15 Software Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students
If you’re in high school, participating in a summer program can help you explore subjects of your choice in greater depth. These programs give you the chance to build practical skills, explore industry tools, and connect with professionals. If your interests lie in software engineering, programs in the field can help you gain experience working on tech projects in professional or academic environments. Hosted by top universities and research labs, these programs offer you access to expert mentorship and advanced resources.
As a participant, you will practice coding and designing systems that solve problems. Many of these programs are low-cost, free, or offer scholarships, making them accessible opportunities to explore. To make your search easier, we have put together a list of 15 software engineering summer programs for high school students.
1. Johns Hopkins’ ASPIRE
Location: Virtual or in person at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: None (unpaid internship)
Acceptance rate: ~10%
Application deadline: February 15
Dates: June 24 – August 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, 15 or older, with a minimum 2.8 GPA and residence in select regions of Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia
ASPIRE at Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a STEM research program for high school students. As a participant, you will be paired with an APL mentor to work on research projects in your preferred field, which can be computer science, engineering, programming, information technology, or cybersecurity. During the summer program, you will assist your mentors, developing both technical and communication skills. Over six to nine weeks, you will commit to a minimum of 190 hours, working on research and creating and presenting a digital poster. Following the summer engagement, you can continue your work during the academic year if your mentor is available.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer
Application deadline: May/June for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a program designed for high school students looking to gain real-world experience working with high-growth start-ups. Conducted remotely, the internships span various industries, including AI/ML, technology, deep tech, health tech, and engineering. Many of Ladder’s partner start-ups are backed by Y Combinator and led by founders who have worked with Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with a start-up manager and receive guidance from a Ladder Coach while contributing to meaningful projects. The experience concludes with a presentation of your work to the company. You can find details regarding the available internship areas and program formats on Ladder’s application form.
3. NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program
Location: NIST campuses in Boulder, CO, and Gaithersburg, MD
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Selective
Application deadline: February 6
Dates: Eight weeks from June to August
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who live close to the program site
Run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, this internship allows high school students to pursue independent research in a professional lab. You can choose from six labs, each specializing in different fields, including engineering, tech, and physical sciences. The engineering and information technology labs typically offer opportunities to work on projects connected to software engineering. Throughout the program, you will focus on a defined research topic and gain practical, hands-on experience within the lab. You will also collaborate with NIST scientists and engineers. As an intern, you may build technical skills and gain exposure to real-world research environments.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August) sessions
Application deadline: May/June for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students usually have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research-based learning experience designed for high school students. It offers 1-on-1 mentorship with Ph.D. scholars across a wide range of academic fields, including software engineering. As a participant, you will work closely with your mentor to design and complete an independent research project. The program also provides workshops on research methods and guidance for writing a full-length paper. By the end, you will produce and submit your own research paper. Upon program completion, you can also earn UCSD credit. Application information is available here.
5. Seattle University’s AI for Equity
Location: Seattle University, Seattle, WA
Cost: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: April 25
Dates: July 13 – July 18
Eligibility: Students currently in high school (rising 10th, 11th, or 12th grade)
The AI for Equity course, a part of Seattle University’s pre-college offerings, offers you insights into how AI influences society and the justice system. It is designed to offer tech education rooted in awareness and accountability. Here, you will explore machine learning concepts and apply them to real datasets within the criminal justice system. The course can help you gain skills to recognize ethical issues in AI and identify solutions from both technical and justice-centered viewpoints. You will explore how algorithms can reinforce or reduce systemic bias. Along with project work, you will hear from local guest speakers who have experience in equity-focused technology.
6. Carnegie Mellon University’s National High School Game Academy
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: $12,529 + $50 application fee; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Application deadline: February 1 (early deadline); March 1 (final deadline)
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 – 12, ages 16 and up
At the National High School Game Academy, you will learn about video game development through a mix of lectures, discussions, and hands-on projects. The program introduces you to methods taught in Carnegie Mellon’s Master's of Entertainment Technology program. You will complete assigned homework and projects to track your progress and strengthen your understanding of game design concepts. The program emphasises collaboration, allowing you to work in a team to apply classroom knowledge to real software development tasks. Over six weeks, you will develop both technical and creative skills while gaining exposure to professional tech workflows. The experience culminates in creating an original game prototype, from initial pitch to a finished playable demo.
7. George Mason’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or in person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $25 application fee with waivers available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Application deadline: February 2
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Eligibility: Students who are 15 years or older by June 18
ASSIP at George Mason University connects you with faculty mentors to conduct independent research in a STEM discipline of your choice. As a participant, you can work on projects focusing on tech, software, machine learning, computer modeling, cybersecurity, and data science. Over eight weeks, you will contribute to meaningful projects that reflect current scientific challenges and gain exposure to lab environments. Your work may lead to conference presentations or co-authored publications, depending on project results. Over the course of the program, you will build technical skills and gain practical research and presentation experience.
8. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; $300 needs-based grant for eligible students
Application deadline: Varies by year; typically spring
Dates: Round 1: July 7 – 18 | Round 2: July 28 – August 8
Eligibility: Students who identify as girls or non-binary and are enrolled in grades 9 – 11
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a two-week virtual opportunity for high school students to explore various tech fields and build coding skills. You will work on projects in game design while exploring computer science fundamentals and user experience design. The curriculum also covers web development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science. Sessions are taught by industry professionals who provide both technical instruction and career mentorship. Throughout the program, you will gain practical exposure to how technology shapes modern tools and systems. You will also gain insight into how digital innovations impact everyday life, from the apps you use regularly to the platforms supporting global industries.
9. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000; financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Application deadline: January 24
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Eligibility: 9th graders and rising 10th graders who are 14+ by the start of the program
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week virtual program for high school students that introduces core concepts of artificial intelligence and its impact on society. You will explore areas such as robotics, computer vision, and medical applications of AI through lectures, group research, and mentorship. Hosted by the Stanford AI Lab, the program connects you with AI professionals in a collaborative environment. As a participant, you will also learn how AI research advances innovation while examining issues of ethics and inclusion in technology. The program is designed to help you think critically about AI’s role in the world. Some background in math or coding is recommended.
10. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering at NYU
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate: Selective
Application deadline: February 21; applications open on January 6
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: NYC rising juniors and seniors
NYU’s ARISE Program is a 10-week summer experience that combines coursework with hands-on research. Over the first four weeks, you will develop core lab skills and undergo training in lab safety, academic writing, and research methods. For six weeks, you will work in NYU labs, where you will complete about 120 hours of work in fields such as artificial intelligence, computer science, and machine learning. During the program, you will find opportunities to build communication, analytical, and networking abilities that support your academic growth. The program concludes with a formal research showcase at NYU. You will also present your findings through a poster session at the American Museum of Natural History.
11. Kode with Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual or in-person in Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C., London, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and St. Louis; location can vary by year
Cost: Free!
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – 13 | July 7 – 18 | July 21 – August 1 | August 4 – 15
Eligibility: High school women and gender-expansive teens, ages 13 – 18
Kode With Klossy offers free, two-week coding camps for high school students from underrepresented genders in tech. You can choose from four tracks—Web Development, Data Science, Machine Learning, or Mobile App Development. Each option offers an introduction to languages like Python, JavaScript, and Swift, and the opportunity to gain practical exposure to tech fields. You will work on real-world projects such as building websites, designing mobile apps, training AI systems, and analyzing data. Alongside technical skills, you will learn about user experience design, algorithmic bias, and responsive development. Each track combines coding practice with an understanding of how technology is shaped by both design choices and ethical considerations.
12. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft’s offices in Atlanta, GA, or Redmond, WA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Application deadline: TBA; applications typically open in early February/March
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who live and attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA; Atlanta applicants should attend schools within the Atlanta Public Schools, Gwinnett, Fulton, Cobb, and DeKalb County School Districts; Redmond applicants should be members/participants of Microsoft-sponsored organizations specified on the program website
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program offers high school graduating seniors opportunities to learn about careers in software engineering, computer science, and technology. Here, you will work within a team focusing on the design phase of the product development cycle. In the process, you will get to explore the applications of software engineering, computer science, and UX design. You will work on a group project, where you will try to identify consumer needs and then assist with product design to meet those requirements. You will also connect with and learn from Microsoft employees and gain exposure to various Microsoft technologies. This experience can help you develop professional skills like collaboration and problem-solving, along with technical skills.
13. Arizona State University’s SUCCESS Camp
Location: Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, Mesa, AZ
Cost: $300; partial and full scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: May 27 – 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
Arizona State University School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence offers multiple tech camps for middle and high school students. Its SUCCESS (A Survey of Computing, Coding, and Engineering Software Systems) camp is a four-day summer opportunity for students interested in learning about computing. At this summer camp, you will learn about areas within computer science and software engineering, including mobile/web development, cybersecurity, AI, augmented/virtual reality, game development, and embedded systems. The program also offers opportunities to engage in activities that help you get familiar with coding and programming. For instance, you will build a game, develop an AI-based app, work with a virtual reality headset, or build an LED message wall during the program.
14. Engineering Summer Camp @ University of Illinois
Location: University of Illinois, Chicago campus, IL
Cost: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/age group
Application deadline: Typically early spring (check official site for current dates)
Dates: July 21 – 25
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th graders
The University of Illinois at Chicago offers high school students the opportunity to explore various engineering subfields and topics, including software engineering, through its Engineering Summer Camp. As a participant, you will spend five days learning about the broad field of engineering through projects, college prep sessions, challenges, and lab tours. The Software Engineering Track offers insight into the behind-the-scenes app development and the chance to engage in hands-on activities like experimenting with simple applications, designing wireframes, and building games. You will also learn about biomedical, chemical, and mechanical engineering, as well as environmental sustainability planning, during the program.
15. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee (full financial aid available for both application and program fees)
Cohort size: ~25
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students who are entering grades 9 – 12 in the fall and are over the age of 14 when the program begins
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week online program that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence in healthcare. You will attend lectures on AI fundamentals and their medical uses while participating in daily mentorship and collaborative projects. Guest speakers from government, academia, and industry share perspectives on new technologies shaping medicine. Career-oriented “Lunch and Learn” sessions will offer some guidance on pursuing opportunities at the intersection of healthcare and technology. After the summer program, you can opt for an extended research experience during the academic year. You will also receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the program.
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