10 Environmental Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students

For students looking to get a head start on a future filled with innovation and cutting-edge technology, diving into STEM programs is a smart move. By immersing themselves in areas such as engineering, technology, and science, young learners can jump on developing the essential problem-solving and analytical skills that will shape the future of STEM fields. 

These programs aren't just about boosting your intellectual prowess — they lay a solid groundwork for further education. They put you a step ahead in the ultra-competitive college admission process, where STEM expertise is increasingly becoming a prized asset. Each program is specifically designed to provide immersive learning experiences and practical exposure, amplifying academic understanding and significantly enhancing college applications. 

Imagine joining a hands-on engineering program where you get to bring theoretical knowledge to life through actual projects, hone your technical abilities, and collaborate with like-minded peers. These experiences build practical knowledge and foster teamwork, creativity, and leadership—qualities that are essential for success in both college and future careers.

Here’s our roundup of 10 environmental engineering summer programs for high school students!

1. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Introduction to Engineering

Cost: $3,050 tuition (financial aid available; $60 application fee)

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March

Program Dates: Tentative dates based on previous years:

• Session 1: June 17 - June 28, 2025

• Session 2: July 8 - July 19, 2025

Eligibility: Open to those in grades 8-10

This course introduces students to a range of engineering fields, such as civil, biomedical, environmental, and computer engineering. By working in teams, participants will tackle design projects that challenge them to consider both technical solutions and ethical implications.

This program offers students the opportunity to dive into engineering fields through collaborative projects, such as designing transportation systems, working on environmental engineering issues, and exploring structural design. These interactive projects provide valuable insights into the engineering profession. By the end of the course, students will have a clearer understanding of the industry, helping them make informed decisions about their future studies or career paths.

2. University of Illinois Engineering Summer Camp

Cost:  $1,000 for residential students, $600 for commuters

Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL

Application Deadline: The application cycle opens in January 2025. 

Program Dates: 

• Discover Engineering Camp (Rising Sophomores and Juniors): July 7 – July 13, 2025.

• Exploring Your Options Camp (Rising Seniors): July 14 – July 20, 2025.

• City Designers and Builders Camp (Grades 10-12): July 21 – July 27, 2025.

Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9-12, but there are restrictions per camp given below

The University of Illinois Engineering Summer Camp offers three distinct programs for students interested in exploring various branches of engineering:

• The Discover Engineering Camp, scheduled for July 7 - 13, is open to rising sophomores and juniors. During this week, students will engage in hands-on projects, team design challenges, and presentations that cover multiple engineering fields. This experience will help them grasp essential engineering principles and the design process, guiding their future academic or career choices.

• For rising seniors, the Exploring Your Options Camp runs from July 14 - 20. This program provides an opportunity for students to explore various engineering disciplines through interactive projects, laboratory activities, and field excursions. Participants will work in teams to learn about design principles and ethical considerations in engineering.

• The City Designers and Builders Camp, aimed at students in grades 10 to 12, will take place from July 21 - 27, focusing specifically on civil and environmental engineering. Students will participate in hands-on projects, lab demonstrations, and field trips, gaining valuable insights into how engineers tackle societal challenges, including climate change and infrastructure issues.

Each program provides an in-depth exploration of various engineering fields while emphasizing collaborative problem-solving and design. Whether you’re a rising sophomore, junior, or senior, you'll find a camp tailored to your interests and grade level, each filled with interactive labs, engaging projects, and team challenges.

3. Texas A&M University Camp BUILD

Cost: Cost not listed, but there is one

Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May

Program Dates: June 9 - 14, 2025

Eligibility: Open to recent graduates who are incoming freshmen at A&M

Hosted by the Texas A&M Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Camp BUILD is a one-week summer program aimed at accepted students in the College of Engineering with an interest in civil engineering. During this immersive experience, campers will engage in hands-on activities, such as constructing a bridge, purifying water sourced from a local creek, and applying calculations to real-world scenarios. 

Throughout the week, participants tour state-of-the-art labs and facilities, including the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and materials testing labs, while receiving mentorship from faculty and current engineering students. Living in dorms during the camp provides participants with a taste of college life, complemented by activities like scavenger hunts to help them navigate the campus. The program also emphasizes outreach to underserved communities, highlighting the critical need for diversity within the engineering field.

4. Ladder Internships (Engineering Track)

Cost: Starting at $2,490 (Financial Aid Available)

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world

Application deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.

Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The Summer 2025 cohort has not released dates yet. 

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 is a prestigious program tailored for driven high school students seeking opportunities in the start-up world. Participants are placed with high-growth start-ups across a wide range of industries, including technology, health tech, journalism, consulting, and engineering. Many of these companies are experiencing rapid growth, often raising over a million dollars. Previous founders have impressive backgrounds, including YCombinator alums and individuals who have secured over $30 million in funding or have experience at tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook.

Interns engage closely with their managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach, working on meaningful projects and showcasing their contributions to the company. The program emphasizes one-on-one training in essential skills such as communication and time management, alongside group training sessions with fellow interns. Typically, this virtual internship lasts for eight weeks, providing a robust experience for aspiring professionals.

5. WPI Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering

Cost: 2024 sessions cost $3,995 (includes housing, meals, field trips, and activities). TBA for 2025. 

Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025 (priority deadline likely earlier).

Program Dates: 

• Session 1: July 6 – July 18, 2025

• Session 2: July 20 – August 1, 2025

Eligibility: Open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders

The Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering Frontiers program offers an immersive, hands-on experience in one of the most diverse and essential fields of engineering. Over the course of two weeks, students will delve into the complexities of civil, environmental, and architectural engineering, guided by WPI’s esteemed faculty. You will explore how architects interact with clients, the strategies used to prepare our infrastructure for climate change, and the methods structural engineers employ to ensure the strength of buildings and bridges. 

Each day promises to be engaging and hands-on, featuring interactive activities that foster creativity and teamwork. You’ll work in various laboratories on campus, tackling real-world problems and developing innovative solutions. This program immerses you in one of the oldest and most diverse engineering disciplines, emphasizing the importance of designing and constructing the infrastructure that underpins daily life.  By the end of the session, students will have developed a solid foundation in engineering principles, giving them a head start in their future academic and career endeavors.

6. Tufts Engineering Investigations

Cost: $4,000 for commuter students; $5,500 for residential students (includes housing, meals, and activities); additional $200 for materials.

Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA 

Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 - May 1, 2025

Program Dates: 

• Session 1: Early July to mid-July

• Session 2: Mid-July to early August

Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 10-12 or recent high school graduates. Students must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program and no older than 19 by its end.

The Engineering Investigations (EI) program introduces students to a wide range of engineering disciplines, providing a comprehensive overview of the field. As engineering plays a critical role in addressing societal challenges like clean water, renewable energy, and personalized medicine, this program broadens students' understanding of how engineers impact the world. Over two weeks, students will explore various branches of engineering, including civil, environmental, mechanical, biomedical, human factors, and electrical engineering.

Through a combination of presentations, discussions, and lab work, students are exposed to the real-world applications of engineering, from renewable energy to cutting-edge biomedical devices. Participants will also learn about key engineering concepts like the design process, project management, ethics, and client-centered design. Throughout the program, students will work on projects that apply these ideas, culminating in small group projects where they focus on a specific area of interest. The program concludes with a final showcase where students present their work and document their experience in digital portfolios.

7. Summer Engineering Seminar (SES)

Cost: Free 

Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA

Application Deadline: March 12, 2024

Program Dates:

• Session 1: July 14 - 18, 2024

• Session 2: July 21 - 25, 2024

• Session 3 (Advanced Session for returning participants): July 28 - August 1, 2024 

Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors. Underrepresented groups in the engineering field are highly encouraged to apply. 

The Summer Engineering Seminar (SES) at Santa Clara University is a prestigious, fully funded five-day immersion program designed to introduce high school sophomores and juniors to the diverse field of engineering. The program features a series of introductory workshops led by our engineering faculty, combining lectures with interactive activities that cover multiple engineering disciplines. This broad exposure allows students to gain valuable insights into potential career paths within engineering.

Participants will also experience life on a university campus and gain insight into college-level academic expectations. Afternoons and evenings are filled with recreational activities, social events, and team-building exercises, creating an engaging and well-rounded experience. Students who complete the introductory sessions can return for an advanced session the following year, allowing them to dive deeper into specific engineering topics. 

8. Grainger Engineering Young Scholars (GEnYuS)

Cost: Free (Housing, meals, and a fellowship stipend are provided; students are responsible for transportation).

Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL

Application Deadline: The priority deadline is March 24. After that, students can apply on a rolling basis until spots are filled. 

Program Dates: June 17 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility: Open to rising 10th-12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin.

Students in the GEnYuS program have the opportunity to work alongside world-class researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, conducting hands-on research in cutting-edge fields such as cancer immunology, artificial intelligence, quantum physics, and bioengineering. The program is part of the Increasing Diversity, Equity, & Access (IDEA) initiative, which focuses on supporting and empowering traditionally underrepresented groups in STEMM. Through these initiatives, students are provided a safe and inclusive environment where they can build a strong community of peers and mentors who encourage one another to be confident and bold in their STEMM exploration.

During the program, students are assigned to research groups based on their interests and academic background. They engage in lab work, attend seminars on scientific communication and college admissions, and receive mentorship from graduate students and faculty.

9. UCLA Environmental Engineering Summer Institute

Cost: $2,759 (Scholarships available)

Location: University of California, Los Angeles (commuter-only program)

Application Deadline June 1, 2024

Program Dates: July 22 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering grades 9-12 by Spring. Participants must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program.

The UCLA Environmental Engineering Summer Institute is an intensive two-week program that immerses students in research addressing real-world issues, with a focus on environmental health and justice. This program provides hands-on training in environmental research while exploring the intersections of public health, social justice, and environmental quality.

Students can choose from two distinct tracks: the Lead in Soils Track, which involves analyzing soil samples from community gardens for heavy metal contamination, or the Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance Track, which focuses on studying coastal water samples for drug-resistant bacteria. Both tracks allow students to engage directly with community partners, gaining practical research skills and contributing to projects that have real-world implications.

By engaging with community-based research, students will strengthen their technical skills and critical thinking while deepening their understanding of environmental justice. The experience equips participants with the tools to use engineering and science to advocate for underserved populations and promote positive societal change.

10. Drexel University’s Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering Summer Institute

Cost: $850

Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (for financial aid consideration); general registration is open until spaces are filled.

Program Dates: August 5 - 9, 2024
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. 

The Drexel University Summer Institute introduces students to the three key engineering majors within the CAEE Department: Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering. The program provides an in-depth look at each major, helping participants make well-informed decisions when it comes to applying to universities. It explores career opportunities, common job roles, and potential employers in each engineering discipline.

Environmental Engineering topics covered include air and water quality, hazardous waste management, ocean engineering, water resources, and sustainable engineering practices. The camp includes a mix of presentations, hands-on lab work, field activities, and classroom sessions related to transportation engineering, structural engineering, air quality, water treatment, and innovative materials like self-healing concrete. Students will also have the chance to design and test a wooden bridge, visit a highway materials company, and analyze field samples at the Drexel Academy of Natural Sciences.

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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