Summer is the perfect time to dive into engineering beyond the classroom. High school students can experiment, solve real problems, and see how engineers turn ideas into projects that impact the world. Getting hands-on experience early helps you understand engineering concepts more deeply and builds skills like problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork.
Programs vs. Camps: What’s the Difference?
Programs are usually longer, structured experiences that can span weeks or months. They often include formal instruction, mentorship, and long-term projects that culminate in presentations, reports, or research. Camps, on the other hand, are shorter and more focused on hands-on work. You spend most of your time building, testing, designing, and experimenting, perfect for trying out engineering without a major time commitment.
Summer Engineering Opportunities in Florida
Universities, tech organizations, and community groups offer programs that give you access to labs, equipment, and experienced instructors. Staying local makes it easier to participate while avoiding travel and housing costs. These camps let you tackle real projects, explore new tools, and get a taste of what engineering work looks like in the real world, all in a fun, hands-on, and manageable way.
With that in mind, here are 13 engineering summer camps for high school students in Florida.
13 Engineering Summer Camps for High School Students in Florida
1. Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) STEM Academy
Location: Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL
Cost: Free
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Approximately 30-40 participants per session; competitive selection process
Dates: June 14 – June 26
Application Deadline: April 13
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors from the Southwest Florida region
The FGCU STEM Academy offers a project-based introduction to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on activities and collaborative work. You join peers to tackle engineering challenges and apply classroom concepts to practical problems, with a focus on areas such as renewable energy and sustainable design. The program includes laboratory sessions, tours of campus facilities, and discussions about current engineering issues. You also receive guidance from FGCU faculty and engineering students, giving you a clearer sense of what college-level engineering studies look like.
2. IHMC Summer Robotics Camp
Location: Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), Ocala, FL
Cost: $225 (financial assistance available for qualified students)
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Limited to 20 participants per session; first-come, first-served; priority given to first-time attendees
Dates: July 7–10 (Rising 9th and 10th graders); June 23–26 also available for rising 8th graders
Application Deadline: Rolling registration; register early as sessions fill quickly
Eligibility: Rising 8th through 10th grade students; no prior robotics or programming experience required
IHMC Robotics Camp is a four-day program where you build and program a LEGO Mindstorms robot from start to finish. You learn coding basics, work with sensors and motors, and see how programming controls physical machines. A unique part of the camp is the daily lunch sessions with IHMC research scientists, giving you firsthand exposure to real careers in robotics and STEM. By the end of the program, your robot can operate on its own, and you leave with a clear understanding of the core ideas that guide modern robotics.
3. Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Ocean Engineering Summer Camp
Location: FAU SeaTech Campus, Dania Beach, FL
Cost: Free (NSF funding eliminates participant costs)
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Limited cohort; rolling acceptance with capacity constraints
Dates: June 9–12 (4-day intensive program)
Application Deadline: Registration link provided; applications accepted on a rolling basis until capacity is reached
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 from Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Ocean Engineering Summer Camp is a four-day program that introduces you to ocean engineering and fluid mechanics through hands-on work. You assemble and program robotic systems, take part in flow-visualization experiments, and learn how fluid mechanics applies to the design of aircraft, ships, and underwater vehicles. The curriculum combines robotics programming with visualization tools that help you see how engineering principles function in real systems. All instruction is led by FAU faculty and researchers, giving you exposure to current challenges and solutions in ocean engineering.
4. University of Central Florida (UCF) Camp Connect
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Cost: $200 (includes lunch, backpack, t-shirt, and all activity materials); need-based scholarships available
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Limited to ensure quality experience; rolling acceptance with capacity constraints
Dates: June 23–27
Application Deadline: Applications open March 10; review begins April 7; applications close May 9 (or when camp reaches capacity)
Eligibility: Rising 8th through 11th grade students; minimum 13 years old by program start; particularly welcoming to students from underrepresented populations in engineering
Camp Connect I is a program that introduces you to several branches of engineering through interactive activities led by UCF faculty and undergraduate students. Each day highlights a different field: electrical, computer, industrial, mechanical, aerospace, civil, and environmental engineering, so you can understand the basic principles behind each discipline. You take part in hands-on activities, tour specialized labs, and watch demonstrations of engineering tools and techniques. The camp uses a project-based approach, and you work in teams on design challenges that you present at the end of the program.
5. University of South Florida (USF) High School Robotics Camp
Location: USF Tampa Campus, Design for X Laboratory (DFX Lab), Tampa, FL
Cost: Not specified
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Maximum 30 participants per session
Dates: Registration opens early February
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Entering 9th through 12th grade students
University of South Florida (USF) High School Robotics Camp is a hands-on program where you design, build, and program autonomous mobile robots from start to finish. You work with tools such as Raspberry Pi, 3D printers, and advanced software platforms while learning about sensors, actuators, embedded systems, and the mechatronic principles that guide modern robotics. The camp combines mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, giving you a full view of how integrated robotics systems are created. You work in the DFX Lab, which has 3D printers, CNC routers, and professional fabrication equipment, to build your own functioning robot. You also receive your design files and code so you can keep developing your robot after the program ends.
6. USF Biomedical Engineering Summer Camp
Location: USF Tampa Campus, College of Engineering, Tampa, FL
Cost: Not specified
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Maximum 22 participants per session
Dates: Registration opens early February
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Entering 9th through 12th grade students
USF Biomedical Engineering Summer Camp introduces you to core biomedical engineering concepts through hands-on projects and lab work. You work in the DFX Lab with guidance from faculty who specialize in medical engineering, learning how bioelectrical signals are measured and analyzed, and how medical instruments are designed and tested. The curriculum focuses on bioelectrical interfaces, medical instrumentation, and the technology used in areas such as diagnostics, prosthetics, and patient monitoring. You build and test biomedical devices, which helps connect engineering theory to real healthcare applications.
7. Camp Connect II – University of Central Florida
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (L3Harris Engineering Center)
Cost: $200 (includes lunch, backpack, t-shirt, and activity materials); need-based scholarships available
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: July 7–11
Application Deadline: Invitations sent April 14 to prior Camp Connect I participants; confirmation deadline April 25 or until capacity is filled
Eligibility: Students who completed Camp Connect I; no external applications accepted
Camp Connect II – University of Central Florida builds on what you learned in Camp Connect I and gives you a deeper look into different engineering fields. You take part in advanced lab sessions, work on more complex group projects, and visit off-campus facilities to see how engineering is applied in real settings. Projects in this program require you to combine what you previously learned with new skills as you work through more challenging engineering problems. Faculty demonstrations and student-led workshops introduce you to emerging technologies and current engineering practices.
8. FAU Building Futures Summer Workshop – Civil and Environmental Engineering
Location: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Campus, FL
Cost: Free
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Limited to 30 participants; competitive selection
Dates: July 28–31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 interested in civil and environmental engineering
FAU Building Futures Summer Workshop – Civil and Environmental Engineering introduces you to key areas of civil and environmental engineering through hands-on activities and applied learning. You explore topics such as solid waste management, environmental remediation, and new construction technologies like 3D-printed concrete. The program uses real-world case studies to show how engineering principles apply to infrastructure and environmental challenges. Faculty guide you through labs, demonstrations, and discussions that connect theory to the built environment around you.
9. FAMU-FSU TallyRobotics Summer Camp – Tech Challenge Track
Location: Florida A&M University and Florida State University (Tallahassee), Tallahassee, FL
Cost: Not specified; check FAMU-FSU website for current pricing
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Limited capacity; rolling enrollment
Dates: Tech Challenge sessions: July 7–11 and July 14–18
Application Deadline: Early registration recommended; specific deadline not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 7-12 (Tech Challenge track for more advanced participants)
TallyRobotics Tech Challenge immerses you in competitive robotics through hands-on building, programming, and challenge-based problem-solving. You design and assemble robots, work with mechanical systems, integrate sensors, and develop autonomous code that must perform reliably under competition rules. The program also focuses on teamwork and communication, reflecting the collaborative nature of robotics competitions. Instruction is led by experienced robotics educators and university-affiliated mentors, giving you insight into current engineering practices.
10. University of Florida (UF) Research Immersion in Science and Engineering
Location: University of Florida Campus, Gainesville, FL
Cost: Approximately $1,200
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Limited enrollment; competitive selection process
Dates: June 8–13 and June 22–27
Application Deadline: Typically Mid April
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
University of Florida (UF) Research Immersion in Science and Engineering gives you direct experience working on active scientific and engineering projects with UF faculty. You learn research methods, practice data analysis, and build skills in scientific writing and communication while taking part in a lab-based investigation. Your work includes hands-on experimentation, operating research equipment, and testing hypotheses in a structured lab setting. Faculty mentors guide you through each step of the process, from shaping a research question to presenting your results.
11. Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship Program
Location: Cape Canaveral, FL
Cost: Paid internship (compensation structure determined based on location and role)
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Competitive selection; exact numbers vary by location
Dates: Usually June–August
Application Deadline: Applications open November 3; deadline December 19; interview notifications typically around January
Eligibility: 16 years old at internship start; currently enrolled in high school; capable of demonstrating knowledge and passion for STEM careers; must live within commutable distance to participating facility.
Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship Program places you on real aerospace and defense projects, working alongside engineers and scientists as part of a professional team. You contribute to ongoing work involving space systems and national security technologies, gaining practical experience rather than just observing. You receive mentorship from industry professionals who guide your daily tasks and help you build technical and professional skills. The program also includes career workshops, networking opportunities, community-service activities, and tours of specialized facilities.
12. State College of Florida (SCF) STEM Exploration Camp – Arduino, Meet Alexa
Location: State College of Florida Advanced Technology Center, Bradenton, FL
Cost: $299 per week (includes lunch)
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Limited class size for hands-on attention; rolling enrollment until capacity is filled
Dates: June 23–27
Application Deadline: Rolling registration; register online before spots fill
Eligibility: Entering 8th through 12th grade students; no prior experience needed
State College of Florida’s Arduino, Meet Alexa camp teaches you how voice-activated technology actually works. You learn to program microcontrollers like Arduino and connect them to Alexa devices, which means you get to make gadgets that respond to voice commands. The camp focuses on the real connection between coding, sensors, and smart home systems. You spend your days building small projects, testing them out, and understanding how the Internet of Things (IoT) brings everyday tools to life. By the end, you’ll know how to combine hardware and software to create responsive, intelligent devices.
13. Young Scholars Program (YSP) – Florida State University
Location: Florida State University Campus, Tallahassee, FL
Cost/Stipend: Residential program with tuition covered; students are responsible for personal expenses
Cohort size/acceptance rate: Approximately 50-60 participants; competitive selection; must rank in the 90th percentile or above on standardized math assessments
Dates: June 8–July 19
Application Deadline: February 15 (application and recommendation deadline); decisions finalized by May 15
Eligibility: You must have finished 11th grade at a Florida public or private high school, have a 3.0 unweighted GPA, score at the 90th percentile or higher in math on the SAT, PSAT, ACT, or PLAN, complete or be enrolled in Pre Calculus, commit to the full six-week schedule with no exceptions, and hold permanent Florida residency.
Young Scholars Program (YSP) – Florida State University is a six-week residential program for high-achieving high school students with a strong interest and ability in STEM. You take advanced courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering while working on collaborative research projects developed and taught by FSU faculty. You split your time between theoretical instruction and intensive lab work, building skills in problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and scientific analysis. The program also helps you understand how different STEM fields connect and prepares you for the academic expectations of a top research university.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like mechanical, electrical, robotics, biomedical, aerospace, civil, and environmental engineering, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – University of Florida