15 Fall Engineering Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student curious about how engineering works, from building bridges to designing robots or coding apps, fall programs are a great way to get practical experience. These programs are hosted by top universities and engineering organizations that allow you to explore engineering challenges, develop skills, and even experience college life.
Many fall engineering programs for high schoolers offer mentorship with professionals and team projects that mirror what engineers do. They offer industry exposure and meaningful networking opportunities, which can help you decide if engineering is a field you want to pursue in college and beyond. Whether you’re aiming to discover an engineering subfield that excites you or just want to try something new, these programs are a smart choice.
Here are 15 fall engineering programs for high school students!
15 Fall Engineering Programs for High School Students
1. MITES Semester (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science)
Location: Cambridge/Boston, MA (MIT) / hybrid
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 240 – 285 students per cycle
Dates: June – December
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
MITES Semester is a six-month immersive STEM program that engages you in rigorous coursework, research, and enrichment across engineering, technology, mathematics, and science. Running from June through December, the program allows you to live on campus, take challenging classes, participate in research and collaborative projects, and access MIT’s extensive resources and mentorship. Designed to increase access to advanced STEM opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, the MITES Semester provides you with the foundation, support, and experience needed to excel in higher education and beyond. It also offers support on college prep, including essay help, mock interviews, and advice on applying to top schools.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on program type; full financial aid 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: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). Fall deadline is August 24
Eligibility: Students who can work for 5 – 10 hours/week for 8 – 12 weeks. Open to college students and young professionals!
Ladder Internships offers an intense virtual program where you collaborate with early-stage startups in fields like medicine, health tech, and biotech on meaningful projects such as user research, market analysis, or creating technical documentation. Throughout the internship, you receive guidance from both a startup mentor, benefiting from weekly training sessions, personalized feedback, and workshops aimed at enhancing your industry communication skills. By the program's conclusion, you produce a polished, portfolio-worthy deliverable that showcases your practical experience. Its flexible online format makes it an ideal choice for those wanting to explore various sectors while gaining valuable mentorship and networking opportunities from home.
3. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: Harvard / Smithsonian, Cambridge, MA / virtual & in-person
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 10 – 16 students annually
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: Typically summer
Eligibility: Exclusively for students enrolled at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS)
SRMP pairs high school students with mentors from the Harvard College Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory to conduct independent research projects in astrophysics or related fields. Over the academic year, students meet regularly with mentors, perform data analysis and modeling, attend seminars, and present their findings in a symposium. The fall months form the early phase of project setup, literature review, and mentor planning. This selective program fosters scientific thinking, exposure to advanced research, and collaboration, and pays a stipend.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); you can apply here.
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
Over a 12-week intensive period, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs high school students with Ph.D. experts for dedicated one-on-one mentorship. Your journey culminates in an independent research paper, produced after following a rigorous process akin to university-level work. You'll choose your own research question within a diverse range of disciplines, from data science to psychology, international relations, or engineering, and explore it directly with your mentor. Successful completion of this independent research makes you eligible to receive academic credit from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD).
5. Engineering Preview at Columbia (EPC)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically small cohorts
Dates: October 12 – 14
Application Deadline: July 21
Eligibility: High school seniors interested in engineering, particularly students with less formal exposure to engineering opportunities.
EPC is a three-day, two-night immersive visit that allows you and one parent or guardian to experience Columbia Engineering firsthand. During the program, you will visit research labs, meet faculty members and current engineering students, and learn about Columbia’s engineering curriculum. You will also have the opportunity to explore New York City’s engineering and technology landscape. In addition, you may attend workshops focused on the application process, financial aid, and admissions. The program’s goal is to make the field of engineering more accessible, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Weekend Immersion in Science & Engineering (WISE)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 60 – 90 students
Dates: October 5 – 7
Application Deadline: August 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
WISE is a weekend immersion program hosted by MIT, designed to allow you to experience the Institute’s science and engineering environment firsthand. As a participant, you will take part in campus tours, lab demonstrations, workshops, and admissions sessions, while engaging with current MIT students and faculty. You stay on campus with current MIT undergraduates, experiencing residence hall life and attending classes/sessions. The program is fully funded and also offers valuable guidance and workshops on the college admissions process, financial aid, and scholarships.
7. FAST (Future Achievers in Science and Technology)
Location: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 40 – 50 students
Dates: September 14 – 16; October 26 – 28
Application Deadline: August 4
Eligibility: High school seniors who are intending to enter college next fall | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
FAST is a two-night, on-campus experience that immerses you in the Harvey Mudd engineering and STEM environment. During the program, you’ll attend sessions and workshops with faculty and current students, explore research labs, be part of presentations, mock classes, lab demonstrations, and makerspace activities tailored to your academic interests. You’ll also engage in community-building activities, learn about the college application and admissions process, and take part in discussions on leadership and inclusion in STEM. You will also have the opportunity to interview for admission to Harvey Mudd College.
8. Project ENGAGES – Georgia Tech
Location: Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; likely 15 – 30 students
Dates: June – May; Summer (35 hrs/week) + school year (15 hrs/week)
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school students from partner Atlanta public schools | Overall GPA of 83 (3.0) or above, and science course GPA of 83 (3.0) or above
Project ENGAGES gives selected high school scholars the unique opportunity to undertake sustained STEM research directly within Georgia Tech's specialized laboratories. As a scholar, you gain proficiency in experimental methods, data collection, and analytical strategies by operating lab equipment relevant to your specific project, which might include biomedical instruments, mechatronics setups, or tools for embedded systems development. This experience exposes them to microcontrollers, fundamental ROS procedures, and computer vision workflows. The program also features complementary enrichment sessions and excursions to partner industry locations.
9. Biomedical Engineering Innovation: Online
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,170
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Fall Sessions: August 25 – December 5
Application Deadline: May 28
Eligibility: Current high school student; talented 9th-graders (rising sophomores) may be considered | Academic prerequisites can be found here
Johns Hopkins University’s Biomedical Engineering Innovation: Online is a three-credit course designed for high school students eager to apply engineering concepts to biological systems. Delivered mainly asynchronously, it features pre-recorded lectures with optional live study sessions, without fixed class times. You will engage in hands-on projects such as designing a biosensor, modeling the human arm and circulatory system, and completing an independent project. Options include a literature review, experimental design, or biomedical device prototype, culminating in an online poster presentation. The program emphasizes interactive, practical learning through a flexible virtual format supported by regular deadlines and instructor guidance.
10. NASA OSTEM Internships (Fall)
Location: NASA centers across the United States and virtual options
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid stipend based on their academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; over 3,000 students annually
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks from late August through mid-December
Application Deadline: Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old at the time of application | Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher | Full-time high school or graduate students
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement allows high school students to work alongside NASA scientists and engineers on real research and development projects. Depending on your placement, you might contribute to work in robotics, artificial intelligence, space systems, data analysis, or mission design. The internship may take place either virtually or on-site, depending on the project’s needs. Throughout the fall term, you will gain hands-on experience with engineering and scientific research while balancing your school commitments, allowing you to explore the challenges and excitement of contributing to NASA’s mission.
11. NASA Dream With Us High School Engineering Challenge
Location: Virtual / Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: September 26 – January 23
Application Deadline: November 21
Eligibility: U.S. high school students, working in teams with a teacher/mentor
This competition asks students to address real-world aeronautics problems, currently focused on Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and the future of flight in agricultural applications. The core challenge involves designing a new drone capable of monitoring crops for pests and taking physical plant samples to optimize farm production, covering topics like system design, integration testing, and cost analysis. You must create a detailed engineering design, develop a concept of operations (CONOPS), and build a business case to justify your solution's economic viability. Through this process, you primarily develop critical skills in collaborative design thinking, systems engineering, technical communication, and applying STEM concepts to solve complex societal problems.
12. “MIX” at Olin College of Engineering (Multicultural Innovator eXperience)
Location: Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically small cohorts
Dates: Two-day in-person event in the fall
Application Deadline: Typically September – October
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, particularly those from underrepresented communities in engineering and STEM. Must be nominated by a high school counselor
The MIX program is designed to give you hands-on insight into Olin College’s project-based, engineering-centered curriculum. During the program, you will stay on campus, participate in engineering workshops, meet faculty and current students, tour laboratories and facilities, and attend panels highlighting student life and engineering education at Olin. These experiences are intended to introduce you to Olin’s culture of innovation and its commitment to inclusive, collaborative engineering education. You get to explore what makes Olin different – its focus on creativity, innovation, design thinking, and impact-centered learning, which is built around understanding people's needs.
13. Caltech Up Close (Fall Fly-In)
Location: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 125 – 200 students
Dates: October 11 – 14
Application Deadline: Typically mid-August to early September
Eligibility: U.S.-based rising high school seniors
Caltech Up Close is a four-day immersive visit designed to give you an in-depth look at Caltech’s academic and research environment. As a participant, you will tour laboratories, attend information sessions, and take part in workshops with faculty and current students. The program is especially intended for high-achieving prospective students from underrepresented or low-access backgrounds, offering you a firsthand experience of Caltech’s science, engineering, and technology community. All expenses are covered, allowing you to explore Caltech without financial or logistical barriers.
14. Future City Competition (High School Track)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $300 – $450 registration fee per team + $100 model and presentation materials
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: September – December (Research, Design, Building essay and model)
Application Deadline: Typically late October
Eligibility: High school students of grades 9 to 12 | Requires forming teams with a teacher or mentor
Future City is a design competition that challenges you and your team to conceptualize, simulate, and present a model of a future city based on an annual theme, such as sustainability or infrastructure. In the high school track, you will use virtual modeling tools to design your city, write an essay describing its impact, run simulations, and present your work to a panel of judges. The competition begins in the fall, starting in September, and continues through regional and national rounds. Through this process, you will develop skills in engineering design, project planning, model building, and systems-level thinking.
15. Bucknell University - Journey to Bucknell
Location: Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Typically a weekend in October
Application Deadline: Typically, October
Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5
The Journey to Bucknell program provides a strong engineering focus by integrating the College of Engineering's offerings. It covers topics spanning Bucknell's diverse engineering majors, like Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering, which emphasize hands-on, interdisciplinary, and real-world problem-solving. You will typically sit in on a real class taught by a professor, tour state-of-the-art facilities (like labs and makerspaces), and meet current engineering students and faculty. A unique feature is its fully-funded nature and the emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking that blends engineering with the liberal arts. You develop valuable skills in design thinking, collaboration, and understanding the college admissions process for an elite engineering program.
Image Source - Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian Logo