10 Engineering Internships For High School Students in Houston, Texas
Engineering internships are a great opportunity for high school students eager to take their learning beyond the classroom. These hands-on experiences allow you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, making you more prepared for both higher education and the professional world.
For students interested in engineering, internships offer a unique advantage. Engineering is a field that thrives on practical problem-solving, and nothing beats the experience of working on actual projects. By getting involved in real-world engineering tasks, students can deepen their understanding of concepts they learn in school, from design to implementation. Plus, such engineering internships for high school students allow you to explore different engineering disciplines, helping you discover which path you may want to pursue in the future.
Here is our pick of 10 engineering internships for high school students in Houston, Texas!
1. NASA and UT Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES)
The NASA and UT Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES) program is a great opportunity for high school students to dive into science and engineering research. During this immersive engineering internship for high school students, you will collaborate closely with experienced researchers or Department of Defense (DoD) scientists, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge labs. The program involves working on various projects in Earth science, including topics like climate change, environmental science, and data analysis.
The mentorship aspect of the program is particularly valuable, as you’ll receive guidance from professionals in the field, helping you develop skills for future academic and career pursuits. This prestigious internship (with NASA!) is sure to make your application stand out to college admissions committees while helping you build meaningful connections in the STEM community.
Location: Virtual and on-site at the University of Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free
Internship dates: July 6 – July 19
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old by the start of the program are eligible.
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more.
This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,490
Internship dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program.
3. NASA Office of STEM Engagements (OSTEM) Internships
If you’re a high school student interested in engineering and space, the NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internships can provide a unique chance to dive into cutting-edge projects and gain valuable practical experience. As an intern, you'll work alongside NASA mentors in fields like aerospace engineering, robotics, 3D modeling, civil engineering, and more. These engineering internships for high school students offer opportunities to contribute to real-world projects such as AI and machine learning for air traffic management or lidar design and development.
You’ll receive training that sharpens your technical skills while also engaging in career development activities that can open doors for your future.
Location: Virtual and in-person across NASA facilities
Cost/Stipend: No cost, paid internship
Internship dates: Three sessions -
Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December)
Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May)
Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
Application deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old with a minimum of 3.0 GPA and are US citizens can apply.
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Internship dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
5. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program enables high school students interested in STEM fields to work alongside scientists and engineers on advanced research and technology. As an intern in this prestigious engineering internship for high school students, you’ll gain practical exposure while contributing to real-world projects in various areas, including aerospace, materials science, and technology development.
You’ll also have the chance to collaborate with AFRL professionals, learn advanced research methods, and explore concepts like engineering design, testing, and analysis. In addition to building your technical skills, this program offers valuable insight into the field of research, giving you a glimpse of what it’s like to contribute to scientific advancements.
Location: Varies, check this page to learn more.
Stipend: $468.80 per week
Internship dates: 9 weeks in the summer (tentative)
Application deadline: January 10
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have a recommended minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible.
6. Anson L. Clarks Scholars Program
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a highly competitive seven-week summer research experience designed for exceptional high school juniors and seniors. During the program, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with world-class faculty at Texas Tech University and the Health Science Center on research projects in fields ranging from the natural sciences and mathematics to the humanities and arts. This engaging experience allows you to develop critical thinking skills while working closely with professors on hands-on research.
Besides conducting research, you’ll participate in weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips, all of which aim to deepen your understanding of various academic disciplines. The program not only gives you insight into different areas of study but also helps you refine your career interests and goals.
Location: TexasTech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Stipend: $750 upon completion of the program
Internship dates: June 22 - August 7
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students who are least 17 years old by the program start date, are set to graduate in this academic year or the next, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible.
7. University of Houston’s Mohan Lab Summer Internship
The University of Houston's Mohan Lab Summer Internship is an excellent opportunity for rising high school seniors who are interested in bioengineering or other health-related fields. Over an 8-week period, you’ll start by learning basic laboratory techniques in the first 1-2 weeks, giving you the foundation to dive into hands-on research. Under the guidance of experienced scientists or graduate students, you’ll conduct bench research and contribute to ongoing projects that could even lead to research publications.
At the end of this internship, you'll present your findings at a joint laboratory meeting, gaining valuable experience in research communication. If you’re interested in continuing your research beyond the internship, you’ll have the chance to participate in manuscript writing and data analysis.
Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free, no information available about stipend
Internship dates: June 2 - July 25
Application deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with exceptional academic performance are eligible to apply.
8. Austin Youth Initiatives: Get Ready! Summer Internship
The Austin Youth Initiatives: Get Ready! Summer Internship provides high school students with a valuable opportunity to explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) fields through hands-on work experience. The program places interns at various organizations based on their career interests, so you’ll be matched with a professional environment where you can gain a deeper understanding of your chosen field. Whether you're interested in engineering, technology, or the arts, you’ll develop key skills in work ethic and professionalism while contributing to real projects.
The engineering internship for high school students is designed to boost your knowledge and engagement in STEAM careers, offering an early introduction to the industry. The program also helps you build a network — a plus as you continue your academic journey and eventually pursue your career goals.
Location: Varies
Stipend: $13/hour
Internship dates: June 1 – July 18 (tentative)
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, or current seniors between the ages of 15 and 18 years old currently enrolled in an Austin-area high school and a city of Austin resident are eligible.
9. Texas High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) Program
The Texas High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program provides a year-long immersive experience for high school juniors with an interest in space exploration and STEM fields. It kicks off in the fall with an online course where you’ll explore topics like aeronautics, Earth science, and NASA’s space missions. The course is divided into 5 modules, each focusing on themes such as the challenges of the Moon and Mars missions, technology used in space exploration, and the role of the International Space Station.
If you maintain a strong performance in the online course, you’ll be invited to a virtual summer experience, where you’ll collaborate with NASA scientists and engineers to tackle mission design challenges, simulate real-life space exploration projects, and gain insight into STEM careers. At the end of the virtual experience, top teams will be selected for an all-expenses-paid trip to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where you’ll work with professionals in the field.
Location: Virtual and in-person at Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Internship dates:
Online Course: Runs from late October through April
Onsite Summer Experience: Held during June and July
Application deadline: October 17
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens residing in Texas are eligible to apply.
10. StandOut Connect
Standout Connect is an immersive internship experience for high-achieving high school students eager to dive into their chosen career fields. Over 3 months, you'll first engage in weekend workshops where you'll learn from alumni of top universities about everything from resume building and personal branding to mastering essential tools like Excel and AI. These workshops will prepare you for internship recruitment and interview processes, ensuring you're ready to impress potential employers.
The second part of the program connects you with a 2-month remote internship at a start-up or company from elite entrepreneurial networks like Yale and Stanford. During your internship, you will contribute to impactful projects, gaining practical experience and mentorship from industry professionals.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,950 (need-based scholarships available)
Internship dates: June 1 - August 29
Application deadline: April 27
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old at the start of the cohort can apply.
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