15 Engineering Programs for High School Students in Texas
One of the best ways for high schoolers interested in engineering to explore their interests, build skills, and experience college-level academics is by attending an engineering program. There are tons of engineering programs for high school students in Texas that offer this. Whether you're interested in coding, biomedical engineering, or aerospace design, there are various engineering programs for high school students in Texas.
These programs offer practical experience and mentorship from professionals in the field. Many are hosted by top universities, STEM organizations, or industry leaders and designed with high school students in mind. Additionally, several are free or low-cost, making them an accessible way to explore engineering beyond the classroom. Participating in an engineering program can also demonstrate your interest in the field to college admissions officers.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 15 selective engineering programs for high school students in Texas, each designed to help you develop skills, explore different engineering disciplines, and prepare for future academic and career success.
1. Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Tiered selectivity; the online course is moderately selective, but progression to later phases is highly selective
Dates: Late October–April. Summer opportunities take place in June and July.
Application Deadline: Typically early October
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens and reside in Texas
Cost: None
If you’re curious about space, engineering, or what it looks like to work at NASA, this engineering program for high school students in Texas is a rewarding opportunity. You’ll take a detailed online course during the school year that covers space science, aeronautics, and planetary exploration. The course includes interactive lessons, quizzes, design challenges, and optional engineering projects held on Saturdays. If you meet the academic requirements, you’ll be invited to a summer experience where you team up with other students to design a Moon-to-Mars mission! You’ll get feedback from NASA scientists and engineers, and your work will culminate in a design review where you present your mission plans. Mentors also offer insight into different STEM career paths and how to prepare for them. There’s a follow-up residential experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for top-performing teams.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: April 27 for the regular summer application deadline
Eligibility: High school students. Students interested in the AI Fellowship should have either completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with AI/ML and Python concepts
Cost: $2,290 (AI Scholars), $5,400 (AI Fellowship), $6,900 for both
If you’re interested in artificial intelligence, Veritas AI offers several programs that let you dive in at different levels. In the AI Scholars program, you’ll learn core AI concepts from people actively working in the field, like researchers and practitioners, and then apply what you’ve learned by building a guided group project.
If you’re ready for something more advanced, the AI Fellowship gives you the chance to develop an independent AI project with support from a personal mentor. You’ll work one-on-one with someone who knows the field well to design, build, and refine a model in a topic area you’re curious about—whether that’s healthcare, art, climate, or something else entirely. By the end of the program, you’ll have built something entirely your own, plus you’ll get a written evaluation of your work that can be helpful for future academic or research opportunities.
3. Rice ELITE Tech Camp
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Residential: June 22 – 28 | July 6 – 12 | July 13 – 19 | July 20 – 26; Commuter: June 23 – 27 | July 7 – 11 | July 14 – 18 | July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11.
Cost: $3,795 (residential), $1,695 (commuter)
The Rice ELITE Tech Camp is an engineering program for high school students in Texas who want to engage with engineering challenges. The program blends college-level STEM learning with projects that walk you through the engineering design process—from defining a problem to testing a solution. Whether you’re coding in Python, designing human spaceflight in C++, or exploring how AI supports smart cities, you’ll get the chance to apply complex concepts in practical ways. You’ll work alongside Rice faculty and engineering students, participate in workshops on communication and project management, and explore different areas of technology like robotics, bioengineering, and machine learning.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort. The upcoming summer cohort starts on June 2
Application Deadline: Several rolling deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: Academically strong high school students
Cost: Starts at $2990 (financial aid is available)
In the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you’ll work 1-on-1 with a PhD researcher from a top university to develop an independent research project in a STEM field of your choice. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll gain experience designing research questions, reviewing academic literature, analyzing data, and presenting your findings in a formal research paper.
The program offers flexibility in research topics and formats, giving you the chance to explore areas like machine learning, biotechnology, physics, environmental science, and more. With support from your mentor, you’ll not only strengthen your technical and analytical skills but also learn how to navigate the research process from idea to execution.
5. PATHS-UP Young Scholars Program
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; only 4 students are accepted
Dates: June 9 – July 27
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who are at least 16 by the start of the program, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and live in Los Fresnos CISD, Sharyland ISD, or South Texas ISD
Cost: None, a stipend of $2,000 will be provided upon completion
The PATHS-UP Young Scholars program offers a 3-week residential research internship at Texas A&M University for high school students interested in biomedical engineering and health technologies. This program provides experience in lab research, scientific writing, and communication while helping you build a network of peers and mentors. Throughout the internship, you’ll engage in biomedical engineering research, conduct literature reviews, and participate in seminars with faculty and graduate students. Once you complete your research project, you’ll present your findings in a virtual research symposium!
6. My Introduction to Engineering (MITE)
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – 26 | Session 2: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school juniors
Cost: $100
MITE is a five-day summer residential camp for high school juniors interested in engineering, math, or science. You’ll participate in a team-based engineering experience that introduces you to core engineering concepts through design projects and problem-solving activities. You’ll explore different branches of engineering alongside peers, guided by current college students, faculty, and industry professionals. The program emphasizes collaboration, technical communication, and applications of science and math. You’ll gain insight into how engineers work, strengthen your teamwork and project planning skills, and understand future pathways within engineering.
7. NanoExplorers Program
Location: The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Typically early June to early August
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12
Cost: None
The NanoExplorers Program is an engineering program that allows high school students in Texas to engage in nanotechnology-based research at the university level. This program will enable you to join a faculty research lab where you can contribute to projects. You’ll be trained in lab safety, research techniques, and critical thinking by researchers, after which you can pursue your own research interests. The program culminates with a presentation at an annual research symposium.
8. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Varies by course, but typically quite selective
Dates: July 7 – August 3
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students in the 9th to 11th grades
Cost: Families with an income above $150,000 must pay $2,350
BWSI is an intensive STEM program where you solve problems in fields like robotics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and more. You must first complete an online prerequisite course to ensure you’re prepared for the summer program. Based on performance, a select group of students is invited to participate in the four-week summer program. You can find out more about program offerings here.
9. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University Campus, Lubbock, Texas
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; only 12 students are accepted
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be at least 17 years old by the start of the program
Cost: No cost, participants will receive a stipend of $750 upon completion
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program is an engineering program for high school students in Texas that offers research experience to a select group of high-achieving students. You’ll work with faculty mentors in various academic fields, gaining exposure to advanced research practices. In addition to research, you will attend weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips. The program spans diverse disciplines such as biology, chemistry, cancer biology, and physics. Students interested in engineering should consider the Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (with emphasis on cancer bioimaging), and Computer Science tracks.
10. Explore Engineering Camp
Location: Texas Tech University Campus, Lubbock, Texas
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Cost: $400
The Explore Engineering camp at Texas Tech University gives you a firsthand look at what it’s like to study engineering at the college level. Throughout the week, you’ll experience life as a Texas Tech engineering student—attending classroom lectures, working on group projects, and living in a campus residence hall. The program is designed to introduce you to core concepts across seven major engineering disciplines. It also helps you prepare for college through sessions on admissions, financial aid, and student support. The camp wraps up with a final group presentation where you’ll apply what you've learned throughout the week.
11. UTSA Klesse College’s Engineering Overview Camps
Location: UTSA Downtown Campus, San Antonio, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Less selective
Dates: June 9 – 13 and June 30 – July 4
Application Deadline: June 8
Eligibility: High school students in the 9th–12th grades
Cost: $550 (day camp), $750 (overnight camp). Financial assistance is available
At UTSA's Engineering Overview Camp, you'll explore engineering through hands-on experiences. Whether you're just starting to consider engineering or already have a strong interest, this program provides a practical way to learn about your options and connect with like-minded peers. Over a week, you'll explore disciplines like mechanical, biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, and computer engineering. Each day includes interactive challenges, faculty presentations, and tours of UTSA’s research labs, giving you a sense of what engineers do and how they think.
12. Engineering Design Experience
Location: Lyle School of Engineering, Dallas, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Selective; 20 students per camp
Dates: Girls Camp: June 2 – 6 or June 16 – 20 | Boys Camp: June 9 – 13 or June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th grade students
Cost: $1,400
This engineering program for high school students in Texas provides exposure to engineering principles and practices, focusing on problem-solving. You’ll work in the Deason Innovation Gym, where you can access cutting-edge tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and more. You’ll engage in group and individual projects that span several engineering disciplines, including civil, mechanical, computer science, and electrical engineering. In addition to the technical experience, you’ll enhance your project management, collaboration, and communication skills. You’ll work with mentors, including undergraduate students and alumni, and present your final project to faculty, staff, and family on the last day.
13. Johns Hopkins Explore Engineering Innovation Online
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Academically strong high school students or recent graduates who have completed Algebra II and a course that covered trigonometric functions, as well as a full year of high school chemistry and/or physics, including a lab.
Cost: $4,115
Explore Engineering Innovation Online is a college-level summer course for high school students who want to deepen their understanding of engineering. Through lectures and lab experiments, this three-credit program will introduce you to key disciplines, including civil, chemical, electrical/computer, mechanical engineering, and materials science. You’ll participate in synchronous sessions and work in small teams online. You’ll be shipped a lab kit to tackle engineering problems, from building bridges using spaghetti to designing bioreactors and electronic wellness devices.
14. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: <10%
Dates: July 16 – 27 and July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students in the 8th to 11th grade
Cost: $300
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer a rigorous academic experience for high school students. You’ll engage in live online instruction through a two-week, single-subject course format. The program provides a strong foundation for students interested in engineering and technology through courses such as Introduction to Engineering, Structural Engineering, Machine Learning, Neuroengineering, Data Science, and more. These courses emphasize the applications of engineering principles, encouraging you to analyze, build, and problem-solve in a collaborative environment.
15. Summer Engineering Experience (SEE)
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in the 10th to 12th grade
Cost: $200
The Summer Engineering Experience (SEE) is a flexible, two-month virtual program designed to introduce high school students to the engineering disciplines offered at UT Austin. You’ll explore engineering applications through asynchronous design challenges, interactive video content, and themed newsletters spotlighting different engineering majors. Throughout the summer, you will also engage in Role Model Monday webinars—live sessions featuring current students, alumni, and industry professionals who share personal stories and their STEM career journeys.
Image Source - Rice University