14 Summer Engineering Internships for High School Students Interested in STEM
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 1
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 21
For high school students interested in engineering, summer internships can provide hands-on experience, professional skill development, and industry exposure without clashing with the school year. Engineering internships, such as the ones in the list below, allow you to explore fields such as mechanical, electrical, biomedical, and software engineering while strengthening your resume for college applications and advanced programs. Internships also offer great collaboration with professionals, problem-solving experience, and practical applications of classroom learning.
Finding the right internship can be challenging, so we have compiled a list of top summer engineering internships for high school students. These programs offer structured learning, mentorship, and hands-on projects to help you gain meaningful experience without disrupting the school year.
For those seeking additional research programs or region-specific STEM opportunities, explore more of our related blog posts.
Note: While some opportunities on this list are not traditional internships, they follow a similar work-learn structure as one. Additionally, some programs also have a strong focus on mentorship and require you to work on a real-world project/deliverable before the end of the program.
Cost: $2,490
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more. This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from engineering, tech/deep tech, and AI/ML to consulting and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: Free (students to cover transportation only)
Program Dates: June-August
Application Deadline: Typically February 1
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Subject Areas: STEM
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The MITES (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science) Summer Program is a fully funded, six-week experience for high school students interested in STEM. You will take five rigorous courses in STEM and humanities, mirroring a college-level academic environment.
Beyond coursework, students explore labs, participate in hands-on projects, and attend networking events with STEM professionals. The program also includes workshops on college applications, financial aid, and career pathways. A key feature is the personalized feedback from MIT faculty, helping you refine your skillset, network with experts in the field, and work on your academic goals.
Subject Areas: Biomedical Engineering
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost: Free (students must cover transportation costs)
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: July 1-August 15
Eligibility: High school students
The TUBERS Program at Tufts University is a six-week commuter research program for high school students interested in biomedical engineering. You will gain hands-on research experience in biomedical science, exploring topics like biomechanics, medical devices, biomaterials, and tissue engineering.
Working alongside faculty and researchers, you will conduct experiments, develop methodologies, and work on independent research projects. You will also have the opportunity to present your findings at science fairs and competitions, helping to build a portfolio for future opportunities. The program focuses on developing critical thinking, technical skills, and research experience, preparing you for further study in biomedical engineering and STEM fields.
Location: Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI
Cost: $1,100
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 6-11
Subject Areas: STEM
Eligibility: Open to high school girls entering grades 10–12
The Women in Technology Program at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is a week-long residential camp for high school girls interested in engineering. You will explore fields like biomedical, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering, along with construction management.
Led by MSOE faculty and female engineering students, the program includes hands-on lab sessions, technical workshops, and mentorship. Industry site visits offer insight into real-world engineering applications and problem-solving.
Location: Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus, Baltimore, MD
Eligibility: Open to current high school sophomores and juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, ages 15–18
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 30-July 25
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded—covers tuition, housing, meals, transportation, and campus access. Participants receive a $2,400 stipend and an application fee waiver
The ISPEED program at Johns Hopkins University is a four-week residential summer program for high school students interested in biomedical engineering. You will engage in hands-on lab experiences, including Cell & Tissue Engineering and the BME Design Studio, while exploring programming, machine learning, and scientific computing.
The curriculum focuses on project-based coursework and research, allowing you to apply technical skills to real-world problems. The program also includes seminars with STEM professionals, career development workshops, and lab tours, providing insight into biomedical engineering and related career paths.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; participants receive a $500 stipend for the summer
Application Deadline: February 22
Program Dates: June 9–July 31
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors (minimum age: 16) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) introduces high school students to hands-on medical research. You will work with Stanford faculty, researchers, and graduate students in areas like bioengineering, neurobiology, cancer biology, and genetics.
Each student is paired with a mentor to conduct an independent research project, attend lectures, and participate in lab activities. The program concludes with a poster presentation of their findings. With only 50 students selected, SIMR offers a competitive opportunity for those interested in biomedical research and STEM careers.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Application Deadline: Typically around January
Program Dates: June 28-July 26
Cost: Free; transportation aid available (no housing support)
Subject Areas: Mechanical Engineering
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with little to no engineering experience
The Women’s Technology Program (WTP) at MIT is an intensive summer program for students with no prior engineering background, focusing on women and underrepresented groups in STEM. It offers hands-on labs, team-based projects, and lessons in engineering fundamentals.
Unlike traditional summer camps, WTP is academically rigorous but ungraded, allowing students to explore college-level concepts without pressure. You will work with MIT faculty and graduate students, gaining experience in problem-solving, design, and real-world engineering applications.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Program Dates: Between May-September
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 who reside in New York
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program at NYU is a highly selective, fully funded 10-week research experience for high school students in STEM. Participants engage in lab-based research, technical workshops, and college-prep sessions under the guidance of NYU faculty mentors.
Research areas include biomedical engineering, robotics, AI, aerospace, and chemical engineering. You may work in labs like the Applied Micro-Bioengineering Lab, developing micro/nanoscale technologies for medical applications, gaining hands-on experience with various innovations.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY (Housing not provided as SHAPE is a commuter program)
Cost: $5,500 (includes tuition, lab fee, materials fee, and activity fee). Need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Between July and August
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and high school graduates
Columbia University's Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) offers college-level engineering courses taught by Columbia faculty. Over three weeks, participants engage in project-based learning, electives, and workshops.
For those interested in biomedical engineering, the course Biomedical Engineering: Where Biology, Medicine & Design Meet provides hands-on experience in areas such as biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and medical imaging. You will explore the engineering design process, use tools like 3D printing and laser engraving, and build biomedical devices.
11. Stanford AI4ALL
Cost: $4,000 (Financial aid available at 25%, 50%, and 100%)
Program Dates: June 18–July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Location: Online
Eligibility: 9th- 10th graders
Stanford AI4ALL is a three-week online program that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence through lectures, research projects, and mentorship. Participants work on research projects exploring AI’s impact on society, learning directly from Stanford Computer Science faculty.
The program covers key AI areas like computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and computational biology. You will also engage with industry professionals, exploring AI applications in fields such as healthcare and disaster response, while examining the ethical and real-world implications of AI.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Check out details here.
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17
The Research Mentorship Program (RMP) at UC Santa Barbara is a six-week, immersive research experience for high-achieving high school students. You will work closely with a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty mentor on a university-level research project across STEM disciplines like engineering and computer science.
The program emphasizes hands-on lab experience, data analysis, and academic writing, culminating in a technical research paper and a presentation at an academic symposium. This opportunity lets you develop advanced research skills while exploring potential STEM career paths in a collaborative, university setting.
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: Participants can apply and attend at no cost; they also receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: February 16
Program Dates: June 16–August 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (16+). Priority is given to Durham Public School students, but all eligible North Carolina students may apply.
Duke University’s Research in Engineering Program (DukeREP) is a seven-week summer experience for high school students interested in biomedical engineering. Hosted by Duke’s Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department, you will gain hands-on experience in areas like bioelectric engineering, biomechanics, biomaterials, biomedical imaging, and tissue engineering.
You will work full-time in Duke’s BME labs, collaborating with faculty and researchers on independent projects. The program also includes weekly seminars, professional development workshops, and college advising, helping you build essential STEM skills. With structured research and mentorship from experts, DukeREP provides a foundation for students pursuing STEM careers.
14. Bioengineering Opportunities and Leadership Training (BOLT) Camp – University of Colorado Denver
Subject Areas: Bioengineering
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Denver
Cost: $975 (includes all supplies and meals). Scholarships available.
Application Deadline: Applications are open for a few weeks until May each year
Program Dates: Between June 2 and June 26
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 9–12
The BOLT Camp at the University of Colorado Denver is a four-day bioengineering experience for high school students. You will explore topics like tissue engineering, biomaterials, and biomedical imaging through hands-on experiments and lab work.
The program is led by faculty and industry professionals and focuses on problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork while helping you develop technical skills in bioengineering. You will also gain insight into real-world applications of bioengineering innovations, providing a deeper understanding of the field.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in engineering, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Johns Hopkins Logo
