15 Engineering Programs for High School Students in Ohio
If you are a high school student interested in engineering, attending instructor-led programs hosted by top organizations can be a great way to explore the field. These programs can help you build a foundation in problem-solving, design, and innovation. By blending classroom learning with practical projects, these programs let you solve problems, develop technical skills, and gain insight into practical applications of engineering. Beyond technical skills, you can also gain industry exposure, mentorship from professionals, and connections that can guide you toward future college and career opportunities.
Ohio is home to a wide range of initiatives hosted by universities, research centres, and respected organizations. In-state students can benefit from easier access to programs, reduced costs of long-distance travel, and stronger local networks. You can work with and learn from experts in the field and meet like-minded peers through these programs. These programs can equip you with relevant skills, valuable experience, a strong network, and a clearer understanding of what pursuing engineering entails.
To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 engineering programs for high school students in Ohio.
1. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton
Cost: None; interns are paid a weekly stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks (late August/early September – mid-December); Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May); Summer: 8-12 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application deadline: January 10 (summer cohort)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0
The AFRL Scholars Program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton offers stipend-supported internships where you can work alongside Air Force scientists and engineers on research in aerospace systems, materials, sensors, and other STEM fields. The program places you directly into research teams tackling technology challenges with defence applications. You will be paired with a mentor and contribute to projects that may involve experimental testing, computer modelling, or data analysis. Unlike classroom learning, the internship emphasises applying science and engineering concepts to practical problems in a professional research environment. Participants gain technical experience while also building connections with other students and AFRL staff.
2. Veritas AI Programs
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars
Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including in summer
Application deadline: May/June deadline for summer sessions
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants must have either completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts/Python
Veritas AI runs online programs where you can study artificial intelligence with guidance from mentors who have backgrounds at Harvard and other leading institutions. Depending on your experience level, you can take part in the AI Scholars program for an introduction to core topics like neural networks and machine learning or join the AI Fellowship to complete an independent research project. The Fellowship involves one-on-one mentorship and may include opportunities to publish your work. Small group sizes allow for close feedback as you move through coursework and projects. The programs are designed to combine technical knowledge with practical application, letting you explore how AI can be used in research or professional fields. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Manufacturing & Materials Joining Innovation Center (Mₐ²JIC) Summer Internship
Location: The Ohio State University
Cost: None; stipend awarded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application deadline: February 13
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents living in Columbus, Ohio surrounding areas
Through the Manufacturing & Materials Joining Innovation Centre (M²AJIC) Summer Internship in Columbus, you can take part in research focused on welding engineering and materials science. The program is open to local high school students and matches you with graduate students and faculty mentors on funded research projects. Welding engineering here goes beyond welding, focusing on the design, analysis, and application of welded materials, often using coding, modelling, and lab-based testing. As an intern, you may assist with experiments, collect and analyse data, and contribute to ongoing work that supports industry needs. The experience includes lab tours, guidance from faculty, and a final presentation of your project to peers and mentors.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Engineering Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; financial assistance available
Dates: Summer cohorts run between June and August; multiple cohorts available each year
Application deadline: June/July for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to conduct independent research in engineering under the guidance of a PhD mentor. Over the course of 12 weeks, you work one-on-one with your mentor to design and carry out a project, from identifying a research question to writing your own paper. The program emphasises critical thinking, research methods, and academic writing, helping you understand how research is conducted in the field of engineering. You can participate from anywhere in this remote program while receiving direct guidance tailored to your chosen topic, from various engineering fields to related areas like data science. By the end of the program, you will have completed an original research paper that reflects your own ideas and work.
5. University of Cincinnati’s Biology Meets Engineering Program (BME)
Location: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – 18
Application deadline: April 19 (rolling)
Eligibility: Open to high school students living in the Cincinnati metropolitan area
At the University of Cincinnati, the Biology Meets Engineering (BME) program gives you the chance to study how animals use their senses and then apply those concepts to robotics. Across three weeks on the Uptown campus, you take part in activities that combine biology experiments with engineering design challenges. You will build and program robots that mimic features of animal sensory systems, helping you see how biology and technology connect. The program also integrates discussions on college readiness and career pathways in STEM. Materials and equipment are provided, and you will share your final project through a public presentation. In some cases, participants may also be eligible for college credit or competitive follow-up internships.
6. CYCE High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Cleveland Clinic’s main campus and regional hospitals in Northeast Ohio
Cost: Free, stipend is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June 9–July 25
Application deadline: December 2–February 7
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are minimum age 15 by June 1, residing and attending school in specific Northeast Ohio counties. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale (preferred) and be a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national or legal permanent resident.
Through the CYCE High School Summer Internship Program, you can gain paid experience in healthcare while working at Cleveland Clinic facilities across Northeast Ohio. The program introduces you to clinical, non-clinical, and advanced technology careers, giving you the chance to learn directly from healthcare professionals. Alongside job responsibilities, you develop essential workplace skills like project management, professional communication, and teamwork. One track of the program highlights advanced technology, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, robotics, and cybersecurity. The experience also gives you the opportunity to build connections with Cleveland Clinic mentors and staff.
7. Ohio State Marion – STEM Summer Camp for High School Students
Location: Ohio State University at Marion, Marion
Cost: $150
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: June 9–13
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through seniors
At Ohio State Marion’s week-long STEM Summer Camp, you can explore a wide range of topics that combine science, technology, engineering, and math. The program includes projects such as building and programming an Arduino-compatible robot to take home, piloting student-built boats across the YMCA swimming pool, and working in university labs to study biotechnology techniques like protein expression and purification. Faculty guide you through interactive learning in genetics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and robotics. Field trips are also part of the experience, including visits to the Orton Geological Museum and a local manufacturing facility to learn about mechanical engineering in practice. By the end of the camp, you not only strengthen problem-solving and teamwork skills but also receive a certificate of completion from Ohio State Marion.
8. University of Cincinnati Summer Engineering Camps
Location: University of Cincinnati campus
Cost: Varies; some free, others $125-$250 for day camps, additional costs for overnight
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Multiple camps available in June and July
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through seniors
The University of Cincinnati hosts multiple week-long engineering camps where you can explore design challenges while learning from faculty, graduate students, and engineers. One program, GE Next Engineers, focuses on the engineering design process through activities, mentorship from GE professionals, and college readiness workshops. UC also runs broader engineering camps that welcome high school students looking to dive deeper into their interests or enhance their college applications. These camps combine project-based learning with campus tours, group instruction, and mentorship from industry partners. All programs conclude with a Friday showcase, where you will present your work to peers, faculty, and professionals.
9. Ohio Supercomputer Centre (OSC) Summer Institute
Location: Ohio Supercomputer Centre, Columbus
Cost: $600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1-13
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Ohio residents currently in their freshman, sophomore or junior years of high school
If you are drawn to computing and engineering, the Ohio Supercomputer Centre’s Summer Institute is a two-week residential program that gives you access to one of the most powerful research computing resources in the state. Working in small teams, you will take on advanced projects that can involve areas like cybersecurity, modelling disease spread, network forensics, or even game design, while using OSC’s supercomputers. Alongside these projects, you will attend lectures on topics such as Unix, Python, supercomputing, and team building. The program also includes tours of research facilities like the Byrd Polar Research Centre and the Centre for Automotive Research. Recreational activities and evening events round out the experience, making the program socially engaging as well.
10. Miami University Summer Scholars
Location: Miami University, Oxford
Cost: $1,080
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Session 1: July 6 - 11 | Session 2: July 13 - 18
Application deadline: February
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed their sophomore or junior year of high school by June 30 of the year they would attend Summer Scholars and not graduate from high school before the following January; students typically have a high school GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
Miami University’s Summer Scholars Program is a one-week residential experience for rising juniors and seniors where you can take part in seminars, discussions, and applied projects with university faculty. One of the program’s tracks focuses on biomechanics and sports engineering, giving you the chance to work with state-of-the-art equipment like motion capture systems, EMG sensors, and force plates to study human movement. Another track centres on robotics, where you will design, build, and program a mobile robot that competes in a team challenge at the end of the week. Beyond the academic modules, you will also attend sessions on the college application process, and alumni of the program receive benefits like an application fee waiver and priority consideration when applying to Miami.
11. Summer Experience in Engineering Camp – University of Akron
Location: University of Akron campus
Cost: $350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 spots available
Dates: June 2–6
Application deadline: Rolling until full; registration starts in April
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12
The University of Akron’s Summer Experience in Engineering Camp introduces you to multiple branches of engineering through a week-long program. Supported by industry partners, the camp features activities across fields like aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, and polymer engineering. You will have opportunities to work on projects, tour local engineering firms, and connect with professionals in the field. The program also covers teamwork and problem-solving as you move through practical design challenges. Social activities are included to balance the academic content and give you a feel for campus life.
12. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Location: Remote
Cost: Free (for the Summer Immersion Program, there is a $300 need-based grant for eligible students in the U.S.)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Virtual Summer Immersion Program: Round One: July 7–18 | Round Two: July 28–August 8 | Pathways: June 30–August 8
Application deadline: April 11
Eligibility: 9th–11th-grade girls and non-binary students can apply for the Virtual Summer Immersion Program; 9th–12th-grade girls and non-binary students can apply for Pathways
Girls Who Code offers free, virtual summer programs designed to give you experience in computer science while connecting with peers and professionals in technology. The two-week Summer Immersion Program combines live instruction with project-based learning in areas such as game design, web development, and user experience. For more flexibility, the six-week Self-Paced Program allows you to independently explore fields like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science, while still joining live events and mentorship sessions with industry leaders. Both formats are open to beginners as well as students with prior coding experience, and you will work with coding languages such as Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS. Beyond technical learning, the program also includes opportunities for building community and networking.
13. Kode With Klossy
Location: Remote
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions available between June 2 and August 15
Application deadline: March; dates vary
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens between the ages of 13 and 18
Kode With Klossy is a free, two-week camp that introduces high school students from underrepresented genders in STEM to computer science through hands-on, collaborative learning. The program offers several curriculum tracks, including web development, data science, mobile app creation with Swift, and machine learning. Each track is designed to move from fundamental concepts to applied projects, such as building an interactive website, programming a chatbot, or creating a fully functional iOS app. You will also explore how coding connects to issues, including accessibility in technology and algorithmic bias. The camp encourages teamwork, so much of your learning comes through building projects with peers and sharing ideas with mentors.
14. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Remote
Cost: Free for those whose family income is less than $150,000 | $2,350 for others
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: Pre-requisite courses: February 3 – June 20 | Summer Program: July 7 – August 3
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year who are U.S. citizens
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is a four-week residential program for rising high school seniors that emphasises intensive, project-based learning in advanced STEM fields. Courses vary by year but often include topics like autonomous robotics, machine learning, radar systems, satellite engineering, and microelectronics. In one track, you might use Python to train algorithms for vision and language applications, while in another, you could design semiconductors or build functional hardware systems from a kit. All courses combine workshops, coding exercises, and teamwork on capstone projects that mirror professional engineering challenges. The program is highly collaborative, with students using tools like GitHub and industry-standard software to work together on technical solutions.
15. Case Western Reserve Pre-College Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $1495
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: Multiple two- and four-week sessions available
Application deadline: Applications typically close in May
Eligibility: For students ages 13+
If you are interested in design and engineering, Case Western Reserve University offers online pre-college courses that let you explore these areas in depth. One option, Engineering: From 2D Sketch to 3D Model, walks you through the design process from creating a simple sketch to building a digital model with computer-aided design (CAD) software. Along the way, you practice applying principles of proportion, scale, and shape while also learning the language engineers use to communicate ideas. The course concludes with a final project, where you transform your own 2D sketch into a 3D model. Because the program is online and self-paced, you can complete lessons on your own schedule while receiving guidance from instructors and mentors. A certificate of completion is awarded at the end of the course.
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