If you’re a high school student interested in engineering, you may already enjoy building things, solving problems, or exploring how systems work, which is why engineering summer programs in Canada for high school students can be such a valuable next step. They give you the chance to move beyond classroom concepts and discover what studying engineering at a deeper, university level actually involves.

Imagine spending your summer on a university campus in Canada, attending lectures on topics like robotics, product design, or sustainable engineering. Picture working on hands-on projects, tackling design challenges, and collaborating with peers from around the world. These programmes combine academic learning with practical experience, giving you insight into both university-level study and real-world applications.

How do you choose the right engineering summer programs in Canada for high school students?

With many options available, it’s important to distinguish between programs that offer surface-level exposure and those that provide meaningful, hands-on learning. Some focus on lectures, while others emphasize labs, collaborative builds, and real-world engineering challenges. Thoughtful research helps ensure you find a program that aligns with your interests and experience level.

These programs often include workshops, labs, design challenges, and mentorship from faculty or industry professionals. You might build prototypes, test solutions, or present projects, mirroring real engineering workflows.

You’ll learn from experienced instructors, collaborate with motivated peers, and develop essential skills such as analytical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. Along the way, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of what studying engineering at the university level might truly involve.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 Engineering Summer Programs in Canada for High School Students.

For more options, you can consider online engineering programs. If you’re looking to engage with engineering work environments, engineering internships for high school students might be a good option.

15 Engineering Summer Programs in Canada for High School Students

1. University of Toronto DEEP Summer Academy

Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: Domestic students: CAD$732/week | International students: CAD$1,111/week; separate fees for residential option; bursaries may be available (check application fee here and residence fee details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: March 23rd (tentative; applications typically open on March 3rd)
Dates: July 6-10 (Session A) | July 13-17 (Session B) | July 20-24 (Session C) | July 27-31(Session D) 
Eligibility: Grades 9-12; must have completed at least one year of high school (check all requirements here)

The DEEP Summer Academy at the University of Toronto runs in one-week modules where you focus on a specific engineering topic at a time. You choose sessions based on your interest, and you can attend multiple weeks if you want to explore different areas. Topics change by grade level, with senior students working on areas like robotics or materials, while younger groups explore subjects like optics or AI.

Classes are led by undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, which means you are learning directly from people actively working in those fields. Each session combines explanation with lab work or design-based tasks, so you are not only understanding concepts but applying them. By the end of each week, you’ve worked through one area in a focused way rather than covering many topics lightly.

Why it stands out: Its flexible structure allows you to explore multiple advanced topics in a short period while learning directly from researchers at different stages of their academic careers.

2. Immerse Education’s Toronto Engineering Summer School

Location: University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; an average of 7 participants per class
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Dates: 5th Jul – 18th Jul, and 19th Jul – 1st Aug
Eligibility: Students around the world aged 16-18

As part of Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Program, this is one of the more personalised engineering summer programs in Canada for high school students, introducing you to undergraduate-level study in a structured and supportive setting. You will learn in small groups of around 7–10 students, guided by tutors with academic experience, including those affiliated with the University of Toronto. The programme includes university-style lectures alongside a weekly one-to-one tutorial, giving you space to review material and ask questions in more depth.

Over the course of the program, you will examine core ideas across electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering. Sessions include workshops on topics such as energy systems and sustainable technologies, along with collaborative design tasks that encourage problem-solving and practical thinking. You will also complete an individual project, which is assessed with written feedback. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: Its combination of small-group teaching and consistent individual feedback, allowing you to engage with complex material at a manageable pace while developing independent work. 

3. University of Toronto’s CREATE: Engineering Design Challenges

Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: Domestic students: CAD$732/week | International students: CAD$1,111/week; separate fees for residential option; bursaries may be available (check application fee here and residence fee details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Application Deadline: March 23rd (tentative; applications typically open on March 3rd)
Dates: July 6th – August 21st (one-week courses); check course sessions here
Eligibility: Grades 9-12; must have completed at least one year of high school (check all requirements here)

CREATE at the University of Toronto focuses on design as the central part of engineering, where each one-week course is built around a specific challenge. You pick from multiple options depending on your grade and interest, then spend the week working toward a solution. The process involves understanding the problem, testing ideas, and building something that you can present at the end.

Courses for younger students include areas like product design or biomedical devices, while senior students work on topics like VR or chemical systems. The structure keeps you working toward a final output, so your week builds into something concrete rather than staying theoretical.

Why it stands out: The program’s emphasis on presenting a completed design project at the end of each week gives you experience in both the engineering process and communicating your work clearly to an audience.

4. University of Toronto’s Blueprint Engineering Program

Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: Free (accommodations and travel expenses are not included); need-based travel bursaries available (check the optional residential program here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Application Deadline: March 29th
Dates: July 6-31, with biweekly events from October to February
Eligibility: Canadian citizens or permanent residents who self-identify as Black and are currently in grades 10 or 11

Blueprint at the University of Toronto is a year-long enrichment program designed for Black high school students in grades 10 and 11 with an interest in STEM. During the summer component, you will take two engineering-focused courses that introduce fundamental concepts through lessons and lab-based activities. Alongside academic sessions, the program includes recreational outings and community-based events. After the summer, the program continues with additional components depending on your grade level.

If you are entering grade 11, you will take part in the Prepare stream, which focuses on developing professional and leadership skills. If you are entering grade 12, you will join MAPS (My Academic Preparation Sessions), where you will receive guidance on university applications and transition planning. The program concludes with a graduation ceremony, and you will receive a certificate of completion.

Why it stands out: The program extends beyond a summer experience into a structured, year-long pathway that combines academic learning with mentorship and university preparation.

5. Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation Program

Location: Various universities in Canada
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Application Deadline: December 19th
Dates: Varies by college
Eligibility: Students who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit and are currently enrolled in grades 11 or 12

The Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation (VJKF) Program, run by the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation, is a one-week university-based experience for Indigenous high school students, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit participants. During the program, you will spend time on a university campus working with professors and graduate students on small research projects.

Through this, you will be introduced to research methods, including how to collect, interpret, and present data. The program also includes opportunities to connect with mentors and learn about academic resources that can support your transition into higher education. Alongside the academic component, you will develop skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through collaborative activities.

Why it stands out: The program offers early exposure to university research environments while also emphasizing mentorship and support systems tailored to Indigenous students.

6. (ELITE) Program for Black Youth

Location: Alberta and Edmonton, Canada
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Dates: Varies based on the chosen program
Eligibility: Local high school students, current post-secondary students, or those accepted into post-secondary programs (ages 15-22)

The ELITE Program for Black Youth connects you with partners from academia, industry, and government to gain practical experience across areas such as robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, and tissue engineering. During the program, you will work on applied projects alongside professionals including educators, engineers, scientists, and technologists.

Contributors are affiliated with institutions such as the University of Alberta and InnoTech Alberta, along with other partner organizations. In addition to technical exposure, the program includes sessions focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, and professional development, aimed at building skills that support future academic and career pathways.

Why it stands out: The program brings together academic and industry partners, allowing you to engage with both research and real-world applications while also developing professional skills alongside technical knowledge.

7. University of Waterloo’s Women in Engineering x Catalyst conference

Location: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: April 25-26
Eligibility: Girls and gender-diverse youth worldwide in grade 11

The Women in Engineering (WIE) x Catalyst conference at the University of Waterloo is designed for grade 11 high school girls and gender-diverse students interested in engineering. During the conference, you will participate in workshops, hands-on activities, and a design competition that applies engineering principles to a practical task. Sessions led by professionals introduce different engineering disciplines, career pathways, and the responsibilities of engineers.

You will also receive training on design principles and processes, which you will apply when developing, creating, and testing a product as part of the competition. Staying on campus allows you to interact with undergraduate students and experience aspects of university life firsthand.

Why it stands out: The conference combines practical design challenges with professional insights and direct exposure to campus life, giving you a well-rounded view of engineering education and careers.

8. Mc Master University’s Summer Engineering Camp

Location: McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CA
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Multiple weeks throughout July
Eligibility: Students worldwide entering grades 9-12 as of September 

Full-day summer camps at McMaster University in Hamilton offer high school students the opportunity to explore engineering through hands-on activities and interactive projects. The camps are designed and led by undergraduate students from McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering, providing guidance and mentorship throughout the program.

Options include the Engineering Immersive Experience for grades 9–12, where you will work in advanced labs on biology, chemistry, physics, 3D printing, and soldering, or the Engineering Design Studio, a week-long program focused on imagining, prototyping, and presenting solutions to real-world design problems. You will participate in real-world engineering challenges and gain exposure to multiple engineering disciplines, developing problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical skills.

Why it stands out: The program combines guided mentorship from university students with hands-on lab and design experiences, giving you practical exposure to engineering concepts while developing both technical and collaborative skills.

9. University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Engineering Secondary School

Location: uOttawa, Ottawa, ON
Cost: Varies based on course, starts at CAD$480 with some programs free for girls; need-based bursaries are available for students from underrepresented groups in STEM
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: Vary based on course (check upcoming schedule here)
Eligibility: Students worldwide in grades 8-12 (students in grade 8 require parental approval and a written recommendation from their school principal)

The Faculty of Engineering Secondary School at the University of Ottawa is an outreach program that gives high school students hands-on experience in engineering and computer science. Through the program, you can earn credits toward your Ontario Secondary School diploma while learning core engineering concepts, design processes, and technology applications.

The curriculum emphasizes how these concepts are used in real-world scenarios and introduces you to potential academic paths beyond high school.

Why it stands out: The program combines practical engineering experience with the opportunity to earn official high school credits, providing both academic advancement and exposure to university-level learning.

10. seed2STEM Summer Research Program

Location: Metro Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Application Deadline: February 20th
Dates: July 6th – August 14th
Eligibility: Indigenous high school students in grades 9–12 in Metro Vancouver or Kelowna; Eligible to work in Canada

The seed2STEM program at the University of British Columbia is a six-week paid summer internship for Indigenous high school students in British Columbia. During the program, you will work with university researchers in UBC labs or affiliated research settings, contributing to ongoing projects in areas such as engineering, neuroscience, biology, chemistry, or physics. 

Your experience will include supervised research work along with structured activities like weekly workshops, guest lectures, field visits, and cultural programming. At the end of the internship, you will present your work at a research symposium.

Why it stands out: The program combines paid, hands-on research experience with cultural and community-focused elements, offering both academic exposure and a broader support structure.

11. Ontario Tech University Youth Program – Connected Engineering: Innovate and Accelerate

Location: Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots fill
Dates: June 29th – July 3rd
Eligibility: Domestic high school girls ages 14-17

This program at Ontario Tech University is designed for high school girls to explore electrical, software, and mechanical engineering through hands-on projects. You will work with peers on a group project to design an engineering system, using programming to control sensors and lights and applying modelling tools to create components.

The program introduces engineering concepts in a clear, practical way, showing how coding and technology are applied to real-world problems. Through these activities, you will develop skills in prototyping, programming, and 3D modelling.

Why it stands out: The program emphasizes collaborative, project-based learning that connects technical skills with practical applications, giving you a concrete sense of how engineering works in real-world contexts.

12. Ontario Tech University Youth Program – Automate Your World

Location: Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON
Cost: CAD$350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots fill
Dates: July 6-10
Eligibility: High school students worldwide aged 14–17

Among the more hands-on engineering summer programs in Canada for high school students, Automate Your World at Ontario Tech University is a five-day experience focused on automation and electronics engineering. You will work through the engineering design cycle while learning the basics of electronics and programming.

Using this knowledge, you will design and build a smart home system, incorporating components such as circuits and lights. The program also provides opportunities to develop coding skills, creative thinking, and problem-solving abilities, alongside collaborative outdoor activities with peers.

Why it stands out: The program combines hands-on engineering projects with teamwork and problem-solving in a condensed, interactive format, giving you practical experience in both electronics and programming.

13. Western Engineering Summer Academy (WESA)

Location: The University of Western Ontario, Western Engineering Outreach, London, ON
Cost: CAD$350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available (an earlier cohort of 50); a 1:10/1:15 camper-to-instructor ratio
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots fill
Dates: July 6-10 (only for girls in Grades 7-12) | July 20-24 (Grades 7-9 | July 27-31 (Grades 7-9) | August 10-14 (Grades 10-12) | check for information on bursaries here
Eligibility: High school students from around the world going into Grades 7-12

The Western Engineering Summer Academy (WESA) at the University of Western Ontario is a five-day program for high school students interested in exploring different areas of engineering. You will attend lessons in classrooms used by undergraduate students and participate in hands-on STEM activities and collaborative group challenges.

Past students have studied fields such as green process engineering, biomedical engineering, and software engineering. The program also includes tours of campus facilities, including research labs and academic spaces. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Why it stands out: WESA combines classroom learning with hands-on projects and access to university research spaces, offering a practical view of engineering education at the undergraduate level.

14. The University of British Columbia’s High School Summer Programs

Location: UBC Vancouver Campus/UBC Okanagan Campus, Kelowna/off-site venues (check locations here)
Cost: CAD$440  –  CAD$500 with fees varying by program location and theme; bursaries offered up to 90% (one bursary per child per camp season)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20-27
Application Deadline: Registration for each camp closes on the Sunday of the week before the camp starts
Dates: Varies with multiple sessions starting from June 29th
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students entering grades 8-12 in the fall

The High School Summer Programs at the University of British Columbia provide high school students with opportunities to explore different areas of engineering. Multiple sessions are offered, including a program specifically for girls. If you are in grade 9, you can choose programs in software engineering, biomedical engineering, or integrated engineering. 

Students in grades 10–12 can explore fields such as environmental engineering, mechatronics, and robotics. Throughout the program, you will participate in hands-on activities, including design projects and coding exercises, which help develop technical skills and creative problem-solving abilities.

Why it stands out: The program offers a range of sessions tailored to different grade levels, combining practical engineering activities with exposure to multiple disciplines in a single summer experience.

15. UBC’s Future Global Leaders on-campus Program – Engineering Track

Location: UBC Vancouver Campus (residential and commuter options available)
Cost: Varies, based on course; starts at CAD $1,940 | CAD $2,620 for international students; need-based bursaries available for grade 11 British Columbia high school students (check details of fees and financial aid here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small class size
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: July 6-17 (Session 1) | July 20-31 (Session 2) | August 3-14 (Session 3)
Eligibility: High school students around the world aged 15-18

The Future Global Leaders on-campus programme is one of the most university-focused engineering summer programs in Canada for high school students, giving you an in-person introduction to engineering at the University of British Columbia. You will take the “Introduction to Engineering” course, which covers topics across computer, civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering, including elements of first-year undergraduate curriculum.

The program also provides opportunities to develop both technical and interpersonal skills through practical exercises and collaborative projects. In addition, you will attend workshops on university applications and campus life and participate in social and recreational activities with other students.

Why it stands out: The program combines exposure to first-year engineering coursework with guidance on university preparation, giving you a well-rounded understanding of both academic and campus life.

Engineering Experience That Builds University Readiness

From robotics and biomedical devices to sustainable technologies and design challenges, these programmes show how engineering moves beyond theory into real labs and workshops.

For students exploring engineering summer programs in Canada for high school students, that means early experience with prototype building, teamwork, and university-style problem-solving.

Whether you are presenting a design at Toronto, exploring automation at Ontario Tech, or experiencing campus life at UBC, you start to see what comes next.

To prepare for that next step with greater confidence, explore our University Preparation blogs for practical guidance on applications, interviews, study skills, and campus life.