15 Engineering Programs for High School Students in New York State
If you’re a high school student with an interest in engineering, consider participating in an engineering program. These programs give you opportunities to gain practical experience in the field. You will have the chance to develop important professional skills such as effective scientific communication and research. Additionally, these programs offer an early introduction to the engineering discipline, which can be valuable if you’re considering future academic or career pursuits in this area.
Several prestigious colleges and institutes offer engineering programs for high school students in New York State. Some of these programs are held in person on campus, while others are offered virtually. These programs give you the opportunity to learn from experts, utilize professional resources, and work on projects. Whether you’re interested in robotics, civil engineering, sustainability, or biomedical innovation, you’ll find opportunities to explore different specialties and build practical skills.
In this blog, we’ve highlighted 15 engineering programs for high school students in New York State that are worth checking out.
15 Engineering Programs for High School Students in New York State
1. Columbia Engineering: Engineering the Next Generation
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Stipend: $15/hour
Cohort Size: Around 20-30 students (as per previous years)
Dates: July 7 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 26 (tentative; as per previous year)
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders interested in engineering and research
The Engineering the Next Generation program allows high school students to spend six weeks working alongside Columbia Engineering researchers. The program offers two tracks: the Foundations of Research Track and the CS3 My Streetscape Summer Research Institute Track. During the Foundations of Research Track, you will work with research faculty and students and gain practical research experience in fields like environmental engineering, data science, and more. You’ll also benefit from multi-level mentorship. Additionally, you’ll attend college prep and science communications workshops and supplemental seminars. During the CS3 My Streetscape Summer Research Institute Track, you will learn about the intersection of engineering and social sciences and will get to improve your programming and coding skills.
2. Veritas AI – Engineering Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort (multiple in a year)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduates, provides high school students interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, engineering, data science, and more with hands-on programs focused on these fields. If you’re just starting, you can try the AI Scholars program, during which you’ll attend ten sessions focused on the fundamentals of AI & data science. You’ll also get to learn by working on real-world projects. If you’re a more experienced student looking for a more challenging opportunity, then consider the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program. You will get 1:1 mentorship and guidance from scholars from top universities as you work on an individual research project. With the help of the in-house publication team, you might also get to publish your work in high school research journals.
3. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including Rome Laboratory, Rome, NY
Stipend: $501.60/week (tentative)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: 10-12 weeks
Application Deadline: October 10 – January 9
Eligibility: U.S. upper-level high school students (16+); GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 preferred; More details here
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program offers paid research experiences to high school and college students. As a participant, you will get to contribute to ongoing research projects in a variety of fields, including engineering. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from full-time AFRL scientists and engineers, who will serve as mentors. Aside from the hands-on research work, you will also get the chance to tour AFRL laboratories. When applying, you can only apply to three topics per research site.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Engineering Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort (multiple in a year)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3/4
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a competitive program for high school students interested in research. As a participant, you will be paired with a PhD scholar who will act as a mentor and offer guidance as you work on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from a wide variety of fields, including engineering, healthcare, data science, psychology, and more. By the time the program ends, you’ll have a research paper that you can present at Lumiere’s Research Symposium.
5. NYU’s ARISE
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None; $1,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 6 – February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in NYC
During the ARISE program, which is among the engineering programs for high school students in New York state, you’ll spend ten weeks gaining hands-on research experience. The first four weeks of the program will start with college writing workshops and safety training. You’ll also get to work on and improve your research skills during this time. Then, in the remaining six weeks, you’ll be assigned to one of 80 NYU research labs, where you’ll work alongside faculty and researchers on relevant, real-world projects. You’ll get to contribute to cutting-edge research and will benefit from mentorship from industry professionals. Once your time is up, you will present your work at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Poster Symposium.
6. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition costs; Stipend offered
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: U.S. current high school juniors (16+)
The Simons Summer Research Program is one of the engineering programs for high school students in New York state, for students looking to gain more hands-on experience in research. As a participant, you will be paired with a research group or a Stony Brook faculty member, who will act as a mentor and offer guidance as you work on a research project. Your placement will be decided based on your top three areas of interest/mentors. During the program, you’ll also attend and learn from weekly faculty research talks and take part in workshops, tours, and other events hosted by the program. By the end of the program, you should have a research abstract and poster, which you will then present at the closing poster symposium.
7. Manhattan University: Summer Engineering Awareness Program
Location: Manhattan University, Riverdale, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 11; July 14 – 18 (+extension dates)
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; Minority and female students in the NYC metro area preferred; Must be strong in mathematics and science
During the Summer Engineering Awareness Program, you will spend around ten days learning about the various careers in math, science, and engineering. The program will introduce you to concepts across various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, chemical, civil, environmental, and electrical engineering. You will also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on laboratory experiments and learn about topics such as robotics, geotechnical engineering, and experimental design from guest speakers and lecturers. Additionally, you’ll go on a field trip to a structural design company and gain insights into the college admissions process.
8. Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
Location: NYU Washington Square Campus
Cost: $200 (fall + spring); Fee Waivers available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in a year; October 19 – May 3 (fall + spring)
Application Deadline: Rolling till full (fall + spring); Summer applications open on March 1
Eligibility: New York State 8th-12th graders with a B average in Math, Science, and English
During NYU's Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), you will attend immersive courses and workshops that will help you prepare for academic and career success in STEM. As a participant, you will be taught by NYU faculty and students and will benefit from project-based learning and supervised research opportunities. This program serves as a good starting point for students looking to explore the field of engineering. You’ll take enrichment classes in maths and English and will even get to participate in STEM research and present your findings at the STEP State Conference in Albany, NY as an 11th or 12th grader.
9. Manhattan University: Chemical Engineering Summer Program
Location: Manhattan University, Riverdale, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 30 – 31
Application Deadline: July 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Manhattan University’s Chemical Engineering Summer Program is a two-day workshop that focuses on introducing high school students to chemical engineering. During the program, you get to take part in hands-on activities and competitions, attend Q&A sessions, and go on tours of the Manhattan University facilities. You’ll learn from alumni and chemical engineers, exploring concepts like renewable energy production, green and sustainable engineering, food engineering, and more. The program also emphasizes the importance of computer-based design and control in the industry. Once you complete the program, you will get a certificate of completion and a free application to Manhattan University’s engineering program.
10. New York Tech: High School Summer Maker Academy
Location: New York Institute of Technology (Long Island campus + New York City campus)
Cost: $250 per program and session
Cohort Size: 20 students per program
Dates: Varies by program and session
Application Deadline: May 6; Rolling
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 -18
During the High School Summer Maker Academy, you will have the opportunity to attend one of two programs that are designed to encourage you to explore the complexities of technology. Both programs allow you the opportunity to work on hands-on projects under the guidance of faculty and industry professionals. As of this summer, the two programs are focused on addressing the climate crisis: Program 1: Clean Water & Sanitation and Program 2: Sustainable Cities and Communities. In the first program, you will spend a week learning to design and develop a vehicle capable of delivering essential clean water to water-stressed regions worldwide. In the second program, you will work as a team to design and build an environmentally-friendly, tech “smart city.” During both programs, you will pick up skills like 3D modeling and printing, PCB design, programming, and more. You’ll also present your project at the end of the program.
11. Manhattan University: Mechanical Engineering Summer Institute
Location: Manhattan University, Riverdale, NY
Cost: $500/week
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Weekly sessions from July 7 – August 21
Application Deadline: May 16; on a First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: High school students
During Manhattan University’s Mechanical Engineering Summer Institute, you will get the chance to learn about the various aspects of mechanical engineering from faculty members, industry professionals, and even engineering students. The program goes on for seven weeks, with each week focusing on a different module, and as a participant, you can take part in more than one. Each module/week offers access to hands-on workshops and lectures led by mechanical engineering professors, competitions, tours of the university’s facilities, and more. Some of the modules covered include: Overview of Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace, Game Design in Mechanical Engineering, Biomechanics, and more. If you complete at least one module, you will get a certificate of completion and a free application to Manhattan University’s engineering program.
12. Columbia Engineering: Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,880 (commuter); $10,705 (residential); Limited need-based scholarships (up to 100%) available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 7 – 25; July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 3 (November 18 - Admissions begin; December 18 - Rolling admissions begin)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores to seniors, as well as recent graduates (16+)
Columbia University’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) is a pre-college program that offers high school students interested in STEM the chance to learn more about the field of engineering. For around three weeks, you will take part in college-level, project-based engineering courses. Some of these courses include Robotics and Autonomous Driving, Biomedical Engineering: Where Biology, Medicine & Design Meet, Sustainable Engineering: Designing a Better Planet, and more. Alongside the engineering course, you’ll be expected to take up an elective course and attend workshops led by Columbia Engineering faculty. The program also helps you prepare for college and the admissions process, and offers support from Columbia students.
13. Manhattan University: Residential Summer Engineering Program for High School Students
Location: Manhattan University, Riverdale, NY
Cost: $2,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: August 3 – 9
Application Deadline: January 15 – March 17
Eligibility: High school students
Manhattan University’s Residential Summer Engineering Program for High School Students, one of the engineering programs for high school students in New York state, introduces you to the various branches of engineering. During the program, you will learn about the fundamentals of chemical, civil, and mechanical engineering, and so on. You’ll get to learn from industry professionals and take part in hands-on activities in Manhattan University’s engineering labs. As this is a residential program, you’ll also get to experience campus life and form connections with your peers.
14. NSLC: TryEngineering Summer Institute
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $4,295; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 12 – 20 (session 1); July 24 – August 1 (session 2)
Application Deadline: Registration closes a week before the program starts; On a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14-17
The NSLC TryEngineering Summer Institute is held on several different university campuses, including Columbia University. It is an engineering camp designed to promote interest in engineering and technology. As a participant, you will receive a comprehensive overview of engineering, including various aspects of traditional engineering. You will contribute to hands-on projects, take part in workshops, and learn from industry professionals. The modules you can choose from include: Civil engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Since the program is held on a university campus, you'll have the opportunity to experience aspects of college life alongside your summer academic activities.
15. Cooper Union Summer STEM Program
Location: 41 Cooper Square, New York, NY
Cost: $3,950 (6 weeks); $1,950 (3 weeks); Partial to full fee waivers available
Cohort Size: Approximately 18-24 students
Dates: 3-6 weeks from July 6 – August 13
Application Deadline: Opens mid-December
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th graders
The Cooper Union Summer STEM Program is for high school students who are new to engineering, as well as those looking for a more intensive experience. Throughout the program, you will participate in classes covering college-level topics and activities, and you'll have the opportunity to learn from student and faculty research projects. The program offers three-week courses (open only to current and rising 9th graders) and six-week courses (open to 9th-11th graders). Some of the courses you can participate in include: Design thinking in engineering, Design and drawing for engineering, and Computational physics.
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