15 Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students in Washington State
If you are considering engineering as a future career, a summer program in the field is worth exploring. Engineering summer programs offer you the chance to move beyond textbooks and experience how engineering works in the real world. From design challenges and coding projects to lab-based research and industry exposure, these programs help you explore different engineering pathways while building practical skills early on.
Why should you attend a program in Washington State?
Washington State offers a range of summer opportunities that allow students to gain exposure to advanced engineering coursework and research. You might participate in design challenges, contribute to laboratory research, explore aerospace and computing projects, or collaborate with engineers on technical problem-solving. Whether you live here or are planning to spend the summer in the state, joining an engineering program in Washington can be an opportunity to explore the region’s academic and industrial culture and learn from experts.
Below, we have put together a list of 15 engineering summer programs for high school students in Washington State.
If you are looking for internships in Washington State, you can check out our blog here.
1. Changemakers in Computing @ University of Washington
Location: University of Washington campus, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 30
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors attending Washington State high schools who are U.S citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, or students with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Changemakers in Computing is a free, in-person summer program designed for high school students who want to explore computer engineering through the lens of social impact. The program focuses on building foundational coding skills while encouraging you to think critically about how technology shapes communities, equity, and justice. You will work in small, mentored groups led by UW undergraduate students, engaging in culturally relevant, project-based learning and discussions around different pathways within computer science and engineering. Alongside technical skills, you will gain exposure to college-level learning environments, peer mentorship, and access to a supportive STEM community.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Program cohorts run all year; the AI Scholars runs for 10 weeks, and the AI Fellowship program runs for about 12 to 15 weeks
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship typically accepts previous AI Scholar participants or those with some experience working with AI 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. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft’s offices in Redmond, WA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: TBA; applications typically open in early February/March.
Eligibility: High school graduating seniors who live and go to high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, and are members or participants of Microsoft-sponsored organizations listed on the program site
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program is a paid internship for high school students interested in exploring careers in software engineering, computer science, and other tech fields. As a participant, you will join a team involved in designing a product and explore the real-world tasks related to software engineering, computer science, and UX design. Additionally, you will work on a group project to identify customer needs and help the product design team meet those requirements. This experience can help you build professional skills, such as collaboration and problem-solving, as well as technical skills. You will also connect with and learn from Microsoft employees and gain exposure to Microsoft technologies.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Engineering Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance
This is a rigorous research program meant for high school students who want to explore an area and topic of interest in absolute detail. Here, you will get to work one-on-one with a Ph. D.-level mentor on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from a wide range of subjects, including various engineering fields. You will finalize a research question with support from your mentor and also work with a writing coach to present your findings. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent engineering research paper!
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various Department of the Navy laboratories in the U.S., including in WA
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 students/year; Washington-specific numbers not available
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have at least completed the 9th grade, are 16 or older, and are U.S. citizens; individual labs may have additional prerequisites.
Each summer, SEAP places high school students in naval laboratories to engage in real STEM research. You may work on engineering tasks related to underwater robotics, mechanical systems, and software engineering. You will be mentored by scientists and engineers while you engage in projects designed to offer exposure to the advanced tech used in national defense. Additionally, you will gain insights into careers and R&D work within the federal government through shadowing opportunities, professional development seminars, and networking events. At the end of SEAP, you will produce a final report or presentation discussing your research contributions.
6. University of Washington Engineering Academy
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: One week in late July; dates vary by year
Application deadline: Typically in April; application opens in March.
Eligibility: Washington state high school sophomores and juniors attending school in the greater Seattle area
The Engineering Academy, offered by the University of Washington, is designed for high school students interested in exploring the diverse fields within engineering. As a participant, you will explore various engineering disciplines such as civil, mechanical, and chemical engineering to help you define and assess your future academic interests. Over a week, you will participate in hands-on design challenges and engage in problem-solving and peer collaboration to solve real issues. The curriculum also includes laboratory tours and lectures led by university faculty, as well as mentorship from current undergraduate engineering students.
7. Gonzaga University SEAS Summer Immersion Program
Location: Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 18 students
Dates: July 5 – 10
Application deadline: Typically, spring
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Run by Gonzaga University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), this week-long program allows you to experience the collegiate engineering environment. You will explore disciplines such as civil, mechanical, and computer engineering through lab-based exercises and design projects. Faculty members will lead sessions and guide you in building structures, coding simple algorithms, or analyzing materials. You will also have the opportunity to connect with professional engineers and computer scientists, receiving both mentoring and networking opportunities. The program ends in a research symposium where you can showcase the work you engaged in throughout the week.
8. Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) High School Intern Programs
Location: Institute for Systems Biology labs, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid and unpaid positions available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 4 – 10 students/year
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
ISB’s high school internships are designed to help you gain experience in applying systems thinking to bioengineering problems. You will work on projects in computational biology, data analysis, and bioengineering, as well as coding and systems modeling. The program offers opportunities to explore interdisciplinary work, requiring you to combine biology with computer science and engineering principles. Mentors will guide you through the research process, from hypothesis generation to data interpretation. The experience ends with the creation of a website or project showcase that highlights your team’s contributions to scientific research.
9. University of Puget Sound’s Summer Academic Challenge (SAC)
Location: University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Mid June – Mid July (four weeks); exact dates TBA
Application deadline: TBA; typically, May/June deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12 enrolled in public schools who are first-generation college students, students from underrepresented minoritized groups, and/or students from underrepresented socio-economic status
SAC at the University of Puget Sound is a four-week opportunity to dive into STEAM through hands-on learning exercises. The program divides all participants into three groups by grade level and assigns a unique theme to each group each year. Depending on the placement, you will explore the engineering and science concepts involved in interior design, marine ecosystems, or the evolution of transportation. You will attend in-person sessions in university classrooms, laboratories, outdoor settings, and libraries. You will also engage in industry visits and workshops to refine skills in written and oral presentation.
10. PNNL High School Internships
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
Stipend: Not specified; academic credit may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August; typical commitment of four hours/day, five days/week
Application deadline: Application window: February – March
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are 16 or older; students who want to work in laboratories must be 18 or older.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory offers high schoolers in Washington the opportunity to work directly with professional scientists and engineers on research projects. You will be placed in one of PNNL's divisions engaged in STEM-focused work and contributing to real-world technical solutions. The program emphasizes mentorship, allowing you to learn laboratory safety, research methodologies, and professional communication skills. Beyond the lab work, you will participate in educational workshops and career development sessions to prepare for future careers in engineering and science.
11. SoundBio Lab National Youth Laboratory (NYL) Internship
Location: Virtual/SoundBio Lab, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 20 (only on Mondays and Wednesdays)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 – 20
SoundBio Lab offers students opportunities to gain exposure to synthetic biology and bioengineering through its internship program. You will engage in tasks focused on DIY and low-cost technology design across fields such as biochemistry, electronics, coding, microbiology, and additive manufacturing. The program focuses on the intersection of biology and engineering, enabling you to learn how to develop solutions to biological problems. Along with technical skill-building opportunities, this engineering program provides access to guidance from experts across several STEM fields.
12. Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS)
Location: Phase 1: Online; Phase 2: The Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA
Cost: Phase 1: Free or $255 for five credits; Phase 2: $1,850 (100% need-based scholarship available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Phase 1: November – March; Phase 2: Six days between July and August
Application deadline: Applications window: September – mid-October
Eligibility: 11th graders who reside in Washington State
WAS is a two-phase hybrid program designed for high school juniors in Washington State who are interested in flight, space exploration, and engineering design. The program begins with a free online course developed by the University of Washington that will introduce you to air and space vehicle design, NASA missions, and Earth and space science. On successfully completing the course, you can earn UW college credit for a fee and become eligible for an optional, selective summer residency at The Museum of Flight. During the summer in-person phase, you will collaborate with STEM professionals, NASA scientists, and peers while exploring real-world aerospace challenges at the Museum of Flight. As a program alumnus, you will also gain access to scholarship opportunities and long-term mentorship networks.
13. UW Summer Stretch
Location: University of Washington Robinson Center, Seattle, WA
Cost: $1,450; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 23
Application deadline: February 28; applications open on February 15
Eligibility: Current 7th–10th graders; prerequisites vary by course
Summer Stretch, offered by the University of Washington’s Robinson Center for Young Scholars, is a four-week in-person summer program designed for middle and early high school students who want to explore academic subjects in greater depth. The program offers a mix of accelerated and enrichment-focused courses across disciplines such as environmental science, chemistry, math, and writing, as well as research. In each course, you will explore core concepts and engage in group work, self-study, and test-taking. While not a core engineering program, the courses cover topics crucial for future STEM academics. Classes are small and led by subject-matter specialists, allowing you to engage deeply with material through hands-on learning.
14. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual internships available for Massachusetts students
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for three course credits; fee waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP offers fully remote research internships in various fields, including engineering. You can choose a mentor who offers a remote research format to engage in engineering research, learn to use research tools and methodologies, and sharpen your scientific writing and communication skills. During the program, you will also gain insights into STEM career paths through discussions with professors, researchers, and professionals. The program concludes with a symposium where you will learn about the research conducted at ASSIP over the summer.
15. Northwestern University Pre-College Program—Engineering: Solving Problems Through Design
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple two- and four-week sessions available year-round
Application deadline: Typically, one week before each session begins
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
Engineering: Solving Problems Through Design, offered by Northwestern University, is an online pre-college course that focuses on how engineers across disciplines approach real-world challenges using the engineering design process. Through case studies and guided projects, you will gain exposure to engineering thinking and to various fields, including civil, environmental, mechanical, materials, and biomedical engineering. You will also gain experience in applying the design process to solve engineering challenges. The course culminates in a capstone project in which you will apply the full design cycle to a problem aligned with one engineering specialty.