As a student interested in engineering, you will be eager to see what the field looks like beyond school academics. After all, engineering isn’t just theory; it’s about designing solutions, building real systems, and working on hands-on challenges. One of the best ways to explore your interest in engineering is through engineering programs for high school students.

Imagine spending your mornings working on robotics projects or working with like-minded peers in the labs during your afternoons. Or attending evening office hours with faculty who are experts in the field. Engineering programs for high school students give you a preview of what studying engineering at college looks like.

What kinds of engineering programs for high school students are available?

We can imagine what you might be thinking. Are engineering programs worth it? Aren’t some of them too basic, too expensive, or unrelated to actual engineering work? That’s why it’s important to get the right information and identify the best programs.

Across the country, esteemed universities and institutions offer engineering programs with hands-on design challenges, tackle real-world problems, and conduct experiments. You will study subjects like nanotechnology, biotechnology, robotics, and materials sciences, in addition to engineering.

There are various programs available, ranging from those that cater to relative beginners to students with more experience in engineering. Through group projects and hands-on research, you’ll develop analytical, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.

Once the program starts, you’ll have to work hard to succeed. But we’ll save you some effort now. To help you get started, we’ve created a list of 15 Engineering Programs for High School Students. They’ve been shortlisted for their academic merit, presence of hands-on research components, and faculty prestige.

15 Engineering Programs for High School Students

1. MITES Summer – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (travel, housing, and meals covered)
Dates: Late June – Early August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: February (tentatively)
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors; strong interest in STEM; competitive selection

The MITES Summer program is a highly selective residential engineering and science program hosted by MIT. You will take college-level courses in engineering, physics, calculus, and life sciences while completing problem sets, workshops, and group-based design challenges. Faculty, graduate students, and researchers lead seminars, labs, and academic advising sessions. The schedule includes full-day academic instruction and evening study sessions that mirror MIT’s undergraduate rigor.

You also engage in hands-on engineering labs where you practice prototyping and testing solutions. This is one of the most academically rigorous free engineering programs available to U.S. high school students. By the end of the program, you will have gained a strong foundation in STEM fields and exposure to what an engineering education at a top-tier university looks like.

Why it stands out: You’ll be joining a strong alumni community (90% in selective universities), which can help you make more informed academic choices and shape your academic future.

2. Immerse’s Pre-University Engineering Summer School

Location: London, Singapore, Toronto, Tokyo, Boston, Sydney, Oxford, and Cambridge
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme.
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students around the world aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Academic Insights Engineering Summer School offers a structured introduction to university-level engineering, taught by expert academics from institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge. Delivered in small classes with an average of just 7 students per class, the programme blends theory with applied learning.

For students aged 13–15, the course introduces foundational principles, including mechanics, forces, materials, and basic electronics. Guided workshops and design tasks help students understand how engineers approach problem-solving. For students aged 16–18, the curriculum advances into mechanical systems, electrical circuits, sustainability, and applied engineering design.

Students complete more independent projects and analyse real engineering challenges, developing reasoning expected at undergraduate level. Across all ages, learning includes university-style lectures, problem-solving sessions, weekly 1:1 tutorials, and a personal engineering project, ending with written feedback and a certificate.

Why it stands out: Age-specific syllabi tailored to students’ academic stages, expert tutors from leading universities, small-group teaching that encourages discussion, and personalised feedback that supports meaningful academic growth and university readiness.

3. Research Science Institute (RSI) – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Late June – Early August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors worldwide with exceptional academic and research potential in STEM fields

RSI is a highly selective and intensive summer program that immerses you in advanced mathematics, science, and engineering research. The six-week experience begins with a week of university-level theoretical coursework taught by distinguished MIT faculty members. You then spend five weeks conducting an independent research project under the mentorship of scientists and engineers.

This is one of the most selective free residential programs in the world, renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum and the opportunity to produce a high-level research paper. You will attend lectures, complete daily assignments, and deliver oral and written reports on your findings. The program is designed to give you an authentic, high-pressure research experience that models graduate-level study.

Why it stands out: You’ll work one-on-one with MIT academics to produce a detailed research paper, giving you an accurate picture of how undergraduate STEM research operates.

4. Carnegie Mellon University – Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cost: Free; includes housing, meals, and coursework
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; competitive selection

SAMS introduces you to engineering concepts through problem-solving courses, modeling lectures, and project-based learning with CMU faculty and graduate mentors. You take advanced math and science courses designed to prepare you for first-year engineering classes. Workshops help you understand computational thinking, electrical engineering basics, and applied physics. Students participate in small-group projects and research explorations guided by CMU instructors.

The program also offers mentoring, college readiness support, and structured evening study sessions. SAMS is known for its academic rigor and comprehensive preparation for university engineering pathways. By the end of the program, you will have gained confidence working with advanced concepts and an understanding of what engineering study looks like at a major research university.

Why it stands out: You’ll be provided long-term mentoring that can help you craft more competitive applications for STEM & math undergraduate programs.

5. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – PREFACE Summer Engineering Design Program

Location: Troy, New York
Cost: $4000
Dates: July 20 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders; interest in engineering; competitive

The PREFACE Program introduces high school students to engineering problem-solving at one of the oldest technological universities in the U.S. You work on a team-based engineering design project guided by RPI faculty and current engineering students. The curriculum includes lectures, lab demonstrations, and modeling sessions that teach you how engineers approach real-world systems. Participants also gain training in CAD software, technical communication, and engineering ethics.

Throughout the program, you learn how to frame engineering problems and work collaboratively toward solutions. This program is designed to give you an early, structured understanding of engineering design at the university level. The experience concludes with a final presentation where you share your design outcomes with faculty.

Why it stands out: You’ll get a hands-on engineering design experience and an introduction to university-level academics, which is rarely available for high school students.

6. Johns Hopkins University – Engineering Innovation Pre-College Programs

Location: Baltimore, Maryland; multiple U.S. sites; online options available
Cost: Varies by course; financial aid available
Dates: 2–5 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12

Engineering Innovation offers a series of pre-college engineering courses where you learn foundational engineering principles through labs, experiments, and calculations similar to first-year Johns Hopkins engineering classes. You take supervised labs in areas such as materials science, civil engineering, or robotics, depending on the course. Faculty and graduate instructors teach core concepts like statics, circuits, and programming.

Some courses allow you to earn college credit if you meet assessment benchmarks. Students also work in teams to design and present engineering solutions. This program is designed to replicate freshman-level engineering coursework in a structured, supportive environment. The experience helps you determine which engineering fields you may want to explore further in college.

Why it stands out: It combines an introduction to freshman-level engineering with substantive lab work, preparing you well for picking future career options in engineering.

7. University of Pennsylvania – Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP)

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Cost: Approximately $9,250
Dates: July 12 – 31
Application Deadline: Priority deadline typically late January; Final deadline late March/early April
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students

ESAP allows you to specialize in one engineering discipline, such as robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, or computer graphics, through an intensive three-week curriculum. You attend daily lectures taught by Penn Engineering faculty and complete labs that mirror introductory undergraduate courses.

Students work on a final engineering project like designing a robot, developing a biomedical device, or modeling a digital environment. Graduate students and researchers mentor participants throughout the program. You also receive feedback on your technical work and guidance on engineering as an academic major. By the end, you gain familiarity with advanced concepts and hands-on research techniques.

Why it stands out: It introduces you to advanced engineering concepts, preparing you well for competitive STEM applications.

8. Columbia University – SHAPE (Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers)

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Residential fee – $10,705, commuter fee – $5,880
Dates: Typically late June – Mid-August (Multiple 3-week sessions)
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade students; U.S. citizens/permanent residents preferred

SHAPE introduces you to engineering through project-based coursework in fields such as computer science, electrical engineering, cybersecurity, and robotics. You attend lectures taught by Columbia Engineering faculty and graduate students while completing structured labs that apply engineering principles. Team projects encourage you to design, program, and test prototypes.

The program also incorporates workshops on engineering problem-solving, technical writing, and college preparation. Sessions take place inside Columbia engineering labs, giving you exposure to university-level learning. SHAPE is well-suited for students interested in a short but intensive engineering experience at a top engineering school. By the end of the program, you will have a completed project and a stronger understanding of engineering as a discipline.

Why it stands out: It provides access to Columbia’s engineering labs and renowned Makespace, helping you build a strong foundation for engineering applications.

9. COSMOS (California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science)

Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz (Residential)
Cost: Approximately $5,518, financial aid available
Dates: July 5–31
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students; highly motivated students with strong academic records in STEM

COSMOS is a four-week residential program hosted at multiple University of California campuses, each offering specialized cluster topics in mathematics and science, with a strong emphasis on engineering. You are placed in a cohort called a “cluster” to conduct intensive study and research in a specific interdisciplinary area like sustainability, robotics, or engineering design. Faculty members from the UC system teach the courses, which combine lectures, laboratory work, and field trips.

This selective program is designed to introduce you to the university research environment and advanced academic content far beyond the scope of a high school curriculum. Successful completion provides you with a comprehensive understanding of a specialized STEM field and enhances your academic profile.

Why it stands out: It has a cluster-based STEM curriculum that’ll introduce you to cutting-edge topics and university-level labs while still in high school.

10. University of Notre Dame – Introduction to Engineering Program (IEP)

Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: Approximately $2,850
Dates: June 28–July 11; July 12–25
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (rising seniors) with a very high GPA and challenging coursework

IEP offers an introduction to multiple engineering disciplines through hands-on labs, lectures, and design challenges led by Notre Dame faculty. You explore topics in aerospace, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering through guided lab rotations. The curriculum includes daily lectures, small-group discussions, and problem-solving activities.

You’ll participate in a team-based design project where you apply engineering concepts to create and test a prototype. The program also offers sessions on college readiness and engineering career pathways. IEP is designed to help you understand the breadth of engineering fields before choosing a major. The residential setting provides additional exposure to life at a major research university.

Why it stands out: It focuses on lab work and provides high-quality equipment, so you’ll better understand various engineering concepts.

11. Smith College – Summer Science & Engineering Program (SSEP)

Location: Northampton, MA
Cost: $4,985 for a two-week session
Dates: July 4–17; July 19–August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12

SSEP introduces you to scientific research and engineering through workshops, labs, and hands-on investigation guided by Smith College faculty. You work on experiments in fields such as engineering design, physics, materials science, and environmental engineering. Lab-based modules teach you how to collect data, analyze results, and present scientific findings. Students collaborate on design-based challenges using modeling software and engineering tools.

The residential experience immerses you in a college setting with structured academic and community activities. This program emphasizes research-based learning and problem-solving in a supportive academic environment. By the end, you gain experience working on interdisciplinary engineering and science projects.

Why it stands out: You’ll work closely with Smith faculty and participate in directed experiments, giving you a glimpse of what studying STEM at university entails.

12. University of Wisconsin–Madison – Engineering Summer Program (ESP)

Location: Madison, WI
Cost: Free; includes housing and meals
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Opens in January
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; U.S. students; selective

ESP introduces high school students to engineering through technical coursework, computer training, and hands-on lab experiences led by UW–Madison faculty. You‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ will be taking classes in calculus, physics, engineering design, and technical communication. Students collaborate on engineering projects, and they get organized academic support throughout the program. Hands-on experiences in the lab enable you to interact with engineering instruments, 3D modeling, and problem-solving techniques.

Besides that, the timetable is filled with company visits and skills development ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌sessions.ESP provides a comprehensive introduction to engineering disciplines and first-year engineering coursework. By the end, you gain practical skills and an understanding of how engineers approach complex systems.

Why it stands out: It’ll give you a rigorous taste of university-level engineering education with access to real labs and faculty mentorship, helping you confirm your interest before committing to a major.

13. Boston University Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship/Practicum

Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $9,785 (residential); $6,185 (commuter)
Dates: June 28–August 7
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors

RISE offers you two distinct, rigorous tracks for engaging with STEM fields: the Practicum or the Internship. In the Internship track, you spend 40 hours per week working in a BU research lab under the mentorship of a faculty member or graduate student, conducting an independent research project in a field like biomedical engineering or material science. In the Practicum track, you conduct group research under a BU instructor while attending daily lectures.

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ program gives you real-world research experience with the latest lab equipment and techniques, which is essential for developing a solid technical base. This experience is a poster presentation at the symposium, thereby providing you with an opportunity to formally communicate your scientific and engineering ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌results.

Why it stands out: You’ll study the larger research process, giving you an idea of how research works at universities and in actual life.

14. NYU Tandon School of Engineering – SPARC (Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding)

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in robotics or CS

SPARC introduces students to robotics, automation, and programming through hands-on lab sessions and guided instruction by NYU Tandon faculty. You learn key concepts in sensor integration, microcontrollers, and robot navigation. The program includes workshops where you design, build, and test robotic systems. Coding instruction covers Python and basic control algorithms.

Students work in small teams to complete a final robotics challenge. The program emphasizes project-based learning and practical engineering skills. By the end, you gain confidence with programming and robotics hardware commonly used in university engineering courses.

Why it stands out: You’ll be placed at a cutting-edge engineering lab and do a final research presentation, giving you an experience of how academic research works.

15. MIT Women’s Technology Program (WTP)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for students with family income less than $120,000; scale up to $20,000
Dates: June 27 – July 25
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are female or gender-minority students with little or no prior engineering experience

The Women’s Technology Program (WTP) is a highly selective academic experience focused on introducing you to mechanical engineering or electrical engineering and computer science. The program is specifically designed for students who demonstrate high ability in math and science but lack extensive prior exposure to engineering. You engage in challenging, hands-on projects, problem-solving, and team labs that mirror undergraduate coursework at MIT.

This highly competitive, tuition-free program is invaluable for young women and minority students looking to build a technical foundation and confidence in a supportive, intensive academic environment. The experience includes faculty guest lectures and visits to research labs, broadening your perspective on future research opportunities.

Why it stands out: Early access to engineering at a reputed university like MIT could strengthen future STEM applications (75 WTP alumni have been admitted to MIT)

Designing Your Next Academic Step

Engineering often becomes clearer once you experience how ideas turn into working systems. Exposure to real tools, methods, and challenges helps transform curiosity into informed ambition.

The programmes highlighted here show how engineering programs for high school students can bridge the gap between classroom theory and university-level expectations. They build problem-solving confidence through structured learning and applied projects.

Whether you explored mechanics, electronics, or design thinking, each experience strengthens your academic foundation and sharpens how you approach complex questions.

To keep that momentum going, our Engineering Top Books Guide offers carefully selected reading to deepen your understanding, expand your perspective, and support your next steps in engineering study.