Are you looking for an accessible way to explore engineering? If so, an online research program might be a great option.
Online programs in engineering, specifically mechanical engineering, go beyond the typical classroom curriculum, allowing you to explore advanced topics like robotics, fluid dynamics, material science, and system modeling in a practical setting. By working on research projects and interacting with expert mentors, you’ll build advanced technical skills and problem-solving abilities that can enhance your college applications.
Whether it’s designing a prototype or analyzing simulations, the online mechanical engineering programs in this list can help you clarify your interests and career goals, especially if you’re due to graduate high school in a couple of years! We’ve narrowed down 15 online mechanical engineering research programs for high school students that you can check out.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – Engineering Track
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
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.
Cost: $5,950
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across various subject areas. Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. The STEM research track allows you to dive into different disciplines of engineering, including mechanical engineering.
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 and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Engineering track
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required.
Cost: Individual Research Program – $2,990; Premium Research & Publication Program – $5,900; Research Fellowship – $8,900
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 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. The engineering track of the program allows you to explore various fields of engineering, including mechanical engineering. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper. You can find more details about the application here.
3. ASPIRE by Johns Hopkins
Application Deadline: January 1 – February 15
Program Dates: June 24 – August 21
Eligibility: High school junior or senior during program participation (applicants can be rising juniors or seniors); 15 years or older by June 1; minimum GPA of 2.8
Cost: Free of cost
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins APL gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to explore STEM careers in a mentored research environment. You are matched with expert mentors to complete engineering-focused projects and gain hands-on experience in mechanical design and robotics.
You’ll engage in core mechanical engineering challenges from designing drones and autonomous vehicles to 3D printing and laser engraving. The program emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving in a professional setting. Although unpaid, ASPIRE offers exposure to numerous engineering tools and technologies.
4. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the program
Program Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Cost: Paid and unpaid internships available
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) provides high school students with internship opportunities in a range of areas, including science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. These internships are available throughout the year and can be completed either on-site at NASA centers or remotely. You work alongside NASA professionals on projects, gaining hands-on experience and enhancing your technical skills.
In addition to practical work, the program also offers research opportunities in various engineering disciplines, including mechanical engineering and related fields. This allows you to explore and deepen your understanding of engineering principles through guided research and collaboration. To explore available opportunities, click here.
5. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program
Application Deadline: February 2
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Eligibility: 15 years or older by the start of the program
Cost: $25 application fee
George Mason University’s ASSIP gives high school students the chance to immerse themselves in research environments while working alongside professional scientists and engineers. If you are interested in mechanical engineering, you can explore areas like robotics, micro-/nano-manufacturing, materials failure, and bioelectronic interfaces.
Through hands-on projects, you gain experience with advanced tools and technologies, contributing to studies that may be published or presented at conferences. The program emphasizes both technical and communication skills, helping you develop your scientific writing, data analysis, and creative problem-solving. ASSIP’s mentorship and research exposure can help strengthen your career path.
6. John Hopkins Explore Engineering Innovation: Online
Application Deadline: February 14 (early action deadline)
Program Dates: June 30 – August 1
Eligibility: Current high school student or recent high school graduate. Academic prerequisites can be found here.
Cost: $4,115
The Johns Hopkins Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI) Online course introduces high school students to key disciplines like mechanical, civil, chemical, and electrical engineering. In this three-credit, selective program, you’ll engage in college-level lectures and hands-on projects. This includes a mechanical engineering module where you test the material properties of spaghetti and design and construct a structurally stable bridge.
Through lab kits shipped to your home, you’ll perform experiments, collect data, and draw conclusions just like in a university lab. You collaborate in virtual teams to problem-solve and present ideas, gaining research and teamwork skills. By building devices and modeling systems, you develop a deeper understanding of how engineering transforms theoretical knowledge into practical solutions.
7. Excel High School STEM Mechanical Engineering
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: Self-paced learning
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $325
Excel High School offers a detailed online course that introduces high school students to mechanical engineering. You’ll explore topics like two- and three-dimensional forces, mass, inertia, and basic structural elements like beams and cables. Each chapter builds your understanding of mechanical design and the mathematics behind it, while also introducing research-relevant ideas such as the Pappus-Guldinus Theorems.
You’ll also have the chance to learn about potential career paths in mechanical engineering. Designed for online learning, this course gives you the flexibility to learn at your own pace while preparing for advanced STEM fields.
8. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SSMP)
Application Deadline: Varies as per program
Program Dates: Multiple programs available
Eligibility: Grades 9-12 for the current school year
Stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities are available
The SPARK Summer Mentorship Program offers you a chance to work one-on-one with professionals across diverse fields, including mechanical engineering. Designed for high school students in the Greater Seattle area, this mentorship program connects you with experts from startups, academia, and industry. If you’re interested in mechanical systems, you could collaborate on projects involving research and design.
Mentors outline project goals and guide you through problem-solving, helping you build relevant skills and understand professional expectations. Through a careful matching process, SPARK ensures your interests align with your mentor’s expertise, giving you insight into engineering careers and research practices.
9. Georgia Tech Introduction to Engineering Mechanics
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: 14 hours of self-paced learning starting April 15
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Free without a certificate
The Georgia Tech Introduction to Engineering Mechanics course teaches you how to model and solve static equilibrium problems, a foundational aspect of mechanical engineering. You’ll learn to analyze force systems, calculate moments, and apply equilibrium conditions in both 2D and 3D. The course emphasizes engineering applications and requires a background in basic calculus and classical physics.
Through structured lessons, you’ll build skills in constructing free-body diagrams, understanding structural constraints, and solving for unknown forces. These concepts form the basis of advanced research in mechanical design and structural analysis, making the course a stepping stone for deeper STEM studies.
10. Georgia Tech Materials Data Sciences and Informatics
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: 9 hours of self-paced learning starting April 16
Eligibility: High school students with basic knowledge of engineering or computer science
Cost: Free without a certificate
In Georgia Tech’s Materials Data Sciences and Informatics course, you’ll explore how data science is reshaping the way new materials are developed and deployed. With applications relevant to mechanical engineering, the course examines structure-property relationships and challenges in modeling hierarchical materials. You’ll learn about the materials innovation cycle, cyber infrastructure, and digital representations of material structures.
You’ll also understand topics like process-structure-property (PSP) linkages that are important in mechanical system design and research. By the end of the course, you’ll understand how data-driven approaches can accelerate innovations in advanced materials.
11. Engineering Design and Simulation by Mathworks
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: 1 month of self-paced learning
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $212.40 for a verified certificate
MathWorks’ Engineering Design and Simulation program teaches you how to evaluate complex systems through modeling and simulation. You’ll start with basic engineering workflows in Simulink and Simscape and finish with a complete quadcopter model that includes mechanical and electrical subsystems.
For mechanical engineering applications, you’ll explore structural modeling, motor control, and load response testing in simulated environments. The course includes challenges to sharpen your skills in reliability and performance testing. With no prior experience required, this program provides an entry point into simulation-based design and research.
12. Transport Phenomena Delft University of Technology
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: 3 months of self-paced learning
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $278 for a verified certificate
Delft University of Technology’s Transport Phenomena program helps you understand how mass, energy, and momentum move through systems—core concepts in mechanical engineering. You’ll learn to construct and apply balance equations to scenarios such as heat exchangers and fluid flow.
The course emphasizes modeling, teaching you to define transport mechanisms and make key assumptions when working with physical systems. Both macro and micro-scale processes are explored, giving you a dual understanding of theory and application. With examples drawn from industry and research, this program helps you strengthen your ability to analyze and improve mechanical processes using mathematical tools.
13. StanfordOnline: Introduction to Haptics
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: 5 weeks of self-paced learning
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $159 for a verified certificate
StanfordOnline’s Introduction to Haptics is a five-module course designed to help you understand how machines simulate touch. You’ll learn about haptic device design, mechanical system behavior, and tactile simulation using mechatronics and control programming.
If you build the Hapkit, you’ll experience hands-on learning in mechanical assembly, circuit design, and Arduino programming—skills useful in both mechanical engineering practice and research. The labs provide practical challenges to deepen your understanding of feedback and motion simulation. You may opt out of the hardware component and still complete the theoretical portion of the course.
14. MathWorks: Simulating a Quadcopter’s Electromechanics
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: 1 week of self-paced learning starting April 15
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $59 for a verified certificate
The Simulating a Quadcopter’s Electromechanics course from MathWorks guides you through simulating a quadcopter’s electromechanical behavior using Simulink and Simscape. You’ll model key components like the motor, battery, and propeller to evaluate their performance during flight. Multidomain modeling helps you combine electrical and mechanical systems, making the course highly relevant to mechanical engineering projects and research.
A parameter sweep allows you to explore system behavior under various conditions, equipping you with practical skills for design validation. You’ll also work on simulating a hydraulic braking system, reinforcing core modeling techniques through a hands-on project.
15. DartmouthX: The Engineering of Structures Around Us
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: 5 weeks of self-paced learning starting April 15
Eligibility: High school students who have learn algebra and geometry
Cost: $79 for a verified certificate
DartmouthX: The Engineering of Structures Around Us is an introductory course that helps you understand how structures—from bridges to bones—are designed to withstand forces. You’ll study elements like columns, arches, trusses, and beams, examining how they resist compression, tension, and loads. These are foundational topics in mechanical engineering, particularly in design optimization and structural integrity analysis.
The course encourages creative thinking alongside technical evaluation, supporting conceptual modeling and sketch-based analysis. Whether you’re interested in real-world engineering applications or design research, this course builds essential knowledge about structural behavior.
Image source – Georgia Tech University