13 Engineering Programs for High School Students in Maryland
If you’re a high school student interested in engineering, structured programs can provide an early look at how the field works beyond classroom theory.Many of these opportunities involve projects, lab activities, and guided mentorship that introduce core engineering practices such as design, testing, and problem-solving. You may work on prototypes, write and test code, analyze data, or explore engineering challenges in areas like robotics, materials science, or environmental systems. Experiences like these help you understand how engineers approach complex problems and apply scientific concepts in practical settings.
Why Should You Attend a Program in Maryland?
Maryland offers a strong environment for exploring engineering because of its concentration of research universities, federal laboratories, and technology-focused institutions. Programs in the state are often affiliated with universities or government research centers, giving students access to advanced facilities and instructors who are actively working in engineering fields. Whether you are a local or out-of-state student, these opportunities can help you explore different areas of engineering and build foundational technical skills.
To get you started, we’ve compiled 13 engineering programs for high school students in Maryland.
If you’re looking for online STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of Navy Labs across the country, including Annapolis/Bethesda/Silver Spring, MD
Stipend: $4,000 (first year) | $4,500 (returning)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by placement
Dates: June – August (~8 weeks)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least Grade 9, are currently enrolled in high school (including those taking college-level classes), graduating seniors, and are at least 16 years old by the internship start date (exceptions may apply)
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program places you inside the Department of Navy research laboratories, where you contribute to ongoing scientific and engineering projects. You’ll work alongside professional engineers and scientists on tasks that may involve robotics systems, materials testing, data analysis, or software development, depending on the lab assignment. Mentors guide interns through technical tasks while helping them understand how large research organizations approach complex problems. Students also participate in regular check-ins and presentations that help them develop communication skills alongside technical experience.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. 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.
3. High School SHIP – NIST Summer High School Intern Program
Location: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
Cost/Stipend: None (typically unpaid)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are high school juniors or seniors at the time of application, have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0, demonstrate strong interest in scientific research, can commit to the full seven-week program, and live within 50 miles of the NIST Boulder or Gaithersburg campus
The Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology introduces students to engineering research in a federal laboratory setting. Interns assist scientists and engineers with projects related to measurement science, materials research, electronics, and advanced data systems. Day-to-day work may involve running experiments, analyzing data, preparing technical documentation, or supporting ongoing research initiatives. Participants also attend seminars and safety training sessions that provide insight into how federal laboratories operate. For students interested in applied engineering research, SHIP offers valuable exposure to the type of work performed in national research institutions.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Engineering Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
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.
5. ESTEEM/SER-Quest Engineering Research Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 31
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders who meet the program’s eligibility requirements
Hosted by the University of Maryland, the ESTEEM/SER-Quest program provides a focused introduction to academic engineering research. Participants work closely with faculty mentors on small research projects that require reading technical literature, developing research questions, and interpreting data. Over four weeks, students gain insight into how engineering research is structured at the university level. Group discussions and workshops complement the research experience by covering topics such as research communication and professional development.
6. Jumpstart Your Engineering Career – UMD Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering
Location: UMD Shady Grove Campus, Rockville, MD
Cost: $150 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: July 14 – August 15
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Maryland high school, community college & four-year university students with basic programming skills
This five-week program introduces students to cyber-physical systems, a field that combines hardware, software, and embedded systems design. Participants work in teams to design and build projects using tools such as sensors, microcontrollers, electronic components, and 3D printing. Faculty mentors and instructors guide students through workshops and labs that demonstrate how software interacts with physical systems. As teams move from concept to prototype, they gain experience with system design, testing, and troubleshooting. The program concludes with a Demo Day, where participants present their completed projects and explain the engineering decisions behind their designs.
7. Pre-College Scholars Program – Clark School of Engineering
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small cohort
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 who attend high school or live in Maryland and Washington, D.C
The Clark School of Engineering’s Pre-College Scholars Program offers a structured introduction to the type of analytical thinking required in engineering programs at the university level. Through a series of workshops and seminars, students explore advanced problem-solving strategies grounded in mathematics and scientific reasoning. Participants engage in case studies, collaborative exercises, and discussions led by faculty mentors who bring academic and industry perspectives. Alongside technical content, the program also highlights time management and study strategies useful for rigorous STEM coursework.
8. WIE Change the World! – Women in Engineering Summer Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $1,500 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort
Dates: July 12 – 17
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders interested in engineering
WIE Change the World! is a residential program at the University of Maryland that introduces participants to a variety of engineering disciplines through various projects and design challenges. Students live on campus and spend each day attending workshops, laboratory sessions, and interactive lectures led by faculty and current engineering students. Many activities focus on real-world engineering problems, such as sustainability initiatives, robotics systems, or infrastructure design. Working in teams, participants develop creative solutions and learn how engineers approach open-ended challenges. Evening programs and informal discussions provide additional opportunities to connect with mentors and learn about engineering careers.
9. Discovering Engineering – University of Maryland
Location: College Park, MD
Cost: $1,400 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~25–30 students
Dates: July 26 – 31 | August 2 – 7
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Students entering 11th or 12th in Fall
Discovering Engineering is a short residential program designed to introduce students to the range of engineering fields. Over the course of the week, participants explore all 8 engineering departments through lab visits, demonstrations, and interactive sessions with faculty and student mentors. These activities highlight how engineering principles are applied to real-world challenges across infrastructure, computing, and biomedical technology. Team-based design projects allow students to practice collaboration and problem-solving while working through structured engineering challenges. The program is well-suited for students seeking a broad overview of engineering before choosing a specialization.
10. WIE Aspire! Explore Engineering
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited seats
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders
WIE Aspire! Explore Engineering is a commuter program designed for students who are just beginning to explore engineering concepts. You’ll attend daily workshops that introduce foundational ideas such as forces, circuits, and engineering design principles. Activities rotate across multiple engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, civil, and bioengineering, giving students a wide overview of the field. Current University of Maryland engineering students serve as mentors and share their experiences preparing for STEM careers
11.University of Maryland 4-H Engineering Camp
Location: Harford County 4-H Camp, MD
Cost/Stipend: ~$200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~40 students
Dates: May 2 – 4
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: 4-H members aged 12–18
This multi-day camp blends traditional outdoor camp activities with applied engineering challenges. You work on projects such as underwater robotics, aerospace experiments, GPS mapping, and environmental engineering tasks. The program emphasizes the engineering design process, encouraging students to identify problems, design prototypes, test their ideas, and refine solutions through iteration. Many activities take place in collaborative groups, helping students develop teamwork and communication skills alongside technical understanding
12. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or in-person at George Mason University
Cost/Stipend: $1,299 + $25 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old by June 18 (16+ for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships), with no maximum age limit, provided they have not graduated from university before or during the internship
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program places students in research groups working on real STEM projects across fields such as environmental engineering, computer modeling, cybersecurity, and materials science. Participants collaborate with faculty mentors and graduate students while contributing to ongoing research initiatives. Much of the work involves analyzing data, reviewing scientific literature, and preparing reports that summarize research findings. Throughout the program, mentors encourage students to take increasing responsibility for aspects of their projects.Professional development sessions introduce topics such as research ethics, scientific communication, and career pathways in STEM fields.
13. Harvard University Secondary School Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,180 – $15,735 + $75 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – August 8 (4 weeks) | June 20 – August 8 (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Students aged 16–18
Harvard’s Secondary School Program allows high school students to enroll in university-level courses during the summer term. Participants select classes from a wide catalog that includes engineering-related subjects such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems. Courses follow the same structure as Harvard undergraduate classes, with lectures, assignments, and graded assessments. Students must manage their own schedules and keep up with coursework independently, making the program academically demanding. Successful participants receive an official Harvard transcript documenting their completed coursework.
Image source - Veritas AI