15 Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas

If you are curious about how math, science, and technology come together to solve problems, engineering summer programs offer a way to explore the process. For high school students, engineering summer camps provide opportunities to work in labs, take part in design contests, and work on projects. They are designed to give you a realistic look at what engineering work is like, without the pressure of a long-term commitment. 

Why should I participate in an engineering summer program in high school?

Engineering summer programs for high school students are especially valuable if you are considering engineering or related STEM fields in college. Participating in a competitive summer program can help you stand out in the college admissions process by showing admissions officers your commitment to engineering. They allow you to test potential majors and career paths and receive mentorship from university faculty or engineers. You’ll contribute to collaborative projects and gain exposure to research or industry work, which can help you figure out if this is the right career path for you.  

We’ve curated a list of 15 engineering summer programs for high school students in Texas, based on academic challenges, practical learning, and the credibility of the hosting organization.

1. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective (12 students selected) 
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 
Cost/Stipend: Free (stipend provided) 
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (at least 17 years old by program start)

The Clark Scholars Program operates more like a professional internship than a traditional summer camp. Hosted by Texas Tech University, the program places high school students in a seven-week research environment, where they work one-on-one with faculty mentors on hands-on research.  Your project may fall anywhere from nutritional sciences to advanced engineering and applied sciences, depending on faculty availability and your interests. Outside the lab, you will attend weekly seminars and social events that help build a strong community of peers with similar interests. The program culminates in a formal presentation of your research findings, which prepares you for college. As the Clark Scholars Program is a stipend position, you will be considered as a junior colleague rather than a student.   

2. Ladder Internships

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
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). You can apply here.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Ladder Internships offer a selective program for high school students eager to gain real-world experience, rather than simulated projects. As an intern, you’ll be matched with a fast-growing start-up and contribute directly to work that matters to the company. Participating startups span industries such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, medicine, mental health, and consulting. These companies are typically in the early stages of rapid growth, often backed by over a million dollars in funding. You’ll work closely with a company manager and receive support from a dedicated Ladder Coach as you contribute to impactful projects. By the end of the internship, you’ll present your work directly to the start-up team. Here is the application form. 

3. NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective 
Location: Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX (with online component) 
Cost/Stipend: Free (NASA covers residential costs for summer finalists) 
Dates: Online (Fall/Spring); Onsite Summer Experience (July) 
Application Deadline: Late September (of the previous year) 
Eligibility: Texas high school juniors (U.S. Citizens)

NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) is an engineering summer program for high school students in Texas who are interested in engineering or space exploration. Sponsored by NASA, this program begins with an online course during the school year. Students who perform well are invited to a weeklong summer experience at NASA Johnson Space Center. During the residency, you work closely with NASA mentors and engineers while learning how real missions are planned and evaluated. The program is hands-on and collaborative, giving you insights into what it's like to think and work like an engineer in a space-focused environment. A major part of the program is a final group project, where you gain experience working with a team of other future astronauts, mission designers, and astrophysicists.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Dates: September – December
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students worldwide with a GPA of 3.3+

Founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, the Lumiere Research Scholars Program is directed at high school students interested in medicine, public health, or biotech, and who want a serious research-focused experience. Lumiere offers 1:1 research mentorship with a PhD-level scholar and allows you to work on an independent research project. You'll learn how to conduct literature reviews, formulate research questions, and analyse medical datasets. You can explore specialized areas such as oncology, neuroscience, or epidemiology, based on your interests. The program culminates in a full-length research paper that is reviewed by your mentor, and it can be submitted to academic journals for potential publication. You can find additional details about the application here.

5. Lamar University Chemical Engineering Summer Camp

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited (approx. 20–30 students)
Location: Lamar University, Beaumont, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free (Registration required)
Dates: June 9–13
Application Deadline: Rolling (opens February; typically closes April 15)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

This five-day residential camp in Texas provides high school students with an introduction to the petrochemical and chemical engineering industries. You will explore key engineering principles, such as mass and energy balances, by working with university laboratory equipment. A highlight of this engineering summer camp for high school students in Texas is a guided tour of a local industrial facility, which gives you a firsthand look into the operations of a large-scale chemical plant. Faculty and industry professionals lead you through team-based projects that focus on solving real-world engineering problems, helping you build technical thinking and practical insights. At the end of the week, you will have a better understanding of what chemical and petrochemical engineers do each day, as well as the career options open to you in the energy and chemical sectors.

6. UH Scholar Enrichment Scholars Academy

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective 
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX 
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: June 8 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors planning to attend UH

This program serves as a bridge to your college engineering or science degree and is specifically designed for graduating seniors entering the University of Houston. You will take part in nine weeks of coursework that prepares you for university-level calculus and chemistry, giving you an academic head start before the fall semester begins. The daily schedule includes lectures, group problem-solving sessions, and workshops that allow students to build the study skills they need to become successful in any STEM major. Just as importantly, you'll build a support network of peers and faculty mentors that will support you through your first semester.

7. AFRL Scholars Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Location: AFWERX, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded (stipend provided based on academic level)
Dates: Summer (8–10 weeks, typically starting late May/June)
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Students age 16+; U.S. Citizens only

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program places you in a professional research environment where you work alongside full-time scientists and engineers on advanced technical projects. As an intern, you'll contribute to projects in fields ranging from aerospace systems and materials science to directed energy and space vehicles. This goes beyond observation;  you will assist with real research tasks and produce technical reports.  Depending on your project, you may also present your research findings at the end of the summer. The program is mentorship-driven, pairing you with experienced researchers who guide your work. You also gain valuable research exposure to Department of Defense research careers and build a professional network. 

8. Texas A&M PATHS-UP Young Scholars Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective 
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 
Cost/Stipend: Free (stipend provided) 
Dates: Early June – Late June 
Application Deadline: Early April 
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and juniors who are 16+ (Specific to partner school districts)

This program sits at the intersections of engineering and health, specifically looking at technologies that can be used to support underserved communities. You will work with researchers to explore areas such as biomaterials, sensors, and medical devices, gaining insights into how engineering can solve health problems. Graduate students and faculty members will walk you through the engineering design process and research methodologies. Besides technical work, the program includes workshops on college readiness and STEM career pathways, helping you understand how your interests can translate into future academic and professional options.

9. Rice ELITE Tech Camp

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate 
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX 
Cost: $3,899 (Residential); $1,799 (Commuter) 
Dates: Weekly sessions late June – mid-July 
Application Deadline: Rolling 
Eligibility: Rising 8th through 12th graders

The Elite Tech Camp offers an introduction to machine learning, data science, and the Internet of Things (IoT).  You will participate in challenging modules that require you to apply technical skills to solve complex problems, very similar to the workload experienced by a Rice engineering student. The program offers both residential and commuter options. Residential students get a firsthand experience of university life on campus, while the commuter option offers a flexible alternative for local students. You will also attend sessions on college admissions and leadership, helping you prepare for the next stages of your academic career.

10. Space Center Houston – Stars & STEM

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment 
Location: Space Center Houston, Houston, TX 
Cost: $69.95 per student, $59.95 per adult
Dates: Weekly sessions June – August 
Application Deadline: Rolling 
Eligibility: Students between 15 and 18 years old are eligible for the high school workshops

Stars & STEM is a one-evening STEM program hosted by Space Center Houston that introduces high school students to applied science and engineering through space-focused education. During the program, you take part in supervised, practical exercises that explore fundamental ideas such as engineering design, physics, robotics, and problem-solving in relation to space exploration. By the end of the evening, you'll have a clear understanding of how scientists and engineers work together to tackle problems in space missions. 

11. IEEE Try Engineering Summer Institute

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX (and other campuses) 
Cost: $4,195 (Residential) 
Dates: Mid-June (Two sessions typically available) 
Application Deadline: Rolling 
Eligibility: High school students (ages 15-17)

This two-week engineering program gives you an introduction to multiple core engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering. Collaboration is a central part of the experience; you design in teams to prototype solutions and test your designs against the real-world constraints engineers face every day. In addition to the technical work, you will get to enjoy campus life and visit local industry hubs,  where you can see engineering in action. 

12. Tapia STEM Camps, Rice University

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate 
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX 
Cost: $2,500
Dates: Multiple sessions in July 
Application Deadline: Late May 
Eligibility: Rising 8th through 12th graders

Tapia STEM Camps focus on bringing students from diverse backgrounds together to collaborate on technical projects while building strong communication skills. Working on projects in computer science, engineering physics, and other areas, you will learn not only to solve technical problems but also to effectively communicate your ideas to different audiences. You'll spend a week on the Rice University campus with students, professors, and professionals as they share insights into their career paths and help you understand what real STEM work looks like beyond the classroom. The experience culminates in a final presentation, reinforcing a key message that successful engineers and scientists are not only technically skilled but also effective communicators.

13. Camp SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Aerospace Research)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective 
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 
Cost/Stipend: Unspecified, financial aid-based scholarships available
Dates: July 12 - 17
Application Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

Camp SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Aerospace Research) is meant for high school students interested in aviation and aerospace engineering who want to see what the field is really like before choosing a major. You will spend the week exploring key topics such as aerodynamics, flight mechanics, and materials science through a set of design projects and experiments. One of the highlights of Camp SOAR is access to  Texas A&M's wind tunnels and research facilities,  where you'll see how professional engineers conduct experiments and validate designs. You will also get to meet current aerospace students and faculty, who'll share honest insights into the expectations and career paths associated with this demanding field.

14. Texas Tech Explore Engineering

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment (until full) 
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 
Cost: $400
Dates: June 14 - 18
Application Deadline: March 27 
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

This residential camp provides high school students with a general overview of the engineering disciplines within the Whitacre College of Engineering at Texas Tech University. You will participate in activities in fields ranging from civil to mechanical, chemical, and petroleum engineering, giving you a sense of what each discipline involves. Living in campus dorms and participating in various social activities with other pre-engineering students also gives you a taste of college life and helps you build connections with peers who share similar interests.

15. UT Austin My Introduction to Engineering (MITE)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: $200 (financial aid available)
Dates: Session I: Late June; Session II: Mid-July
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (rising seniors)

If you are considering the Cockrell School of Engineering for your undergraduate studies, MITE offers a realistic means of experiencing what life as a UT engineering student is actually like. This five-day residential program gives you a true "day in the life" preview, so you can decide if engineering at UT is the right fit for you. Over the course of this program, you will stay in campus dorms, attend engineering lectures, take part in hands-on workshops, and tour cutting-edge research labs at the University of Texas at Austin. You will work with other participants on a team engineering project that mirrors how real engineers collaborate, from brainstorming and design to the final presentation. Beyond academics, the program devotes a considerable amount of time to breaking down the college application process, offering insights into what UT admission officers look for in future engineers.

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