I am interested to know about the courses and programs you have mentioned, can you plz post what were those?
The 12 week innovation program is called BrainSTEM. You do need to go through your school though, so try your best to convince them. Some other things I also did included the Breakthrough Junior Challenge (online science competition), Choose Maths Competition (online mathematics competition), International Math Modelling Challenge (online, can sign up through school), Aurecon Bridge Building Competition (through school, physical engineering competition), and much more if you search for it. For example, for national science week many universities hosted a series of science workshop activities, and there are also free science lectures at some local universities. Work experience also presents many opportunities, so get in contact with institutions you want to work at very early, even right now for the most competitive ones such as aquariums or health institutes.