13 Free Summer Engineering Programs for High School Students in 2025
If you are a high school student interested in engineering and aim to build a career as a successful computer, hardware, software, or aeronautical engineer, college-level summer programs can provide a springboard to elevate your CV into the elite class. Many institutes, organizations, and prestigious colleges offer a variety of engaging engineering summer courses that are free of charge for high school students.
Apart from embellishing your resume, you are sure to gain a lifetime of knowledge working with professionals. Being free of cost, these programs are also inclusive and, in some cases, are paid internship programs from which you can benefit financially as well.
Below, we have curated for you a list of 13 Free Engineering Summer Programs for High School students!
1. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Online and on-site at the University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid, but interns receive a NASA certificate upon completion.
Application Deadlines: February 22
Program Dates: July 6 – July 19
Eligibility:
Current high school Sophomores or Juniors (rising Juniors/Seniors).
Must be 16 years old by July 1
U.S. Citizens
The SEES High School Summer Intern Program provides high school students with an opportunity to engage in hands-on engineering research alongside subject matter experts. You will gain access to virtual distance learning modules beginning May 1, which must be completed by July 1 to remain eligible. During July, both virtual and on-site interns will collaborate on engineering-focused projects, working with professionals on real-world challenges. Each project follows a structured timeline — some teams meet multiple times weekly, conducting research and hands-on investigations.
As an intern, you should ensure full availability, as participation in all activities is mandatory. The program concludes with a virtual SEES Science Symposium on July 21-22, where you will present your research to engineers, scientists, and industry experts. This experience provides valuable exposure to engineering fields, practical problem-solving skills, and a chance to explore career pathways in engineering and technology.
2. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual and In-person at MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free except for students whose family income is $150,000 or greater. For them, the fee for the program will be $1,750.
Application Deadlines: March 31
Program Dates: July 7- Aug 3
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (no higher than 11th grade and no lower than 9th) attending school in the U.S for the duration of the BWSI
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute offers a free engineering program where you will engage in hands-on projects in areas such as microelectronics, hardware development, and autonomous systems. Courses cover topics like Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Cyber Operations, and Unmanned Air System–Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAS-SAR), providing a strong foundation in engineering principles and emerging technologies. Through guided instruction from MIT faculty and industry professionals, you will develop problem-solving skills, gain experience with real-world engineering applications, and collaborate on complex technical challenges.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadlines: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about engineering and AI. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
4. NASA Johnson Space Center Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Virtual and Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Application Deadlines: October 16
Program Dates: 10-month program (November–March online, July 28–August 1 residential)
Eligibility: Texas high school juniors who are U.S. citizens.
The High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program, offered by NASA, provides Texas high school juniors with a structured, 10-month online curriculum covering aerospace engineering, space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics. Through five modules, you will study NASA’s core themes, including Humans in Space, Moon to Mars, and Space Technology, while completing STEM-based activities and rubric-based assignments.
he program includes live webinars with NASA engineers and scientists, offering direct insights into Artemis-related missions. You will also engage in mission-planning exercises for Mars, Titan, Europa, or the Asteroid Belt, developing problem-solving and research skills relevant to aerospace engineering. Successful completion earns a NASA letter, and at the school’s discretion, the coursework may count for 0.5 science elective credit, ensuring academic recognition for your work.
5. Lumiere Research Scholars Program - Engineering Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadlines: April 13 is the summer cohort 1 deadline. Deadlines vary based on the cohort
Program Dates: Various dates between February 9 to June 2 (summer cohort)
Eligibility: You must be a high school student with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3, but no prior experience in your field of interest is required.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with a 12-week research experience under the mentorship of Ph.D. scholars. Offered in fields such as engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, and artificial intelligence, the program guides you through independent research, culminating in a research paper addressing real-world challenges.
You will develop critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills while gaining experience in academic research methodologies. The program requires commitment and initiative, but it offers a structured environment to refine research abilities and produce work that can strengthen college applications and future academic opportunities.
6. USC Viterbi CS@SC Summer Camps
Location: Virtual and USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: $200 for Virtual classes and $600 for In-Person classes, but full scholarships are available
Application Deadlines: Varies based on course
Program Dates: 5 weeks from June 23
Eligibility: Students enrolled in Grades 9 - 12
The CS@SC Coding Camps, offered by the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, provide high school students with an opportunity to develop technical skills in computer science and engineering through specialized courses in cybersecurity, game design, Java, mobile app development, Python, and web development. These programs, available both virtually and in person, focus on hands-on programming, software development, and problem-solving techniques not typically covered in standard curricula.
Online courses follow a structured two-week schedule with daily sessions, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. You will gain practical coding experience and a deeper understanding of computational thinking, preparing for future academic and professional pursuits in engineering and technology.
7. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program
Location: The program is conducted virtually, with in-person opportunities in Greater Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; most projects offer stipends.
Application Deadlines: April 22
Program Dates: ~8 to 12 weeks, usually from May to August, depending on the opportunity
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and live in the United States. Additionally, only WA state students will be eligible unless the project is located out of state
The Spark Summer Mentorship Program gives high school students hands-on internship experience, both in-person and remote. For those interested, there is a software engineering internship/mentorship program in Bellevue, WA, with hands-on experience in software development. This paid eight-week program involves working on projects in web development, infrastructure, content management, and mobile app development for Android and iOS.
You will enhance coding, problem-solving, and research skills while collaborating with industry experts and mentors. Potential research components include customer usage analysis and competitor product comparisons. Basic proficiency in a programming language such as JavaScript, Java, or C++ is required.
8. Young Scholars Program (YSP) – Center for STEM Education
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Students will receive a stipend
Application Deadlines: February 20
Program Dates: June 23 – July 31
Eligibility: Students must be permanent Massachusetts residents and must live within commuting distance of Northeastern University. Additionally, only students entering 12th grade in the fall following the program (current juniors) are eligible to apply. Students must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents
Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program (YSP) is a free summer research internship for rising high school seniors in Massachusetts, offering hands-on experience in university labs within the Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences. You will work alongside faculty on projects in areas such as robotics, machine learning, biotechnology, and environmental engineering, gaining technical skills in laboratory research, data analysis, and model simulation. The program includes seminars on engineering disciplines, career counseling, and field trips to industry and government research sites, providing exposure to real-world applications of STEM fields and insight into college-level research and career pathways.
9. UPenn Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Application Deadlines: February 21
Program Dates: July 7 – August 1
Eligibility: Current 9th-10th grade students; International Students are also welcome.
The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) at the University of Pennsylvania offers a four-week immersive experience for rising 10th and 11th graders in Philadelphia, providing exposure to engineering and other professional fields. As part of the engineering track, you will engage in hands-on learning with Penn faculty, gaining practical skills in problem-solving, digital literacy, and technical applications relevant to engineering disciplines. The program also includes workshops on SAT preparation, financial literacy, and professional development, equipping you with essential academic and career readiness skills.
10. Internships - Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Location: The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, Danville, VA
Cost/Stipend: Interns will receive a stipend, paid semi-monthly
Application Deadlines: March 28
Program Dates: June 2 – July 31
Eligibility: Students must be high school graduates
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) offers a paid summer internship program that provides hands-on experience in robotics, coding, biotechnology, and data analytics. As a Coding Intern, you will contribute to enhancing IALR’s SMART Platform robotic plant imaging system while developing skills in Python programming, data analysis, 3D printing, and experimental design.
The program emphasizes applying engineering principles to real-world challenges and requires a commitment of 224 hours over eight weeks. With a structured work schedule and professional expectations, you will gain practical experience in applied research, technical problem-solving, and automation technologies.
11. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various locations
Cost/Stipend: Stipends are:
New participant: $4,000
Returning participant: $4,500
Application Deadlines: November 1
Program Dates: 8 weeks from May-August (specific dates depend on location)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed Grade 9, are currently enrolled in high school, and are 16 years of age or older by the internship start date.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP), offered by the Department of the Navy (DoN), is a paid, eight-week summer internship that provides hands-on experience in robotics, engineering, and scientific research. Working in one of over 38 Navy laboratories across the country, you will collaborate with scientists and engineers on research projects involving robotics, programming, and mechanical systems.
The program emphasizes technical skill development and real-world applications in naval research and technology. Through mentorship and practical problem-solving, you will gain insight into defense-related research, explore STEM career pathways, and strengthen your understanding of engineering principles.
12. GRASP Lab High School Internships, UPenn
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: TBD
Dates: Summer (6-week program, from early or mid-June to July). Check out the documents required here
Eligibility:
Must be a rising senior
At least 6 weeks of commitment, varies with the internship
Maintain proper behavior for a research lab
The General Robotics, Automation, Sensing, and Perception (GRASP) Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science offers high school students the opportunity to engage in robotics research through faculty-led summer internships. As an intern, you will work on projects involving autonomous systems, computer vision, machine learning, and robotic perception.
The program provides hands-on experience designing and testing intelligent systems while developing technical skills in programming, mechanical design, and sensor integration. Individual faculty members make selections, and you are encouraged to contact those whose research aligns with your interests.
13. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates:
Virtual Jumpstart: June 16 – 17
On-Campus Program: June 21 – August 2
Eligibility:
Must be at least 16 years old by the program start date.
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Must be a current high school junior at the time of application.
SAMS (Summer Academy for Math and Science) at Carnegie Mellon University provides high school juniors from underrepresented backgrounds with an immersive, six-week experience to advance in higher-level math and science while earning college credit. The program, led by CMU faculty, blends rigorous classroom learning with hands-on research projects and includes professional and academic development courses.
Completely free of charge, SAMS culminates in a Symposium where students present their research. The program encourages applications from students with a strong interest in STEM, particularly those from low-income families or underserved communities.
Image source - NASA Logo