If you love figuring out how things work or how to make them better, engineering programs are a great way to start exploring your curiosity. These experiences go beyond theory, allowing you to design, build, and problem-solve like a real engineer.
Whether it’s constructing bridges, programming robots, or experimenting with new materials, you’ll get to see how creativity and logic blend. You’ll meet mentors and peers who think like you do. By exploring different areas, from structural design to robotics and software systems, you can better understand which paths align with your strengths and interests.
Beyond the technical side, these programs help you pick skills that matter: teamwork, project management, and critical thinking. To help you get started, we’ve curated 12 engineering programs for high school students.
12 Engineering Programs for High School Students
1. MITES Summer
Location: MIT Campus
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 60 – 80 students
Dates: Six weeks over the summer from late June through early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MITES Summer is a six-week residential program at MIT that gives you a true taste of college-level STEM. You’ll take five rigorous courses in math, science, and humanities while also exploring electives in areas like machine learning, architecture, and genomics, subjects not typically offered in high school. Outside the classroom, you’ll tour labs, connect with STEM professionals, and participate in social activities that make the experience both challenging and rewarding. The program also provides tailored college admissions guidance and a chance to meet with representatives from top universities.
2. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Various NASA centers in the country, including virtual opportunities. You can find opportunities here.
Stipend: Paid based on the academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive / Varies by opportunity, >2,000 students across all programs
Dates: Spring session (Mid-January to Early May) | Summer session (Late May to August) | Fall session (Late August to Mid-December)
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22 | Spring: late October/early November
Eligibility: High school students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 | U.S. citizens | 16 or older at the time of application
The NASA OSTEM Internship Program allows you to contribute to real projects in aerospace, robotics, satellite communications, and space technology. You’ll work side by side with NASA scientists, engineers, and professionals while developing both technical and professional skills. Depending on your interests, you can take on full-time or part-time roles, either virtually or at a NASA center. Mentorship is a key part of the experience, with experts guiding you through research and problem-solving that ties directly to NASA’s mission.
3. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Varies based on the program; you can check the different locations here
Cost/Stipend: None/stipend between $501.60 – $805.60/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / Around 60 interns
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks (late August/early September – mid-December); Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May); Summer: 10 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application Deadline: Varies based on the AFRL sites and/or projects to which you are applying
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students who are U.S. citizens
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program is a paid internship that immerses upper-level high school students in advanced research within aerospace and mechanical engineering. You’ll work alongside AFRL scientists and engineers on projects that range from aerospace design and electromagnetic structures to artificial intelligence applications. Guided by expert mentors, you’ll gain practical lab experience while contributing to research with real-world implications. Past projects have included developing cold atom sources for navigation and designing personalized chatbots for in-car communication systems.
4. Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) at Columbia University
Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Commuter cost: $5,880; Residential cost: $10,705; limited number of need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 20-40 students
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – July 24 | Session 2: July 17 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 3 (tentative)
Eligibility: All current high school students (freshmen to seniors) are eligible for the commuter option | Students who are 16 and above are eligible for the residential option
The Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) at Columbia University provides a three-week, project-based introduction to engineering. You’ll explore diverse fields such as robotics, biomedical engineering, sustainable design, civil engineering, and data science, gaining exposure to both theory and hands-on applications. Courses are taught by Columbia faculty in small cohorts, allowing you to engage deeply with challenging material while receiving individual guidance. Beyond classes, the program includes electives, workshops, and lab work, offering opportunities to strengthen technical and problem-solving skills.
5. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University’s Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences (Bouve)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / About 32 students
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors based in Massachusetts (within commuter distance) | US Citizens or Permanent Residents
The Northeastern Young Scholars Program (YSP) allows you to step into active research at one of the nation’s leading universities. You’ll work in Northeastern’s engineering, science, and health sciences labs alongside faculty and graduate students, tackling projects in areas such as bioengineering, cancer therapy, battery optimization, robotics, or biotechnology. Beyond lab work, you’ll participate in career counseling sessions and a seminar series introducing you to different fields of engineering, from chemical to mechanical. Field trips to organizations like Biogen, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and MIT labs provide insight into how research translates into industry and real-world problem-solving.
6. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $1000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive / 65 – 80 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who live and attend school in NYC
In this 10-week program, you’ll begin with four weeks of training in lab safety, data analysis, and scientific writing, before moving into six weeks of mentored research in an NYU laboratory. With more than 80 labs across fields like neuroscience, robotics, environmental science, and engineering, you’ll gain about 120 hours of hands-on experience contributing to real-world projects. Workshops also focus on public speaking, college applications, and professional skills, preparing you for future academic pathways. The program culminates with a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History, where you present your work to the NYU community.
7. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Online and on-site at the University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive / 6 – 7 students per cohort
Dates: July 6 – 19
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors aged 16 years or older (must be a U.S. citizen)
This program allows you to work directly on research projects tackling real-world challenges in engineering and Earth science. Beginning in May, you’ll complete virtual learning modules to build a foundation in key concepts before moving into team-based projects in July. Depending on your placement, you’ll collaborate virtually or on-site in Austin with NASA scientists, engineers, and university researchers to investigate topics such as climate change, remote sensing, and spacecraft design. The projects are highly interactive, with teams meeting regularly to analyze data, design solutions, and prepare presentations.
8. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: None except a $25 application fee / Students will receive a stipend of $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 12 students
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 17 years old by the start of the program and will graduate this year or the next | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In this program, you will spend seven weeks working closely with faculty mentors on advanced projects in fields such as computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and more. Alongside research, you will take part in weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips that broaden your academic perspective and professional skills. The program is fully funded, covering housing, meals, and weekend activities, and you also receive a stipend upon completion of your final research project. With its combination of rigorous research, mentorship, and enrichment activities, this program offers a rare chance to experience the depth of university-level scholarship before college.
9. UPenn Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / About 8 students each year
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current 9th and 10th grade students enrolled in a Philadelphia (Public, Catholic, Private, or Charter) high school | Minimum GPA of 3.0
The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) is a four-week opportunity designed to expand college access for Philadelphia high schoolers. You’ll be placed in one of Penn’s professional schools, Dental, Engineering, Law, Medicine, or Nursing, where you’ll gain hands-on experience and mentorship from faculty and staff. In the engineering track, for example, you’ll develop problem-solving and technical skills while exploring real-world applications of digital literacy and design. Beyond academics, the program incorporates SAT prep, financial literacy, and professional development workshops to help you strengthen your college readiness.
10. Summer Engineering Exploration Camp at the University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $700; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / About 40 students
Dates: July 6 – July 12
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: High school students of all genders going only into grades 10-11, especially those with limited access to engineering resources
The Summer Engineering Exploration (SEE) Camp at the University of Michigan introduces you to a broad range of engineering disciplines through hands-on projects and team-based challenges. The program emphasizes exploration rather than prior experience, making it accessible to all skill levels. You’ll work in small teams to tackle a design challenge using the engineering design process while also learning about different industries and applications of engineering. Beyond academics, the camp includes campus tours, a visit to Michigan Stadium, and conversations with current students and admissions staff to give you a feel for college life.
11. ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program
Location: A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive / About 40 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.2 and no Cs in math and science courses | Must have completed 11th grade before the program begins and have completed chemistry with a grade B or better
The ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program is a four-week research-intensive experience designed to introduce you to engineering concepts while developing core research skills. You’ll design and refine a research proposal, conduct a literature review, and work through the process of analyzing and presenting your findings. Alongside research training, the program includes sessions on the college application process, financial aid, and career pathways in STEM. You’ll also connect with undergraduate and graduate students through engineering-focused activities, giving you insight into academic and professional life in the field.
12. MSOE’s Women in Engineering
Location: Milwaukee School of Engineering’s campus
Cost: $1,100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective / Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 11
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Female high school students entering 10th through 12th grades
The Women in Engineering program at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is a week-long residential camp designed for young women entering grades 10–12 who want to explore the possibilities of engineering. You’ll dive into a wide range of disciplines, from biomedical and chemical engineering to mechanical, civil, computer, and software engineering, through hands-on projects guided by MSOE faculty and female engineering students. Beyond the classroom, you’ll visit industry sites to see how engineers apply their knowledge in real-world settings. The program emphasizes mentorship and collaboration, helping you build confidence and connect with role models in STEM. Evenings balance academics with fun activities like comedy shows, bowling, game nights, and tours of Milwaukee.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like mechanical engineering, computer engineering, robotics, electrical systems, or environmental engineering, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a topic of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – University of Michigan