7 Environmental Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students
Environmental engineering is a branch of engineering that involves developing strategies and technologies to treat and protect the quality of air, water, and earth. If you’re a high school student interested in working on environmental challenges like climate change and pollution, you should consider participating in an environmental engineering program! These programs will equip you with interdisciplinary skills in problem-solving and innovation, providing a pathway to a meaningful and in-demand career.
Summer programs offer a great option for busy students as they provide an intensive, hands-on learning experience during the extended break. This experience will allow you to gain practical knowledge, network with peers and professionals, and explore new possibilities. Such experiences can also strengthen your college applications by demonstrating your dedication to learning and genuine interest in your chosen field, enhancing your future academic and career prospects.
This blog covers 7 great environmental engineering programs for high school students that you can consider!
Location: Commuter-only program at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA. No housing is provided for attendees.
Cost: $2,759; A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: June 1
Program Dates: Typically 2 weeks from July to August.
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students are eligible to apply. Students must be at least 15 years old by the first day of the program.
The UCLA Environmental Engineering Summer Institute is a two-week, intensive program offering students an immersive research experience focused on real-world community needs, particularly environmental justice and health. During the program, you will get to collaborate on projects examining the links between race, poverty, and environmental exposures, gaining insights into the disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities.
The program includes hands-on training in relevant research skills, with tracks such as analyzing coastal water samples for antimicrobial resistance and testing community garden soils for lead. Through community-engaged research, you will enhance your technical abilities, critical thinking, and understanding of environmental justice. This experience will prepare you to use science and engineering to benefit underserved populations and drive positive change.
Location: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, East Baltimore, MA. Housing options are provided here.
Cost: $1,374/credit and $687/credit for students opting out of credit.
Application Deadline: May 24
Program Dates: Courses span between one day to two weeks long, typically from the end of May to the middle of June
Eligibility: High school students and other non-degree students are eligible to apply for credit or non-credit versions of the Summer Institute.
The Summer Institute in Environmental Health and Engineering (EHE) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health offers comprehensive training to environmental health students. The program covers essential topics relevant to environmental health science and its application in various sectors. The courses include:
180.601.11: Environmental Health - In this course, you will learn concepts and principles underlying environmental health sciences, the major environmental agents and vectors affecting public health, and major ecologic, scientific, and political issues from selected topical areas of environmental health. Another course option for the same curriculum is 180.601.41.
180.619.11: Drinking Water and Water Policy: Avoiding Another Flint - This course investigates how technical, financial, social, and cultural issues play a role in the current problems facing the water sector, as well as some of the potential solutions.
188.681.11: Onsite Evaluation of Workplace and Occupational Health Programs - This course focuses on the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in the development of occupational health programs, concerning the U.S. workplace in the next decade.
The program is ideal for those looking to deepen their knowledge of environmental health and apply it in their careers. Students seeking academic credit will receive an official transcript, provided they meet the course requirements. You can opt for a letter grade or pass/fail. Non-credit students can obtain a formal performance statement and a certificate upon completing the coursework.
Location: Online
Cost: $3,050. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: March 29
Program Dates:
Session 1: June 17— June 28
Session 2: July 08— July 19
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 at the time of application are eligible.
Stanford University’s non-credit course on chemical and environmental engineering offers an in-depth and interactive exploration of advanced topics without the pressure of grades. It covers fundamental engineering principles for analyzing chemical processes, focusing on energy and environmental issues. Meeting for two hours daily online, the course emphasizes skill-building and fosters a collaborative environment where you can learn from both instructors and peers.
During the program, you will diagram processes, convert variables, and set up material and energy balances to find steady-state solutions. You’ll also get to apply these concepts to real-world challenges like renewable energy, wastewater purification, and CO2-based biomanufacturing. The course culminates in interactive assignments and a collaborative, student-led group project, providing a comprehensive and practical learning experience.
Location: Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN
Cost: There is a $30 fee to attend the camp.
Application Deadline: TBD
Program Dates: June 24–June 28
Eligibility: Students must be entering grades 9 to 12 in the Fall.
Purdue University Northwest’s Environmental Science Camp offers high school students a four-day, hands-on exploration of relevant topics through classroom activities, lab investigations, and fieldwork. In the classroom, you’ll get to learn about ecology, air and water pollution, and waste-treatment processes — key areas in environmental engineering.
Field experiences include Indiana tree identification and practical knowledge of waste treatment and disposal, directly tying into environmental engineering practices. Lab sessions develop essential skills in pipette handling, extraction, and analyzing pollutants in water and air. The camp aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to engage in community discussions and develop solutions to environmental problems.
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $850
Application Deadline: March 1 and the first payment was due April 15
Program Dates: August 5 — August 9
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply!
The Drexel University Summer Institute introduces participants to the three engineering majors in the CAEE Department: Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering, and Environmental Engineering. It provides insight into each major, helping students make informed decisions when applying to universities. The program covers career paths, sample occupations, and typical employers for each field.
Environmental Engineering topics include water quality, water resources, air quality, ocean engineering, hazardous waste management, and sustainable engineering. The camp features presentations, fieldwork, and hands-on lab and classroom activities related to the CAEE majors, such as transportation engineering, structural engineering, water treatment, air quality, and self-healing concrete. You will also get to design and test a wooden bridge, visit a highway materials company, and explore field samples at the Drexel Academy of Natural Sciences.
6. University of Pennsylvania’s Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES) Program
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 5
Program Dates: July 8–August 5
Eligibility: Students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades who live in the Philadelphia area and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
The TREES Program is a summer research and mentorship opportunity for high school students to work on self-designed projects with chosen mentors. The program starts with two weeks of hands-on instruction in basic lab skills, followed by independent research. You will get to participate in seminars, field trips, social activities, and workshops on careers and college admissions. You will conduct extensive library research, learn scientific methodology, and perform fieldwork.
At the program’s end, you’ll be expected to submit a research report and present your projects. Year-round mentoring is provided, with many students entering science fairs. Those interested in environmental engineering can focus on topics such as water quality management, like analyzing the effectiveness of different filtration methods in removing pollutants from local water sources.
Location: California State University East Bay Concord Campus, CA
Cost: $350
Application Deadline: Currently open, deadline unspecified. More information can be found here.
Program Dates: July 29 — August 2
Eligibility: Non-graduating high school students are eligible to apply.
In partnership with Bay Area LEEDS, the environmental science and engineering summer camp offers students a comprehensive exploration of topics within the field. Over four days, you will delve into climate change, wetland ecology, and water quality in the Delta region, gaining hands-on experience through laboratory work, field studies, and site visits to public agencies.
You will get to engage with keynote speakers and collaborate on creating public service announcements, showcasing their learning to industry experts. This immersive experience will not only educate you on environmental issues but will also highlight diverse career opportunities in environmental science and engineering.
One more option — Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you would like to participate in a rigorous research program open to high schoolers, you should also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 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.
Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of freelance writing experience and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.