If you love building things, solving puzzles, or turning an idea into a working gadget, a summer engineering camp is one of the best ways to test that curiosity. These camps give you focused, hands-on time with tools, electronics, code, and design thinking. You get to work on real projects, learn from people who actually build things for a living, and connect with other students who are just as excited about making.
Why choose a summer engineering camp?
Camps are intense enough to teach practical skills, but short enough that you can try more than one area over different summers. You learn how to sketch a concept, model it digitally, prototype with sensors and microcontrollers, and test your design under real conditions. Most camps also include mentorship, teamwork, and a final project you can show colleges or internships. If you are trying to figure out whether mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, or computer engineering is the right path, a camp will help you test those waters quickly and without a huge time commitment.
For more information on summer engineering camps and programs for high school students, you can refer to other relevant posts on Horizon’s blog.
13 Summer Engineering Camps for High School Students
1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Grainger Engineering Summer Camps
Cost/Stipend: Residential camps – $1,000 + $25 deposit; In-person commuter camps – $600 + $25 deposit; In-person day camps – $550 + $25 deposit; partial and full scholarships available
Program Dates: Vary, June – August (check the schedules here)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 25 – 40% acceptance rates
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Grainger College of Engineering, Urbana, IL
Eligibility: Rising 7th – 12th-grade students (as of the fall semester) with a designated age range for each camp
As part of the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) program, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger Engineering Summer Camps have day/residential/commuter options with some camps including field trips to off-site locations. You will learn about various engineering and science disciplines and tour research labs on campus. You will work with your peers on hands-on engineering projects and participate in evening social and recreational activities. Camp activities include designing and building a model boost glider (Aerospace Engineering camp), playing with putty to understand the physics of fluids (Chemical Engineering camp), building and designing machines such as 3D printers (Mechanical Engineering camp), and more! Each camp ends with a closing ceremony and presentations.
2. TryEngineering Summer Institute Engineering Summer Camp
Cost/Stipend: Starts at $4,095 (varies as per location) with a need-based scholarship available
Program Dates: Vary as per location (June – August)
Application Deadline: July 23
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: The information is not available
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Rice University, Houston, TX; University of San Diego, San Diego, CA; Columbia University, NY City, NY
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12 in the fall, or students whose ages are 13-17 during the period for which they attend the program (Columbia University location – applicants must be ages 14 to 17)
The TryEngineering Summer Institute’s summer engineering camps, hosted across four U.S. college campuses, provide high school students with hands-on exploration opportunities in four engineering disciplines: civil, aerospace, mechanical, and electrical engineering. You will participate alongside your peers in interactive activities and tackle real-world challenges, which will enhance critical thinking abilities and problem-solving skills. Camp modules include creating a working AM radio/flying a drone/smart car (electrical engineering camp), building a hydraulic robot arm (mechanical engineering camp), building a glider (aerospace engineering camp), and designing a bridge (civil engineering camp).
3. The University of Texas at Austin My Introduction to Engineering (MITE)
Cost/Stipend: $100 (meals and campus housing provided)
Program Dates: June 23–27 (Session 1); July 7–11 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: TBD (typically applications open in January and close in March)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 50 for each session
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Cockrell School of Engineering, Austin, TX
Eligibility: Rising seniors (current juniors); must reside in the U.S. at the time of application (check complete requirements here)
The University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering offers an immersive educational experience through a five-day residential summer camp. You will participate in an engineering project, attend lectures, tour the engineering labs on campus, and learn about the research work of faculty. You will explore undergraduate engineering disciplines such as biomedical engineering, civil engineering, and petroleum engineering, among others, which are offered at UT Austin through faculty-led lectures. Current engineering students and staff will serve as mentors for the team-based MITE machine project. You will also attend sessions to help prepare for college admissions and apply for financial aid.
4. NC State University Summer Engineering Camps
Cost/Stipend: Day camp – $500/week; residential camp – $1500; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: June 23 – 27 (Image Engineering); July 14 – 18 (Computer Science)
Application Deadline: March 28
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 1:8 staff-to-student ratio
Location: NC State University
Eligibility: Day camps – high school students entering grades 9 through 10 in the fall; residential camps – high school students entering 11th/12th graders in the fall
NC State University’s College of Engineering hosts summer day camps and summer residential camps for high school students to explore engineering programs offered by the university. Day camp sessions include computer engineering topics, while residential camps have workshops on aerospace engineering, civil engineering, and more. You will work on challenging, hands-on projects as well as a group project. You will participate in interactive activities that incorporate the use of engineering design processes and cover a variety of engineering disciplines. You will gain exposure to multidisciplinary problems and develop real-world technical skills.
5. NYU Tandon’s Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC)
Cost/Stipend: $3,300 (additional housing and meal fees for residential option)
Program Dates: June 16 – 27 (Session 1); July 7 – 18 (Session 2); July 28 – August 8 (Session 3)
Application Deadline: May 15
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: The information is not available
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9, 10, or 11 with a minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent; should have completed Algebra 2 (or equivalent) and have some computer programming experience
NYU Tandon’s Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC) is a two-week summer program that provides high school students with hands-on exposure to electrical and mechanical engineering through the basics of robotics, mechatronics, and programming. You will learn about the components that go into building a robot, including electrical components, circuits, and microcontrollers, and understand how computer software programs are integrated into it to make it functional. You will build a fully operational robot with your peers to develop design thinking abilities and come up with creative engineering solutions. You will also participate in on-campus activities and scheduled field trips to NYC attractions.
6. University of Illinois Engineering Summer Camp
Cost/Stipend: $500/week (discount offered for children of University of Illinois employees)
Program Dates: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: Till spots fill (applications typically open in January)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 30 in a group
Location: University of Illinois, College of Engineering, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Rising 9 – 12 graders
The five-day engineering summer camp at the University of Illinois covers a range of engineering topics, including software engineering, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical and industrial engineering, and environmental sustainability planning. You will work in a team of peers on engineering projects in research labs, such as those related to biomechanics, AI apps, renewable energy, robotics, and more! You will also attend sessions to learn about engineering careers in contemporary fields, such as autonomous vehicles and nanotechnology. High school students in grades 11 and 12 will get college preparation tips and tours of the campus labs and other facilities.
7. University at Buffalo CS-Explore Camp
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: August 5 – 8
Application Deadline: May 30
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: The information is not available
Location: UB North Campus, NY
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9 – 12 in the fall; priority given to local high school students
The CSE-Explore three-day summer camp hosted by the University at Buffalo‘s Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) offers high school students opportunities to explore the fundamentals of computer science and engage in activities that include programming a robot and designing video games. No prior computer science and engineering knowledge is required! You will gain hands-on experience in diverse aspects of computer engineering and computer science, including Arduino programming. You will explore the fundamentals of computer engineering, including how to design and build circuitry and work on digital logic. You will also tour the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences labs and facilities, such as the structural engineering and earthquake simulation lab, the digital manufacturing lab, and more.
8. University at Buffalo National Summer Transportation Institute
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: August 5 – 9
Application Deadline: May 30
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 30
Location: UB North Campus, NY
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9 – 12
UB’s National Summer Transportation Institute is an annual summer scholarship program for high school students who are enthusiastic about engineering and the STEM fields and are keen to explore educational pathways in the transportation industry. You will get exposure to careers and research in the field of engineering, such as bridge designs, railroad networking, air transportation, and more! You will attend lectures, work on hands-on projects, and tour regional traffic operation centers and transit authority offices to explore diverse transportation systems and interact with industry professionals. The camp modules cover aspects such as multi-modal transportation systems, traffic operations and control, traffic simulations, and emerging technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, AI & ML, 3D printing, and more. The program wraps up with a presentation of your learning experience.
9. University of Illinois Chicago’s The Women in Engineering Summer Program (WIESP)
Cost/Stipend: Free with stipend
Program Dates: June 14 – July 9
Application Deadline: March 31 (date may be extended if spots are available)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 25 – 30
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: High school girls entering grades 11 or 12 by fall with an overall 3.2 GPA or higher; should have Grades of As and Bs in math and science classes; should be an active member of a STEM-related club/organization
The Women in Engineering Summer Program (WIESP), hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) campus, is a free, non-residential summer camp offering high school girls opportunities to explore various engineering disciplines, including mechanical and industrial engineering, civil engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, and more. You will participate in challenging hands-on activities and interact with UIC alumni. Campers have learned to build circuits using a microcontroller and a variety of electrical components, or how to build an electrocardiogram! You will gain exposure to the roles of professional engineers and engineering career pathways through corporate field trips, such as to Knowles and Motorola. You will also attend sessions on academic advice and professional development.
10. University of Notre Dame Engineering Exploration Summer Camps
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 9 – 13 (STEM); June 16 – 20 (Robotics)
Application Deadline: Varies as per camp type (applications typically open in February)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 30
Location: Cushing-Fitzpatrick Halls of Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Eligibility: Local high school students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
The engineering exploration summer camps hosted by the University of Notre Dame’s Engineering Innovation Hub (EIH) provide high school students with exposure to various engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, aerospace, civil, and others. You will work on hands-on team projects involving fabrication, machining technology, automation, robotics, and more, using EIH’s contemporary facilities and tools, including Computer-Aided Design Software (CAD), 3D printers, chronometers, etc. Earlier campers have built cardboard box air canons, miniature bridges, remote-controlled cars, and more! You will also attend presentations by industry experts to learn about career pathways in engineering.
11. Michigan State University High School Engineering Institute (HSEI)
Cost/Stipend: $1,099
Program Dates: June 22 – 26 (Session 1); July 6 – 10 (Session 2); July 13 – 17 (Session 3)
Application Deadline: June 9 (Session 1); June 23 (Session 2); June 30 (Session 3)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: The information is not available
Location: Michigan State University Engineering Building, East Lansing, MI
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 – 12 in the fall with a GPA of 3.0 or more in engineering core courses such as math, sciences, and technology; recent graduates can also apply
Michigan State University’s College of Engineering hosts summer camps for high school students to gain exposure to engineering majors. Each day you will learn about a specific engineering discipline, such as biosystems engineering, civil and environmental engineering, chemical engineering and materials science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and more. You will attend lectures and demonstrations and participate in team-based hands-on activities. You will also tour the campus, visiting the Diamond Technology Lab, the Materials Science Lab, and the biomedical engineering building.
12. Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Focus Summer Program
Cost/Stipend: $1,100
Program Dates: Varies, July 6 – August 1 (6-day camps)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill (applications typically open on November 24)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: The information is not available
Location: MSOE, Milwaukee, WI
Eligibility: High school students with a 3.5 GPA or higher
The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)’s Focus summer residential camps offer high school students the opportunity to gain knowledge and develop skill sets in a specific area of engineering, allowing them to decide which type of engineering field holds their interest. You can register for camps in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, electrical engineering, and more. You will have immersive hands-on learning experiences in labs, meet faculty, and interact with peers who share similar interests. You will also participate in evening recreational activities with peers.
13. Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Women in Technology Program
Cost/Stipend: $1,100
Program Dates: July 6 – 11
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: The information is not available
Location: MSOE, Milwaukee, WI
Eligibility: High school girls entering grades 10 – 12
MSOE’s Women in Technology summer residential camp provides high school girls with opportunities to experience college life and explore various engineering disciplines, such as architectural, biomedical, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, software engineering, and more. You will gain exposure to engineering pathways through hands-on activities combined with real-world experiential learning led by university faculty. You will connect with current MSOE students and faculty and explore different engineering majors. You will also learn about applications of engineering skills in the real world through industry tours. You will participate in evening recreational activities with peers, such as rock climbing, game night, or attend a comedy show.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, 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 – Milwaukee School of Engineering