10 Automotive Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students
Studying STEM subjects like automotive engineering can open exciting career paths and deepen understanding of technological innovation. For high schoolers balancing rigorous academic schedules, summer programs offer immersive experiences to explore these fields intensively.
Summer programs also provide a focused environment outside traditional classrooms, allowing you to delve deeper into subjects you are passionate about without the distractions of regular school routines!
In this blog, we have compiled a list of 10 automotive engineering summer programs that you can apply to as a high school student!
1. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Automotive Engineering
One of the very many qualities of partaking in a pre-collegiate summer course includes the ability to specify your interests. One such program offered at Stanford University includes a set of “Single-Subject Study” courses, which include Automotive Engineering.
Just like any pre-collegiate summer course, this program allows students to select from a range of courses to take online or in person under the school of engineering. Participants are eligible to apply for the Stanford Summer Engineering Academy, which is especially tailored toward seniors who are interested in attending Stanford.
Location: Stanford, CA
Cost: $6,500, varies based on courses.
Eligibility: Open to all students from grades 9-11
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates:
Session One - June 17 – June 28, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
Session Two - July 8 – July 19, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program will have students pursue their own independent AI research project. Students work on their own individual research projects over a period of 12-15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the field of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost:
$1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
$4,900 for the 12-15 week AI Fellowship
$4,700 for both
Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Applications for fall cohort have closed September 3, 2023.
Program dates: Various according to the cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit past experience with AI concepts or Python.
3. University of Michigan: Engineering Summer Camp
The Summer Engineering Exploration Camp (SEE Camp) is a residential, co-ed program hosted by the Society of Women Engineers at the University of Michigan. Designed for high school students entering grades 10-11, particularly those with limited access to engineering resources, the camp offers an immersive experience in various engineering disciplines and industries.
An added bonus is that participants will also gain insights into engineering opportunities at the University of Michigan!
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $650
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
Application Deadline: The application cycle for 2024 has closed. However, the 2025 year remains open.
Program Dates: 1 week during the summer months.
4. Georgia Tech Summer Engineering Institute
Since 2008, the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech has been hosting the Summer Engineering Institute (SEI), which is a week-long residential program. SEI is dedicated to underrepresented minority rising 11th and 12th graders from across the nation who are interested in the field of engineering and aim to specify their disciplines in fields such as automotive engineering.
Participants will enjoy guided tours of our state-of-the-art campus, engage directly with cutting-edge technology, and gain invaluable insights into the admissions process at one of the nation’s top engineering schools.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost: $2,500
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
Program Dates: 3 weeks
5. MITES (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science)
MITES is an immersive program where participants explore advanced science beyond school, collaborate with peers in STEM, learn from MIT experts, bond with mentors, tackle rigorous coursework across various fields, engage in unique projects like computer games and robotics, and prepare for top college admissions. This program offers a unique opportunity to pursue a project that is tailored to your interest, such as Automotive engineering, where students are able to pair and learn from a variety of mentors.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Underrepresented minority students who are enrolled in the 11th grade. Must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident.
Application Deadline: The application timeline runs from November through late June. More information can be found on the website under “Application Timeline”.
Program Dates: 4 weeks in the summer.
6. Siemens High School Internship Program
Siemens' High School Internship Program is ideal for students intrigued by the intersection of engineering, technology, and automation. Participants collaborate on innovative projects in fields like energy, healthcare, and automation, gaining hands-on experience that includes working with simulation models and conducting measurements. The nature of assignments varies depending on the internship duration chosen.
Location: Depends on the location of the Siemens franchise
Cost: This is a free program with a stipend.
Eligibility: Grades 10-12
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2024 cycle have closed, but 2025 will remain open until next spring.
Program Dates: 3-5 weeks in the summer
7. The North Carolina Department of Transportation Internship
The High School Internship Program at the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) offers year-round opportunities for high school students to work as paid, part-time interns for one or multiple semesters.
You will gain hands-on experience in transportation infrastructure projects and insights into various roles at NCDOT, helping inform future career choices. You will also work directly with NCDOT managers to attend meetings, educational tours, and more!
Location: Throughout North Carolina; positions available statewide.
Cost: Free for accepted participants; stipend varies by internship role.
Eligibility: Duration varies per internship; most are typically one month long.
Application Deadline: Application due dates vary by the type of application you submit.
Program Dates:: Duration varies per internship; most are typically one month long.
The FORD STEM program offers a series of internships that cater to a variety of needs for students who are interested in robotics, mathematics, engineering, and AI. One of their many specialties includes automotive internships, which are open globally to applicants. Another bonus to the FORD STEM experience is the direct connections to the workplace, with mentorship available from entrepreneurs and engineers within FORD.
Location: Varies on the program, but typically based out of the U.S.
Cost: Typically free with a bonus Stipend.
Eligibility: Local high school students
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Varies by program
9. National Summer Transportation Institute
The National Summer Transportation Institute awards a competitive scholarship to 30 high school students, offering them a deep dive into careers and educational pathways within the transportation industry.
Participants engage in discussions, hands-on design competitions, and field trips to local and regional transportation hubs. They also interact with industry role models and diverse peers, gaining valuable insights and inspiration for future pursuits in this dynamic field.
Location: Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Grades 9-12 are eligible to attend
Application Deadline: In the Spring
Program Dates: August 5th - 9th, 2024
10. Automotive High School Internship Program
New York City and the Department of Transportation have partnered to create a series of paid internships throughout the year, allowing public high school students to gain hands-on experience in maintaining City vehicles. They learn from top city fleet experts while servicing the nation's largest municipal fleet.
Each summer, students intern with partnering agencies like the NYPD, FDNY, DOT, DSNY, and DCAS, gaining hands-on experience in diagnosing equipment, performing maintenance, managing fleets and claims, and using automotive shop equipment. They receive practical training in fleet management and maintenance skills.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Free, and a stipend
Eligibility: New York-based High school students
Application Deadline: Information for application deadlines can be found by emailing the DCAS fleet.
Program Dates: Varies based on the internship but internships start at the beginning of July and run for 6 weeks (150 hours).
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
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