If you’re a high school student passionate about STEM, participating in a summer engineering internship for high school students in USA can provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to real-world engineering challenges. We’ve compiled a list of 13 summer engineering internships for high school students in USA that offer meaningful, resume-boosting experiences.
These summer engineering internships for high school students in USA are carefully curated to help students gain practical knowledge and build strong college applications.
Comparison Table: Engineering Internships at a Glance
| Program Name | Field/Focus | Dates (2025) | Eligibility | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASA High School Internship | Aerospace Engineering | June – August | Rising Juniors & Seniors | Various NASA Centers | Free + Stipend |
| SEAP (Naval Apprenticeship Program) | Engineering Research | June – August | High School Students (16+) | Naval Research Labs (U.S.) | Free + Stipend |
| MIT LLRISE | Electrical Engineering | July (2 weeks) | Rising Seniors | Lexington, MA | Free |
| Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation | Biomed, Civil, Electrical | June – July (4–5 weeks) | High School Students | Baltimore, MD | Tuition-based* |
| Stanford Pre-Collegiate Institutes | Engineering & STEM | June – August | High School Students | Stanford, CA | Tuition-based* |
| Boston University RISE Internship | Engineering Research | July – August (6 weeks) | Rising Seniors | Boston, MA | Free |
| UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship | Interdisciplinary Research | June – August | High School Students | Santa Barbara, CA | Tuition-based* |
| NIST High School Internship | Engineering & Tech | June – August | Juniors and Seniors | MD & CO | Free + Stipend |
| Cooper Union Summer STEM | General Engineering | July – August (6 weeks) | Sophomores & Juniors | New York, NY | Free |
| University of Michigan Engineering Camp | General Engineering | July (1 week) | High School Students | Ann Arbor, MI | Tuition-based* |
| Purdue STEP | Engineering Tech | June – July (4 weeks) | Rising Seniors | West Lafayette, IN | Free |
| Texas A&M Engineering Camp | General Engineering | June – July (1 week) | High School Students | College Station, TX | Tuition-based* |
| Garcia Scholars – Stony Brook University | Materials Science | June – August (7 weeks) | Juniors & Seniors | Stony Brook, NY | Tuition-based* |
Program Overviews
Each summer engineering internship for high school students in USA offers a distinct learning experience. From robotics to aerospace, these opportunities allow students to explore engineering fields hands-on. Here’s what you can expect:
1. NASA High School Internship
Explore aerospace research and work with top NASA scientists on engineering projects.
- Deadline: March
- Location: NASA centers nationwide
- Eligibility: Juniors/Seniors in good academic standing
2. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Spend your summer in a naval lab working with engineers and researchers.
- Deadline: November
- Location: Naval labs across the U.S.
- Eligibility: Ages 16+, U.S. citizens
3. MIT LLRISE
Two-week radar and signal processing program for top STEM students.
- Deadline: March
- Location: Lexington, MA
- Eligibility: Rising seniors with strong STEM background
4. Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation
College-level coursework with lab work and design projects.
- Deadline: February
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Eligibility: High school students strong in math and science
5. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Institutes
Explore engineering disciplines through Stanford faculty-led seminars.
- Deadline: March
- Location: Stanford, CA
- Eligibility: High school students
6. Boston University RISE Internship
Work under BU faculty in engineering research labs.
- Deadline: February
- Location: Boston, MA
- Eligibility: Rising seniors
7. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship
Collaborate with UCSB researchers in an immersive academic setting.
- Deadline: March
- Location: Santa Barbara, CA
- Eligibility: High school students
8. NIST High School Internship
Assist with standards, measurements, and tech research.
- Deadline: February
- Location: Gaithersburg, MD & Boulder, CO
- Eligibility: Juniors and seniors
9. Cooper Union Summer STEM Program
A free, hands-on engineering program focused on design and innovation.
- Location: New York, NY
- Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors
10. University of Michigan Engineering Camp
Explore mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering in one week.
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Eligibility: High school students
11. Purdue STEP Program
An intensive four-week engineering and tech immersion.
- Location: West Lafayette, IN
- Eligibility: Rising seniors
12. Texas A&M Engineering Camp
Short program with faculty-led workshops and campus tours.
- Location: College Station, TX
- Eligibility: High school students
13. Garcia Research Scholars Program (Stony Brook)
A selective research mentorship in materials science and engineering.
- Location: Stony Brook, NY
- Eligibility: Juniors and seniors
These summer engineering internships for high school students in USA are excellent opportunities to explore STEM in a hands-on way. Whether you’re looking for aerospace research or environmental engineering, a summer engineering internship for high school students in USA can help build your college portfolio, grow your network, and clarify your academic direction. Start your application process early to maximize your chances!
