15 Environmental Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are passionate about making a difference for the environment, joining one of the many environmental engineering summer programs for high school students is a great place to start. These programs let you dive into topics such as renewable energy, water resources, and sustainability, while giving you an opportunity to work on real-world projects. You’ll gain practical skills, connect with professionals, and explore career paths, without the high cost of college courses. What makes environmental engineering summer programs for high school students exciting is that they combine classroom learning with practical project experience in labs and through field visits. Many of these programs are hosted by top universities and nonprofit organizations, and some even offer scholarships or stipends, making them accessible to motivated students regardless of background.
To get you started, we’ve rounded up 15 environmental engineering summer programs for high school students that run from May to August, including both in-person and virtual options. Whether you are interested in studying environmental engineering or sustainability, designing water purification systems, or exploring urban infrastructure, there’s a program for you.
1. Syracuse University Pre‑College Civil & Environmental Engineering Course
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Cost: $5,695 residential; $4,231 commuter; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective
Dates: July 6 – 25
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Rising high‑school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
Syracuse University’s three‑week pre-college civil environmental engineering program for high-school students lets you dive into topics such as truss bridge design, underground engineering, and urban watershed studies. In this program, you’ll evaluate materials, build and test a truss bridge, and study the Onondaga watershed to understand water supply and pollution. Classroom lectures will introduce you to important concepts such as stress, strain, renewable energy, and climate change, while field visits to the Center of Excellence and Tully mud boils or bare mountain slides provide insights into how engineers tackle environmental challenges. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and a transcript, making this a robust environmental engineering summer program and a boost for your college application.
2. Ladder Internships – Environmental Engineering Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; need‑based aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies based on cohort
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: High‑school students with good academic standing
Ladder pairs you with a start‑up firm based on your interests, where you’ll spend 5–10 hours per week remotely developing solutions such as emissions‑tracking software or water‑quality monitoring sensors. Along with the project, you’ll join group training sessions on project management and professional communication, while one‑on‑one mentoring supports your progress. By the end of the program, you’ll create a final deliverable, such as a prototype or report, that not only builds your skills but also looks great on college applications.
3. Santa Clara University Summer Engineering Seminar (SES)
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Cost/Stipend: None (students cover travel and personal expenses)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 13 – 17; July 20 – 24; July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High‑school sophomores and juniors
Santa Clara University’s five‑day Summer Engineering Seminar (SES) gives you an introduction to several branches of engineering, including civil, sustainable, and environmental engineering. You’ll attend workshops taught by faculty, learn about water resource management and renewable energy systems, and participate in lab activities with university students. This environmental engineering summer program for high school students offers two sessions for first‑time students, while a third advanced session is meant for returning students who want to dive deeper.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts year‑round
Application Deadline: Varies; multiple dates based on cohorts
Eligibility: High‑school students
Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs you with a PhD mentor to develop an original research project in an area of your interest, including environmental engineering or a related field. You’ll learn key skills such as conducting literature reviews, analyzing data, and presenting scientific results. Weekly video meetings will provide personalized guidance. If you choose the Premium Track, you’ll also get editing support to publish your findings. Past students have explored topics such as renewable energy technologies, environmental remediation, and sustainable infrastructure.
5. NC State University Engineering Residential Camps – Environmental Engineering Track
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $1,500 (includes housing and meals); need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective
Dates: Week‑long sessions offered June 15 – 20; June 22 – 27; July 6 – 11; July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: January 13 - March 28
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th grade; home-schooled and out-of-state students welcome
NC State’s Engineering residential camps allow you to choose workshop tracks such as Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, or Ecological Engineering. During the week, you’ll stay on campus, work in teams to design water-treatment systems or green buildings, and visit research labs. Instructors and engineering students will guide you through hands-on experiments and teach you about sustainability and community resilience. The program includes evening seminars on college admissions and career paths, giving you both academic and career guidance.
6. University of Washington WaterWorks Program
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA (virtual options available)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective
Dates: Week‑long workshop during the summer (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Varies yearly
Eligibility: Seattle area students entering grades 11-12 in the Fall
University of Washington’s WaterWorks Program is a hands-on program that introduces you to the world of drinking-water supply and wastewater treatment. Led by environmental engineering faculty and supported by an NSF grant, the program features lab experiments, visits to treatment facilities, and sessions on water quality and sustainability. You’ll learn how engineers protect public health and the environment through filtration, disinfection, and infrastructure design.
7. Rutgers Engineering Summer Academy – Civil & Environmental Engineering Track
Location: Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $2,699
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective
Dates: July 13 – 19 and July 20 – 26
Application Deadline: January 6 - May 23
Eligibility: High‑school students (rising juniors or seniors) aged 16–18, GPA 3.0+
Rutgers’ Summer Engineering Academy is a one‑week residential program that introduces you to several engineering fields, including civil and environmental engineering. You’ll live on campus, attend lectures and labs led by Rutgers faculty, and visit research facilities. The program focuses on design projects, such as building a scale model of a sustainable bridge or evaluating water-treatment methods. Field trips and guest speakers will introduce you to professional environmental engineers and show you how classroom concepts apply in the real world.
8. Experiencing Environmental Engineering (University of Missouri)
Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Cost: $30
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: August 5-8
Application Deadline: Varies yearly
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8–12
This camp introduces you to environmental engineering through experiments and design challenges. You’ll explore topics such as sustainable construction, water purification, and pollution prevention under the guidance of university faculty. You’ll work on collaborative projects that strengthen your teamwork and communication skills, while also exploring career pathways and college preparation.
9. Computer Engineering for Good (CE4G)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $4,500 plus optional housing and meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 2 and July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ in grades 9–12
In the Computer Engineering for Good (CE4G) program, you’ll use computer engineering to tackle social and environmental challenges. Working in teams, you’ll build systems using microcontrollers and sensors to address problems such as waste management, renewable energy monitoring, or water quality. Along the way, you’ll attend workshops on programming, electronics, sustainability, and ethics, and also develop your communication skills. The program wraps up with a pitch session, where you’ll present your solutions.
10. Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ (grades 9–12) who are NYC residents
This program blends engineering with entrepreneurship to help you design smarter, more sustainable cities. You’ll learn coding and hardware design, and apply the newly learnt skills to build prototypes such as smart lighting systems or water‑usage monitors. Lectures on urban planning and environmental sustainability will broaden your understanding of how infrastructure affects communities, while business workshops will teach you how to pitch ideas and understand market needs.
11. Immersive Summer Interacting with Technology & Engineering (I‑SITE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $10,350 plus optional housing and meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ (grades 9–12)
The program brings robotics, physical computing, and machine learning together to solve environmental problems. You’ll build and program devices using microcontrollers and sensors, and use machine learning to analyze environmental data. Lectures will introduce you to ethics and the societal impact of technology. Working in teams, you’ll design solutions for major issues such as climate change or pollution, and the program culminates in a team challenge where you present your prototype. With daily mentorship from faculty and graduate students, I‑SITE gives you an opportunity to develop both technical skills and environmental awareness.
12. Design, Invent & Innovate (DII)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,150 plus optional housing and meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ (grades 9–12)
The Design, Invent & Innovate (DII) program is a two‑week experience that teaches design thinking with a focus on sustainability. You’ll identify a real‑world problem, such as reducing waste or creating energy-efficient products, and then brainstorm and develop creative solutions. Workshops in CAD modeling, 3D printing, and rapid prototyping give you the tools to bring your ideas to life. You’ll also learn about entrepreneurship and intellectual property, preparing you to bring your product to market. The program wraps up with a presentation, where you’ll showcase your final design to fellow students and instructors.
13. Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: Columbia University School of Engineering, New York, NY
Cost: $5,880 commuter; $10,705 residential
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately Selective
Dates: July 6 – 24; July 17 – August 14
Application Deadline: November 18 - March 3
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high-school graduates; residential students must be 16+
Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) at Columbia University offers three‑week courses where you can choose a track, such as environmental or civil engineering. Guided by faculty members, you’ll dive into lectures and labs, while also joining electives and workshops on sustainable development and green technology. You’ll collaborate with classmates on a capstone project, conduct research at Columbia labs, and visit local engineering firms. The program also includes college prep sessions and guest lectures, which will provide insights into engineering careers.
14. NYIT High School Summer Maker Academy
Location: NYIT, New York, NY
Cost: $250 per program/session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 21 – 25; August 11 – 15; July 28 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 6
Eligibility: High‑school students aged 14–18
NYIT High School Summer Maker Academy is a week‑long academy where you’ll work in teams to design a water‑delivery system or a smart city building that follows UN sustainability goals. You’ll use 3D modeling, 3D printing, laser cutting, PCB design, and soldering, gaining practical fabrication skills. Guided by NYIT faculty and college mentors, you’ll brainstorm ideas, prototype designs, and test them to see how they perform in real life. The program focuses on fostering teamwork and highlights how engineering can address pressing environmental problems of today. A final presentation allows you to showcase your prototype and receive feedback from peers and instructors.
15. Webb Institute Summer Engineering Academy (SEA)
Location: Webb Institute, 298 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, NY
Cost: $1700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 18; Session 2: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 20 - deadline TBD
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
Webb Institute Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) introduces you to marine and environmental engineering through a mix of lectures, lab experiments, and design‑build projects. You’ll learn about buoyancy, propulsion, and ship stability, and apply these concepts to create model vessels or structures and test them in water. Webb faculty provide close mentorship throughout the program, and a field trip to a maritime facility shows you how your classroom learning connects with industry applications.
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