12 Summer Engineering Internships for High School Students in Michigan
If you are a high school student in Michigan who is interested in engineering, a summer internship in the field can be a great way to spend your school break.
Interning as a high school student not only boosts your college applications and resume but also gives you practical experience in your chosen field, helping you develop practical skills and make informed decisions about your future career. Internships are a great way to build confidence, connect with mentors, and explore what day-to-day work in a field of interest looks like.
Engineering internships can help you explore the broader field or specific subfields like mechanical, civil, electrical, environmental, or biomedical engineering, as well as career paths in these areas. These programs can help you assess your interests and show future colleges and employers that you are serious about pursuing a career in the field.
To help you get started, we have carefully curated a list of 12 summer engineering internships for high school students in Michigan. We have also added a few programs to the list that offer internship-like practical experiences.
1. NASA Internship Programs
Location: Various NASA centers in the U.S. + remote options available
Stipend: Paid federal internship; amount varies
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 weeks; late May/early June – August
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16; must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (out of 4.0)
NASA gives you the chance to explore STEM through a wide variety of paid internships offered throughout the year, including in summer. With just one base application, you can apply to up to 15 internship opportunities each cycle, across different disciplines and NASA research centers throughout the country. As a high school intern, you will work directly on NASA missions under the guidance of expert mentors. You will gain technical skills, career experience, and insights into how major space and science projects are executed. You can choose opportunities that offer hands-on engineering experience.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by format
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer cohorts typically begin in June/July
Application deadline: Multiple cohorts and deadlines throughout the year; summer session’s applications are due on June 23
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can commit to working for 10 to 20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks.
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up-based internship program for high school students. Here, you will work with a high-growth start-up operating in an area that aligns with your interests. Ladder’s start-ups offer internships across industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech and engineering. These organizations, on average, raise over a million dollars. In the program, you will work closely with a manager and a Ladder Coach on real projects and present your work to the company. The internship is usually eight weeks long. You can explore available internship formats and areas here.
3. University of Michigan’s Aspirnaut Summer Research Immersion Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend paid, but the amount is not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 5–10 interns/year
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: February 16; applications open in late Fall
Eligibility: High school students in Michigan; applicants from under-resourced, rural, or socioeconomically disadvantaged communities are given preference
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Program is a paid six-week life sciences research experience for high school students. You can indicate an interest in engineering to be placed in labs working on bioengineering or biomedical engineering research. During the program, you will work with faculty and research mentors, explore STEM careers, and attend workshops covering college prep. One-on-one meetings with mentors, standardized test prep, college advice, networking opportunities with scientists, and cultural and social activities are key components of the experience. At the end of the program, you will present your research findings to peers and mentors.
4. Research Experience for Youth (REY) @ UM Center for Materials Innovation
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend may vary by year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited cohort; competitive
Dates: Seven-week program in summer; June – August
Application deadline: Spring (via NSF ETAP portal)
Eligibility: Michigan high school students in grade 11
The REY program at the University of Michigan is a seven-week research experience in materials science for Michigan’s 11th graders. You will work in university labs with researchers on real projects focused on semiconductors, sustainable polymers, and more. You may engage in computational, statistical, theoretical, or experimental engineering and material science research based on your interests and mentor’s preferences. You will also get college application guidance and professional development opportunities during the program.
5. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
Location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost; room and board provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited number of students accepted
Dates: One-week sessions in summer; exact dates TBA
Application deadline: Typically in spring
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in U.S. schools
At PAN, you will explore how atomic nuclei influence everything, from stars to technology. This week-long, hands-on program at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) allows you to participate in nuclear science activities under the guidance of experienced researchers. You will conduct experiments, learn lab techniques, and explore college-level research topics in astrophysics and precision measurement. The program also gives you a taste of campus life with room and board included. You will also engage in small group discussions led by FRIB researchers, faculty, and students, finding opportunities to network with like-minded peers and engineering professionals.
6. Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers
Location: University of Michigan’s North Campus, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 1
Application deadline: January 31 (priority deadline)
Eligibility: Rising 12th-grade students who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers is a paid four-week summer opportunity to gain experience in nuclear engineering at the University of Michigan. Here, you will engage in academic instruction, lab exposure, and career exploration to learn about the field of nuclear engineering. The program covers topics like nuclear fusion, fission, and neutron interactions. You will get to learn about career pathways in the field through faculty-led lectures, panel discussions with engineering students, and talks led by Michigan Engineering alumni. Through the on-campus program, you will also gain firsthand experience of college life while forming connections with peers and mentors.
7. Wayne State University Summer High School Research Program
Location: Wayne State University’s College of Engineering, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 31
Application deadline: June 20
Eligibility: High school students
The Summer High School Research Program is an opportunity to explore engineering through lab experiences in one of three focus areas—CAD/3D modeling, emerging energy technology, or fuel cells. The program combines instruction with guided lab work and team-based projects. Each track covers corresponding foundational concepts, such as battery fabrication, CAD design, or fuel cell development, depending on your area of interest. You will work closely with university researchers and graduate mentors, building technical and communication skills in the process. You will also deliver presentations to faculty during the final week. Although not an internship, the program offers internship-like hands-on lab experiences and networking opportunities.
8. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Half-time internships running between two and eight weeks; dates vary
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA ≥ 3.25 who have taken an honors science or honors English class
If you are interested in renewable energy, EnergyMag’s virtual research internships allow you to investigate clean-tech firms, technologies, and market trends. As an intern, you will gain skills in research, analysis, and communication while collecting data regarding an energy storage company or topic. You will identify and reach out to relevant sources to gather facts for your project. You will work with a mentor who will help you complete the project. You will also draft a report based on your findings, which could be published on the EnergyMag site.
9. Michigan Tech University’s Women in Engineering Pathway Program
Location: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Cost: $425 (includes room and board); some sponsored spots may be free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15 – 20
Application deadline: First round begins February 17, followed by rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12; young women may be given preference
Michigan Tech’s Women in Engineering (WIE) Pathway Program is an opportunity to explore careers in engineering. During this week-long summer camp, you will choose two fields of engineering to explore through hands-on projects and collaborative sessions. Opportunities are available in mechanical, civil, materials science, robotics, environmental, chemical, geohazards, and aerospace engineering. You will interact with engineers, college students, and professors who will offer insights into careers in STEM. You will work in a team, engage in outdoor adventures, and participate in challenges to build technical skills during the program.
10. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS): Michigan
Location: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; scholarships awarded to winners
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by region; competitive
Dates: TBA
Application deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
If you are pursuing or planning to conduct independent STEM research and want to showcase your work, JSHS is a platform worth exploring. This competition invites you to present original research to a panel of judges and peers in a university setting. You will develop presentation skills, receive feedback from experts, and get the chance to win scholarships or advance to national competitions. Held at Wayne State University for students in Michigan, the symposium is free and packed with opportunities for networking, mentorship, and recognition. Although not an internship, this free research program can be a way to develop engineering research skills and get practical experience in scientific writing and presentation.
11. Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP) @ Michigan State University
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free + weekly stipends offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 1
Application deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 10 and 11
The Multicultural Apprenticeship Program is a four-week summer research-based experience focusing on fields like animal, agricultural, and environmental sciences. You can work on an agricultural engineering project alongside a faculty member from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. You will engage in lab work, outdoor research, and computer-based tasks throughout the program. You will also go on educational field trips, attend leadership workshops, and participate in fun social and cultural activities. Opportunities to explore careers in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences through discussions with professionals are also available.
12. ANR Institute for Multicultural Students (AIMS) @ Michigan State University
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – 25
Application deadline: April 11
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11
AIMS is a one-week summer opportunity to explore careers in agriculture, food science, and environmental studies. Hosted by Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, AIMS offers an educational experience through lab demonstrations, field trips, and hands-on learning activities. You will learn about fields like environmental science, agricultural engineering, agribusiness, natural resources, and agricultural education while engaging in group projects and cultural experiences. The program also offers a glimpse into life on a college campus, offering you access to university resources and facilities throughout the program.
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