15 Engineering Programs for High School Students in Virginia
If you are a high school student interested in engineering, participating in a structured program can help you explore different engineering disciplines while developing technical and problem-solving skills. Depending on the program, you may study topics such as robotics, biomedical engineering, semiconductors, computer engineering, or materials science through design projects, research, coding, and laboratory activities. These experiences can help you better understand engineering as a field while preparing for future college coursework and STEM opportunities.
Why should you attend an engineering program in Virginia?
Virginia is home to institutions such as the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, George Mason University, and Virginia Commonwealth University that offer engineering programs for high school students. Through these programs, you may work on engineering design challenges, conduct research, learn computer-aided design (CAD), explore emerging technologies, or interact with faculty, researchers, and industry professionals. Whether you are interested in a short summer camp, a research experience, or a residential pre-college program, Virginia offers engineering opportunities across a wide range of specialties.
To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down 15 engineering programs for high school students in Virginia.
If you’re looking for STEM programs in Virginia, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span diverse engineering disciplines, including biomedical engineering (UVA Emerging Engineers, Virginia Tech C-Tech²), semiconductor and microelectronics (Virginia Tech UPWARDS), drone and aerial robotics (Virginia Tech Flight Lab), data and sensor technology (Virginia Tech D.C. Area), and engineering design and manufacturing (New River Community College XLR8 Academy).
Several programs are completely free, including UVA Emerging Engineers, Virginia Tech Pathways for Future Engineers, VCU Engineers2B, GMU VALHEN STEM Academy, BLAST, NOVA Bridge Programs, William and Mary Governor's School, and New River XLR8 Academy.
Virginia Tech offers the widest range of engineering programs on this list, with five distinct options including WEE VT, C-Tech², UPWARDS, D.C. Area Sensor Technology, and Flight Lab, covering disciplines from semiconductors to drone engineering.
Many programs are restricted to Virginia residents or students attending Virginia schools, including Virginia Tech Pathways (first-generation Virginia students), BLAST (Virginia rising 9th and 10th graders), and the William and Mary Governor's School (Virginia public school nominees).
Application deadlines are concentrated between February and May, with the earliest being BLAST (February 1) and William and Mary Governor's School (varies by school division), so students should check with their schools and research programs well before spring.
1. University of Virginia - Emerging Engineers
Location: University of Virginia
Cost: None
Dates: July 27–31
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th-grade students
This program focuses on helping you understand how engineering can be used to solve complex global problems while giving you exposure to real academic and research environments. You can choose between two specialized tracks (Biomedical Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering) depending on your interests. Throughout the week, you’ll participate in engineering activities, lab tours, guest lectures, student panels, and collaborative community-building sessions alongside other high school students interested in STEM. If you want an introduction to engineering within a university setting while exploring emerging technical fields, this program offers a focused and supportive experience!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
Eligibility: High school students; 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 have the opportunity 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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Virginia Tech - Pathways for Future Engineers
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Cost: None
Dates: June 14–27 (Rising Seniors); June 21–27 (Rising Sophomores and Juniors)
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Virginia high school students whose parents did not graduate from a four-year college or equivalent degree program
Pathways for Future Engineers is a multi-year support program from Virginia Tech designed to help first-generation students explore engineering and prepare for college-level STEM education. The program combines summer residential experiences with year-round support, including virtual activities, campus visits, college application guidance, and opportunities to connect with peers and mentors interested in engineering. During the summer component, you’ll work collaboratively on engineering design projects while participating in hands-on activities that introduce you to problem-solving, teamwork, and technical thinking. The program also places a strong emphasis on community building and helping you navigate the transition from high school to higher education.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round, including summer, winter, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
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 psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Engineers2B (E2B)
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University
Cost: None
Dates: No set cohorts; visits are scheduled on demand
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
Engineers2B (E2B) is an outreach initiative by VCU’s College of Engineering that allows you to explore engineering and computer science through customizable, hands-on experiences. The program works in partnership with schools and student groups, offering both on-campus visits and school-based sessions focused on STEAM learning and career exploration. Activities may include robotics programming, simple circuit design, 3D drawing, coding exercises, engineering demonstrations, and guided tours of VCU’s engineering facilities. You may also get the chance to attend admissions presentations, interact with faculty members, and participate in Q&A sessions with current engineering students. E2B can be a useful introduction to both technical fields and university-level engineering environments.
6. George Mason University – VALHEN STEM Academy
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VirginiaCost: NoneDates: July 29–31Application Deadline: March 15 (via GMU) or April 11 (via VALHEN)Eligibility: Rising high school juniors in Virginia with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
The VALHEN STEM Academy is a residential pre-college program at George Mason University that introduces you to STEM fields through immersive, project-based learning experiences. Centered on sustainability and global STEM challenges, the program encourages you to design solutions to complex real-world problems while developing research, collaboration, and science communication skills. Over three intensive days, you’ll attend university-led workshops, participate in hands-on activities, and work with peers on a group research project guided by faculty members and program mentors. The experience also provides exposure to interdisciplinary STEM pathways and careers, helping you better understand how engineering and scientific thinking intersect across industries and social issues.
7. BLAST - Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology
Location: University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University, Radford University, William & Mary
Cost: Free
Dates: June 21–24 (William & Mary) | June 28 – July 1 (UVA) | July 15–18 (Virginia Tech) | July 19–22 (Radford) | July 26–29 (Old Dominion University)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th grade students in Virginia; C+ or better grade average
In this program, you’ll stay in college dormitories, participate in STEM activities led by university faculty, and explore different technical fields in an engaging and accessible environment. The program is specifically intended for students who may not have had prior exposure to STEM opportunities, making it a strong option if you’re curious about engineering or technology but still early in your exploration. Activities and demonstrations are designed to build problem-solving skills while helping you understand the wide range of careers connected to STEM disciplines. You also get exposure to different campus environments and academic communities across the state.
8. Northern Virginia Community College – Bridge Programs
Location: Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, VirginiaCost: NoneDates: Late June through mid-AugustApplication Deadline: March 22Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
NOVA’s Bridge Programs introduce you to career pathways in engineering technology, data center operations, information technology, and computer science through hands-on activities and industry exposure. The program is designed for high school students who are still exploring their post-graduation options and want practical insight into technical and workforce-oriented fields. Throughout the experience, you’ll visit tech companies, learn about potential career opportunities, and explore how different technology systems and engineering processes work in real-world settings. You’ll also be introduced to NOVA’s campuses, student support resources, financial aid information, and academic programs connected to engineering and technology.
9. Virginia Tech College of Engineering – The Watford Engineering Experience at Virginia Tech (WEE VT)
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia (Virginia Tech main campus)
Cost: $2,500; full and partial need-based scholarships are available
Dates: July 12–25
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Rising junior and senior high school students (rising 11th and 12th grade); Virginia residents
At WEE VT, you spend two weeks living on Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus while exploring the many branches of engineering through hands-on work. You are placed in a small daily group and take part in activities led by faculty and graduate students from a wide range of engineering departments, using the university's computers and laboratory supplies. You work toward a team engineering design project supported by Bloomberg Industry Group, whose representatives critique your progress after the first week and return to judge the final projects. You also attend sessions on communicating technical topics to a lay audience, financial literacy, and the college application process, and meet practicing engineering faculty.
10. Virginia Tech: C-Tech²
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Cost: $2,500
Dates: June 28 – July 11
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This program centers around a biomedical engineering-themed design project, allowing you to explore how engineering can be applied to real-world healthcare and technology challenges. Alongside the main project, you’ll participate in additional engineering activities that expose you to a wider range of disciplines and problem-solving approaches. The experience also includes seminars on the college application process, opportunities to interact with engineering faculty, and conversations about future careers in STEM fields. If you’re interested in engineering but also want a program that combines technical exploration with mentorship and community-building, C-Tech² offers a well-rounded introduction.
11. Virginia Tech / UPWARDS – UPWARDS Summer Camp
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia (Virginia Tech campus)
Cost: $2,500; needs-based scholarships are available
Dates: UPWARDS 1: June 14–27; UPWARDS 2: July 12–25
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This camp focuses on microelectronics, semiconductor fabrication, and engineering career pathways. Guided by faculty and staff, you complete a computer-aided design (CAD) tutorial and pattern layout exercise, learn to work safely in a cleanroom, and gain hands-on experience with semiconductor materials, processes, and equipment. You then fabricate and test simple microelectronic devices, connecting classroom concepts to real industry workflows. The experience emphasizes electrical, computer, materials science, and chemical engineering, helping you build practical technical skills and explore college and career options. Backed by the National Science Foundation, Micron Technology, and Tokyo Electron, the camp also includes residence-hall living and evening social activities.
12. Virginia Tech D.C. Area – Engineering the Future with Data and Sensor Technology
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Alexandria, VA
Cost: Exact fee not specified; set through Virginia Tech's official online registration portal (CampBrain)
Dates: July 7–10
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11–12
In this program, you spend four full days at Virginia Tech's Academic Building One in Alexandria investigating real-world engineering problems through data, sensor technology, and coding. You work with a range of sensors, program them to perform specific functions, and learn to collect, interpret, and draw insights from the data they generate. Through both individual research interests and collaborative team projects, you connect these tools to practical engineering challenges across STEM fields. You build hands-on experience with current technology while strengthening your problem-solving, programming, and data-analysis skills. The structured full-day schedule and the pairing of personal inquiry with group work give the experience a genuine feel of an engineering workflow.
13. William & Mary Center for Gifted Education – Jefferson Lab/VIMS Summer Residential Governor’s School
Location: Newport News, Virginia (Jefferson Lab engineering placement), with residential housing at Christopher Newport University
Cost: None
Dates: Four weeks in June and July
Application Deadline: Varies by school division
Eligibility: Gifted rising 11th- or 12th-grade students; enrolled in and nominated by a Virginia public or participating school division; for the Jefferson Lab engineering placement, U.S. citizenship and minimum age of 16 by the program start date are required
In this program, you join a four-week residential mentorship where you are paired one-on-one or in a small team with a professional research scientist or graduate student at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News. As an engineering participant, you contribute to active research projects that may span accelerator operations, electrical and mechanical engineering, materials science, computer science, and physics, and quickly learn to observe, adapt, and add value to an existing team. You handle assigned technical responsibilities, work within the lab's scientific workflows, and develop hands-on research and problem-solving skills. At the program's close, you deliver an oral, technology-rich presentation of your work to mentors and Jefferson Lab researchers.
14. New River Community College – XLR8 Academy (Xperiential Learning & Real-world Engineering)
Location: Christiansburg Site, Christiansburg, Virginia
Cost: None
Dates: High School Intro Academy: June 1–5; Advanced Academy for middle and high school students: June 15–18; Girls Academy for ages 12–17: July 6–10
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students ages 12–17, with high school sessions geared toward ages 15–17; Advanced Academy is for students who have CAD experience or have attended an engineering camp before; one camp enrollment per student
In this program, you explore engineering design and manufacturing technology through NRCC's free, hands-on XLR8 Academy at the Christiansburg site. Across a one-week session, you work with CAD-based engineering software, complete mechanical and technical drawings, and run parts through additive manufacturing on 3D printers. You also receive an introduction to robotics and to application programming, connecting digital design to physical fabrication. The Intro Academy welcomes you with no prior CAD experience, while the Advanced Academy builds on earlier camp or software experience with a longer daily schedule. You move through guided projects that reflect real-world engineering practice, from concept and modeling to prototyping.
15. Virginia Tech, D.C. Area K-12 Initiatives – Flight Lab: Drone Dynamics in Action
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, Alexandria, Virginia
Cost: Exact fee not specified; it is confirmed at checkout through Virginia Tech's CampBrain registration portal
Dates: July 27–31
Application Deadline: Typically closes once the session fills or shortly before the July 23
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
In this program, you explore aerial robotics through daily challenges, guided learning, and collaborative work. You apply hands-on engineering by designing, building, and piloting your own drones, then refining them through goal-oriented gameplay and team-based flight challenges. You receive real-world FAA drone safety training and study aviation dynamics, the components of a drone, and the flight principles that make controlled flight possible. The program blends engineering, coding, and innovation so you can connect mechanical design with programmable control. Hosted at the new Academic Building One in Alexandria, it immerses you in a structured, instructor-led environment built around iterative testing and problem-solving.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best engineering programs for high school students in Virginia?
Strong options depend on a student's interests. Students drawn to hands-on residential experiences might consider Virginia Tech WEE VT or C-Tech², those interested in semiconductor research might look at Virginia Tech UPWARDS, and those interested in research-based independent projects might consider the William and Mary Governor's School at Jefferson Lab or the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
Are there free engineering programs for high school students in Virginia?
Yes, several programs are free, including UVA Emerging Engineers, Virginia Tech Pathways for Future Engineers, VCU Engineers2B, GMU VALHEN STEM Academy, BLAST, NOVA Bridge Programs, New River XLR8 Academy, and the William and Mary Governor's School.
Which Virginia engineering programs offer residential campus experiences?
Virginia Tech WEE VT, C-Tech², and UPWARDS all offer two-week residential experiences on the Blacksburg campus, while BLAST places students in dormitories at multiple Virginia universities and the William and Mary Governor's School provides residential housing at Christopher Newport University.
Are there engineering programs in Virginia specifically for students new to STEM?
Yes, BLAST is designed for rising 9th and 10th graders who may not have had prior STEM exposure, VCU's Engineers2B offers customizable introductory sessions for schools and student groups, and New River XLR8 Academy's Intro track welcomes students with no prior CAD experience.
Which Virginia engineering programs focus specifically on emerging or cutting-edge technologies?
Virginia Tech UPWARDS focuses on semiconductor fabrication and microelectronics, Virginia Tech Flight Lab covers drone engineering and FAA safety training, Virginia Tech D.C. Area's camp explores sensor technology and data collection, and Veritas AI focuses on machine learning and AI project development.
When should I apply to engineering programs for high school students in Virginia?
Deadlines vary widely. The earliest include BLAST (February 1) and GMU VALHEN STEM Academy (March 15), while others like Virginia Tech Pathways (May 31) and UVA Emerging Engineers (April 15) fall later in the spring. Several programs like VCU Engineers2B and Virginia Tech D.C. Area camps operate on a rolling basis.