13 Engineering Internships for High School Students in Philadelphia
If you’re a high school student curious about engineering, consider doing an internship. Many engineering internships are free or even paid, giving you the chance to explore the field while building skills for your resume. You’ll learn how engineers tackle problems, gain exposure to lab work or research, and see what it’s like to work in areas such as mechanical, biomedical, or environmental engineering.
Philadelphia is home to top universities, hospitals, and research centers, many of which offer opportunities for motivated high school students to get involved. With so many options, it can be tough to figure out where to start. Here are 13 engineering internships for high school students in Philadelphia to help you explore your interests.
13 Engineering Internships for High School Students in Philadelphia
1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – Department of Navy
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, varies by lab
Location: Naval Surface Warfare Center / Naval Information Warfare Center, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
Program Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least Grade 9. Must be US citizens and be at least 16 years old by the start of the program.
Through the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP), you can spend time working at a Department of the Navy research lab under the guidance of engineers and scientists. You'll support research in areas such as mechanical engineering, cybersecurity, oceanography, or materials science, depending on your placement. The program gives you access to lab environments where you may assist with data collection, testing, or engineering design tasks. You'll also observe how teams approach technical challenges and collaborate across specialties. Labs participating in SEAP are located across the country, including options within reach of Philadelphia. You’ll be paired with a mentor who helps guide your day-to-day work.
2. Ladder Internships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Location: Virtual
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts; Summer Cohort II starts July 14
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Note: Financial aid available
Ladder Internships is a virtual program in which you are paired with a startup or nonprofit organization to work on an engineering, tech, or product-based project. You’ll spend 8–12 hours applying skills in areas like software development, prototype design, machine learning, or technical analysis. You’re matched with both a mentor at the host organization and a Ladder coach who supports your progress and helps guide your workflow. At the end of the internship, you present your deliverables directly to your host organization. Ladder’s virtual internships are open to high school students worldwide and give you exposure to startup environments in AI, health‑tech, engineering, and related fields.
3. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Paid (exact amount not disclosed)
Program Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: High school students from Philadelphia and Camden
If you're a high school student interested in science and engineering, the Monell Science Apprenticeship Program offers a chance to work on research related to taste and smell. Based in Philadelphia, this seven-to-eight-week program places you in a working lab, where you assist scientists with projects in areas like neuroscience, chemistry, and data analysis. You’ll also attend weekly seminars that explore scientific ethics, communication, and experimental design. At the end of the program, you'll present your research at a symposium.
4. Outreachy – Open Source Software Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $7,000
Program Dates: Summer Internship: June 2 – August 29 | Winter Internship: December – March
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: No degree or prior experience required
Outreachy is an internship program that lets you work remotely on open-source projects under the guidance of a mentor from communities like Mozilla, Fedora, or Wikimedia. The internship lasts 12 weeks and focuses on specific tasks in areas such as programming, design, documentation, data analysis, or community engagement. Before the internship begins, you take part in a contribution period where you interact with project communities and submit work related to your chosen project. This process helps match you with a project based on your interests and contributions. All communication happens online, and you use tools like GitHub, chat platforms, and documentation systems to stay connected.
5. AFRL Scholars Program – Air Force Research Laboratory
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Location: Various AFRL labs across the United States
Stipend: $501.60 per week for high schoolers
Program Dates: Varies based on location/project
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The AFRL Scholars Program allows you to take part in STEM research projects at Air Force Research Laboratory sites across the U.S. You work under the guidance of professional scientists and engineers on projects related to aerospace systems, space technologies, sensors, and other defense-related topics. You may be involved in conducting experiments, running simulations, or supporting data analysis, depending on your assigned project. Daily work includes participating in meetings, working in labs, and using tools relevant to your research area. You’re expected to collaborate regularly with mentors and other interns throughout the internship.
6. Penn Engineering AEOP High School Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Location: University of Pennsylvania
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 20th to August 5th
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (currently in 10th and 11th grade) who are US citizens or permanent residents
Through the AEOP High School Internship at Penn’s GRASP Lab, you’ll spend seven weeks at the University of Pennsylvania conducting STEM research in person. You are matched one-on-one with a graduate or faculty mentor and engage in a project aligned with topics such as robotics, sensing, or autonomous systems. You’ll work full-time in a lab environment, carrying out experiments, simulations, or data analysis using academic research tools. At the end of the internship, you present your work in a poster session to peers and mentors. You’ll also attend workshops or meetings that support the research focus and project goals.
7. CHOP-RISES II – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited slots
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Provided (amount not listed)
Program Dates: June 30 - August 7
Application Deadline: Varies by nominating organisation
Eligibility: Rising seniors from CHOP-affiliated partner schools who have participated in CHOP-RISES I
The RISES program gives you the opportunity to explore how engineering intersects with biomedical research. Over two summers, you’ll take part in lab-based projects that may involve data analysis tools, prototype development, or engineered research systems. In the first summer, you’ll spend six weeks learning foundational research methods in a team setting. During the second summer, you’ll continue for eight weeks and contribute more directly to ongoing projects within a research lab. Projects may touch on areas like imaging, diagnostics, or bioinstrumentation, depending on your placement.
8. The Wistar Institute High School Biomedical Research Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15
Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: $1500
Program Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have completed at least one high school science course
At the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, you’ll explore how engineering principles support biomedical research. You’ll work in a training lab where you use tools and methods related to tissue engineering, imaging, or diagnostics in the context of cancer and infectious disease research. Daily activities involve applying protocols, using lab equipment, and analyzing experimental results. You’ll participate in weekly seminars and research discussions that emphasize the role of systems, design, and technology in advancing biomedical science. You’ll complete a final presentation that showcases your contributions and understanding of the research process.
9. Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (in-person)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Philadelphia high school students currently in 9th or 10th grade with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Cost/Stipend: None
The Summer Mentorship Program offers you the chance to explore engineering by spending four weeks engaging with faculty, students, and structured academic sessions within Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. As a participant, you might attend lab demonstrations, learn about engineering disciplines like mechanical or electrical engineering. The program also includes workshops on college readiness topics such as time management, SAT preparation, and financial literacy. A college fair held during the program allows you to connect with representatives from various institutions and gather information on future academic opportunities.
10. URBN Internship Program (Engineering/Tech Track)
Location: URBN HQ, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: June 1–August 7
Application Deadline: November 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Cost/Stipend: Competitive hourly pay
The URBN Summer Internship Program is a 10-week experience based at the company’s Philadelphia Navy Yard headquarters. You’ll observe how teams across brands like Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People work on projects in design, technology, merchandising, and more. The program includes team-based projects, speaker sessions with company leaders, and opportunities to explore different parts of the business. You’ll also attend intern events and gain insight into the operation of retail companies. Depending on your role, you may assist with product development, data analysis, visual planning, or software-related tasks.
11. Out4STEM Internship - College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Location: Mütter Museum, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Weekly after-school sessions throughout the school year (Mondays)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Philadelphia high school students with an interest in healthcare, medicine, or STEM
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend awarded upon successful completion
The Out4STEM Internship Program gives you the chance to explore STEM fields, including engineering, through weekly after-school sessions at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Designed for LGBTQIA+ high school students and allies, the program introduces you to topics across science, technology, and engineering while also offering mentorship from professionals in related fields. You’ll participate in discussions, activities, and skill-building sessions that connect STEM concepts to challenges. Engineering-focused topics may include design thinking, problem-solving, and the role of engineers in healthcare and technology.
12. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: In-person: Johns Hopkins East Baltimore campus (Baltimore City students only); Virtual: open to students across the U.S.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 8 students (in-person); not specified (virtual)
Dates: In-person: 8 weeks in summer; Virtual: 5 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; in-person track is limited to Baltimore City public school students
Stipend: In-person: Paid hourly + transportation funds; Virtual: None (certificate awarded)
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) offers high school juniors and seniors the chance to explore neuroscience through research experiences. As a participant, you’ll learn how engineering principles are used to study the brain, including areas like neuroimaging, data analysis, and signal processing. The program introduces you to research techniques commonly used in biomedical and computational engineering. Working with mentors, you’ll contribute to projects that examine how the brain functions in health and disease. You’ll also attend seminars and workshops that expand your understanding of both scientific content and research practices.
13. Drexel Biomedical Engineering STEM Summer Academy
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Choose from July 7–11, July 14–18, July 21–25, or July 28–August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling; final deadline May 31 (Early bird tuition ends May 31)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; must have completed one year of biology
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 (early), $2,000 (late); $250 housing fee (only for July 28–August 1); limited need-based scholarships available
The BIOMED Summer Academy at Drexel University introduces you to biomedical engineering through a one-week program. You’ll participate in lab activities that explore topics like neuroengineering, tissue engineering, and medical device design. The program combines lectures, projects, and possible site visits to show how engineering is used in healthcare and biology. You’ll also learn about current research in the field and interact with faculty and students. Sessions are offered throughout July, with options for both commuters and residential participants.
Image Source - Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – Department of Navy Logo