15 Engineering Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you’re a Texas high school student with a passion for tinkering, designing, or discovering how things work, summer engineering research programs can be one of the good ways to spend your break. These programs allow students to step into research settings, learning directly from university professors and industry professionals while exploring concepts that go far beyond the classroom. Unlike year-long courses that can be costly or difficult to access, these summer opportunities provide affordable pathways to gain practical skills, experience, and mentorship connections.
Texas is home to some of the nation’s leading universities and research centers, which means students don’t have to travel far to access high-quality engineering programs. From robotics and aerospace to computer science and mechanical design, these programs give students the chance to test their interests and strengthen their academic and career readiness. They also help students build strong portfolios that strengthen their college applications while connecting with peers.
With so many opportunities available, we’ve narrowed down our list to the top 15 engineering summer research programs for high school students in Texas. Each program on this list offers a strong focus on engineering or related fields, takes place during the summer months, and is designed to help students explore their passions in a structured, supportive environment.
15 Engineering Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Texas
1. Summer High School Research Academy (HSRA)
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $4,000 (need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited cohort
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Texas residents, rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors, 15+
At HSRA, you’ll spend five weeks working in university research labs and learning engineering-related skills alongside UT Austin students and professors. Projects span everything from genome engineering and biotechnology to computational analysis and environmental research. Weekly seminars and team‑building sessions help you develop presentation skills and learn about careers in engineering. You’ll finish with a final poster session to showcase your findings. This program is a great option for engineering summer research programs for high school students in Texas because it mixes lab work with mentorship and professional insights.
2. Veritas AI Scholars Program
Location: Virtual (100% need-based financial aid available)
Cost: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15 week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, winter
Application Deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
This remote program immerses you in the engineering principles behind artificial intelligence. During the first two weeks, you’ll build a foundation in Python and data science, then dive into neural networks, regression, and natural language processing. Each session includes a lecture and a small‑group mentoring session with a 5:1 student‑to‑mentor ratio. In the final weeks, you’ll work on an AI project like image classification or sentiment analysis and present it to peers. The program’s team-based research projects help students understand how software engineering and data science intersect, making it a solid option for engineering summer research programs for high school students in Texas.
3. Research Program for High School Students
Location: University of Texas, Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost: $1,000 for the Intensive Research Internship; $700 (in‑person) or $600 (virtual) for Summer Research Workshops (scholarships for low‑income families available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in spring (exact dates vary)
Eligibility: High‑school students (preferably finishing 10th–11th grade); lab interns must be 16 years or older for in‑person participation
UT Dallas offers two tracks: an intensive research internship and summer research workshops. The internship places students in computer science and engineering laboratories where they spend 20–40 hours per week on projects like machine learning, algorithms, or robotics. The workshops provide college‑level lectures and projects where you might design software, build hardware prototypes, or explore emerging technologies. Scholarships are available for low‑income families, and participants get to present their projects at the end of the program.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fees vary by program option; need‑based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Cohorts run year‑round; summer sessions typically last 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High‑school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
Lumiere pairs you with a PhD mentor to conduct research in an engineering or STEM topic of your choice. Over 12 weeks, you and your mentor meet weekly to review literature, design experiments, and develop a research paper or project. You can choose disciplines like electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or aerospace, and the Premium Research & Publication option offers guidance on submitting your work to journals or competitions. Because you’ll build a one‑on‑one relationship with a seasoned researcher and have flexible scheduling, this program is a great option among engineering summer research programs for high school students in Texas.
5. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee and a $750 stipend upon completing a research project
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Graduating high school students aged 17 or older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Over seven weeks, you’ll work closely with Texas Tech faculty on an engineering or science project tailored to your interests. Past projects have ranged from electrical engineering and materials science to mechanical design and computer engineering. The program covers room, board, and weekend activities, and you’ll receive a $750 stipend upon completion. With only twelve students accepted each year, this opportunity offers intensive mentorship and stands as a solid option for engineering summer research programs for high school students in Texas.
6. PATHS‑UP Young Scholars Program
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (hybrid)
Stipend: $2000 upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 9 – July 27
Application Deadline: Typically spring
Eligibility: High‑school students, grades 9–12
This NSF-funded program immerses students in biomedical engineering research at Texas A&M or partner universities. You’ll work on health challenges, developing sensors, diagnostic devices, or data-analysis tools, and present your findings in a student symposium at the end. The program’s goal is to show how engineering can improve healthcare access and outcomes for underserved communities. It’s a great option for engineering summer research programs for high school students in Texas, combining hands-on lab experience with social impact.
7. Rice University Digital Health Young Scholars
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 9 – June 26
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Houston‑area 10th and 11th graders
This three‑week program combines electrical engineering, computer science, and medical technology. Students learn to use sensors such as pulse oximeters, GPS modules, microphones, and speakers to collect data and design portable devices. You’ll attend lectures and labs on digital circuitry and signal processing, receive mentorship from Rice faculty and students, and work in teams to build and present a prototype. The program highlights networking opportunities with professionals and peers, making it a strong contender among engineering summer research programs for high school students in Texas for those interested in biomedical and electrical engineering.
8. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) – UT Austin Center for Space Research
Location: UT Austin, Austin, TX (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: On‑site internship July 6 – 19 with virtual symposium July 21 – 22
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High‑school sophomores and juniors who will be 16 years old by program start and U.S. citizens
SEES is a NASA-supported program where students explore Earth science and remote sensing through a hybrid model. After completing online modules on satellite data and atmospheric science, you’ll go to Austin to work with scientists and engineers at the Center for Space Research. Projects may involve designing models to analyze climate data, coding simulations, or using remote-sensing techniques to study natural phenomena. The program ends with a virtual science symposium.
9. Camp SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Aerospace Research)
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: Varies, includes room, board, and camp activities + $35 application fee (need‑based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: TBD (Bi-annual, summer)
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: Rising high‑school juniors and seniors
Camp SOAR introduces students to aerospace engineering research through design projects and tours of their facilities. You’ll design and build rockets, gliders, and other aerospace systems while learning about aerodynamics and propulsion. The camp includes visits to labs such as the Low Speed Wind Tunnel and the Vehicle Systems & Controls Lab, where you’ll see research in action. Faculty and graduate mentors guide teams through the engineering design process and share insights about college life.
10. Explore Engineering
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: $400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12
This week‑long camp immerses you in different engineering disciplines through lectures, lab tours, and design projects. You might work on structural engineering challenges, explore robotics, or build prototypes with peers. Students stay in campus residence halls and get a taste of college life. With its broad overview of engineering fields, Explore Engineering is a solid option among engineering summer research programs for high school students in Texas.
11. Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Summer Workshop
Location: UTSA Margie & Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design, San Antonio, TX
Cost: Day Camp: $550; Day Camp w/ Tuition Assistance: $100; Overnight Camp: $750; Overnight Camp w/ Tuition Assistance: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – 20
Application Deadline: Rolling (until spots are filled)
Eligibility: High‑school students (priority given to rising juniors and seniors), 3.0+ GPA
This five‑day workshop, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration, immerses you in fundamental engineering research. As a participant, you will work with UTSA faculty and graduate students on topics like piezoelectric energy harvesting, electronics fabrication and digital design, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and corrosion control. The program blends lectures with lab projects, giving you a deep dive into mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering disciplines.
12. My Introduction to Engineering (MITE)
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: $100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; 50 students
Dates: Dates vary by year
Application Deadline: Mid‑May
Eligibility: Current high‑school juniors; U.S. residents; from low‑exposure schools encouraged to apply
At MITE, you’ll spend 5 days immersed in engineering team projects and activities at UT Austin. The camp exposes high‑school juniors to multiple engineering disciplines through work with current students, faculty, and alumni. As a participant, you will live in campus dorms, gain insight into college life, and network with mentors. MITE emphasizes accessibility, encouraging applications from students who have limited exposure to engineering coursework.
13. Aggie STEM Overnight Camp
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: $1,699
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment, limited spots
Dates: May 31 - June 27
Application Deadline: October - April
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
Aggie STEM’s overnight camp is a project‑based camp on Texas A&M’s campus. You will explore engineering and science concepts through research projects and activities, gaining an overview of Texas A&M’s STEM majors and career paths. Tuition includes lodging in residence halls, meals, daily and evening activities, lab tours, and a T‑shirt. Need‑based scholarships are available for eligible students.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $40 application fee and $850 program participation fee; financial aid and fee waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28; scholarship/fee‑waiver deadline February 21
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12, 14+
This two‑week virtual internship explores how engineering and artificial intelligence intersect in medical imaging. You will attend lectures on machine learning and imaging technology, work in small groups on AI projects under Stanford mentors, and participate in career panels and social activities. For Texas students who want to explore biomedical and electrical engineering through AI, this program offers an intensive option among engineering summer research programs for high school students in Texas.
15. SEE: Summer Engineering Experience (WiSTEM Virtual Academy)
Location: Virtual (hosted by UT Austin Women in STEM)
Cost: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June – July (two‑month virtual program)
Application Deadline: Registration opens January 1 and closes when sessions fill
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders
SEE is a two‑month virtual academy designed to let high‑school students “see” every engineering major offered at UT Austin. Each week, participants receive an engineering‑focused newsletter, attend a live Role Model Monday webinar featuring faculty, alumni, or industry partners, and tackle asynchronous design challenges. The program culminates in a final showcase and admissions presentation. Students spend 1–3 hours per week engaging with videos, design tasks, and webinars at their own pace.