10 Engineering Internships for High School Students in Maryland
Engineering internships are a great way for high school students to gain real-world experience. Internships offer a hands-on look at how engineering concepts are applied in professional settings, whether in laboratories, other research facilities, or tech companies. They also provide the opportunity to build valuable skills such as data analysis, prototyping, and problem-solving. In addition to technical knowledge, engineering internships for high school students help build professional networks and strengthen college applications. Some programs offer stipends, making them financially accessible and rewarding, while others may be combined with mentorship tracks and charge a program fee for participation.
For students in Maryland, there are a number of high-quality engineering internships for high school students hosted by top universities, research centers, and STEM-focused organizations. These programs provide exposure to diverse engineering fields, including mechanical, civil, electrical, and computer engineering. We’ve rounded up 12 of the best engineering internships for high school students in Maryland, each with a strong focus on technical learning, mentorship, and hands-on projects. We’ve also included some remote options that can be accessed from anywhere!
1. ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program – University of Maryland
Location: University of Maryland, College Park
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: For best consideration, apply by April 25
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders with a minimum 3.2 GPA and no Cs in math or science; Must have completed Chemistry with at least a B, be prepared to take Pre-Calculus, and have strong communication skills
Stipend: None
Hosted by the University of Maryland’s Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering, the ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program is a four-week commuter program designed for rising 12th-grade students interested in engineering research. As a participant, you’ll engage in a mentored research project, learning how to conduct literature reviews, develop proposals, and present findings.
The program includes workshops on college readiness, financial aid, and STEM career pathways, along with opportunities to interact with current undergraduate and graduate engineering students. You will gain exposure to engineering disciplines through a structured curriculum while building technical and communication skills. While open to all students, the program strongly encourages applicants from underrepresented groups in STEM. Site visits and housing are not offered, and students must be available full-time for the duration of the program.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts available: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $2,290 onwards; Financial aid available
The Veritas AI program was founded by Harvard graduate students with the aim of offering programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. This option makes it to the list because it is an experiential program and does a good job of mirroring aspects of an internship. Whether you’re a beginner to AI and data science or you’re looking for more advanced experiences, there’s something for everyone. There are two main programs you’ll participate in: the AI Scholars program and the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program.
The AI Scholars program is for you if you’re new to AI. During this program, you will participate in a ten-session bootcamp that introduces you to the fundamentals of AI & data science. You’ll also get hands-on experiences, working on real-world projects. The AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program, on the other hand, is only open to those with prior coding or Python experience or those who’ve already participated in the AI Scholars program. During this program, you will work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a research project that you might even get to publish in high school research journals with the help of the in-house publication team.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 17 – August 9
Application Deadline: February 23
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; At least 14 by June 17; Available for the entire duration of the program (8 weeks)
Stipend: Unpaid
The Stanford Compression Forum Summer Internship Program is a virtual research opportunity for high school juniors, seniors, and early community college students. As an intern, you will work in teams on interdisciplinary projects that combine engineering, computer science, neuroscience, and the humanities. Mentorship is provided by Stanford faculty, staff, and affiliated researchers, offering guidance on research methodologies and project development. The program emphasizes the intersection of STEM with fields like philosophy, psychology, and the arts, encouraging interns to explore diverse applications of technology. Projects are tailored to students' interests while also exposing them to new areas of study.
Please note that the program is currently on hiatus and will resume from summer 2026 with a more enriching experience.
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 8-12 week cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10-20 hours/week
Cost: $2,490 onwards; Financial aid available
Ladder Internships is a selective program that offers virtual internships that range across a variety of industries, including tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, consulting, and more, to ambitious high school students. During the program, you’ll get to work with a high-growth start-up that, on average, raises over a million dollars. For over eight weeks or so, you will work on real-world projects that are of relevance to the company. You’ll also be guided by a Ladder coach as well as your start-up manager.
5. NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST, Gaithersburg, MD
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are current high school juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a strong interest in scientific research
Stipend: None
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) offers eight-week, unpaid engineering internships for high school students looking to conduct hands-on research alongside scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. As an intern, you will get to contribute to active scientific investigations across a range of disciplines. You will be expected to propose, design, and carry out a research project under the guidance of a NIST mentor. This is a highly competitive educational program for students with a strong interest in science and research. SHIP includes a mandatory orientation, lab access, and opportunities to present findings.
6. AEOP High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations nationwide, including Maryland
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Varies by site; Typically during summer (6-8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents; Additional site-specific age or course prerequisites may apply
Stipend: Paid
The AEOP High School Internship program provides engineering internships for high school students looking to spend a productive summer. As an intern, you will work alongside professional scientists and engineers in U.S. Army Research Laboratories or affiliated university labs across the country. Over the course of the summer, you will contribute to ongoing research addressing national challenges in science and technology.
You will gain hands-on experience with advanced equipment, receive formal mentorship, and develop an understanding of lab culture and research methodology. In addition to lab work, you will engage in webinars, college-readiness workshops, and peer support sessions led by near-peer mentors. This is a paid educational internship that supports career exploration in STEM fields.
7. Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cohort size: Unknown, but small because the program is competitive.
Dates: Typically June – August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students from households earning less than 200% of the federal poverty limit and who are educationally under-resourced.
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $3,000
The Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) at Johns Hopkins is an eight-week biomedical research program for high school students from low-income and under-resourced backgrounds. A great choice if you are interested in biomedical engineering! As a SARE Scholar, you’ll split your time between hands-on lab research and advanced classes in subjects like scientific writing, math, bioethics, and data analysis.
You’ll work closely with a mentor, usually a PhD student or postdoc, spending close to 70% of your time working on a research project. You’ll build skills in lab techniques, critical thinking, collaboration, and scientific inquiry. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings in a final presentation.
Location: Various NASA Centers across the U.S. + Virtual options
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Varies based on internship
Application Deadline:
Spring: September 12
Summer: February 28
Fall: May 16
Eligibility: U.S. high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Stipend: Paid and unpaid internships available
The NASA OSTEM Internship offers engineering internships for high school students and college students who want the chance to work on impactful STEM projects that support NASA’s mission in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. As an intern, you will collaborate with NASA scientists, engineers, and other professionals while contributing to real-world research and development efforts.
Internships are available in both in-person and remote formats, with part-time and full-time options to accommodate student schedules. You will gain hands-on experience, develop technical and professional skills, and have opportunities to network with experts in the field. The program is designed to prepare you for STEM careers by immersing you in NASA’s cutting-edge work.
Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Maryland
Acceptance Rate: ~15-20%
Dates: 6 to 9 weeks
Application Deadline: January 1 – February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who will be at least 15 years old by June 1; Must be U.S. citizens; Have a minimum GPA of 2.8
Stipend: Unpaid
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) provides engineering internships for high school students looking for a hands-on experience in engineering and STEM fields. As an intern, you’ll collaborate with APL staff mentors on technical challenges, developing problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking skills. The program emphasizes independent learning and creativity, offering a professional environment where students can explore real-world applications of STEM concepts. ASPIRE is an unpaid internship focused on education and skill development, creating an inclusive space for students from diverse backgrounds.
10. BlueStamp Engineering Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 4:1 student-to-staff ratio
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – July 3; Session 2: July 7 – July 25; Session 3: July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: 8th to 12th graders worldwide
Cost: $2,200
The BlueStamp Engineering Summer Program provides high school students with hands-on engineering experience through a fully remote, live, and interactive format. As a participant, you’ll select a project from BlueStamp’s project book, receiving all necessary materials and tools shipped to you. With a 4:1 student-to-staff ratio, you will receive personalized guidance as you build your projects, document your progress in an engineering portfolio, and present your work at a Demo Night. The program emphasizes problem-solving, project management, and technical skill development. Its remote format allows students from any location to participate while maintaining structured mentorship and engagement.