines are coming up soonest?

The next deadlines: Mayo Clinic Summer Research Fellowship (February 1, 2027). Deadlines change every cycle — always confirm on the program's official site.

Do I have to live in Minnesota to participate?

Most in-person programs based in Minnesota accept applicants from anywhere, though some give preference to local students. Residential summer programs typically accept students nationwide — check each listing's eligibility.