9 Engineering Programs for High School Students in NYC
Participating in engineering programs during high school provides students with valuable exposure to real-world applications of math and science. Engaging in hands-on projects and learning from industry professionals can ignite a passion for engineering and help students decide on a specific field of interest. Additionally, these programs develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills that are essential in any career.
Early involvement in research and academic programs not only strengthens a student's college application but also demonstrates a commitment to their chosen field. It provides practical experience and often leads to networking opportunities with professionals and peers. Colleges look favorably upon applicants who have taken the initiative to explore their interests deeply and have relevant experience to support their academic pursuits. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Here are a few engineering programs for high school students in New York City!
1. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
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.
2. Simons Summer Research Program
Cost/Stipend: No participation cost, but students will need to cover their own transportation, dining, and residential costs. Stipends are provided to interns.
Location: Stony Brook University, NY
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program Dates: July 1 - August 9
Eligibility: Open to students who are: High school juniors at the time of application | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | 16 years of age by the start of the program
Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program provides a distinctive chance for high school students to immerse themselves in hands-on STEM research under the guidance of faculty mentors. Students are paired with a faculty mentor, become part of a research team or group, and are assigned a specific project to oversee. Throughout the program, participants are expected to commit a minimum of 4 hours per day, either independently or collaboratively with their mentor or research group. The exact schedule will be arranged in consultation with the designated faculty mentor.
For those with an interest in engineering, there is an option to work with Dr. Dongyoon Lee in the Computer Science Department. Research projects in this department cover areas such as computer systems, security, and software engineering. Potential research topics include C/C++ memory safety, regular expression denial of service, and software testing. By the end of the program, students are required to produce both a written research abstract and a research poster.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
4. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Stipend: Weekly stipends are provided based on the education of the students (GS pay scale)
Location: Rowe Laboratory, New York
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January
Program Dates: The program offers internships throughout the year. Check out the available internships when they are posted to see when yours will be.
Eligibility: Be U.S. Citizens | Be enrolled or accepted at an educational institution, taking at least a half-time academic course load leading to a degree or certificate for the semester immediately preceding the internship session | Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale | Be 16 years of age by the application deadline with a valid government ID.
The AFRL Scholars Program is a paid internship aimed at upper-level high school students passionate about aerospace engineering. Participants accepted into the program benefit from the extensive experience of their mentors, who are full-time AFRL scientists and engineers. These students will engage in cutting-edge research and technology projects, and receive invaluable mentorship.
In addition, the program offers tours of AFRL laboratories, providing insight into advanced research settings. Each mentor brings significant expertise, ensuring students gain high-quality support and guidance throughout their internship.
5. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Stipend: Varies by location
Location: Almost every state has an AEOP program. Transportation, meals, and housing are not provided
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Check here for application dates. There aren’t many opportunities out right now, but be sure to check the website when the new school year starts for the new summer internships!
Program Dates: All locations offer a summer internship, but specific dates vary by location
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents (Check additional eligibility requirements per location here)
White is not a program, but this internship offers the opportunity to collaborate with a university researcher or a Department of Defense (DoD) scientist mentor on diverse research projects. Interns will gain hands-on experience using advanced equipment and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. The research projects, sponsored by the Army, address significant national challenges, providing interns with valuable experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork—essential skills for a career in STEM.
Participants will also benefit from the insights of experienced scientists and engineers and have the chance to interact with other STEM practitioners throughout the internship. This exposure allows interns to develop a deeper understanding of the field and network with professionals in various STEM disciplines.
6. NYU Tandon School of Engineering - ARISE
Cost: Free
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: June 3 - August 9 with after-hours/remote work in June. Tentative dates are based on the previous year’s dates.
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors who live in New York City
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program at NYU is a comprehensive 10-week summer initiative designed for high school students interested in STEM. The program begins with four weeks of remote workshops that introduce students to essential research methodologies and skills. This is followed by six weeks of hands-on lab experience, where students collaborate with faculty mentors on interdisciplinary projects in fields such as bioengineering, robotics, computer science, and artificial intelligence.
The program culminates in a presentation where students showcase their research findings, demonstrating their newly acquired knowledge and skills. This full-scholarship opportunity aims to prepare students for future academic and professional success in STEM disciplines.
We’ve delved deeper into the program and its specificities if you are interested in learning more!
7. Columbia University Engineering Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Cost: $5,500, but need-based scholarships are offered
Location: Manhattan, NY
Application Deadline: Applications typically close at the end of March.
Program Dates: July 8 - July 26 | July 29 - August 16
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Columbia Engineering’s SHAPE program offers high school students an in-depth summer experience through three-week sessions focused on various engineering disciplines. Students can select from a variety of college-level courses, including robotics, biomedical engineering, sustainable engineering, and competitive programming. The program emphasizes hands-on projects, lab work, and workshops led by Columbia faculty, ensuring an immersive and practical learning environment.
In addition to their chosen courses, participants can attend college preparation sessions and utilize advanced lab facilities, including the MakerSpace, to develop prototypes and enhance their understanding of engineering concepts.
If you are interested in learning more, you can look at our blog here!
8. Cooper Union Summer STEM Program
Cost: 3-week: $1950 | 6-week: $3590. Financial aid is offered.
Location: Manhattan, NY
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: Classes are either 3 weeks or 6 weeks. 6-week classes start July 8 and 3-week classes start July 8 and July 29. Note that dates are tentative and based on the previous year’s dates.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Summer STEM program at The Cooper Union offers high school students a chance to explore engineering through 3- or 6-week classes. These courses cover college-level topics and activities similar to those completed by Cooper Union undergraduates in their early years or delve into student and faculty research projects.
Designed for students in grades 9-12, this selective program invites all curious, compassionate, and college-bound individuals to apply, regardless of their previous experience in engineering. The program emphasizes teamwork and provides an opportunity to either try engineering for the first time or deepen existing knowledge.
9. NASA Internships
Stipend: Stipend provided, but the amount is unspecified
Location: Various locations across the country with each internship
Application Deadline: Dependent on the internship
Program Dates: Internships span through different seasons of the year
Eligibility: Open to those with U.S. citizenship and a minimum GPA of 3.0
While not a traditional program, NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement offers internship opportunities at various locations across the United States. Students who live near a NASA center can choose to intern at a local research facility, while those who are not in proximity have the option to participate in virtual internships. To discover specific internships suitable for high school students, you must filter through NASA’s internship database.
This program provides practical experience in engineering applications, making it particularly beneficial for high school students planning to major in engineering in college. Participating in a NASA internship can significantly enhance college applications due to the organization's esteemed reputation.
We’ve covered this internship in detail if you’re interested in learning more!
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also 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 data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - NASA Logo