12 Engineering Internships for High School Students in Missouri
Engineering internships give high school students a chance to see how math and science are applied to problems, whether through designing systems, running tests, or working through technical challenges with professionals. By interning, you'll develop skills like technical communication, data analysis, and problem-solving. You'll get a clearer sense of which branch of engineering suits you before committing to a college major. This kind of experience also stands out on college applications and shows admissions committees that you've gone beyond standard coursework.
What engineering internships are available for high school students in Missouri?
Missouri is a good place to find engineering internships for high schoolers. The state has a strong engineering sector in aerospace, energy, and infrastructure, with major employers like Boeing, Ameren, and Burns & McDonnell. Top engineering schools like the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Missouri run programs for high school students.
We put together a list of the 12 best engineering internships for high school students in Missouri that offer research experience, professional mentorship, and meaningful work.
1. University of Missouri St. Louis – CLIMB
Location: University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) Campus, St. Louis, MO
Stipend: $13/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 10–15 students per summer
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer (typically mid-June to late July)
Application Deadline: Typically March to April
Eligibility: High school students (rising seniors or recent graduates) from the Jennings, Hazelwood, Ritenour, Riverview Gardens, or University City school districts
In the UMSL CLIMB (Collaborative Laboratory Internship and Mentoring Blueprint) program, you dive into a six-week paid internship covering biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, math, and computer science. You will conduct original research in university labs, learn how to use technical equipment like centrifuges, and attend weekly workshops on college readiness and financial aid. This program is unique for its focus on closing the opportunity gap, providing stipends to high-ability students specifically from underfunded districts. You also explore the local scientific community through field trips to institutions like the Saint Louis Zoo or the Missouri Botanical Garden. The experience culminates in a formal presentation where you showcase your summer research to faculty, family, and peers.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks
If you want to build a professional resume before college, Ladder Internships offers a selective eight-week experience at Y Combinator-backed startups. You will tackle real projects in fields like AI, health tech, and consulting, often working with founders from places like Google or Meta. With guidance from a Ladder Coach and manager, you'll learn how to succeed in a fast-moving startup environment. At the end, you’ll showcase your contributions to the entire company. It’s a great way to gain high-level skills while working on the newest developments in tech and business alongside industry experts.
3. Children’s Mercy Research Institute – STAR 2.0 Program
Location: Children's Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO
Stipend: $2,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 25 students
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who reside in Missouri or Kansas
In the STAR 2.0 Program at Children’s Mercy, you participate in a six-week internship covering clinical methodology, scientific writing, statistics, medical ethics, and career development. You will collaborate with faculty on original research, draft a manuscript for a peer-reviewed journal, and attend weekly seminars held in partnership with Duke University. This experience is specifically designed to support students from underrepresented backgrounds in science. Through these tasks, you develop high-level skills in data analysis, research inquiry, and public speaking. You also build a professional network and showcase your final findings at a formal summer symposium. It’s a great way to explore medical research careers firsthand before you even head to college.
4. Washington University Medicine – The Young Scientist Program – Summer Focus
Location: St. Louis, MO
Stipend: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 15–18 students annually
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school juniors from any high school in the Greater St. Louis area (Missouri and Illinois)
This eight-week, intensive research program is coordinated by Washington University in St. Louis's Young Scientist Program. Projects take place in university labs and span many disciplines, including biology, chemistry, neuroscience, engineering, and planetary sciences. Each participant receives support from both a research Mentor for laboratory guidance and a Tutor for weekly academic assistance. Throughout the summer, you function as a genuine lab team member with personalized mentorship. Beyond lab work, you must complete two courses addressing scientific communication, writing skills, and college readiness. The experience culminates in a research symposium where you present discoveries to the university community and local stakeholders.
5. Honeywell High School Internship
Location: Kansas City, MO
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 20–30 students per year
Dates: 8–10 week summer session starting in June
Application Deadline: Usually February 1
Eligibility: Graduating seniors from a partner district (Grandview, Olathe, Blue Valley, KCPS, or Center)
In the Honeywell High School STEM Internship, you will explore engineering fields like aerospace, automation, and energy. You’ll design aerospace components, use CAD software for modeling, and analyze technical data under the guidance of expert mentors. This paid opportunity provides direct access to real-world projects and professional networking. You will master critical skills in problem-solving, project management, and technical communication while building a strong professional network. By the end of the summer, you'll gain authentic industry experience that bridges the gap between high school and a career.
6. Kaw Valley Engineering – Engineering Internship
Location: Multiple office locations; exact locations not specified
Stipend: Paid hourly wage, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; typically 10–20 interns
Dates: Summer; typically starting in late May/June through August
Application Deadline: February/March
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
The Kaw Valley Engineering (KVE) internship is a hands-on program specifically designed for students looking to gain field experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Most placements occur in field services, emphasizing how construction projects evolve from initial designs to finished structures. You will learn about civil design, materials testing, surveying, drafting, and on-site construction operations. Work occurs under senior engineer supervision with collaboration among office team members. The experience may feature educational workshops, site tours, and occasional company gatherings. Returning participants often receive expanded responsibilities and broader departmental exposure.
7. Boeing High School Summer Internship
Location: St. Louis (Hazelwood/Berkeley), MO
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 30–50 students
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer (typically June – early August)
Application Deadline: Usually late January to mid-February
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who reside in the St. Louis metro area and/or attend a partner school district, have a 3.0+ GPA and completed relevant STEM coursework, and are U.S. citizens
The Boeing High School Summer Internship in St. Louis offers you an eight-week paid experience focused on aerospace, mechanical, and systems engineering. You will support engineering projects, tour manufacturing facilities, and shadow professionals on the shop floor. You receive direct mentorship from industry experts, alongside the chance to pitch your final project to company leadership. Through this program, you’ll develop technical skills in CAD and data analysis while building a professional network that can last a lifetime. This immersive environment helps you develop critical thinking and communication skills essential for a successful career in flight and technology.
8. Bayer F.A.R.M.ing Apprenticeship
Location: Chesterfield, MO
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 25 students per year
Dates: Typically 8–10 weeks in the summer between June and August
Application Deadline: Usually February or March
Eligibility: High school students (16+)
In the Bayer F.A.R.M.ing Apprenticeship, you engage in a Department of Labor-approved program that bridges the gap between traditional agriculture and modern engineering. You will explore advanced topics like precision agriculture, automation technology, phenotype data collection, and digital farming solutions. During the internship, you will work alongside Ph.D.-level scientists to use high-tech field equipment, conduct detailed plant physiology assessments, and utilize digital tools to track seed life cycles across thousands of plots. You will also attend Bayer’s elite Innovations in Crop Science (ICS) conference, where you can network with global engineers and see groundbreaking research firsthand. This experience builds a direct talent pipeline into the high-growth field of agricultural engineering.
9. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid based on academic level and internship duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%; approximately 2,000–2,300 total interns agency-wide across all levels
Dates: Summer: Late June – August; Fall: Late August – December; Spring: January – May
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27; Fall: May 22; Spring: September 12
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are 16 or older, enrolled full-time as a student, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers one of the most prestigious internship programs in the country. The program allows you to collaborate with scientists and engineers developing missions, propulsion technologies, and spacecraft architecture. Assignments may be in aerodynamics, materials engineering, and robotics. You observe how engineering principles translate into large-scale national missions. Guidance from NASA professionals provides exceptional insight into research methodologies and collaborative work at a premier federal agency. Despite competitive selection, this program represents one of the finest introductions to aerospace engineering available to students.
10. Emerson STEM Academy
Location: STLCC-Florissant Valley, St. Louis, MO
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 20–25 students per academic year
Dates: Academic year (August – May)
Application Deadline: Generally early March
Eligibility: High school students attending a participating North County district (Ferguson-Florissant, Hazelwood, Jennings, Normandy, Ritenour, or Riverview Gardens)
In the Emerson STEM Academy, you jumpstart your engineering career by earning college credits through a dual-enrollment partnership with St. Louis Community College. You will explore civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering while mastering hands-on lab techniques and 3D modeling software. During the program, you'll attend speaker series, receive mentorship, and work in a campus engineering suite. This academy covers all costs for textbooks and supplies for students in participating North County districts, removing financial hurdles. It’s a great way to gain university experience and a head start on your engineering degree.
11. Rockwood School District PIE (Partners in Education) Internships
Location: Various business partner sites across the St. Louis Metro Area
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size varies by year
Dates: Summer (6–8 weeks between June and August), leading into the student's senior year
Application Deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: Current Rockwood School District Juniors who have completed relevant coursework for the chosen field
The Rockwood School District Partners in Education (PIE) Summer Internship offers you a firsthand look into the professional world of engineering, specifically tailored for rising seniors. In this six-week program, you can explore diverse specializations such as aerospace, mechanical, and biomedical engineering. You’ll engage in high-impact activities like designing 3D models using SolidWorks, conducting lab research at local universities, and manufacturing test equipment used by industry partners. The program features custom-designed projects, which pair you directly with professionals to solve real-world problems. This experience not only builds your resume but also grants you half a CTE credit toward graduation.
12. Stanford Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost is $2,400 + $45 application fee; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15–26; Session B: July 6–17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12, who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program and live in the U.S.
Stanford's Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging hosts a two-week virtual Summer Research Internship targeting high schoolers with robust technical abilities and interest in applying AI to healthcare problems. You will investigate how artificial intelligence enhances medical diagnosis, treatment approaches, and health equity through lectures, collaborative work, and independent inquiry. You participate in project-driven learning with limited oversight, attend virtual presentations from academic and industry experts, and receive guidance from Stanford faculty and students. The program emphasizes the intersection of AI technology and medical applications.