If you’re interested in automotive engineering, summer programs are a solid way to start building technical skills and exploring key concepts. These programs offer hands-on experience in vehicle design, mechanical systems, and technologies like electric and autonomous vehicles.
You’ll work with industry software, solve engineering challenges, and learn about aerodynamics, robotics, and sustainable transportation. These programs also cover various aspects of automotive engineering, from research and development to manufacturing and testing.
Here are 10 automotive engineering summer programs you can explore as a high school student!
10 Automotive Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – Engineering Track
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts throughout the year.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across various engineering disciplines, machine learning, political theory, and more! It is one of the few research programs that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program -Engineering Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Spring Cohort application deadline is February 9!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a 3.3+ GPA; no prior experience needed.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
3. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Automotive Engineering
Location: Stanford, CA
Cost: Approximately $3,800, varies based on courses.
Application Deadline: March 20
Program Dates: Session One – June 16 – 27; Session Two – July 7 – 18
Eligibility: Open to all students from grades 8-11
Stanford University’s “Single-Subject Study” courses, including Automotive Engineering, cover vehicle dynamics, energy efficiency, and emerging transportation technologies. You will work on problem-solving, technical analysis, and hands-on applications in automotive design.
The course helps you develop skills in data interpretation, system modeling, and teamwork. It also focuses on troubleshooting engineering challenges and applying automotive design principles in real-world scenarios.
4. Ohio State University’s Camp Car
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost: Free for all accepted participants covering all meals and activities; housing and transportation are not provided.
Program Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: Applications open in February and close once the first 100 applications have been received.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18.
Camp Car at Ohio State University focuses on automotive engineering, covering simulation, testing, and manufacturing processes. You will learn to use industry-standard software for vehicle modeling, conduct hands-on testing for performance evaluation, and analyze manufacturing techniques used in car production.
The program includes visits to research labs where you will work with advanced diagnostic tools and explore emerging technologies in automation and electric vehicles. You will also gain experience in data analysis, troubleshooting engineering problems, and understanding how automotive research translates into real-world applications.
5. Lawrence Technological University’s Automotive Engineering Summer Camp
Location: Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MA
Cost: Commuter options are $1,050; Residential options are $1,200; financial aid is available.
Program Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: For high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors aged 14-18.
LTU’s Automotive Engineering camp introduces you to vehicle design and performance. You will work in LTU’s engineering labs, learning about aerodynamics, powertrain systems, and materials used in automotive manufacturing.
The program includes testing vehicle components, analyzing engine efficiency, and using computer-aided design (CAD) software for prototyping. You will also practice problem-solving and data analysis skills while exploring how engineering principles apply to modern vehicle technology.
6. Ford EV Engineering Job Simulations
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self-paced; available year-round.
Application Deadline: Available year-round.
Eligibility: Open to all students.
Ford’s free job simulation programs offer practical experience in electric vehicle engineering. You will learn about data analysis and visualization of battery capacity, enhancing your analytical and critical thinking skills.
The program includes reviewing Python code for PID controllers, which will improve your programming abilities and understanding of control systems. You’ll also gain experience in written communication by documenting your findings and analyses.
7. Women in Engineering (WIE) – Michigan Technological University
Location: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Program Dates: June 15 – 20
Application Deadline: Reviewed on a rolling basis every two weeks, beginning February 17
Eligibility: All students in grades 9 to 11.
WIE at Michigan Tech introduces you to automotive engineering, focusing on both mechanical and electrical systems. You will work with the mechanical engineering department to study engines, vehicle dynamics, and electrical systems in modern cars. The program also includes troubleshooting mechanical components, analyzing power distribution, and understanding control systems in vehicles.
8. Georgia Tech Summer Engineering Institute
Location: Georgia Tech University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $2,500
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentative)
Program Dates: 3 weeks
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Georgia Tech’s Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) introduces rising 11th and 12th graders from underrepresented backgrounds to engineering fields, including automotive engineering. You will explore topics like vehicle dynamics, energy systems, and advanced manufacturing through hands-on projects and lab activities. The program also includes problem-solving exercises, coding for engineering applications, and using simulation tools for design and testing.
9. Automotive High School Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Free; a stipend is provided.
Application Deadline: Information for application deadlines can be found by emailing the DCAS fleet.
Program Dates: Varies based on the internship but internships start at the beginning of July and run for 6 weeks (150 hours).
Eligibility: New York-based High school students
The Department of Transportation, in partnership with New York City, offers paid internships for public high school students to gain experience in maintaining city vehicles. You will work with fleet experts to diagnose mechanical issues, perform maintenance, and manage fleet operations.
You will develop skills in automotive diagnostics, equipment repair, and using industry-standard shop tools. Through rotations with agencies like the NYPD, FDNY, DOT, DSNY, and DCAS, you will also learn about large-scale fleet management and claims processing.
10. The North Carolina Department of Transportation Internship
Location: Throughout North Carolina; positions available statewide.
Cost: Free for accepted participants; stipend varies by internship role.
Eligibility: Duration varies per internship; most are typically one month long.
Application Deadline: Application due dates vary by the type of application you submit.
Program Dates: Duration varies per internship; most are typically one month long.
The High School Internship Program at the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) offers paid part-time internships throughout the year. You will work on transportation infrastructure projects, gaining experience in areas like road planning, traffic management, and environmental impact analysis.
You will work with NCDOT managers, attend meetings, and participate in site visits to see how transportation projects are planned and executed. This internship helps you develop technical and problem-solving skills while exploring career paths in transportation and engineering.
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