Young Nebraska Scientists, conducted by Nebraska EPSCoR with funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, offers camps for middle and high school students throughout the state. The program focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math topics and is a great way for teens to sample a career or campus, meet friends and mentors, and find their future.
Camp fees include meals and lodging, except day camps. National Science Foundation funding helps keep camp fees low, plus need-based scholarships are readily available. Faculty from Nebraska colleges and universities are camp session leaders, and camp staff include university students.
Summer 2025 opportunities for middle school students (grades 6-8) include the Secret Life of Metals from July 21-23 at Creighton University in Omaha, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; lunch provided. Camp cost is $60 and the program follows day camp format.
Opportunities for high school students (grades 9-11) include the STEM in Your Apple, which takes place July 4-6. This camp takes place at UNL Food Science/Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, with a visit provided to camp sponsor Kimmel Orchards in Nebraska City. Camp cost is $75 and the program follows residential format.
Also for high school students is Explorations in Biology at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln from June 16-19. Camp cost is $150 and the program follows residential format.
Biodiversity at UNL Cedar Point Biological Station in Ogallala is for high school students and takes place July 6-12. Camp cost is $150 and follows residential format.
Quantum Camp, a new, online camp for high school students, takes place July 29-31. It is led by University of Nebraska at Kearney Physics faculty with Nebraska's National Science Foundation-Funded EQUATE, or Emergent Quantum Materials and Technologies, research collaboration. Camp cost is $20.
The program also offers one-day food science camps at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln. Registration closes two weeks before each camp starts. Dairy Camp – Ice Cream will by May 29, Pizza: Rise of the Dough will by June 19 and The Science of Chocolate will be July 22.
Learn more and apply now online. Email yns@nebraska.edu with any questions.
