10 Summer Engineering Internships for High School Students in Michigan
TL;DR
This list discusses 10 summer engineering internships for high school students in Michigan, with options including university-run research experiences and short hands-on exploration programs. Program length varies widely, from one-week introductory experiences to seven-week research placements, with some requiring a full-time, in-person commitment and others more flexible. Pay also varies: several are free and include a stipend plus housing or meals, while one charges an application fee. Eligibility is often tied to grade level or Michigan residency, though a couple of options are open to students from anywhere.
If you're interested in engineering, a summer internship is a great way to find out what the work looks like beyond textbooks and problem sets. As an intern, you may design and build a prototype, test how a material or system holds up, analyze data from an experiment, or help a team troubleshoot a process that isn't working as it should. Engineering as a field spans various areas from mechanical, electrical, and civil to chemical, biomedical, and software, and an internship lets you try one of these areas before you choose a college major. You will usually work alongside mentors, graduate students, or professional engineers, so you will get to ask questions, document your work, and share results with a team.
Why should you do a summer engineering internship in Michigan?
Michigan has a strong engineering base, with a large automotive industry, major research universities, and a growing mobility and manufacturing sector, with various summer learning experiences for students. Programs in the state can connect you with people working on real vehicles, energy systems, or medical devices. An internship here can let you test your interest in a branch of engineering that your school may not offer classes in, like aerospace, robotics, or materials science. If you end up deciding a particular branch isn't for you, that's still useful to learn before you apply to college. If this would be a new learning experience for you, start with our guide to setting goals for your first internship to get the most out of the program.
How do you apply for a summer engineering internship?
Start early, since many summer programs have deadlines in winter or early spring, and some fill on a rolling basis. Read each program's requirements carefully, as eligibility often depends on your grade level, age, or residency, and note the costs, dates, and whether it's in person or online. Applications typically include a short form, a transcript, and a few written responses about why you're interested in engineering. Some also ask for a teacher recommendation, so give your chosen recommenders plenty of notice. If you do not have formal experience, you can point to science and math classes, robotics or science club activities, or projects you've built on your own, like a small circuit, a coded game, or a model. Look into financial aid or fee waivers if cost is a concern, since some programs offer them. You can use our guide to applying to high school internships to get started!
To help you with your search, we have carefully curated a list of 10 summer engineering internships for high school students in Michigan. We have prioritized options with credible hosts and strong networking opportunities.
If you are also looking for structured opportunities beyond Michigan, check out our selection of engineering programs and engineering camps.
Quick internship overview
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
University research and lab internships |
Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship, Research Experience for Youth (REY), EMU High School Summer Science Program, Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP) |
Free, with some offering a stipend plus housing or meals |
Students who want a structured research placement in a university lab, working alongside faculty or graduate mentors on an active project |
|
Nuclear science programs |
Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers, Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) |
Free, with housing/stipend included |
Students specifically interested in nuclear engineering or physics who want lab visits and hands-on exposure to the field |
|
STEM career exploration programs |
University of Michigan's Future Ready Scholars, Michigan Tech's Women in Engineering Pathway Program |
Free and fee-based options available |
Students who want a shorter, exploratory introduction to engineering fields and college readiness support rather than a full research placement |
|
Remote programs |
Cost varies with aid available |
Students who want the option to participate remotely, whether through a startup internship or research mentorship, without needing to relocate or commute |
1. Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship @ University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $3,000 + housing and meals covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 6 – 10 interns/year
Dates: TBA; typically, June 14 – July 24
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising seniors enrolled in and attending Michigan high schools; applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-U.S. citizens with employment authorization documentation.
Aspirnaut is a paid residential summer program that allows you to spend six weeks on the University of Michigan campus, engage in STEM research, and work full-time in a life sciences research lab. You can indicate your preference for a bioengineering or biomedical engineering placement. You will assist with ongoing research projects, collect and analyze data, and get a look at what the day-to-day routine of a scientist looks like. Outside the lab, you will live in a residence hall with other interns, engage in social activities, and interact with students from other summer programs on campus. The program will also include structured training in science communication, supported by the U-M Museum of Natural History, as well as talks from researchers across scientific fields. You will present your research publicly at the end of the program.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a paid, hands-on STEM research experience on a university campus.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 – 12 weeks; open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise more than $1 million. You will work closely with a manager on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for opportunities to work with startups on real STEM projects in a fully remote format.
3. University of Michigan’s 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: 16 students in the last cohort; number can vary by year
Dates: TBA; typically, July 6 – 31
Application deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Rising 12th-grade students
This is a four-week residential nuclear engineering program for high school students, run by the University of Michigan’s Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences. As a participant, you will attend morning sessions covering math and science tutoring and college entrance exam preparation. In the afternoons, you will attend seminars on college readiness, technical communication, and leadership, and work on community-engaged design projects, gaining exposure to nuclear engineering. You will also take part in workshops on deep time, speculative design, and community energy systems. The schedule will include visits to U-M facilities such as the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory, the ZEUS laser system, and the Virtual Ford Nuclear Reactor, as well as field trips to the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams and Fermi Nuclear Power Plant. You will additionally conduct interviews and lead discussions about nuclear energy with local communities, and potentially get to collaborate with department faculty on research projects.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in nuclear engineering who want a free, residential, college-prep experience with lab visits and community engagement.
4. University of Michigan’s Future Ready Scholars
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: TBA; typically, July 5 – 17 (summer camp) + academic year programming
Application deadline: TBA; typically, April 5
Eligibility: High school students in Southeast Michigan
Future Ready Scholars is a fully funded STEM enrichment and college-readiness program for high school students in Southeast Michigan. You will first attend a two-week summer camp on the University of Michigan campus, where you will use the Engineering Design Process to come up with solutions to real-world problems. As a participant, you will also receive college- and career-readiness training, including job shadowing, SAT preparation support, and career exploration opportunities. You will continue engaging with the program during the school year through Saturday sessions designed to help you keep exploring STEM pathways.
Who it’s best for: Southeast Michigan students looking for long-term STEM support and hands-on engineering experiences on a university campus.
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 spots
Dates: July 18 – 23
Application deadline: Early March; details TBA on the program website in December.
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in U.S. schools
At PAN, you will explore how atomic nuclei influence everything, from stars to tech. This week-long, hands-on program at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) lets you participate in nuclear science activities under the guidance of experienced researchers. You will run experiments, explore lab techniques, and learn about college-level research topics in astrophysics and precision measurement. The program will also give you a taste of life on campus. You will additionally engage in small group discussions led by FRIB researchers, faculty, and students, building early connections with like-minded peers and engineering professionals.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a free opportunity to build a foundation for nuclear science and engineering majors and explore lab-based work.
6. Michigan Tech University’s Women in Engineering Pathway Program
Location: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by year, but free spots may also be available; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: TBA; typically one week in June
Application deadline: Rolling admissions starting in March; date TBA for next cycle
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11; young women may be given preference
Michigan Tech’s Women in Engineering (WIE) Pathway Program is a short, hands-on opportunity to explore careers in engineering. During this week-long program, you will choose two fields in engineering, which you will explore through hands-on projects and group sessions. Opportunities are available in robotics, environmental, mechanical, civil, materials science, chemical, geohazards, and aerospace engineering. You will connect with engineers, college students, and professors who will share insights into careers in STEM. You will work in a team, engage in outdoor activities, and participate in challenges to build technical and soft skills during the program. While not a typical internship, the experience can introduce you to different engineering tracks through hands-on activities and connect you to professionals.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in exploring specific engineering fields in a short, hands-on format on a university campus.
7. Research Experience for Youth (REY) @ UM Center for Materials Innovation
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: Seven-week program in summer; typically, June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: TBA for the next cycle
Eligibility: Michigan students in grade 11
The REY program at the University of Michigan is a seven-week research experience in materials science designed for 11th graders. You will work in university labs with researchers on real projects focused on semiconductors, sustainable polymers, and other related science and engineering topics. You may engage in theoretical, computational, statistical, or experimental engineering and materials science research based on your interests and mentor’s focus area. You will also receive college application guidance and professional development opportunities during the program.
Who it’s best for: Michigan 11th graders looking for a lab-based experience focused on materials science research.
8. High School Summer Science Program @ Eastern Michigan University
Location: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8 – 12 students/year
Dates: TBA for next cycle; typically, three weeks in the summer
Application deadline: TBA; applications open in February.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one science class and live within a 40-minute drive of the program site
Eastern Michigan University’s High School Summer Science Program is a free opportunity to engage in research alongside university faculty and undergraduates. Over three weeks, you will work within a small team on a project in fields like chemistry, biology, or physics, or an interdisciplinary science and engineering track, learning how to perform experiments, collect and analyze data, and present your results. You will also learn about research ethics, lab safety, and how to maintain documentation, gaining exposure to how professional research is conducted. The program will end with a formal presentation of your work to peers and faculty.
Who it’s best for: Students who want exposure to research and lab work and can commute to the Eastern Michigan University campus.
9. Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP) @ Michigan State University
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; weekly stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 30
Application deadline: March 19
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 10 and 11
MAP is a four-week summer research-based experience that lets you explore animal, agricultural, and environmental sciences. You may work on an agricultural engineering or related 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 month. You will also attend leadership workshops, go on educational field trips, and engage in social and cultural activities. Opportunities to learn about careers in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences through discussions with professionals will also be part of MAP.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in exploring the role of engineering in agricultural and environmental sciences through hands-on research.
10. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual placements available
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition (fee waivers available); no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: TBA for next cycle; typically, June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: TBA for next cycle; typically, February 15
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old for remote internships or 16+ for in-person/wet-lab opportunities
ASSIP allows students to work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University on active research projects in STEM. Placements span various engineering fields, including civil engineering, systems and industrial engineering, bioengineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering. You will work with your mentor, reading published papers and working with real data. In the process, you will learn how to use lab equipment, advanced tech, and research tools, and build scientific writing and communication skills. You will leave with three credits from George Mason University.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in engineering research who want to work closely with faculty mentors in virtual or university-based lab settings.
What skills can you pick up in summer engineering internships?
As an intern, you will likely practice applying math and physics to real problems, and you may be introduced to tools such as CAD software, 3D printing, circuit prototyping, or programming languages like Python or MATLAB. Many programs may let you follow the engineering design process, which would involve defining a problem, brainstorming solutions, building and testing a prototype, and improving it based on what you find. You may learn to keep careful records of your work, since documenting tests and results is a big part of engineering. The experience can also offer the chance to build skills that can help you in any field, such as collaborating on a team, managing your time on a project with a deadline, and presenting your findings clearly.
Can a summer engineering internship help with your college applications?
Admissions officers like to see that you've explored your interests outside of school, and a summer spent on an engineering project shows commitment and curiosity. A tangible outcome, such as a prototype, a research poster, a presentation, or a design portfolio, can give you something specific to share with college admissions teams. It can also provide strong material for essays and interviews, since you can describe a real challenge you faced and how you worked through it. Some programs are hosted by universities, so you may get a feel for campus life and learn what a college engineering program looks like, which can help you decide where to apply. A mentor who knows your work well may also be willing to write you a thoughtful recommendation letter.
Common questions about these summer engineering internships
1. Will I actually build or test something myself, or mostly observe and assist?
Most of these internships involve direct, hands-on work rather than just shadowing. You may collect and analyze data, run experiments, build a prototype, or work through the engineering design process yourself, though how much independence you get depends on your specific placement and mentor.
2. Do I need prior coding or engineering experience to apply?
Formal experience generally isn't required to apply. Some tools and skills, like CAD software, 3D printing, circuit prototyping, or programming languages such as Python or MATLAB, are things you may learn or practice during the internship rather than skills you need going in. If you don't have prior experience, you can point to relevant coursework, clubs, or personal projects when you apply.
3. How long do these internships typically run, and is it always a full-time commitment?
Program length varies quite a bit across this list, from as short as one week to as long as seven weeks. Some require full-time, in-person attendance (including a few residential options where you'll live on campus), while others are more flexible, part-time, or spread out over the school year. If you are looking for a flexible internship experience, Ladder Internships lets you spend just 10 to 20 hours per week working remotely with a startup.
4. Will I work on my own project, or support an existing one?
This depends on the program. In some, you will join an ongoing research project led by a faculty member or mentor and contribute to their existing work, while in others, you will work through your own design challenge or community-based project from start to finish.