15 Online Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students

Curious about what it’s like to study engineering and use it to solve problems? An online summer engineering program can be a great way to explore these questions. Online engineering programs can help you understand the field better over your summer break without worrying about the participation and travel costs associated with in-person experiences. Many of these experiences are hosted by universities and established organizations, giving you access to high-quality instruction and a network of like-minded peers.

Engineering programs designed for high school students typically blend practical learning, industry exposure, and mentorship from professionals or university faculty, helping you build technical, soft, and academic skills. The experience can boost your college applications as well as help you make an informed decision about your career path.

In this blog, you will find 15 online engineering summer programs for high school students.

1. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute 

Cost: Free for those whose family income is less than $150,000 | $2,350 for others
Dates: Pre-requisite courses: February 3 – June 20 | Summer Program: July 7 – August 3
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year who are U.S. citizens

MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute is a four-week online program specifically designed for high school students entering their senior year who have a strong interest in engineering and STEM. Hosted by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the School of Engineering, BWSI includes hands-on, project-based learning in areas such as robotics, autonomous systems, embedded security, quantum software, and more. Each course curriculum consists of case studies, guest lectures, and small-group projects. You will explore engineering concepts and, within a team, work on applying these concepts to solve real-world problems.  

2. Veritas AI Programs

Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars

Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including in summer

Application deadline: May/June deadline for summer sessions

Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants must have either completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts/Python

Veritas AI is an online initiative run and founded by Harvard alumni that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence through structured, mentor-led programs. Whether you are new to AI or have prior experience, there’s a suitable track for you—from the foundational AI Scholars program to the more advanced AI Fellowship. In the AI Scholars program, you will explore core concepts in machine learning, neural networks, and data science, while completing a small group project. The Fellowship provides a more intensive research opportunity, where you develop an original AI project under guidance from a mentor and may receive support in submitting your work for publication. The program’s small class sizes ensure access to close mentorship and feedback. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.

3. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Cost: Free
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old

George Mason University’s ASSIP allows you to participate in cutting-edge STEM research while working alongside professional researchers. Conducted both virtually and in-person, ASSIP will pair you with faculty mentors across a wide range of scientific fields, including environmental engineering, computer modeling, cybersecurity, and materials science. As an online participant, you will be actively involved in research projects using real-world tools and methods. Throughout the program, you will spend your time analyzing data, writing scientific material, and presenting your work, just like a real researcher. You may also see your names published in scientific journals. The online engineering summer program for high school students also includes career development workshops and peer discussions to help you understand possible pathways in science and engineering. 

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Engineering Track

Cost: Varies; financial assistance available
Dates: Summer cohorts run between June and August; multiple cohorts available each year

Application deadline: June/July for summer cohorts

Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4. 

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week virtual academic mentorship experience where you work 1-on-1 with a PhD mentor on an independent project in a field of your choice. You can choose engineering as the subject area while applying. If selected, you will get guidance to navigate the research process, from topic selection to writing your own research paper, while gaining hands-on exposure to academic inquiry. This experience can help you develop or refine your research and communication skills as well as strengthen your future academic applications. By the end of the program, you will have your own engineering research paper!

5. Columbia’s Pre-College Programs: Online Summer

Cost: $2,815 (one week); $3,965 (two weeks); find more details here.
Dates: Session A: July 7 – 18; Session B: July 21 – August 1; Session C: August 11 – 15
Application deadline: April 20
Eligibility: Domestic and international students who will be in grades 9–12 in the fall, and students currently enrolled in grade 12

If you are looking to enroll in college-level courses from the comfort of your own home, Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs offer online sessions in a wide range of subjects. You can choose between one- or two-week sessions focusing on engineering. All courses offer opportunities to engage in discussions, simulations, and group projects led by experienced instructors. With over 40 courses, including options like Arduino Fundamentals: Programming and Hardware Essentials and Data Science and Machine Learning, you can dive into engineering topics not covered in the school curriculum. The two-week program also includes access to the Columbia Writers Academy, which focuses on personal statement writing for college. You will attend virtual seminars, workshops, and student life events designed to prepare you for the expectations of higher education. You will earn a Certificate of Participation and a performance evaluation letter for your participation. 

6. Harvard University’s Secondary School Program

Cost: $4,050 (four credits) or $7,900 (eight credits); need-based financial aid available

Dates: June 21 – August 9

Application deadline: April 9

Eligibility: High school students who will turn 16 before the start of the program and will not turn 19 before July 31

At Harvard’s Secondary School Program, you can earn college credit while taking real university courses from Harvard instructors over a four- or seven-week online term. It offers specialised engineering courses, including User Experience Engineering and Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, and Artificial Intelligence. As a participant, you will get exposure to advanced content and learn from lecturers alongside a diverse group of students. You will have access to both live and recorded class formats, academic support services, and community events. The courses are graded, so you will receive a transcript that can be used in college applications. Beyond academics, the program focuses on skill-building in areas like time management and independence.

7. Kode With Klossy

Cost: Free

Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions available between June 2 and August 15

Application deadline: March; dates vary

Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens between the ages of 13 and 18 

Kode With Klossy offers free two-week virtual camps focused on computer science and technology for students from underrepresented genders in STEM. These camps teach foundational and intermediate programming and software engineering skills, with tracks including web development, data science, mobile app development, and artificial intelligence. Each curriculum combines coding with real-world applications, for example, learning to create a chatbot using Python or building your own iOS app using Swift. You will explore issues like accessibility in tech and algorithmic bias, helping you understand both the power and responsibility of coding. The program emphasizes collaboration and community, encouraging you to work with peers and mentors while building a portfolio of completed projects. While not exclusively engineering-based, the program’s focus on applied technology makes it a good starting point for pursuing software engineering careers.

8. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

Cost: $3,080; financial assistance available
Dates: Session One: June 16 – 27 | Session Two: July 7 – 18
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11; some courses have specific academic prerequisites

Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes bring high school students together in small, online classes to delve into advanced topics rarely offered in traditional school settings. Whether you are interested in biomedical engineering, game design, or human-computer interaction, you will find a wide range of single-subject courses to choose from. These courses don’t award grades or credit, but the focus is on in-depth, discussion-based learning with Stanford instructors and peers from around the world. You will participate in live video classes and small-group activities that encourage exploration and critical thinking. For instance, in the Introduction to Structural Engineering course, you will complete a bridge-building challenge and a final project to understand how to build resilient structures.

9. Johns Hopkins Explore Engineering Innovation: Online

Cost: $4,115; scholarships available
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application deadline: May 28
Eligibility: Current high school students and recent high school graduates; check academic prerequisites here. 

Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation is a for-credit program that introduces you to a broad range of engineering disciplines through hands-on projects and collaborative learning. The Explore Engineering Innovation: Online course includes activities like building a spaghetti bridge, designing a user-focused electronic device, and modeling heat transfer in a bioreactor–all completed from home using a mailed lab kit. The course is mostly synchronous, meaning you will attend scheduled live classes and work virtually with other students in small teams. Taught by faculty using the curriculum developed at Johns Hopkins University, the course covers civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and materials engineering, offering a detailed look at the field. You will also complete a final project that involves presenting your engineering design to your class. At the end of this online engineering summer program for high school students, you will earn three college credits.

10. Stanford AI4ALL

Cost: $4,000; financial aid available

Dates: June 18 – July 2

Application deadline: December 9 – January 24

Eligibility: Current 9th graders or rising 10th graders who will be over 14 years old by the start of the program

If you are curious about AI engineering and how artificial intelligence intersects with society, Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online program that educates you on both the technical and ethical aspects of AI. You will attend lectures, participate in small-group research projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford faculty and graduate students. Topics covered include robotics, medical AI, computer vision, and natural language processing, with a strong focus on how AI can be used to address societal challenges. In addition to engaging with technical content, you will attend career development workshops and build connections with peers and professionals.

11. UBCx: Software Engineering: Introduction

Cost: Free, with a paid optional upgrade available
Dates: Self-paced; approximately eight weeks, with a suggested pace of 8-10 hours per week
Application deadline: Open enrolment
Eligibility: Open to everyone fulfilling the program prerequisites

Offered via the University of British Columbia’s UBCx, this online course on software engineering guides you through the fundamentals of how large-scale software systems are built, tested, and maintained. You will explore agile development methods, software specification techniques, and both high- and low-level design processes, all while working in teams to develop multi-version software systems. The online engineering summer program for high school students also covers RESTful APIs, asynchronous programming, refactoring, information security, and software ethics. Weekly modules provide structured content, from initial system design to deployment. You will complete assignments that mirror what professionals do in the software industry. The learning format is entirely online and team-oriented, preparing you for collaborative work environments in tech-focused fields.

12. Johns Hopkins Biomedical Engineering Innovation: Online

Cost: $4,170; scholarships available
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current high school students or recent graduates who have strong math and science backgrounds

In this mostly asynchronous course from Johns Hopkins University, you will study biomedical engineering by applying math and science principles to solve design problems rooted in human biology. You will learn key concepts in the field through pre-recorded lectures, optional study sessions, and independent work. You will engage in practical tasks, such as modeling the human circulatory system, designing a biosensor, and completing a final project that may involve a literature review, prototyping, or experimental design. You will also present your final project in an online poster session. You will also participate in regular one-on-one virtual design review meetings with instructors to receive feedback and direction on your work.

13. IBM: Software Engineering Basics for Everyone Course

Cost: No cost

Dates: Self-paced

Application deadline: Open enrollment

Eligibility: Open to all learners

IBM’s self-paced online course offers an introduction to software engineering through foundational concepts like the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), architecture, design patterns, and deployment strategies. It’s geared toward those considering software-related roles, including engineering, product management, UX design, and QA testing. As a participant, you will learn programming fundamentals using Python and gain exposure to development methodologies like Agile and software tools commonly used in the industry. The online engineering summer program for high school students features interviews with working software engineers, providing insight into what the job entails. 

14. MITx: Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis

Cost: Free, with a paid optional upgrade available

Dates: Flexible, self-paced course; commitment of approximately five weeks

Application deadline: Open enrolment 

Eligibility: Anyone with a high school mathematical background in algebraic equations and basic calculus, and a high school physics background in the basics of electricity and magnetism

Offered by MIT faculty through the edX platform, this beginner course in circuits and electronics is the first in a series commonly taken by MIT’s Electrical Engineering and Computer Science majors. Here, you will cover core topics such as resistive circuits, circuit analysis methods like KVL and KCL, Thevenin and Norton equivalents, digital logic gates, and an introduction to MOSFET transistors. The course employs a self-paced format, comprising access to video lectures, weekly problem sets, and virtual lab exercises that utilize simulation tools to analyze and measure circuits. It is math-intensive and best suited for those who are comfortable with algebra and have an interest in electronics or electrical engineering. Design exercises are also part of the course to help reinforce what you learn and bridge theory and practice.

15. Johns Hopkins’ ASPIRE

Cost: None
Dates: June 24 – August 21
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 15 or older, have a minimum 2.8 GPA, and live in specific regions of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia

The ASPIRE program conducted at Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a STEM research program for high school students. It offers virtual research opportunities to local students. Here, you will be paired with an APL mentor to work on research projects in fields like engineering, information technology, programming, computer science, or cybersecurity. In the process, you will develop both technical and communication skills and contribute to real research. Over six to nine weeks, you will spend a minimum of 190 hours on research and completing and presenting a digital poster. You can choose to continue your work after the summer if you and your mentor can collaborate during the academic year.

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