If you’re a high school student interested in how things work, engineering may already feel like an exciting path. You might enjoy physics, math, or hands-on projects, but still wonder what studying the field at a deeper level truly involves – which is exactly why many seek out engineering programs in NYC for high school students.

Imagine spending your summer in NYC, attending workshops on topics like mechanical engineering, robotics, civil engineering, or electrical systems. Picture working on design challenges, building prototypes, and collaborating with peers to solve problems. These immersive experiences combine academic learning with hands-on projects, offering insight into both university study and real-world applications.

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

With many options available, it’s important to distinguish between programs that offer basic exposure and those that provide meaningful technical depth and project-based learning. Some focus on lectures, while others emphasize labs, collaborative builds, and real-world problem-solving. Thoughtful research ensures you find a program that aligns with your interests and experience level.

Across NYC, engineering programs may cover areas such as robotics, environmental engineering, computer engineering, and structural design. You might participate in group projects, prototype development, or simulations that mirror real engineering workflows.

You’ll learn from experienced instructors, collaborate with motivated peers, and strengthen key skills such as analytical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. Along the way, you’ll gain a clearer sense of what pursuing engineering at the university level might truly involve.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 Engineering Programs in NYC for High School Students. They’ve been chosen for their hands-on learning opportunities, academic rigor, and ability to spark innovation and curiosity in aspiring engineers.

To apply your skills in a work setting and gain professional experience, you can consider engineering internships in NYC.

15 Engineering Programs in NYC for High School Students

1. Immerse Education’s NYC Engineering Summer School

Location: Barnard College, New York City, NY
Cost: Varies by format; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 7 participants per class
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 (14-18 for the virtual program); strong English proficiency recommended; open to international students

The Immerse Education Engineering Summer School in New York allows you to explore engineering in a real-world context within one of the world’s most innovative cities. As one of the most immersive engineering programs in NYC for high school students, you engage with core concepts across mechanical, structural, and electrical engineering through hands-on projects, simulations, and design challenges. Guided by expert tutors, you learn how to approach problems systematically while developing creative solutions.

Through industry visits and case studies, you gain insight into how engineering is applied in large-scale infrastructure and modern technology. Small class sizes ensure personalised feedback and close mentorship throughout the programme. 

By the end, you build practical skills, strengthen your problem-solving ability, and gain a clearer understanding of engineering career pathways.

Why it stands out: It places you in a real-world urban innovation setting with industry visits and hands-on design challenges, helping you understand how engineering is applied beyond the classroom.

2. High School Initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth Systems Engineering and Sciences (HIRES)

Location: The City College of New York, New York City, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 25 students
Dates: June 29th – August 13th
Application Deadline: March 15th
Eligibility: Current NYC Public/Charter High School student entering grades 10-12; GPA 80+ and Math average 80+; requires enrollment in or completion of Algebra 2/Trigonometry or higher; not open to international students

This seven-week program engages you in research at the City University of New York Remote Sensing Earth System Institute. While participating in the program, there will be professors from CUNY training you through the process, which will include analyzing real data for your research. You will particularly try to find answers to environment and climate-related questions.

HIRES will simultaneously help you gain skills that are essential for careers in the STEM field. By the end, you will have learned how to use the specific computational tools used by agencies like NOAA and NASA to monitor planet Earth’s health and earned college credit.

Why it stands out: In addition to gaining STEM research experience, you will also gain pre-college or college credits for your participation in the program. 

3. Cooper Union Summer STEM

Location: School of Engineering, Cooper Square, New York City, NY
Cost: $3,150 for the three-week course or $5,150 for the six-week course (financial aid available); free for students whose household income is below the current NYC median income
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 20-25 students per course
Dates: July 6th – August 13th for a six-week course and July 6-23 or July 27th – August 13th for the three-week course
Application Deadline: March 22nd
Eligibility: Students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11; some advanced courses require a 93rd percentile or higher in Math and Chemistry; open to international students

This program is highly suitable for high school students who are keen to explore the fields of computer science and engineering. If enrolled in the program, you will be able to pick from multiple STEM course options, including engineering-related ones.

For example, Design and Drawing for Engineering, Water Quality Engineering: Chemistry Meets Engineering, Circular Design: Engineering Sustainability for a Greener Future, and Python for Engineers: Discover, Code and Innovate. Your coursework will include working on a project, which you will present at the end of the program. 

Why it stands out: It removes access barriers and provides rare access to college-level engineering training and design facilities. 

4. SEE-STEM (Summer Engineering Experience) – Vaughn College

Location: Vaughn College Campus, Flushing, Queens, NYC
Cost: None for eligible students; else tuition fees may apply (The first 20 applicants receive free housing)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: July 6th – August 7th
Application Deadline: April 15th
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors, community college transfers, and incoming Vaughn freshmen with a 2.75+ GPA who are considering an engineering degree; not open to international students

In this five-week residential program, you will learn exactly what it takes to succeed as a college engineering student. You will cover essential academic topics, including English Literature, Composition, Computer-Aided Design, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity.

During your time on campus, you will take actual first-semester college classes, complete specialized IBM certificate courses, earn real college credits, and live in the college residence halls. By completing this experience, you will build foundational skills in AI and cybersecurity while learning how to effectively navigate both the academic and social aspects of university life.

Why it stands out: It gives you a head start on earning real college credits and industry-recognized IBM certificates while offering completely free housing for the first twenty students.

5. SPARC (Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding) at NYU

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300 + $638 housing fees + $199/week meal charges + $30 dining charges
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: June 16-27; July 7-18; July 28th – August 8th
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th-grade students who are 15+ and have a strong math background; open to international students

As one of the most hands-on engineering programs in NYC for high school students, this two-week intensive allows you to dive into the exciting fields of robotics, mechatronics, and computer programming. You will learn to work with small computer chips, electrical circuits, and sensors while physically building interactive robots from scratch.

During your time on campus, you will physically build interactive robots from scratch, wire electronic parts together, write the actual code that makes your machine move, and test your creations in tournament-style challenges. You also receive a full robotics kit to keep, allowing you to continue inventing long after the summer ends.

Why it stands out: It allows you to build real, functional robots at a prestigious university without requiring you to have any prior engineering experience.

6. Applied Research In Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York City, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~60 students  
Dates: Remote Workshops: June 1-25; In-person lab sessions: July 6th – August 14th
Application Deadline: February 27th
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students who live in New York City and are enrolled in a high school in the city; not open to international students

ARISE is a two-part program that starts with four weeks of remote workshops that teach you research skills, lab safety, and college writing. Following this, you will join one of NYU’s 80+ labs and conduct experiments under the mentorship of NYU’s professors and graduate researchers, while keeping the lab’s research objectives in mind.

There are research opportunities available across fields like biomedical engineering, biomolecular engineering, crystal engineering, environmental engineering, and more. Prior to the internship, the program hosts lab tours so you can make an informed decision about which lab to join.

Why it stands out: In addition to developing your research and STEM skills, you will also enhance your presentation and public speaking skills. 

7. Computer Engineering for Good (CE4G)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York City, NY, and orientation is conducted via Zoom
Cost: $4,620 plus an additional $981/week for housing and $229 for meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; 20-30 students per session
Dates: Session 1: June 15th – July 2nd (orientation on June 12th); Session 2: July 6-24 (orientation on July 2nd)
Application Deadline: Session 1: April 17th; Session 2: May 1st
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders who are at least 15 years old; open to both national and international students 

C4EG explores the importance of computers and engineering by involving you in projects where you identify a real-world problem and come up with a sustainable solution using computer and electrical engineering.

As for the theory part, you will attend classes where you will learn everything from reading the design to implementing it. By encouraging you to come up with new ideas, the program also helps you improve your critical thinking through your involvement. The program will also cover topics related to sustainability and public health. 

Why it stands out: It teaches high schoolers how to build their own smart devices to solve real-world problems like climate change and public health. 

8. Hk Maker Lab Summer Engineering Design Program

Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 23-26 students
Dates: July 6th – August 7th
Application Deadline: December 5th
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders who attend a  NYC public or charter high school; you also need to demonstrate educational and/or economic disadvantage as listed here; not open to international students

The HK Maker Lab is a free, intensive summer program at Columbia University where you learn the foundations of biomedical engineering and the engineering design process. You will cover essential topics like human biology, electrical circuitry, 3D modeling, and business planning.

During the program, you will identify a real-world global health issue, build a functional prototype of a medical device, craft a business plan, and pitch your product to biomedical executives. The program has a dual focus on engineering and entrepreneurship, along with the chance to secure a paid research internship for the following summer. 

Why it stands out: It empowers high schoolers to tackle real medical challenges using Ivy League resources while offering a direct pipeline to paid internships in the biotech industry.

9. TRY Engineering Summer Institute – Engineering High School Summer Program

Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: $4,495; scholarships are available for U.S. citizens who reside in the country
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 90-100 students in NYC
Dates: June 12-20; June 24th – July 2nd
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 between the ages of 14-18; open to international students

At the TRY Engineering Summer Institute in NYC, you get to live on a university campus and dive hands-on into the daily life of a student engineer. During the program, you will explore core topics including aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering.

To build your practical knowledge, you will participate in activities like designing a hydraulic robot arm, attending TESI Talks with professional engineers, and collaborating on the final Sparking Solutions competition. Apart from classes, you will also go on field trips to locations like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Nokia Bell Labs, the American Museum of Natural History, and more.

Why it stands out: It combines rigorous technical training across multiple engineering disciplines with an authentic residential college experience right in New York City. 

10. Engineering the Next Generation (ENG): Foundations of Research Track

Location: Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, New York City, NY
Stipend: $17/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 28 students
Dates: July 6th – August 13th
Application Deadline: January 16th
Eligibility: Rising NYC 12th graders who are legally allowed to work in NYC and have prior work or volunteer experience; not open to international students

ENG provides you the opportunity to collaborate with the students and faculty from Columbia University’s Department of Engineering. It engages you in research projects that expose you to some advanced topics in biomedical engineering, computer engineering, environmental engineering, and other STEM disciplines.

In addition to completing experiments at the lab, you will also be part of college preparation seminars, get tips on better science communication, and present your research at a final poster symposium. The program offers multi-level mentorship from students and staff, ensuring that it offers the best learning outcome for you. 

Why it stands out: Given the different educational activities included in ENG, the experience enhances your academic and professional skills.

11. Design, Invent & Innovate (DII)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York City, NY
Cost: $3,230 plus an additional $654 for housing and $229 for meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; up to 24 students
Dates: June 15-27 (orientation via Zoom on June 12th)
Application Deadline: April 17th
Eligibility: High school students who have completed AP Math, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, or a comparable program; open to international students

This two-week program will introduce you to the ideas and principles that go into innovating within the fields of science and engineering, making use of contemporary examples to help you understand them better. DII’s goal is to help you become more creative and design your own product.

For your capstone project, you need to identify problems through fieldwork and use NYU Tandon’s Makerspace to design and build a solution for them. It should be a working prototype that demonstrates your creativity, technical skills, and ability to solve problems. 

Why it stands out: It fast-tracks students from basic coding to building their own functional, high-tech prototypes using professional tools like 3D printers and microcontrollers in just two weeks.

12. Summer High School Academic Program For Engineers (SHAPE)

Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: Commuter: $6,241; Residential: $11,492; need-based scholarships are available for U.S. students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 25 students per class
Dates: Session 1: July 6-24; Session 2: July 27th – August 14th
Application Deadline: March 2nd
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders plus recent high school graduates; you should be at least 16 to enroll as a residential student; open to international students

SHAPE allows you to choose one engineering course per session from across various subject areas, such as biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, healthcare engineering, sustainable engineering, and more. Apart from attending the main course, you are also required to enroll in an elective class.

The curriculum emphasizes hands-on design, prototyping, and problem-solving. The program also schedules you with workshops that are focused on improving your public speaking skills, online presentation skills, and college preparedness.

Why it stands out: SHAPE participants get access to the university’s lab, The Makerspace, where you can use 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC tools for digital fabrication. 

13. School Construction Authority High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Various SCA departments and business partner companies across New York
Stipend: $17/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by year
Dates: July 6th – August 14th
Application Deadline: March 6th
Eligibility: High school students who are enrolled in a New York City public high school and are legally authorized to work in the US; required to submit original unexpired I-9 documentation; not open to international students

The School Construction Authority aims to give high school students in New York City experience working across various fields, including engineering. As a participant, you will work in one of SCA’s internal departments, like Architecture & Engineering, Design Construction Innovation Management, Building Code Compliance, and more.

You may also work at one of SCA’s partnering companies, like Gannett Fleming, Engineers TransSystems, TRC Engineers, Inc., Velocity Architectural & Engineering Group, or others. Your weekly schedule will include interning for four days and then participating in enriching activities on one day. You will also benefit from mentorships that are focused on your career growth. 

Why it stands out: It is one of the few programs that treats high school students as true professional staff, placing them directly into “business partner” firms (like major architecture or engineering companies) to perform billable-style work rather than just classroom simulations. 

14. High School Summer Maker Academy (Clean Water & Sanitation)

Location: Session 1 at the NYIT Long Island campus and Session 2 at the New York City campus
Cost: $250 per program; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come, first-served; 20-25 students per program
Dates: Session 1: July 21-25; Session 2: August 11-15
Application Deadline: May 6th
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18; open to international students

This High School Summer Maker Academy program focuses on water management and sanitation. Your primary task in the one-week program is to build a water vehicle that can be used to supply areas with water shortages.

The final result should be a vehicle that can move on its own or be controlled from a distance and have the ability to sense obstacles and pass through them to deliver the water to the right destination. Participants will work in groups with the help of teachers and team coaches to build the functioning vehicle.

Why it stands out: It grants high schoolers full access to professional Maker Spaces and the HIVE (Home for Innovation, Visualization, and Exploration) to build physical prototypes, such as water filtration systems, using 3D printing, laser cutting, and Arduino coding.

15. Manhattan University Residential Summer Engineering Program for High School Students 

Location: Manhattan University, New York City (Bronx), NY
Cost: $2,500; limited scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; approximately 20-30 students per session
Dates: August 2-8
Application Deadline: February 28th
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who are at least 16 years old; open to international students

Offered by Manhattan University’s School of Engineering, this residential program allows you to explore a wide range of engineering disciplines. With the program covering areas such as chemical, civil, environmental, computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering, you will learn some of the primary concepts from those areas.

This knowledge will also help you decide which engineering program would be the right choice when you enroll in college. Additionally, you will have the chance to conduct experiments in engineering labs.

Why it stands out: Living on the university’s campus, you will gain a better idea about college life and also have the opportunity to meet with industry experts who offer career guidance.

The Engineer’s Syllabus: Beyond the NYC Summer Workshop

NYC offers a massive, living laboratory for aspiring innovators, where the theoretical physics of the classroom meets the concrete reality of a global, vertical metropolis.

Participating in elite engineering programs in NYC for high school students provides a competitive edge, transforming you from a curious student into a technical problem-solver.

By immersing yourself in the city’s top labs and maker spaces, you solidify your foundational skills and ignite the curiosity required for university-level academic excellence.

Take the next step by exploring our Engineering Top Books Guide to discover the essential texts that will masterfully bridge your hands-on experience with theory!