13 Engineering Camps for High School Students
Engineering camps can be a practical, lower-commitment way to explore STEM before college. Many camps are hosted by universities, nonprofits, and STEM organizations, and several offer scholarships or free tuition, making them more accessible than many students assume. A strong engineering camp for high school students can also provide exposure to mentors, labs, industry speakers, and design challenges without requiring a major financial commitment. Some are residential, some are commuter-based, and some are virtual, giving you flexibility to suit your goals and schedule
If you’re interested in considering internships more, then find a list of engineering internships here!
How are camps different from other programs in high school?
An engineering camp for high school students is usually shorter, more focused, and built around immersive, hands-on learning. In a matter of days or weeks, you can test ideas, build prototypes, work with tools used by engineers, and collaborate with peers who share similar interests.
To help narrow your options, we’ve identified 13 engineering camps for high school students. We have also added a few virtual options to provide a broader perspective.
Quick Look
13 engineering camps total spanning mechanical, electrical, civil, biomedical, and robotics engineering, hosted at universities including Johns Hopkins, Stanford, NYU, and the University of Pennsylvania, with two math and research-focused options included for broader perspective
Costs vary widely, from fully funded options like Santa Clara's Summer Engineering Seminar to premium residential programs like Penn's ESAP Robotics ($9,250) and UC Davis COSMOS ($5,518)
Standout programs include NYU ARISE, which pairs ten weeks of lab research with a $2,000 completion stipend, and Penn's ESAP Robotics track, which culminates in a team-built robotic musical instrument performance
Several programs are one week or shorter, including Santa Clara's SES and the University of Michigan's SEE Camp, making them a lower-commitment way to sample engineering before pursuing a longer program
Deadlines vary widely, with some of the earliest falling in early February for UC Davis COSMOS and the University of Michigan SEE Camp, so early applications matter for the more selective options
1. IEEE TryEngineering Summer Institute
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY; Duke University, Durham, NC; Rice University, Houston, TX; University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA; University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $4,195 – $6,395
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly stated
Dates: Multiple sessions from June – August (varies by campus)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; not publicly stated
Eligibility: High school students interested in engineering; specific grade-level or prerequisite requirements may vary by campus.
The IEEE TryEngineering Summer Institute is a pre-college engineering program in which high school students explore mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical engineering through hands-on projects. Participants engage in activities such as robotics, drone design, renewable energy systems, and aquatic engineering while learning practical skills including soldering, programming, and computer-aided design. The program combines classroom instruction, team-based design challenges, guest speakers, and site visits to engineering and technology organizations. Students live in supervised campus housing and experience aspects of college life while attending sessions hosted at major universities.
2. Jackling Introduction to Engineering Camp
Location: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO
Cost: $650 (includes housing, meals, and camp materials)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 150 students per session
Dates: Session I: May 31 – June 4 | Session II: June 14 – 18 | Session III: June 28 – July 2
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students ages 15 - 18.
Jackling Introduction to Engineering Camp is a residential summer program that introduces high school students to multiple engineering disciplines through lectures, lab visits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. You explore fields such as aerospace, biomedical, mechanical, civil, and computer engineering while visiting five academic departments to deepen your engagement. The program includes daily engineering activities, team design competitions, and opportunities to interact with faculty, university students, and practicing engineers. Campers also participate in evening recreational and collaborative activities as part of the residential experience.
3. Santa Clara University Summer Engineering Seminar (SES)
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Cost: Fully funded (no cost; housing and meals included)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly stated
Dates: Session 1: July 12 – 16 | Session 2: July 19 – 23
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores (10th grade) and juniors (11th grade); priority given to sophomores for introductory sessions
This five-day residential engineering program introduces high school students to multiple engineering disciplines through workshops, projects, and faculty-led sessions. You investigate fields like bioengineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering, gaining experience through both classroom studies and practical activities. You live on campus, attend workshops during the day, and take part in community and recreational activities. The program emphasizes broad exploration rather than specialization, making it well suited for students who are still discovering their engineering interests.
4. Johns Hopkins Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Tuition varies by format and location; financial aid available (stipend not offered)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly stated
Dates: In-Person Residential/Commuter: June 29 – July 24 | Online: June 29 – July 31 | Hybrid Sessions available June – July
Application Deadline: Not listed in provided materials
Eligibility: Current high school students or recent graduates; typically rising juniors and seniors, though strong rising sophomores may be considered. Applicants should have strong grades in math and science, have completed Algebra II, trigonometry, and a full year of chemistry and/or physics with lab. Residential participants must generally be ages 15–17
This multi-week pre-college engineering program introduces high school students to several engineering fields through a college-level curriculum that can earn three Johns Hopkins credits. You study topics across civil, chemical, electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering through hands-on projects such as bridge design, electronics programming, and chemical process labs. The program emphasizes problem-solving, teamwork, and technical communication, with coursework modeled on material first-year engineering students complete during a semester.
5. NYU ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; $2,000 stipend upon successful completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly stated
Dates: Remote: June 1 – 25 | In person: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are full-time New York City residents attending NYC schools.
ARISE is a 10-week summer research program where high school students receive foundational research training and work in NYU labs alongside faculty and mentors. The first four weeks focus on safety training, research methods, and college writing workshops, followed by six weeks of in-person lab research across fields such as engineering, machine learning, environmental science, biology, and materials science. While longer than a traditional camp, you gain substantial lab experience, contribute to active research projects, and develop communication skills through presentations and poster sessions. The program concludes with students presenting their work at a colloquium and the American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium.
6. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Online: $3,750 | Residential: $8,950
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Cohort size: 40 residential students, 64 online students
Dates: Residential: June 21 – July 17 | Online Session 1: June 15 – July 3 | Online Session 2: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (typically grades 10–11 at time of application) with strong preparation and exceptional interest in advanced mathematics.
SUMaC is an intensive summer mathematics program for high school students interested in exploring topics beyond the standard secondary curriculum, including abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology. Through lectures, guided research, collaborative problem solving, and proof-based assignments, you engage with mathematics at a level similar to an introductory college course. Students complete substantial work outside class, participate in final research projects, and interact closely with peers, instructors, and instructional assistants in a small cohort setting. Although this is more of a theoretical mathematics program, it focuses on advanced, proof-based problem-solving skills that form the foundation of all engineering disciplines.
7. University of Michigan SEE Camp (Society of Women Engineers Engineering Exploration Camp)
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $750
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 40 students
Dates: July 5 – 11
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: High school students of all genders entering grades 10–11 (rising sophomores and juniors), particularly those with limited access to engineering resources; U.S. citizenship not required.
SEE Camp is a one-week residential engineering program that introduces high school students to a range of engineering disciplines through hands-on design challenges, workshops, lab tours, and team-based activities. You explore topics such as computer science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, CAD, and MATLAB while also experiencing campus life at the University of Michigan. The program includes collaborative projects, student panels, engineering ethics discussions, and campus tours, helping students connect classroom concepts to engineering applications.
8. UC Davis COSMOS (California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science)
Location: University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
Cost: $5,518
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 160–200 students per campus
Dates: July 5 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: California high school students completing grades 8–12 with strong academic preparation in STEM; competitive applicants typically have a GPA of 3.8 or above.
COSMOS is a four-week residential STEM program where high school students take part in advanced, lab-intensive coursework through a specialized academic cluster. You work with university faculty, researchers, and scientists while exploring topics that go beyond standard high school STEM curricula. The program focuses on experiential learning, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary problem-solving, with students choosing one UC campus and applying to a specific academic cluster that matches their interests. Because each campus hosts a limited cohort, the program is selective and designed for students with demonstrated aptitude and motivation in STEM.
9. Summer Springboard Fundamentals of Engineering
Location: Berkeley, CA; San Diego, CA; Cambridge, MA
Cost: Residential: $5,998 (Berkeley/UC San Diego, 2-week); $4,298 (Yale, 1-week) |Commuter: $3,298 (2-week); $2,498 (1-week); $99 application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly stated
Dates: Multiple sessions from June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; specific deadline not listed in provided materials
Eligibility: High school students (grade levels not specified in provided materials) interested in exploring engineering; residential and commuter options available.
This engineering enrichment program introduces high school students to foundational concepts across mechanical, structural, civil, electrical, and biomedical engineering through project-based coursework. Depending on location, students complete either a one-week or two-week program that includes design challenges, engineering labs, site visits, and discussions with professionals in the field. Sample activities include building scale-model structures, developing 3D design solutions, and, at some campuses, creating assistive technology prototypes, such as artificial limbs. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with excursions to research labs, technology companies, and engineering facilities to connect concepts to real-world applications.
10. UT Austin High School Research Academy (HSRA)
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: $4,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly reported
Dates: June 8 – July 15
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: High school students interested in STEM research; must be able to attend in person, as housing and transportation are not provided.
The High School Research Academy (HSRA) is a five-week, non-residential summer research program in which you work in active university labs on interdisciplinary STEM projects. Research areas may include biochemistry, biology, genetics, neuroscience, environmental science, ecology, and data analytics. You gain hands-on experience using research techniques while collaborating with faculty mentors, undergraduate researchers, and peers. The program also includes weekly seminars with guest speakers and an opportunity to present your work at a closing research symposium through a printed research poster. While not a standard engineering camp, the experience provides practical exposure to the scientific methods and data analysis used by professional engineers.
11. University of Pennsylvania Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) – Robotics
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,250 (includes tuition, room and board, meals, course materials, and program-related trips)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly stated
Dates: July 12 – 31
Application Deadline: Priority Deadline: January 31; Final Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students; international students must apply by the priority deadline. Some programming experience (such as C, C++, Java, or Python) is useful but not required.
The Robotics track in ESAP is a pre-college summer program for high school students interested in robotics, engineering, and applied technology. You learn to design and build robots using microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, and wireless communication systems and gain exposure to tools such as laser cutters and 3D printers. The curriculum includes embedded programming, control systems, and collaborative engineering projects, culminating in a team-built robotic musical instrument synchronized through WiFi for a public performance. Students also engage with research from GRASP Laboratory, one of Penn’s major robotics research centers.
12. BlueStamp Engineering Summer Program
Location: BlueStamp Engineering, San Jose, CA
Cost: $5,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified in the provided content
Eligibility: Incoming 9th–12th-grade students
This engineering summer program allows high school students to build a self-selected project and develop an engineering portfolio documenting their work. You begin with a starter project to learn foundational skills such as soldering, troubleshooting, and engineering design, then progress to a larger independent project. The program includes workshops, guest speakers, access to specialized engineering tools, and opportunities to customize or iterate on projects through additional modifications. Students present their work at Demo Night and leave with a portfolio they can use for future academic or extracurricular applications.
13. iD Tech BattleBots® Camp: 3D Printing and Engineering with Take-Home Robot
Location: iD Tech (offered at participating campus locations; specific campus varies by enrollment)
Cost/Stipend: $1,519 (Day Camp); $2,298 (Overnight Camp)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly stated
Dates: June 29 – July 3 (Day Camp) or June 28 – July 3 (Overnight Camp) | July 13 – 17 (Day Camp) or July 12 – 17 (Overnight Camp)
Application Deadline: Not specified in the provided content
Eligibility: Ages 13 - 17
You build a fighting robot using a take-home robotics kit, connect motors to a programmable circuit board, and use 3D printing to create armor and custom attachments. The program includes engineering challenges such as obstacle courses, races, and capture-the-flag competitions, with opportunities to improve designs through iteration. You apply concepts in robotics, prototyping, and problem-solving while preparing for a culminating tournament. You keep their robot and 3D-printed components after the program, allowing continued experimentation beyond the camp.
BONUS! Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more.You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. A lot of these programs are residential and cost several thousand dollars. Are there any lower cost or free options?
Yes, a few stand out for accessibility. Santa Clara University's Summer Engineering Seminar is fully funded, covering housing and meals at no cost to you. NYU ARISE is also free to attend and includes a $2,000 stipend upon successful completion, making it one of the strongest value options if you qualify as a New York City resident. If cost is your main concern, prioritizing these two alongside any need-based aid offered by the other programs is a reasonable strategy.
2. I'm not sure which type of engineering I want to focus on. Should I pick a program tied to one discipline, or something broader?
If you're still exploring, broader programs are a better starting point. Jackling's Introduction to Engineering Camp and Santa Clara's SES both expose you to multiple disciplines, including aerospace, biomedical, civil, and mechanical engineering, within a single short program. Once you have a clearer sense of what excites you, more specialized options like Penn's ESAP Robotics track or BlueStamp's self-directed project format let you go deeper into a specific area.
3. Some of these, like SUMaC and HSRA, are not purely engineering focused. Are they still worth considering?
Yes, especially if you want to build skills that support engineering from a different angle. SUMaC focuses on advanced, proof-based mathematics, which forms the analytical foundation for most engineering disciplines, even though the program itself is not lab or design-based. UT Austin's HSRA is a research program rather than a classic camp, but it gives you hands-on experience with the scientific methods and data analysis that engineers rely on daily. Both are strong choices if you want to strengthen your technical thinking alongside a more traditional engineering camp.