15 Tech Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you’re a high school student who wants to learn how projects are developed and understand how technology is used in daily life, tech programs let you get involved early. These programs often combine project work with mentorship from industry professionals or university researchers, helping you gain practical experience and confidence. Hosted by universities and organizations, these programs help you build valuable connections and strengthen your academic profile.
Why should you attend a program in Texas?
Texas is home to major companies, university innovation labs, and community initiatives that support young learners, such as Texas Tech University and Rice University. These programs let you work on projects that involve building robots, coding in Python, designing aerospace models, or conducting research. Both local and out-of-state students can explore fields such as software development, robotics, cybersecurity, engineering, and data science, while building their profile for future opportunities.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled 15 tech programs for high school students in Texas to explore.
If you are looking for internships in Texas, check out our blog here.
1. Texas Tech University - Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee | $750 stipend
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 by the start date
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University offers an opportunity to engage in seven weeks of intensive research alongside faculty in your chosen field, which can include technology and engineering. During the program, most of your time is devoted to conducting original research, analyzing data, and preparing a final presentation that presents your findings. Weekly seminars and discussions add context by exposing you to broader academic and professional perspectives, while field trips offer opportunities to see applied research in action. For those interested in technology, mentors in fields such as computer science or engineering can help align your project with your interests.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 10- to 15-week cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: AI Scholars: All high school students | AI Fellowship applicants should either have been AI Scholars participants or have some familiarity with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI offers high school students a structured way to dive into artificial intelligence through both foundational learning and advanced research. Beginners can join the AI Scholars program, a ten-session online course that introduces core concepts in machine learning and data science through hands-on mini-projects tied to real-world topics such as healthcare, sustainability, or climate. More experienced students can apply for the AI Fellowship, where you work one-on-one with a university researcher to design and complete an independent AI project. Many Fellows explore applications in areas like robotics, climate modeling, or finance, and those interested can pursue publication with support from mentors.
3. NASA’s Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Virtual + possible in-person activities at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-long program
Application Deadline: September 27
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens and Texas residents
NASA’s Texas High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) Program is a year-long experience for Texas high school juniors, beginning with a five-month online course covering space exploration, Earth science, aeronautics, engineering design, and technology. You will complete lessons, design challenges, and virtual sessions with NASA experts while learning to code and use computer-aided design (CAD). Those who complete the coursework may be invited to Moonshot, a virtual summer experience in which teams collaborate with NASA scientists and engineers on Artemis-themed design proposals. Top-performing teams are then selected to participate in a one-week residential program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Tech Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.3
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with personalized, one-on-one research mentorship across fields including engineering, physics, computer science, and data science. In the tech track, you’ll work closely with a Ph.D. mentor from a top university to design and carry out an advanced research project in areas such as computer science, data science, AI, or other technology-focused disciplines. Over the 12-week program, you’ll develop your research question, analyze data, and ultimately produce a full independent research paper, gaining both technical depth and experience in academic writing.
5. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: NASA centers nationwide, including Houston; virtual options available
Stipend: Stipend provided based on program and experience
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: US citizens who are at least 16 years of age, with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s OSTEM Internships provide paid opportunities for high school students to work alongside NASA scientists, engineers, and staff on real STEM missions. Depending on your placement, tasks may include analyzing mission data, supporting science communication, conducting telescope observations, or contributing to robotics, aeronautics, ecology, or space science projects. Internships are offered both virtually and at NASA centers nationwide, including Johnson Space Center in Houston. You will receive one-on-one or small-group mentorship, career development support, and hands-on experience in cutting-edge research environments.
6. TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Stipend: Up to $1,000 scholarship
Dates: June 8 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who will attend UH in the fall; must list a first-choice major in Natural Sciences, Mathematics, or Engineering; must have completed or be enrolled in pre-calculus in high school
The TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy is a nine-week academic program for graduating seniors who plan to major in engineering, mathematics, or the natural sciences at the University of Houston. You will earn credit in Calculus I, preview college-level chemistry, and strengthen academic habits through CORE 1100. Classes meet five days a week, with daily assignments, and are supported by faculty and staff who help students develop time-management, study, and problem-solving skills. Group activities such as the Chem Olympics create a collaborative and engaging learning environment.
7. Longhorn Engineering Summer Camp
Location: John Jay High School, San Antonio, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: July 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 and 9
The Longhorn Engineering Summer Camp is a free, four-day program that introduces high school students to practical engineering applications across areas such as sports, medicine, art, and sustainability. Through interactive activities, students will grasp fundamental engineering concepts and understand their relevance to daily problems. This camp is a strong option for those attending their first engineering workshop and seeking an introductory overview of engineering.
8. Sustainable Futures Academy – Rice University
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: June 7
Eligibility: Students entering 10th or 11th grade. Also open to boys and non-binary students.
The Sustainable Futures Academy is a one-week summer program for rising 10th and 11th-graders interested in engineering and sustainability. You will participate in hands-on labs and design challenges led by Rice faculty and graduate students, building green landing capsules, designing roller coasters, and using TI-Nspire Micro:bits and Rovers to learn circuitry. The program highlights how physics and engineering can address environmental issues while strengthening teamwork, creativity, and design skills.
9. PATHS-UP Young Scholars Program
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (Hybrid virtual components available)
Stipend: $2,000
Dates: June 9 – 27
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Los Fresnos CISD or Sharyland ISD, or South Texas ISD high school sophomores or juniors, 16 or older; Current or permanent U.S. residents
During the summer, Texas A&M University runs a three-week residential program named PATHS-UP Young Scholars, which emphasizes healthcare technologies and biomedical research. During the program, you will conduct lab research, learn to conduct literature searches, build peer networks, and engage in in-depth discussions with faculty researchers. The program also provides an opportunity to network by participating in a Virtual Research Symposium alongside interns from Texas A&M, Rice, UCLA, and Florida International University.
10. Rice ELITE Tech Camps – Rice University
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $3,899 | Commuter: $1,799
Dates: Multiple sessions from June 21 – July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S.
Students attending Rice ELITE Tech Camp at Rice University can explore engineering topics before graduating high school. You will be able to choose two technical courses per week, including robotic engineering, C++ for human spaceflight engineering, trifecta tech, and bioengineering. This program will teach you how to apply advanced engineering principles in real-world scenarios. You will explore topics such as engineering applications in medical innovations and using Python to address thermal energy issues.
11. Explore Engineering Camp
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: $400
Dates: June 14 – 18
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Explore Engineering Camp is a 5-day residential engineering camp for high school students at Texas Tech Whitacre College of Engineering. You will get to spend a week as a Texas Tech Engineering student, attend classes, and interact with mentors. The program will cover seven main engineering disciplines, including chemical, civil, mechanical, and Computer science engineering; this will help you narrow down your subject of interest for college. As a camper, you will get to work on your problem-solving abilities through engineering group projects and get introduced to engineering concepts through classroom lectures.
12. TryEngineering Summer Institute – Texas A&M
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $4,095; scholarships available
Dates: June 29 – July 7 | July 11 – 19
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 or between the ages of 13–17 at the time of the session
The TryEngineering Summer Camp is a nine-day immersive program held at Rice University, where students explore multiple engineering fields through hands-on activities, workshops, and industry visits. You’ll experiment with projects across electrical, mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering, such as building an AM radio, designing a drone, constructing a smart car, and creating gliders or bridges. From circuitry to aerodynamics, the camp offers a broad introduction to engineering disciplines and helps you identify which areas most interest you.
13. Camp SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Aerospace Research)
Location: Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: $35 application fee; program cost not specified
Dates: July 12 – 17
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
Camp SOAR is a five-day summer program at Texas A&M for high school students interested in aerospace engineering. Participants select a specialized track — airplanes, helicopters, or space — and engage in the complete design and construction process related to that theme. You’ll visit major research facilities on campus, including the National Aerothermochemistry and Hypersonics Laboratory, the Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory, and the Land, Air, and Space Robotics Laboratory. The program combines hands-on engineering design with exposure to cutting-edge aerospace research.
14. UTSA Klesse College Summer Camps
Location: University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Cost: Varies by camp; scholarships available
Dates: June – July (Exact dates vary by camp)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until spots fill
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders
UTSA’s Klesse College offers an engineering overview camp, as well as specialized camps in areas such as Mechanical, Electrical, Biomedical, Robotics, AI, and Aerospace Engineering. These programs combine foundational instruction with workshops, lab tours, make-a-thons, and coding exercises. You will work on robotics and other engineering projects while gaining exposure to various labs and faculty. You can attend the general overview camp first, then follow up with a more advanced, discipline-specific camp that aligns with your interests.
15. My Introduction to Engineering (MITE) – UT Austin
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $100
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Current high school juniors residing in the U.S. who meet one or more of the academic criteria
The My Introduction to Engineering (MITE) program at UT Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering is a five-day summer camp designed for rising high school juniors. With approximately 50 students per session, it provides a close-knit, supportive environment ideal for those still exploring potential engineering majors. You will attend lectures, tour facilities, and gain experience by working on introductory engineering projects. MITE provides a short, accessible way to discover different engineering fields before committing to a college path.
Image source - NASA Logo