15 Engineering Programs for High School Students in Chicago
If you are a high school student interested in engineering, structured programs can help you explore the field beyond what typical coursework offers. These programs introduce you to core concepts while allowing you to engage with design, problem-solving, and technical thinking across different engineering disciplines. You may learn how engineers approach challenges by working through projects, simulations, and collaborative tasks that reflect how the field operates in practice.
Why should you attend a program in Chicago?
Chicago is home to several institutions, including the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Chicago State University, as well as nonprofit organizations that offer engineering programs for high school students. Depending on the program, you may work on projects involving quantum simulations, biomedical robotics, app development, or engineering design projects that address practical problems. This range of opportunities can help you explore different areas of engineering while understanding how they connect to both research and industry settings.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 engineering programs for high school students in Chicago.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. SparkShop’s High School Summer Internship Program
Location: SparkShop, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 13 - 24 (tentative)
Application Deadline: January 27 (Tentative)
Eligibility: Chicago-based high school students
This internship combines engineering thinking with business and community-focused problem-solving. You collaborate in small teams to design and present solutions, with guidance from mentors on planning and communication strategies. The program places equal emphasis on technical thinking and professional skills, making it a strong option for students who want exposure beyond traditional lab environments.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by program type | full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | small-group and 1:1 mentorship formats
Dates: Multiple 12 - 15 week cohorts offered in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions with seasonal cycles (January, May, September, November)
Eligibility: High school students | AI Fellowship applicants must have completed AI Scholars or demonstrate experience with AI or Python
Veritas AI offers programs focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning, where students participate in both small-group bootcamps and one-on-one mentorship. You work on applied AI projects under the guidance of mentors from leading universities. Advanced students can join a fellowship program that focuses on completing a publication-level research project. Financial aid is available. The program is well-suited for high school students interested in AI and data science.
3. Digital Scholars Program – University of Illinois
Location: Downtown Area, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | CTA transit support available for students with demonstrated need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 150 students total | about 30 students per course | competitive
Dates: June 22 - July 1
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th graders living in Illinois | open to all students, with a focus on Black, Latine, women, gender-expansive, and first-generation students
In this program, participants choose from five intensive technology tracks that combine coding, engineering concepts, and real-world projects. Guest speakers from Chicago’s tech ecosystem regularly engage with students. Workshops on AI, entrepreneurship, and professional skills run alongside coursework. No prior experience is required, making it an accessible option for students exploring engineering pathways.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote | open to students worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | 1:1 mentorship model
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered in summer, fall, winter, and spring | programs range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort with multiple deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students demonstrating strong academic performance
This program provides 1:1 mentorship with Ph.D.-level researchers, allowing you to design and execute an independent engineering research project. You may focus on robotics, materials science, electrical engineering, or related disciplines. The structure mirrors undergraduate research, emphasizing literature review and analytical methods. By the end of the program, you will produce an original research paper. This program is a strong fit if you want individual mentorship in a remote format.
5. After School Matters
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $15.80/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Spring, summer, and fall sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Chicago high school students who are 14 - 18 years old
This paid apprenticeship provides hands-on STEM experience while offering an hourly stipend. You contribute to team-based engineering or IT projects under a mentor's supervision, with a focus on collaboration and accountability. Since the program runs year-round, it allows you to build skills progressively. It is a highly accessible option for local students seeking sustained exposure to engineering.
6. E-CADEMY
Location: Holy Angels Catholic School, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Chicago high school students receive a stipend through After School Matters
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots | competitive rolling admissions
Dates: October 4 - June 13
Application Deadline: Rolling | early application is strongly encouraged
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (grades 6 - 12) | Chicago residents are given priority
E-CADEMY uses the nationally recognised Project Lead The Way curriculum to introduce engineering design principles. You learn structured problem-solving approaches and prototype testing methods through both team-based and independent projects. The program emphasizes communication and design skills, and you build a portfolio of technical work over time. It is a strong option for students seeking sustained exposure during the academic year.
7. Quantum Quickstart Program
Location: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | preference given to Chicago students
Dates: July 26 - 31
Application Deadline: Priority: February 11 | final: March 12
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9 and 10, at least 14 years old
This short, focused program introduces high school students to core concepts in quantum mechanics through simulations and faculty-led discussions. You’ll explore limitations of classical physics and use virtual labs to model quantum systems. The curriculum also highlights applications such as quantum computing and secure communication. College and career sessions provide additional context, making this a strong entry point for students seeking early exposure to engineering programs in Chicago.
8. Neubauer Phoenix STEM Scholars
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 26 - 31
Application Deadline: Priority: February 11 | final: March 12
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students, at least 15 years old, enrolled in a U.S. high school
This one-week intensive program offers structured seminars that connect physics, mathematics, and engineering concepts. You participate in guided problem-solving sessions led by faculty mentors. The program also includes academic advising and discussions on college preparation. Due to its fast pace, it is best suited for students who are comfortable with challenging STEM material and seeking a brief academic preview.
9. PREP – Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering & Science
Location: Chicago State University, Chicago, IL (may operate virtually if required)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | application includes interview and documentation requirements
Dates: Six-week summer program
Application Deadline: Currently accepting applications | reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 - 12 | must submit a transcript/report card, standardised test scores, and two recommendation letters
PREP integrates academic coursework with hands-on engineering projects to support college readiness. You complete structured classes in mathematics and science alongside experiential learning activities. Field trips provide exposure to engineering organizations and laboratories. The program prepares students for advanced STEM coursework and serves as a practical foundation for those planning to pursue a major in engineering.
10. SHARP! – Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program
Location: University of Illinois Chicago Medical Campus & Surgical Innovation Training Laboratory (Chicago, IL)
Cost/Stipend: $3,500 tuition for 10-month program | scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | competitive application with an interview requirement
Dates: June 15 - July 24 (summer component), followed by school-year commitments through March
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ years at program start | official transcript, two recommendations, and parental consent required | must commit to Ambassador responsibilities.
This program combines summer lab research experience with year-long biomedical engineering challenges, providing participants with extended exposure rather than a short workshop. During the summer, you conduct daily research in UIC labs under the mentorship of scientists while learning robotic surgery skills and biomedical techniques. The program concludes with a formal research presentation at the SHARP! Symposium. During the school year, you lead biodesign teams and participate in faculty seminars. You also complete a community outreach component by teaching engineering concepts to younger students. This program is well-suited if you are interested in biomedical innovation and leadership within STEM pathways.
11. Summer at UChicago Pathways in Molecular Engineering Program
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL (Residential)
Cost/Stipend: $9,300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited enrollment | 30 students
Dates: July 7 - 23
Application Deadline: Priority: February 11 | final: March 12
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 - 11
This three-week residential program introduces students to molecular engineering through coursework and laboratory sessions. You’ll study how physics, materials science, and computation are used to solve challenges related to energy systems, water purification, and biomedical systems. Supercomputing tools are used to simulate molecular systems, which adds a computational layer to the design process. Faculty-led discussions and labs focus on applying modelling and optimization methods to real-world engineering problems. Because enrollment is limited to 30 students, the environment is focused and academically rigorous.
12. Johns Hopkins University ASPIRE Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | acceptance rate around 10%
Dates: June 23 - August 21
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, at least 15 years old by June 1, with a minimum GPA of 2.8
With an acceptance rate of around 10%, ASPIRE is a highly selective virtual research program in applied engineering. You work on projects that may include spacecraft modeling, sensor systems, or algorithm design, using tools such as MATLAB, C++, and Arduino. Mentors guide you in reading scientific literature and documenting findings. Although delivered virtually, the program mirrors the expectations of structured research environments. This program is well-suited for students open to rigorous remote opportunities.
13. Harvard University Secondary School Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,180 or $8,160 plus $75 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 4 and 7-week sessions
Application Deadline: January 7 | February 11 | April 1
Eligibility: High-school students aged 16 - 18 years
This program allows high school students to enroll in university-level courses and earn an official transcript. Engineering-related offerings may include robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems. Coursework involves regular assignments and exams, and grades carry academic weight. It is best suited for students who can independently manage college-level expectations.
14. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: $1,299 plus $25 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 18 - August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old by June 18 (16+ years for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships), with no maximum age limit, provided they have not graduated from university before or during the internship
In this program, students are placed within active research groups working on real-world engineering problems. Projects may involve areas such as computer modeling, materials science, or cybersecurity. Mentors provide guidance while encouraging independent work. You also present your findings and attend professional development workshops, gaining experience similar to that in undergraduate research environments.
15. Columbia University Pre-College Programs (Online)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies based on the program
Dates: Varies based on the program
Application Deadline: Varies based on the program
Eligibility: Grades 9 - 12
These online courses provide focused exposure to engineering topics such as Arduino programming or machine learning. The curriculum includes simulations and instructor-led discussions. Upon completion, you receive a certificate of participation and a performance evaluation letter. The structured format prepares you for college-style coursework and is useful if local opportunities are limited.
Image source - Columbia Logo