8 Aerospace Engineering Online Courses for High School Students
For high school students interested in aerospace engineering, virtual summer programs provide a unique opportunity to dive into this dynamic field from the comfort of home. These courses allow you to study key topics such as aircraft design, spacecraft systems, propulsion technologies, and the science behind aerodynamics — all while using real-world simulations and tools.
Unlike traditional classroom learning, these virtual courses offer a more flexible, engaging environment where students can interact with industry experts and peers from around the globe. From designing spacecraft for Mars exploration to understanding the physics of flight, as you progress through these courses, they’ll build technical expertise and strengthen your critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Moreover, participating in these online programs can help students create an impressive portfolio of projects that will stand out in college applications. Gaining experience in this highly specialized field early on can offer a competitive edge and a clearer path toward a potential career in aerospace engineering.
Whether your dream is to work on groundbreaking missions or to develop next-gen aircraft, this list of 8 aerospace engineering online courses for high school students can offer you an exciting first step into the world of aerospace.
1. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Online and on-site at the University of Texas, Austin, TX
Eligibility:
Current high school Sophomores or Juniors (rising Juniors/Seniors).
Must be 16 years old by July 5, 2025
U.S. Citizens
Cost/Stipend: Free, but unpaid; interns receive a NASA certificate upon completion.
Application Deadline: February 22, 2025
Program Dates: July 6 – July 19, 2025
The SEES High School Summer Intern Program, a collaboration between NASA and the University of Texas at Austin, offers high school students an exciting chance to work directly with NASA scientists and engineers on space-focused research projects. SEES stands for STEM Enhancement in Earth Science, and it provides a blend of online learning and comprehensive research experiences. This program combines remote lessons with in-person research, allowing students to dive deep into Earth and space science, such as climate change, remote sensing, and space technology.
Selected interns for the SEES program will receive links to virtual workshops, distance-learning activities, and collaborative projects around May. These required activities must be completed before the on-site portion of the internship begins in July. The SEES curriculum emphasizes a variety of real-world research areas, including satellite data analysis, space exploration missions, and more. Each virtual project follows a specific timeline — for instance, the Globe Observer team meets three times weekly in June and July, along with field investigations. Detailed descriptions of each project are available for review.
Interns are advised to apply in a future year if family vacations, camps, or other activities may interfere with full participation. The program culminates in a virtual Science Symposium on July 21-22, 2025, where participants present their research findings to NASA scientists, educators, and family members. This event serves as a capstone to showcase the collaborative work and learning from the internship.
2. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: In-person at MIT (Cambridge, MA) and virtual
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending school in the U.S.
Cost:
Free for families earning less than $150,000/year
$1,750 fee for higher-income families; students must cover their housing and meals.
Application Deadlines:
Online course registration opened February 1, 2024, and runs through November 2024.
Summer program application deadline: Typically in March every year.
Program Dates:
Online courses begin February 1, 2024
The 2024 in-person summer session ran from July 8 - August 2, 2024
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a highly regarded STEM program for rising high school seniors. It provides both online and in-person courses focused on advanced topics in fields like aerospace engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems. BWSI combines project-based learning with workshops, where you will gain practical skills in areas like satellite design, unmanned aerial systems, and more.
BWSI’s 4-week summer program follows a two-phase application process:
Students begin by enrolling in free online prerequisite courses, which open on February 1, 2024, and remain accessible until November 2024. Completing these courses is essential to be considered for the summer program.
Students who complete the online phase can apply for the in-person summer program, which takes place at MIT’s campus. The program features technical challenges, expert mentorship, and collaborative team projects that simulate real-world engineering tasks.
Course options for 2024 include Autonomous Air Vehicle Racing, Embedded Security, Medlytics (Medical Analytics), and Remote Sensing for Disaster Response, among others. The curriculum is designed to provide immersive exposure to engineering disciplines, from aerodynamics and programming to data science and medical technologies. This program is ideal for students looking to deepen their skills in aerospace and advanced STEM fields while engaging with peers in a rigorous academic environment.
3. NASA Johnson Space Center Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Online and at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Eligibility: Texas high school juniors who are U.S. citizens
Cost: Free
Application Deadlines: October 16, 2024
Program Dates: The 2025 schedule is as follows:
Online course runs from October to April
Virtual summer experience begins in June
On-site residential program takes place in late July
The High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) is a 10-month educational program offered by NASA, specifically designed for Texas high school juniors interested in aerospace and STEM fields. Throughout the school year, the program combines a four-month online course with a five-day summer experience, providing participants with a comprehensive introduction to space science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The interactive lessons familiarize scholars with NASA's six core themes: Humans in Space, Moon to Mars, Earth, Space Technology, Flight, and the Solar System and Beyond.
Students interact with NASA professionals during webinars and discussions, gaining insights into career paths within the agency. The highest-performing students from the online course are invited to a five-day virtual summer experience to work on an Artemis-themed mission, culminating in a design challenge. Top teams from the virtual phase are also invited to a four-day on-site residential program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The curriculum is also aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), and students may earn up to one elective science credit upon completion.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Eligibility:
Open to high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.3.
No prior experience in aerospace engineering is required.
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort, with the upcoming winter cohort deadline on November 24, 2024
Program Dates: Varies depending on chosen program.
Winter Cohort: Starts December 16, 2024
Spring Cohort: Starts March 2025
Summer Cohort I: Starts June 2025
Summer Cohort II: Starts July 2025
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous, research-focused initiative for high school students looking to engage in one-on-one research with Ph.D. mentors. Over 12 weeks, participants choose subjects such as aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, or artificial intelligence and work independently on a research project. The program culminates in the creation of a research paper, enabling students to address real-world challenges while sharpening their critical thinking and analytical skills.
The program is flexible, offering 12-week to one-year tracks, allowing students to manage their research alongside their regular school commitments. To maximize the program's benefits, students must dedicate time, show initiative, and approach their chosen topics with curiosity. This personalized mentorship fosters significant academic growth, helping students build confidence in research while producing work that enhances college applications and opens doors to future academic pursuits. You can find more details about the application and the financial aid packages here.
5. USC Viterbi CS@SC Summer Camps
Location: Virtual and in-person at USC, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
Cost: $200 for Virtual classes and $600 for In-person classes
Application Deadlines: Spring 2025 Registrations will open starting on October 21, 2024. Click here to apply
Program Dates:
The USC Viterbi CS@SC Summer Camps provide K-12 students with the opportunity to explore computer science topics not typically covered in traditional curricula. These camps cover a range of computer science topics, including programming, game and web design, robotics, and mobile app development. These camps are accessible both virtually and in-person, making them a flexible choice for students nationwide.
The courses are structured as two-week sessions, with daily virtual classes offered twice each day for convenience. Each session features a mix of lectures, group work, and individual projects, allowing students to develop both technical skills and collaborative problem-solving abilities. For high school students, CS@SC offers specialized courses in areas such as Cyber Security, Game Design, Java, Mobile App Development, Python, and Web Development. These programs are designed to equip students with hands-on skills and a deeper understanding of the evolving field of computer science and engineering.
6. Washington Aerospace Scholars
Location: Online and in-person at The Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA
Eligibility: High school juniors who are Washington State residents
Cost:
Phase One is free.
Phase Two has a $1,025 residency fee, with full financial assistance available for those in need.
Application Deadline: October 22, 2024
Program Dates:
Phase One: November 2024 - March 2025
Phase Two: July - August 2025
The Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) program, hosted by The Museum of Flight in Seattle, offers a two-part educational experience for high school juniors interested in aerospace and STEM fields. The program, developed in collaboration with the University of Washington and NASA, is structured around an online course followed by an optional summer residency.
The Phase One online course is asynchronous, covering aerospace design, space exploration, and Earth science. The program includes eight lessons and a final project, combining online readings, essays, aerospace-related math problems, group discussions, and virtual labs. Students can earn five University of Washington science credits (optional), making it a substantial academic opportunity.
Phase Two is a six-day summer residency at The Museum of Flight, taking place in July and August. Students engage in hands-on activities, aerospace company tours, and engineering challenges, guided by professionals from NASA, academia, and the aerospace industry. Selection for Phase Two depends on the performance during Phase One. Graduates of the WAS program gain access to exclusive scholarship opportunities worth $250,000 and receive complimentary membership to The Museum of Flight.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10–20 hours per week, for 8–12 weeks. The internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Cost: Starting at $2,490. Financial assistance is available.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on cohort. The upcoming winter cohort deadline is November 24, 2024.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The winter cohort runs from December 16, 2024
Ladder Internships is an exclusive program founded by alumni of Harvard University that connects high school students with startups, development sector organizations, and non-profits worldwide. It features two main tracks: the Startup Internship Program and the Research Internship Program, each designed to provide real-world experience and build practical skills. Students interested in aerospace engineering can opt for internships focused on aerospace development and innovation. This unique program engages students with projects that could range from developing aerospace solutions to conducting research in emerging tech areas. This allows them to work on impactful projects relevant to their host organizations.
What sets Ladder Internships apart is its strong focus on mentorship. Each intern collaborates closely with startup managers and is paired with a Ladder Coach, ensuring continuous support and guidance throughout the internship. Aerospace engineering interns can work with organizations involved in aircraft design, space exploration technologies, or satellite systems, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge aerospace solutions. In addition to skill-building, interns benefit from personalized training and group interactions with peers, fostering both professional and personal growth in the aerospace field.
8. Aerospace - Space Exploration Camp, Rice Space Institute, Pre-College Programs
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Open to all students ages 13 and up
Cost: $1,495 (financial assistance is available)
Application Deadlines: Vary by course; upcoming deadlines include November 3, December 15, and December 29, 2024
Program Dates:
November 22 - December 8, 2024
December 22, 2024 - January 5, 2025
January 5 - February 2, 2025
The Aerospace-Space Exploration Camp, offered by the Rice Space Institute at Rice University, is a comprehensive virtual program for students interested in aeronautics, space exploration, and related technologies. The course covers a range of topics, from the history of space travel and the future of moon landings to Mars exploration and its scientific motivations. Through engaging videos and interviews with space experts, as well as multimedia content, students gain a unique behind-the-scenes look into the evolution of aerospace technologies.
This program offers a flexible, 100% online format featuring 20-30 hours of video lectures, real-life simulations, and mentor-led assignments. The course culminates in a capstone project, where students design their own mission to Mars. Throughout the program, students receive personalized mentorship, flexible learning options, and tech-forward interactions.
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