14 Engineering Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
For high school students interested in how engineering works, programs are a great way to gain experience and explore the applications of math and science. These programs often include laboratory work, team projects, and mentorship from professionals or university faculty, providing students with a strong foundation in problem-solving, design, and critical thinking.
New Jersey provides numerous engineering opportunities for high school students, many offered by universities. Whether you’re interested in mechanical, electrical, civil, or biomedical engineering, these options can help you build practical skills and explore possible college or career paths. We’ve highlighted 14 engineering programs for high school students in NJ (New Jersey) that combine learning, creativity, and practical challenges.
14 Engineering Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; exact amount varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age and graduating high school seniors with U.S. work authorization
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s High School Summer Internship places you inside an active research environment where plasma physics and fusion energy are central to daily work. Over 8–10 weeks, interns assist scientists and engineers with tasks such as analyzing experimental data, supporting engineering design, and running simulations related to fusion research. Depending on your skills, you may work with Python, Java, or CAD software to contribute to laboratory instrumentation or computational modeling. Participants are paired with professional mentors who guide them through ongoing research projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and Princeton University.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies according to the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 25%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can commit 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 –12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program is an eight-week virtual experience that connects high school students with fast-growing startups working in areas such as AI/ML, software, engineering, consulting, health tech, and data-driven services. Throughout the program, you collaborate directly with a company mentor while also receiving support from a dedicated Ladder Coach who helps structure workflow, communication, and goal-setting. Intern responsibilities typically include attending virtual meetings, completing assigned deliverables, and participating in the day-to-day operations of an early-stage company. Your experience concludes with a final presentation summarizing your project contributions to the startup team.
3. Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology (GSET) @ at Rutgers University
Location: Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fewer than 100 students
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application deadline: January 8
Eligibility: High school juniors residing in New Jersey
The Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology is a free, residential summer program at Rutgers University. Students take four core and elective courses, participate in workshops, and visit local corporations to see how engineering concepts translate into industry settings. A significant component of the program is a small-group research project where you and your teammates design, investigate, and document a novel engineering or technology solution under the guidance of a faculty or industry mentor. Each project culminates in a conference-style paper and presentation at the statewide research symposium. Coursework spans fields such as robotics, physics, electronics, materials science, and specialized engineering topics, depending on elective choices. The program also covers enrichment activities like life-skills sessions, Q&A panels with college students, and team-based design challenges.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI delivers virtual, project-based programs that help high school students explore artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning through structured instruction and guided research. The AI Scholars program is designed for beginners and introduces Python, core AI concepts, and applied machine-learning techniques while also allowing you to collaborate with peers on a themed project. Students who are ready for more independence can join the AI Fellowship, which pairs them with mentors from top universities to develop an individual AI research project. Fellowship participants may also work with an editorial team to prepare their findings for submission to high school research journals. Past projects have explored applications in fields like healthcare, finance, sports analytics, climate science, and social data trends.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various labs across the country, including the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in NJ
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
Cohort size: ~300
Application deadline: November 1
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and are 16 or older; labs may have additional requirements
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program places high school students inside U.S. Navy laboratories for eight weeks of hands-on STEM research. At the New Jersey site, you will assist engineers and scientists with experiments, cybersecurity reviews, engineering evaluations, tool development, and testing related to naval technology. You work under the guidance of professional mentors who introduce you to real laboratory procedures and the practical demands of government-funded research. Depending on your placement, you may encounter areas such as avionics, robotics, propulsion systems, materials science, or software engineering. The experience also includes opportunities to shadow staff members, attend technical sessions, and learn about defense-related career paths.
6. The Build A Better Book Project by the University of Colorado Boulder
Location: Mountain Lakes Public Library, Mountain Lakes, NJ
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer internship
Application deadline: Applications typically open in February
Eligibility: Students must be solely U.S. citizens (dual citizens and permanent residents are not eligible); should be turning 18 years old at the time of application, and have a driver’s license and their own transportation to the internship site
The Build A Better Book Project places high school interns in a 50-plus-hour engineering and design experience focused on creating accessible books, games, and learning tools for individuals with visual impairments or developmental disabilities. Working at the Mountain Lakes Public Library Makerspace, you collaborate with local partner organizations and follow an iterative design process to develop client-centered prototypes, such as tactile graphics, medical alert badges, educational games, or adapted book features. The program introduces students to a wide range of tools, from low-tech materials to 3D printers, laser cutters, robotics components, and coded interactive elements, while teaching the principles of universal and accessible design. You also receive guidance from industry professionals and community partners as you refine your ideas in response to real user needs.
7. Rutgers University’s Pre-College Summer Scholars Program
Location: Virtual or in-person at Rutgers University, NJ
Cost: Varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session I starts May 26 | Session II starts July 6
Application deadline: May 17 (Session I) | June 28 (Session II)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are 16 or older and have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0
The Pre-College Summer Scholars Program at Rutgers University allows high school students to enroll in undergraduate courses and earn Rutgers–New Brunswick credit during the summer. You can choose from more than 60 course options, including STEM subjects relevant to engineering as well as offerings in the humanities and social sciences. Courses carry the same expectations as those for degree-seeking undergraduates, meaning you complete the full set of assignments, assessments, readings, and participation requirements. Depending on your schedule, you can take classes in person, through synchronous online sessions, or via asynchronous online formats. You may enroll in up to two approved courses, each worth three credits.
8. Kean University – Group Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Kean University, Union, NJ
Cost: 4-Week Session: $2,500 | 2-Week Session: $1,250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 4-week session: July 7 – 31 | 2-week session: July 21 – 31
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Kean University’s Group Summer Scholars Research Program places high school students on active STEM research teams that investigate areas such as cancer biology, drug discovery, developmental biology, machine learning, and scientific computation. Over several weeks, you work closely with faculty mentors, graduate students, and peers to conduct experiments, analyze data, and contribute to ongoing investigations. In addition to research activities, students participate in professional development workshops, laboratory instrumentation demonstrations, and sessions on academic and career pathways in science and engineering.
9. Rowan University – STEAM Academy Pathfinders
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Cost: $4,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 17
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in the fall with a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
Rowan University’s STEAM Academy Pathfinders track is a two-week residential program for high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors who want structured exposure to college-level academics and research. You live on campus, take an accredited Rowan University course each morning, and spend your afternoons working with faculty mentors on research projects that integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The program also covers scholar-leader development activities that help you navigate academic expectations and collaborative work. Research topics vary based on faculty expertise, giving you a chance to explore areas you’re genuinely interested in rather than following a preset curriculum.
10. Rutgers Honors Engineering eXperience (RHEx)
Location: Rutgers University School of Engineering, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 28 – July 3
Application deadline: Early application: February 15 | Regular application: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Rutgers Honors Engineering eXperience (RHEx) is a one-week residential pre-college program where rising juniors and seniors explore multiple engineering disciplines through themed workshops, lab sessions, and team-based projects. Each day highlights a focus on various engineering topics such as building solar cells, modeling molecules, applying AI in sports analysis, or creating mechanical automata. This provides exposure to both computational and practical methods. Instruction is provided by Rutgers School of Engineering faculty, researchers, teaching assistants, and student mentors who assist students with experiments and design projects. RHEx concludes with a public symposium in which you present your project to family and guests.
11. Engineering in Health and Medicine Camp @ The College of New Jersey
Location: The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Ewing, NJ
Cost: $2,000 program fee + $39 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 19 – 24
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students who rank in the top 30% of their class and have completed one year of high school math and science
The Engineering in Health and Medicine Camp at TCNJ is a one-week residential program that introduces high school students to biomedical engineering through laboratory work, design activities, and project-based exploration. You get to work with faculty and students in TCNJ’s biomedical engineering labs to investigate areas such as neural engineering, medical imaging, biomaterials, and drug delivery. A typical day includes experimenting with diffusion principles, conducting mechanical testing of materials, learning industry-standard CAD tools, or evaluating components used in medical devices. You also meet biomedical engineers from industry, providing insight into how these concepts translate to real-world applications in healthcare technology. Throughout the week, you collaborate on a project and present your findings to peers and faculty.
12. Rutgers University’s TARGET
Location: Rutgers University School of Engineering (Busch campus), Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $500; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: One-week sessions in June/July; dates vary by grade
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
Rutgers University’s TARGET Program is a one-week summer experience designed for middle and high school students who want an introduction to engineering disciplines and related STEM careers. Each session is age-specific and includes workshops, hands-on labs, and guided projects led by School of Engineering mentors, faculty, and student leaders. The curriculum introduces fields such as civil, electrical, aerospace, biomedical, and mechanical engineering, helping you see how these specialties connect to everyday systems like transportation, infrastructure, and medical technology. You learn problem-solving strategies and teamwork skills through practical activities rather than competitive challenges.
13. Rowan's Introduction for Students to Engineering (RISE)
Location: Rowan University’s Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, Glassboro, NJ
Cost: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: July 8 – 10
Application deadline: June 10
Eligibility: High school students
Rowan University’s RISE program is a three-day non-residential workshop that introduces high school students to engineering through laboratory clinics, hands-on projects, and visits with faculty and student mentors. You will rotate through activities involving polymers, Arduino systems, concrete testing, bottle rocket design, and 3D printing, giving you a practical sense of how different engineering fields approach design and experimentation. The program also includes campus tours and occasional visits to local engineering organizations to help you understand how academic concepts translate into industry settings.
14. TCNJ’s iSTEM Summer Academy
Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
Cost: $575/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 11 | July 14 – 18
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
The iSTEM Summer Academy at TCNJ is a week-long program that introduces middle and high school students to engineering and design through hands-on challenges and prototype development. The first-week Creative Design track places you in TCNJ’s manufacturing and fabrication facilities, where you work with 3D printers, laser cutters, modeling software, and other prototyping tools to develop and refine your own design ideas. Students complete open-ended design challenges and practice skills in graphic design, modeling, and fabrication, taking their prototypes home at the end of the week. The second-week Robotics track focuses on building and programming a functional robot to compete in team-based challenges, integrating engineering, electronics, computer science, and programming.
Image Source - Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Logo