If you’re a high school student thinking about mechanical engineering, summer is a good time to explore it outside the classroom. With just a computer and the internet, you can apply to a rigorous online program that teaches you how machines work, how to design in 3D, how robots move, and let you explore how engineers solve problems.
Some programs in the list below are quite short and self-paced. Others run for a few weeks with live classes and projects hosted by top organizations and universities. You might get to use engineering software, build something from scratch, or even talk to college professors and engineers. These programs are built to help you figure out if engineering is something you want to keep doing.
To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 15 online mechanical engineering summer programs for high school students!
15 Online Mechanical Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Cost: You have to pay a participation fee. Raise an interest form here to find out the exact cost | Financial aid is available.
Application Deadlines: Priority: March 23; Regular I: April 20; Regular II: May 18
Program Dates: The summer cohort starts June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students who maintain a GPA of 3.67 or higher on a 4.0 scale | A couple of tracks require a few prerequisites, which the application info page here mentions.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biomedical engineering, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. It is one of the few research programs for high school students that provides a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
If you’re interested in engineering, you can select the Environmental Health and Engineering track, where you’ll explore sustainability challenges in areas like agriculture, urbanization, infrastructure, resource management, and engineering innovations.
After choosing your research focus and method, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a leading university who will mentor you throughout the process. The program culminates in a 20-page research paper, written at a university level, which you can submit for publication in recognized journals as a high school student. You can apply here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Engineering Track
Cost: $2,990–$8,900, depending on the format you choose | Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The regular admissions deadline for the Summer Cohort I is May 11.
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research program for high school students. You work one-on-one with a PhD mentor on an independent research project and choose your topic from subjects like data science, computer science, engineering, and more.
You can focus on areas like hardware design, software development, embedded systems, or artificial intelligence. By the end of the program, you will have completed an independent research paper.
3. Mechanics of Materials I by Georgia Tech
Cost: $29 approx with certificate. Free without a certificate.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: 3 weeks, self-paced.
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible.
This course teaches how solid materials respond to different types of forces, with a focus on axial loading. You will learn to calculate normal and shear stress, analyze strain, use stress-strain diagrams, and determine material behavior under different loading conditions.
The course introduces stress transformation equations, inclined plane analysis, and Mohr’s Circle for plane stress. By the end, you will build skills in mechanical and structural analysis, thermal stress analysis, applied mathematics, failure prediction, and using engineering tools for material evaluation.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships offers a selective program providing students with virtual internship experiences at global startups and nonprofits. Over 8 weeks, you’ll spend 5 to 10 hours a week working in small teams and meeting with mentors in your chosen field.
You can choose from areas like machine learning, software engineering, finance, health tech, environmental science, consulting, or journalism. The goal is for you to build real skills and finish with something you can add to your resume. After you apply, you’ll be matched with a few project options and decide which one fits best.
5. Johns Hopkins University’s Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI)
Cost: $4,115, which includes the application fee, tuition, and lab kit fee | Scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: February 14 (early action deadline) and May 28 (final deadline)
Program Dates: June 30–August 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students and recent graduates, with a few academic prerequisites that must be reviewed before applying.
Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI) is an online summer program from Johns Hopkins for high school students who want to learn how different types of engineering work. You’ll study mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, and materials science through college-level lessons, daily assignments, and group projects.
You’ll test the strength of spaghetti as a building material, build basic electronic devices, and design model bridges. You’ll also give presentations on your projects, just like in a real college engineering course. The program runs for 4 to 5 weeks in the summer and follows a college-style schedule.
6. DelftX: Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering
Cost: Free; $139 for a certificate.
Dates: Self-paced; typical course duration is 7 weeks.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students with knowledge of mathematics and physics.
The Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering course by Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), available on edX, is a seven-week online course that introduces the fundamentals of aeronautics. This self-paced course covers essential topics such as aerodynamics, aircraft stability, propulsion, flight mechanics, and navigation. It starts with a historical overview of flight and progresses through the technical aspects of aircraft design and the principles that govern modern aviation.
If you have a basic understanding of physics and mathematics, this course is an excellent way to build a strong foundation in aerospace engineering. Enrollment is free, with the option to purchase a certificate upon completion.
7. MIT Beaverworks Summer Institute
Location: In-Person at MIT and Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising High school seniors who attend school in the US
The Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) offers an immersive, hands-on experience in robotics, autonomous systems, and mechanical engineering. You’ll work on real-world projects, learning how to design, build, and program robots.
You’ll also explore advanced techniques in engineering and computer science. A big part of the program is working with a team to build things like autonomous drones, rovers, or other robotic systems. At the end, you’ll showcase your work in a final presentation.
8. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Virtual or in-person, depending on the project
Cost: No cost to participate, there can be a stipend depending on the project
Dates: Typically, 10–16-week programs which take place during fall, spring, and summer.
Application Deadline: Fall session: May 16; Spring session: September 12; Summer: February 27.
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old at the time of application, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply.
NASA’s OSTEM Internships give you the chance to work on engineering projects at NASA. You can focus on areas like aerospace engineering, robotics, electrical systems, mechanical design, or software development. Depending on the project, the internship can be in-person or virtual.
You’ll work alongside a NASA mentor and learn technical skills like CAD modeling, coding (Python, C++, MATLAB), data analysis, and systems testing. You might be involved in designing hardware for space missions, improving robotic systems, or using AI to solve engineering problems. You can view available opportunities here by filtering for high school eligibility.
9. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) – George Mason University
Cost: No cost except a $25 application fee; financial aid is available
Dates: June 18, August 8
Application Deadline: Typically, in February
Eligibility: must be 15 years old or older by the start date of the program
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University gives you the chance to work on real engineering research. You will work with mentors in fields like mechanical, civil, electrical, and computer engineering, computer science, and bioengineering.
Throughout the program, you will develop skills in scientific writing, data analysis, and software tools like MATLAB, CAD, or Python, depending on your project. If your project goes well, you could be listed as a co-author on a research paper or present your findings at a conference. You can explore available projects and mentors here.
10. Summer@Brown Online Pre-College Programs—Biomedical Engineering: The Smart Design of Medical Implants and Devices
Cost: The program cost ranges from $3,218 to $6,238, depending on the course length, with some courses requiring additional fees. Scholarships are available
Application Deadline: May 9
Dates: Several online courses lasting 2 to 6 weeks are available from June 16 to July 25.
Eligibility: Students who have completed grades 9–12 and are aged 14–18 by June 15 are eligible to apply. Be sure to check individual course pages for any additional prerequisites.
Summer@Brown Online allows high school students to explore a variety of engineering courses, including biomedical engineering, data science, machine learning, AI, materials engineering, engineering design, and data visualization. The program offers flexible learning options, including asynchronous, mostly asynchronous, and blended formats.
In the Biomedical Engineering: The Smart Design of Medical Implants and Devices course, you will learn about key concepts like tissue replacement materials, cell-material interactions, and the mechanical properties of biomaterials. Through discussions and a design challenge, you will also explore ethical considerations in biomedical designs and work on creating a novel coronary artery bypass material.
11. Research Scholars at UC San Diego
Cost: cost varies from $1,500 to $4,800, depending on the chosen program
Application Deadline: rolling basis until the slots are filled.
Dates: Programs are year-round, including summer, fall, and winter sessions.
Eligibility: grades 9–12, have a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Research Scholars program at UC San Diego, offered by the Division of Extended Studies, allows high school students to gain hands-on research experience in fields such as bioengineering, life sciences, medicine, marine science, and business research.
In the Bioengineering track, you will learn cutting-edge techniques like biomedical imaging and 3D printing. A major part of the track involves conducting experiments on load-supporting skeletal structures, such as performing knee dissections and biomechanical testing on models and tissues like bone, ligament, tendon, meniscus, and cartilage.
12. Introduction to Engineering Mechanics by Georgia Tech
Cost: Free to audit (certificate available for a fee)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: High school students with basic calculus and physics.
The Introduction to Engineering Mechanics course by Georgia Tech is a free online course designed for high school students who want to explore engineering mechanics. The course covers key principles like static equilibrium, forces, particle equilibrium, and moments in both two and three dimensions.
Taught by Dr. Wayne Whiteman, the course features engaging lectures, problem-solving exercises, and interactive discussions to help you grasp fundamental engineering concepts. A basic understanding of calculus and physics is needed, as these subjects are crucial for understanding how static structures work. After completing the course, you’ll receive a certificate, which can boost your college applications.
13. Stanford SHTEM Summer Internship
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Unpaid
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Program Dates: June 17 – August 9
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors
Stanford’s SHTEM internship offers high school students the chance to collaborate with community college students on cutting-edge research projects under the mentorship of faculty, students, and industry professionals from the Stanford Compression Forum (SCF). The SCF focuses on innovative research in data compression, bridging academic knowledge with industry expertise.
During the internship, you’ll work on collaborative research, attend workshops and seminars, and participate in virtual social events. The program is fully remote, with hardware materials sent to participants as needed. You’ll stay in close contact with mentors and teammates for guidance throughout the program.
14. Excel High School’s Mechanical Engineering Course
Cost: $325
Application Deadline: Rolling, you may apply year-round
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High school students over 14 years old
Excel High School’s Introductory Mechanical Engineering course provides a solid foundation in mechanical engineering principles. You will explore essential topics such as two- and three-dimensional forces, the role of mathematics in engineering, and the key mechanical components used in the field.
The course also covers concepts like the Pappus-Guldinus Theorems and various types of loads, helping you understand how they apply in real-world situations. Additionally, you’ll learn about different career paths within mechanical engineering, making it an ideal starting point for students interested in this field.
15. ENSC S-135: Biochemical Engineering and Synthetic Life at Harvard University
Cost: $3,850. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Applications open in December and typically close in June
Dates: 7 weeks in the summer. June 24 – August 9.
Eligibility: High school students with a background in biology and chemistry.
The Biochemical Engineering and Synthetic Life course at Harvard Summer School offers a comprehensive introduction to biochemical and genetic engineering. This online course dives into essential biochemical processes and explores how engineers use synthetic biology to design new cell lines.
The course focuses on the real-world applications of engineered organisms in fields like sustainability, global health, and pharmaceuticals. You will study topics such as metabolic and genetic engineering, cellular pathways and control mechanisms, and the production of synthetic molecules like biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and biodegradable plastics.
Image source – Harvard University