If you’re in high school and curious about how the roads, buildings, and bridges around you get made, summer research programs in civil engineering can be a smart way to explore that curiosity. These programs let you try out real engineering work, so you can see what the job feels like and learn the skills engineers use every day.
You’ll get to understand things like how structures stay standing, what materials work best, and how engineers keep our environment safe. Many civil engineering summer programs also teach you important tools like CAD software and GIS mapping that help bring these projects to life. The skills you pick connect to careers in city planning, transportation, and making communities better places to live.
To help you take that first step, here’s a list of 15 civil engineering summer research programs for high school students!
15 Civil Engineering Summer Research Programs for High School Students
1. Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation
Location: Virtual, hybrid, or JHU Homewood campus in Baltimore, MD
Cost: Varies depending on chosen format, find more details here.
Program dates: In-person: June 30–July 25 | Online: June 30–August 1 | Hybrid Session 1: June 16–July 11 | Hybrid Session 2: July 7–August 1
Application deadline: May 28
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, eligible non-citizens, or DACA recipients are eligible to apply. Click here for more eligibility details.
Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation is a summer program where you build and test real civil engineering projects. You learn how to design structures, run load tests, read technical drawings, and solve problems in teams. The program is taught using material from Johns Hopkins faculty.
You can join in person or online, and you’ll work in small groups on projects like building bridges or analyzing soil strength. Along the way, you pick up skills in teamwork, data analysis, basic CAD, and engineering design.
2. SMU Lyle School of Engineering’s Engineering Design Experience
Location: Southern Methodist University campus, Dallas, TX
Cost: $1,400
Program dates: Female Camp: June 2–6 or June 16–20 | Male Camp: June 9–13 or June 23–27
Application deadline: Applications open February 17
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
SMU Lyle School of Engineering’s Engineering Design Experience is a five-day program where you work on a real civil or environmental engineering problem. You’ll team up with other high school students to design and build a working prototype.
The program teaches you how to follow the engineering design process, analyze data, and present your ideas. You also learn about infrastructure, structural systems, and environmental design.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring cohort from March to June
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The deadline for Summer Cohort II is June 23
Eligibility: Open to high school students with strong academic performance (unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher).
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to conduct advanced, independent research with guidance from Ph.D. fellows and post-doctoral researchers at top universities.
In the Engineering and Architecture Track, you can choose to study civil engineering topics like structural design, sustainable building, material science, or urban planning. You’ll learn how to build a research question, review academic papers, and explore real-world engineering problems.
With your mentor’s help, you create a research proposal, analyze data, and write a full research paper. You may also use tools like CAD or modeling software, depending on your topic. Some versions of the program include support from writing coaches and help with submitting your work for publication. Apply here.
4. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University campus, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 30–August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old by the program’s start date and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply.
Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University gives you the chance to join a university research team and work on civil engineering projects. You’re matched with a mentor and spend the summer exploring topics like structural systems, water treatment, or sustainable infrastructure.
You take part in hands-on work such as running lab tests, analyzing data, or modeling stress on materials. You focus on a specific project, learning both how to work independently and how to contribute to a team. The program ends with you writing a research abstract and presenting your work through a scientific poster.
5. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) at NYU
Location: Multiple locations across New York City
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 2–August 8
Application deadline: January 6–February 21
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors residing in and attending New York City high schools
NYU’s ARISE program is a six-week summer research experience where you join a university lab after completing training in lab safety, research methods, and communication. If placed in a civil or environmental engineering lab, you might work on projects like materials testing, urban infrastructure, or water system design.
You gain about 120 hours of hands-on research experience, working closely with faculty or graduate student mentors. You build skills in technical writing, data analysis, and presenting research. The program includes college prep sessions and ends with a public research symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
6. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University; Remote & hybrid options available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old for remote internships and at least 16 years old for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) offers an eight-week full-time research experience in civil and environmental engineering. You might explore topics like urban hydrology, materials failure, or infrastructure systems while working with university researchers.
You learn how to collect data, use lab equipment, and write scientific reports. The program also includes sessions on STEM careers and gives you the chance to present your research at the end. You build hands-on experience with tools and methods used in real civil engineering work.
7. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can find the exact cost by submitting an interest form. Full financial aid is available.
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts. The summer II cohort application deadline is June 22.
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 Academic Research Program (HARP) lets you carry out a research project in engineering with guidance from a professor or PhD mentor. In the Engineering Track, you can explore areas like civil engineering, bioengineering, environmental health, or network science.
You learn how to build a research question, study academic sources, and apply analytical methods to real problems. You work closely with your mentor to develop a proposal, carry out research, and write a 20 to 25-page paper.
8. TryEngineering Summer Institute
Cost: $4,095-$4,295
Location: University of San Diego, CA; Rice University, TX; University of Pennsylvania, PA; Columbia University, NY
Dates: USD June 11–19 & June 24–July 2; Rice June 29–July 7 & July 11–19; UPenn June 29–July 7 & July 11–19; Columbia July 12–20 & July 24–August 1.
Application deadline: July 23
Eligibility: Open to students aged 13–17
TryEngineering Summer Institute gives you a chance to learn civil engineering by working on real projects. You build and test bridges to see how strong they are, and also look at problems like traffic jams and water supply. You use the Design Thinking process to come up with solutions.
You work with others to design, build, and improve your ideas. You learn about materials and how they behave under stress. The program includes tours of labs and talks with engineers. This helps you understand what civil engineers do every day.
9. Michigan Tech University’s Women in Engineering Pathway Program
Location: Michigan Technological University campus, MI
Cost: $425
Program dates: June 15–20
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9-11
Michigan Tech’s Women in Engineering Pathway Program helps young women explore civil engineering through hands-on projects. You pick two engineering areas, including civil engineering, and work in teams on challenges like designing stable structures or finding ways to handle geohazards.
You learn about materials, structures, and how engineers solve problems. The program also includes talks from engineers and mentors who share what working in the field is like. This gives you a clear view of civil engineering careers.
10. Introduction to Engineering at Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080 (financial aid is available)
Program dates: June 16–27
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Open to students currently in grades 8–10
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes – Introduction to Engineering lets you explore civil engineering along with other fields like biomedical and environmental engineering. You work in teams to solve problems, design projects, and think about ethical issues related to things like building infrastructure and protecting the environment.
The program focuses on teamwork and practical problem solving. You join live online classes and complete guided assignments. Instructors give you feedback to help you understand engineering careers and develop real skills beyond theory.
11. Summer Engineering Seminar (SES) at Santa Clara University
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Session 1: July 13–17 | Session 2: July 20–24 | Advanced Session 3: July 27–31
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Open to students who will have completed their sophomore or junior year of high school by July 1
Santa Clara University’s Summer Engineering Seminar (SES) is a five-day program where you learn engineering basics through hands-on workshops. Civil engineering is one focus, and you work on real problems like structural design and materials. You live on campus and meet students and professors. If you come back, you can join an advanced session that offers more projects and a deeper look at your chosen field.
12. Fundamentals of Engineering at UC Berkeley – Summer Springboard
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Residential: $5,998 | Commuter: $3,298
Program dates: Session 1: June 22–July 4 | Session 2: July 6–July 18 | Session 3: July 20–August 1
Application deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a 3.0 GPA
UC Berkeley’s Fundamentals of Engineering at Summer Springboard teaches you core civil engineering ideas through hands-on work. You design and build a small-scale structure that follows building codes, zoning rules, and budget limits.
You face-time challenges that mimic real-world engineering problems. This helps you learn the design process and develop important skills. The program also includes visits to places like the Tesla Fremont Factory and Circuit Launch, where you see new technologies and meet professionals.
13. Introduction to Engineering Program (IEP) at the University of Notre Dame
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: $2,650
Program dates: Session I: June 29–July 12 | Session II: July 13–July 26
Application deadline: Rolling admissions (early applications recommended)
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors (rising seniors) with strong academic performance, particularly in mathematics and science.
Notre Dame’s Introduction to Engineering Program (IEP) is a two-week course where you explore civil engineering along with other fields. You attend lectures and activities led by faculty and engineers, learning design basics and computer programming skills used in civil engineering.
You visit the campus and tour the engineering labs. The program helps you see what a career in civil engineering looks like and gives you a clear idea of what studying engineering in college involves.
14. Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects (STEP) at Purdue University
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Cost: $2,500
Program dates: Session 1: July 6–12 | Session 2: July 13–19 | Session 3: July 20–26 | Session 4: July 27–August 2
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors
Purdue University’s STEP is a one-week program focused on civil engineering. You work in small teams on hands-on projects using design ideas, physics, and 3D modeling to solve real problems. The program ends with a design competition to test what you’ve learned.
You visit civil engineering labs and meet faculty and students. The program also includes trips to engineering companies, showing how the skills you learn apply in real jobs and helping you understand possible career paths.
15. City Designers and Builders Camp – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Cost: Residential: $1,000 | Commuter: $600 (additional $25 deposit applicable)
Program dates: July 20–2
Application deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 10-12
City Designers and Builders Camp at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign lets you work on civil engineering projects that address issues like climate change, air and water quality, and structural safety. You take part in hands-on activities and lab demos that show how engineers design and build infrastructure for communities.
The camp includes field trips to see construction methods in action. You also meet faculty, students, and professionals, giving you a better idea of how civil engineering affects society and what studying this field involves.
Image source – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
