If you are a high school student interested in aerospace but don’t want to commit to an in-person program or internship in the summer, consider joining an online summer program in the field. Online summer programs in aerospace engineering can teach you how to design spacecraft, plan missions, model asteroid paths, and work with complex aerospace systems. You learn technical skills like coding, physics simulation, systems engineering, and research writing.
Many of the aerospace summer programs in the list below are led by universities, research labs, and organizations like NASA. You get to work on real projects, build a strong academic portfolio, and gain early experience in aerospace engineering without leaving home. These programs give you the flexibility to learn from anywhere while building serious skills for college and beyond.
To help you get started, here are 15 online aerospace engineering summer programs for high school students!
15 Online Aerospace Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)— Engineering track
Location: Online
Cost: $5950. However, financial aid is available
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: May 18 for the summer cohort.
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 runs trimester-long research programs for high school students in fields like engineering, data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology.
In the “Environmental Health and Engineering” course, you study why ecosystems collapse and how human society can design solutions. You work on problems in agriculture, urban development, infrastructure, and resource management. You also learn how environmental issues connect to aerospace engineering by studying how systems are designed to survive in harsh conditions.
After choosing your subject track and research topic, you are matched with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university. You work with your mentor to write a 20-page research paper that you can submit to academic journals as a high school student.
You can find the application form here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program- Aerospace Engineering Track
Location: Online
Cost: 100% financial aid is available
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the fall cohort from September to December, the winter cohort from December to February, and the spring cohort from March to June
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). The upcoming deadline for the summer cohort is May 11
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher. No prior knowledge of the field is required.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an online research program for high school students looking to develop an independent research project. As a participant, you’ll be paired with a Ph.D. mentor and work with them one-on-one. You can choose from several research areas, including aerospace engineering. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in rigorous research, and by the end, you’ll have a completed project to add to your portfolio. Apply here.
3. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: You can choose between in-person and virtual internships
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Online learning component from May 1 – July 1, project work from June 1 – July 19, Virtual SEES Science Symposium from July 21-22
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are US citizens and at least 16 years of age
NASA, a leader in aerospace research, offers high school students the chance to work with real satellite data through the STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES) Summer Intern Program, in partnership with UT Austin. In this program, you’ll work on virtual projects like using AI for human space travel, detecting planets around other stars, and determining the age and distance of star clusters. You’ll develop skills in data analysis, programming, and scientific modeling by working with tools like the NASA GLOBE Observer app, NASA AppEEARS, Jupyter Notebook, and Google Earth Engine.
4. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA. But virtual options are available
Cost: Free for families with an income of less than $150,000. Families in a higher income bracket need to pay a fee of $2,350.
Program Dates: July 7 – August 3
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live and attend school in the US
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is a STEM program that offers workshop-style courses with hands-on projects. The virtual courses include topics related to aerospace engineering, such as remote sensing for disaster response, quantum software, and open-source semiconductor design. You work with programming, GIS, data science, and engineering design tools. You complete technical assignments, practice coding, build models, and work with real-world datasets. You can go through the courses in greater detail over here.
5. University of Illinois’s Illinois Aerospace Institute (IAI)
Location: Online and in-person options are available
Cost: $150 for the virtual option. Scholarships are available
Program Dates: July 20 – 26
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: All high school students
The Illinois Aerospace Institute is a one-week camp for high school students interested in aerospace engineering and aerospace vehicles. You attend real-time lessons, complete hands-on projects, and listen to guest lectures from experts in the field. The program sends you a lab kit that you use to build a model glider or rocket at home. You test your design by launching it and recording a video of its flight. During the program, you study aircraft flight mechanics, aerodynamics, wind tunnel experiments, satellite design, space missions, rocket propulsion, and related topics.
6. NASA Johnson Space Center’s Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Combination of virtual learning and an in-person experience at Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Virtual learning from October to April. The summer virtual component will run for one week in June, and the two-day residential component will be in July.
Application Deadline: October 16
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school juniors in a Texas high school, Texas residents, and U.S. citizens
NASA’s High School Aerospace Scholars program is for high school students interested in aerospace engineering, aeronautics, and space exploration. The program starts with a five-month online course that includes five activity-based modules: Earth, Aeronautics, the International Space Station, Moon to Mars, and the Solar System. High achievers advance to Moonshot, a virtual summer experience where you and your team develop a mission to the moon and Mars.
During this phase, you interact with NASA engineers and scientists. Upon completing the project, you receive a certificate. Top teams from Moonshot are invited to attend a residential experience at the Johnson Space Center. Since most of the program is virtual, it is an accessible option for students interested in aerospace engineering.
7. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Aviation 101
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program Dates: This is a self-paced course
Application Deadline: You can sign up at any time
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a free, self-paced course for students who want to learn the fundamentals of aviation. You can take the course at your own pace, fitting it into your schedule. The course consists of 9 video lessons that cover key topics in aviation, including aircraft systems, aerodynamics, flight instruments, radio communication, aviation weather, performance, and navigation.
After every three lessons, you take a section test to check your understanding and track your progress. The course is designed to give you a solid foundation in aviation, with a focus on real-world applications. Upon completing the course, you may receive a certificate of completion.
8. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Programs
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities, and remote options are available as well
Cost/Stipend: Depends on the specific internship
Program Dates: Spring, summer, and fall sessions are available
Application Deadline: September 12 for the spring session, February 27 for the summer session, May 22 for the fall session
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age, U.S. citizens, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school students interested in aerospace engineering. These internships provide opportunities to work alongside NASA engineers, scientists, and researchers on various projects related to aeronautics and space exploration. You may engage in tasks such as analyzing satellite data, assisting in the design and testing of aerospace systems, or contributing to research on propulsion technologies.
9. Johns Hopkins University’s ASPIRE
Location: You can choose between in-person and virtual programs
Cost: Free
Program Dates: The program generally begins in the last week of June and goes on for 6-9 weeks
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High-school juniors and seniors residing in one of the given Maryland counties, who have a minimum GPA of 2.8 and are at least 15 years of age
Johns Hopkins University’s ASPIRE program is a pre-college program that offers high school students hands-on experience in a STEM field. You are paired with a mentor who guides you in learning theory and technical skills. One of the available tracks is ‘Aerospace and Space-Related Engineering’.
In this track, you learn C++, 3D printing, and how to use MATLAB. You work on calibrating algorithms for the Dragonfly spacecraft navigation system, designing spacecraft models, and constructing satellite trajectories. You also work with real aerospace datasets, develop coding skills for space applications, and practice technical writing to document your projects. At the end of the program, you complete a research project under your mentor’s supervision.
10. NASA’s Aviation Concept Design Experience
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: 8 weeks during the summer months
Application Deadline: February 4
Eligibility: Students in 10th and 11th grades
This NASA pre-college program gives high school students the chance to learn about aerospace engineering and career paths in the field. As a participant, you work within NASA’s Aviation Systems Division and experience a professional virtual team environment. You and your team develop an aviation concept or application that addresses a real-world problem.
You work through the design process, collect and analyze data, and create technical documentation. The program ends with a written report and a formal presentation of your project. You also receive mentorship from NASA volunteers and attend virtual seminars on aerospace topics, research methods, and engineering careers.
11. Washington Aerospace Scholars Program
Location: Online
Cost: Free. You can earn college credits for a fee of $255
Program Dates: The online phase begins in November and ends in March
Application Deadline: Mid-October
Eligibility: High school juniors who are also Washington state residents
The Washington Aerospace Scholars program is a two-part learning experience for high school students interested in flight, aerospace design, and space travel. Created by NASA and the University of Washington, the program includes an online course followed by an optional summer residency.
You study the history of NASA, airplane and spacecraft design, and future space exploration. You complete essay writing assignments, group discussions, aerospace-related math problems, and virtual lab activities. For an additional fee, you can earn five college credits through the University of Washington.
12. Rice University’s Pre-College Course
Location: Online
Cost: $1,495
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week courses are available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies with each session
Eligibility: All students aged 13 and up
The Rice University Pre-College Program is a self-paced course for high school students that focuses on the science, technology, and future of space travel. As a participant, you study the history of space travel, future moon exploration, the effects of space on the human body, the surface and environment of Mars, and the ethical issues of space exploration.
For your capstone project, you design a mission to Mars, including a specific goal, a landing site, expected challenges, and a plan for how the crew will use a robotic rover. You also receive guidance from a mentor throughout the program.
13. Northwestern CTD’s Aircraft Engineering: The Mechanics of Flight & Aerospace
Location: Online
Cost: $1,425. Need-based financial aid is available
Program Dates: September 10 – May 20
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-12
Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development offers high school students the chance to study advanced topics through self-paced courses. If you are interested in aerospace engineering, you can enroll in the Aircraft Engineering course. In this course, you study how aeronautical engineers build aircraft. You learn how flights are routed to avoid collisions, how airliners generate lift to stay in the air, and how rockets are designed for space travel. The course is self-paced and typically takes about 30 to 34 weeks to complete.
14. DelftX: Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering
Location: Online on edX
Cost: Free without a certificate and $169 with a certificate. Financial aid is available.
Program Dates: Rolling (The next course begins on April 21)
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students who are proficient in maths and physics
Delft University of Technology’s Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering course is a pre-college program for high school students interested in aeronautical engineering. The course covers three main areas: the history of flight, the principles of aerodynamics, and flight mechanics. You learn how to model the Earth’s atmosphere, how wings generate lift, and how aircraft climb, descend, and cruise efficiently. This is a self-paced course that usually takes about 7 weeks to complete.
15. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Fairfax, Virginia
Cost: None. There is a $25 application fee, but waivers are available for those who need them
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program is a mentored research program that pairs high school students with professional researchers. You will engage in hands-on research within your mentor’s field and contribute to their research projects. While there isn’t a specific aerospace engineering focus, researchers are working on topics related to aerospace engineering, such as multi-spectral object detection, space weather impacts on electricity, atmospheric gravity waves, and astronomy. This program gives you the chance to gain research experience in fields that intersect with aerospace.
Image source – George Mason University