12 Engineering Camps for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in engineering, attending a structured camp can be a practical way to explore how the field works beyond classroom theory. Many programs focus on projects that involve designing prototypes, building simple machines, writing code, or testing engineering solutions to various problems. Through these activities, you begin to develop core skills in areas such as mathematical reasoning, physics, design thinking, and technical problem-solving while learning how engineers approach complex challenges.
How are camps different from other programs in high school?
Camps are often hosted by universities, research institutions, and technical organizations, giving students access to labs, equipment, and instructors with field experience. These programs offer a compact way to explore collaborative work and project-based learning, allowing participants to experiment with concepts across robotics, aerospace, biomedical engineering, and renewable energy. Since camps are usually shorter and more focused, you can explore several engineering topics in a structured environment over a few weeks.
To help with your search, we’ve compiled a list of 12 engineering camps for high school students.
If you’re looking for online STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
1. Santa Clara University - Summer Engineering Seminar (SES)
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 12 – 16 | July 19 – 23
Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors; priority for students with limited prior exposure to engineering
The Summer Engineering Seminar (SES) at Santa Clara University is a free, five-day residential program aimed at high school sophomores and juniors who want to explore engineering. Organized by the School of Engineering, it offers introductory workshops, lectures, and interactive sessions facilitated by faculty and undergraduates from various engineering fields. Students live on campus during the program, gaining exposure not only to engineering concepts but also to university life and academic expectations. The introductory sessions focus on broad exploration and easing the high school-to-college transition, while a separate advanced “Year-Two” experience is offered to returning participants with a deeper focus on humanitarian engineering.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. GEMS - Materials Science & Engineering Camp (The Grainer College of Engineering)
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cost: $1,500 (Residential) | $750 (Commuter)
Dates: July 26 – August 1
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering 10th-12th grade; scholarships available
GEMS (Gender Equity in Materials Science) is an interactive summer camp that introduces high school students to the interdisciplinary field of materials science and engineering. Participants learn how materials are designed, tested, and optimized for various real-world uses, including energy storage, advanced manufacturing, biomaterials, and sustainable technologies. Through guided lab work and collaborative design challenges, campers investigate topics such as crystallography, composites, 3D printing, prosthetics, and materials for batteries and photovoltaics, culminating in a team-based prototype project.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
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. 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 engineering, physics, economics, data science, computer science, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Exploring Your Options (EYO) Camp - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cost: Residential: $1,500 | Commuter: $750
Dates: Session 1: June 21 – 27 | Session 2: July 12 – 18
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
Exploring Your Options (EYO) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a week-long residential engineering camp hosted by the Grainger College of Engineering. It introduces students to various engineering disciplines through lessons and activities led by faculty and developed by the different engineering departments. As a participant, you have the opportunity to interact directly with current students and faculty and explore fields such as aerospace, bioengineering, civil engineering, computer science, materials science, and more. As part of a Broadening Participation in STEM initiative, EYO emphasizes support and empowerment for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in STEM, while remaining open to all applicants.
6. MSOE - Women in Technology
Location: Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), Milwaukee, WI
Cost: $1,100
Dates: July 19 – 24
Deadline: First come-first served basis
Eligibility: Young women entering 10th-12th grade with a GPA of a 3.5 or higher
MSOE’s Women in Technology is a week-long residential summer program designed for young women in grades 10 through 12 interested in exploring engineering. Participants are introduced to a wide range of disciplines, including biomedical, civil, mechanical, electrical, computer, chemical, software, construction management, and architectural engineering. Academic sessions are led by MSOE faculty, with support from current female engineering students, offering both technical exposure and mentorship. The program also includes industry tours, providing insight into how engineering is applied in professional settings. Evenings are structured with social activities and local excursions, creating a balance between academic immersion and community-building.
7. NC State University - Engineering Day Camp
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $550
Dates: June 22 – 26
Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Students entering 9th or 10th grade in Fall (including homeschool, out-of-state, and international students)
NC State’s College of Engineering hosts a week-long day camp tailored for students entering grades 9 and 10. It introduces various engineering fields through interactive activities, team challenges, and a week-long group project. Participants learn how engineers tackle real-world issues, gaining insights into design thinking, teamwork, and practical problem-solving. The program aims to strike a balance between approachability and challenge, helping students gain an early understanding of engineering careers.
8. Data Science in Action: Machine Learning for Self-Driving Cars
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Virtual: June 29 – July 3 | In-person: July 6 – July 17
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising freshmen through seniors in high school; students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply
The CELEHS Summer Camp offers a deep dive into the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. Hosted by the Translational Data Science Center for a Learning Health System (CELEHS) at Harvard, the program moves students from theoretical math to practical engineering. The camp is split into two intensive phases. During the first week, you participate in a self-paced virtual "bootcamp" to master the foundations of Python programming. The final two weeks take place on-site in Boston, where you work in teams to build a self-driving toy car using a Raspberry Pi, a camera, and various mechanical components. You will be responsible for training neural networks and image-classification algorithms that enable your car to recognize physical objects and navigate autonomously.
9. Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,250 ($90 application fee)
Dates: July 12 – 31
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Highly motivated high school students (selective admission)
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) is a selective residential program designed for highly motivated high school students ready to engage with engineering at the college level. Students enroll in a single intensive course and earn college credit while studying with Penn faculty. Course options span fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Nanotechnology, Robotics, and other advanced engineering disciplines. The curriculum combines rigorous theoretical foundations with substantial application, offering a realistic preview of academic expectations in a top-tier engineering school.
10. University of Washington - Engineering Academy
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 20 – 24
Deadline: Applications open in March
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors attending school in the greater Seattle area; no prior engineering experience required
Engineering Academy is a one-week introductory summer program at the University of Washington designed for students seeking their first broad exposure to engineering. Targeted especially for individuals with limited prior exposure to engineering coursework or enrichment, the program emphasizes core skills, practical design challenges, and exploration of various engineering disciplines. Participants interact with UW faculty and students, gaining valuable insights into what it means to study engineering in college.
11. Columbia University - SHAPE (Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $6,250 (Commuter) | $11,500 (Residential)
Dates: July 6 – 24 | July 27 – August 14
Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates (Residential option available for students age 16+; limited international residential spots)
Columbia Engineering’s SHAPE program is a three-week on-campus introduction to college-level engineering. During these intensive weeks, students engage in project-based courses spanning robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, and data science. The program simulates the challenge of actual engineering curricula while providing opportunities to connect with faculty, visit industry sites, and participate in hands-on technical activities. Students can attend either session or both and choose between commuter and residential options.
12. Introduction to Engineering with Arduino: Electronics and Programming - Brown Pre-college Program
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: Program tuition (varies by session) + $150 supplemental course fee
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 6 – 10
Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students (no prior programming experience required)
This one-week course offered through Brown University’s Pre-College Program introduces students to the fundamentals of electronics, programming, and microprocessor-based systems using Arduino. Students explore core concepts such as basic electrical theory, input/output signals, sensors, actuators, and coding syntax as they design and program their own circuits. While not a traditional camp, the course emphasizes lab-based learning, allowing students to build and take home their Arduino projects. Designed as an introductory experience, it is well-suited for students interested in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or applied technology, with no prior experience required.
Image source - Columbia Uni