15 Engineering Summer Research Programs for High School Students in California
If you are a high school student in California, interested in engineering, summer research programs offer a great opportunity to dive deeper into the field without committing to an expensive, long-term course. These programs often combine learning, mentorship from experts, and exposure to challenges, helping you gain experience as you explore your academic interests. Whether it's working in university labs, collaborating on design projects, or exploring emerging technologies, you can experience what it’s like to think and work like an engineer.
Many engineering summer research programs for high school students in California are hosted by top colleges, research centres, and STEM organisations, making them accessible and good opportunities to experience a professional environment. These programs are local, so you can often save costs on long-distance travel. They serve as a great way to explore potential career paths in engineering and related fields and learn more about the field.
To help you find the right fit, we've curated a list of 15 engineering summer research programs for high school students in California—each offering a unique combination of rigor, mentorship, and real-world application.
15 Engineering Summer Research Programs for High School Students in California
1. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Location: Various NASA centres across the country; virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid and unpaid internships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Exact dates depend on the internship; 10 weeks in the summer (May - August)
Application Deadline: Various deadlines for Fall, Spring, and Summer cohorts; February 27 for the upcoming Summer cohort
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are full-time students, at least 16 years old, with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The NASA OSTEM Internship Program offers high school students a chance to contribute to aerospace, engineering, and science projects under the guidance of experienced professionals. As a participant, you will work alongside NASA mentors – engineers, technical experts, and research scientists – on mission-driven projects that support the agency’s goals in space exploration, aeronautics, robotics, and Earth science. You may be involved in data analysis, systems design, lab-based research, or technology development, depending on the centre and project. These summer research programs for high school students in California are available in full-time or part-time formats and provide experience and technical training while empowering you to build professional networks, develop career-readiness skills, and get a look at NASA's cutting-edge work.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
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 offers an advanced, research-driven internship opportunity if you’re interested in learning about AI, machine learning, and data science. Designed and run by Harvard graduate students, the AI Fellowship provides a structured yet flexible opportunity for you to pursue independent AI research under the mentorship of experts from top universities. Over 15 weeks, you will work 1-on-1 with Ph.D. mentors to develop a personalised research question, conduct data analysis, and write a final research paper. The program places a strong emphasis on academic rigour, critical thinking, and innovation, encouraging you to combine AI with other fields of interest, offering an interdisciplinary approach to projects. You are expected to have prior experience with Python or to first complete Veritas AI’s foundational AI Scholars program to ensure you have a foundation to build your research on.
3. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of the Navy
Location: Various lab locations in California and across the country
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4,000 stipend for new participants, $4,500 for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Exact dates depend on the lab
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who have completed at least grade 9, over 16 years of age
SEAP offers noteworthy summer research programs for high school students in California, where you can work at Department of the Navy laboratories across the U.S. for 8 weeks. As an intern, you will work directly with scientists and engineers on authentic engineering or STEM projects, gaining experience in areas such as materials research, naval architecture, and ocean engineering. The program emphasises research outcomes, technical skills, and professional communication, and you can study various aspects of engineering and related disciplines at the different labs in the state. This includes subjects of interest such as aeronautics, computer science, programming, and more. California has 7 lab locations for you to choose from, based in Port Hueneme, San Diego, Corona, and Monterey.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid and unpaid internships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 500 spots in each cohort
Dates: Exact dates depend on the internship; 12 weeks in the summer (typically starting in June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: Students who are currently enrolled in high school, demonstrating a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective, intensive opportunity providing engineering summer research programs for high school students in California interested in conducting advanced, independent research. The program will pair you with a Ph.D. researcher from a top university who will provide one-on-one guidance throughout the research process – from ideation and literature review to data analysis and drafting an original research paper. This program offers a highly personalised mentorship experience, allowing you to deep dive into topics that align with your academic and professional interests, including subjects such as engineering, computer science, and more. The program is designed to help you develop technical skills, gain experience in academic writing and project management, and enhance your ability to present complex ideas clearly and effectively.
5. UCSD’s Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: UC San Diego, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 for the research project
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Southern California residents in grades 10 - 12, at least 16 years old on or before June 15, with a minimum 3.0 GPA
This is an intensive eight-week volunteer program designed to introduce you to the world of computational science and research, which can enhance your approach to other aspects of engineering. You will be matched with ongoing research projects and mentored by professional computational scientists, giving you experience in hypothesis formulation, experiment design, and data analysis. Beyond enhancing your technical skills, the program encourages you to participate in regular lab meetings and group discussions, thus polishing your communication and collaboration skills. At the end of the program, you will create a scientific poster presentation to summarise your research findings, personal growth, and future goals. This will be showcased during a celebratory event in mid-August, giving you a platform to present your work to peers, mentors, and guests.
6. Irvine CubeSat STEM Program
Location: Various institutions across Irvine, CA
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 for the research project
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students from underrepresented groups attending public high schools in the City of Irvine
This is a project-based opportunity that blends engineering, aerospace exploration, and collaborative learning, making it a worthy research opportunity if you’re looking for engineering summer research programs for high school students in California. This multi-institutional initiative brings together over 100 students from public high schools across the city, empowering you to collaborate and design, assemble, and launch CubeSats (miniature satellites) into low Earth orbit. By emphasising applications of STEM, this program offers experience in mission planning, programming, and testing of satellite components, and rare exposure to aerospace engineering and scientific research. The program offers a comprehensive experience, providing mentorship, technical training, and long-term career inspiration. You will collaborate with industry partners, non-profit organisations, and parent volunteers to enhance your problem-solving and teamwork skills while contributing to actual space missions.
7. SAGE Camp
Location: SLAC and Stanford Campuses (Menlo Park and Palo Alto), CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – 28
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: 9 – 11th-grade students attending high school in Northern California, less than 18 years old
SAGE Camp is a free, week-long residential program designed to introduce you to careers in science, technology, and engineering. It goes beyond the scope of a traditional research-based program and combines job shadowing, team projects, lab tours, and career talks to help you explore the wide range of pathways available in science and engineering fields. As a participant, you will engage directly with researchers at National Labs and discover how your personal interests can enhance your professional life by empowering you to take a multidisciplinary approach to your work. The program involves structured programming that will help you boost your confidence and enhance your communication and leadership skills as you gain exposure to technology and active research environments. Evening activities, group challenges, and campus tours provide a networking platform for you to build connections, ensuring a holistic experience.
8. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program
Location: Salk Institute in La Jolla, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend is offered but not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 28 (based on previous deadlines)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and attend high school in San Diego County, with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and can commit to 30-40 hours of week through the program
Held at the world-renowned Salk Institute in La Jolla, the Heithoff‑Brody High School Summer Scholars Program is an intensive 8-week research internship for high school students in San Diego County. As a participant, you will be paired with Salk scientists to work one-on-one on active research projects, gaining experience with wet lab techniques, bioinformatics, data analysis, and the fundamentals of scientific communication. In addition to daily lab work, you will attend enrichment activities such as seminars, workshops, and biotech site visits that will allow you to explore the broader world of science and innovation. The program culminates in a formal research symposium, which gives you a platform to present your findings in an oral presentation or scientific poster.
9. USC Young Researchers Program
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None; $300 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from local high schools
This is a competitive research initiative that offers students the opportunity to engage in university-level research under the guidance of a dedicated graduate student mentor. As a participant, you will conduct an independent research project within a USC lab, culminating in a final presentation at a public poster symposium. This immersive experience will give you exposure to academic research in STEM fields, particularly in biology, chemistry, environmental science, and engineering disciplines. You will also attend weekly seminars covering practical topics such as the college application process, scholarship opportunities, and strategies for success in STEM careers. The program also includes exciting enrichment activities, including a field trip to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a day of hiking and snorkelling at Catalina Island, to give you a comprehensive, enriching experience.
10. Caltech – Summer Research Connection (SRC)
Location: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Cost/Stipend: None; stipend may be offered and varies by cohort
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Typically mid-June to late July (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Usually in early March/April
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD); some programs may prioritise students underrepresented in STEM
The Summer Research Connection (SRC) is a six‑week immersive research experience hosted by Caltech's Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach (CTLO). You will be placed in research labs to collaborate in student-teacher teams alongside graduate students and faculty mentors. This program offers authentic exposure to scientific investigation, including participation in lab meetings, experimentation, and active involvement in complex research projects. You may also receive one-on-one mentorship to enhance your quantitative reasoning and empower you to deliver a seminar-style presentation at the end of the program, to showcase your findings.
11. Engineering Design Summer Institute at UCLA
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: $2,881 (inclusive of registration, IEI, and documentation fees); scholarships offered based on need and merit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session A: June 23 – July 11 | Session B: July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11 who are at least 15 years old; minimum 3.2 GPA for Rovers and Go-Karts tracks, 3.5 GPA for Microcontrollers track
Hosted by the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Engineering Design Summer Institute is a 3-week program that immerses high school students in engineering challenges. Designed to give you a platform to explore the various branches of engineering, this program emphasises teamwork, problem-solving, and communication in a university-level research setting. It includes specialised tracks such as Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and interdisciplinary Rovers, allowing you to explore designing, fabrication, and testing, which culminates in a final presentation and competition. Each track focuses on a unique engineering project: building and racing custom go-karts, programming microcontroller-based systems, or designing autonomous rovers capable of navigating complex environments. As a participant, you will engage with tools such as CAD, 3D printing, laser cutting, and programming, while being mentored by UCLA faculty and graduate students. The program thus provides early exposure to life as an engineer, featuring a project-based structure and a rigorous academic environment.
12. Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Programs
Location: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, OR UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost/Stipend: $3,149 to $7,501 (exact cost depends on the course). Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: LMU Session 1: June 22 – July 11; Session 2: July 13 – August 1 | UCSC Session 1: June 29 – July 18; Session 2: July 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: All high school students
The Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth (CTY) offers a range of intensive courses designed to engage you in various aspects of engineering, encouraging you to create projects, conduct experiments, and develop your technical skills in various applications. For students interested in engineering, they have a wide range of options, including electrical engineering, engineering design, and more. You will also be engaged in collaborative projects simulating engineering and research challenges to gain a deeper understanding of the existing issues in the world of engineering.
13. UC Santa Barbara's Summer Research Academies
Location: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Cost/Stipend: Commuter option: $2,775 | Residential option: $8,774; limited scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 25 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: 9 – 11th-grade students with a minimum 3.6 GPA
The Summer Research Academies (SRA) at UC Santa Barbara provide an immersive pre-college research experience with 4-unit university courses centred on various research tracks. You will investigate a topic under the guidance of faculty members engaged in active research. The program combines labs, lectures, and project-based learning, helping you build a strong academic foundation as you engage in meaningful inquiry and discovery. The first two weeks are spent learning essential research skills, conducting labs, and forming collaborative groups. As the program progresses, the focus shifts to data analysis, technical writing, and preparing for the final Capstone Seminar. Additional features include the GRIT Talks series, where you will benefit from presentations by UC Santa Barbara researchers.
14. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
Location: Various University of California campuses
Cost/Stipend: $5,256 + $44 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 160-200 participants on each campus
Dates: July 6 – August 1/2
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: California high school students
COSMOS is a highly selective, immersive summer program hosted across four University of California campuses, offering an in-depth look at various STEM fields. You will be engaged in cluster-themed learning, where you will follow a structured curriculum and work on project-based research experiences that go well beyond typical high school coursework. Each cluster blends lectures, lab activities, and group research projects, guiding you through the engineering design process, data analysis, and scientific inquiry. The residential setting helps to develop a collaborative community and provides exposure to university faculty and access to research facilities.
15. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: Fremont, CA
Cost/Stipend: $1070; waived for students demonstrating financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 1 – August 30
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: All high school students
The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) offers high school students in California a rare chance to engage with genuine STEM research in areas like engineering, computer science, physics, and biology. Over the summer, you work as part of a research team under the guidance of scientists, engineers, or graduate-level mentors, where you design experiments, write and test code, analyse data, and communicate results. As part of the engineering track, you will engage with advanced tools and equipment such as 3D printers to fabricate turbine components and mechanical models, and laser cutters for precision engineering of wood, plastic, and other materials. For computational projects, you will have access to high-throughput computing clusters and a quantum computing simulator, enabling high-performance modelling and algorithm development. Electrochemistry research is also supported by a Princeton Applied Research scanning potentiostat, used to measure redox reactions in real time.