9 Automotive Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students
- Tamanna Parikh
- Jul 19, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: May 19
If you’re interested in automotive engineering, there are several exciting opportunities available for high school students. These programs provide hands-on experiences, exposure to advanced technologies, and a useful introduction to automotive engineering. They can help in clarifying your preferences and career path while also improving your college applications.
In this blog, we have outlined 9 of the best automotive engineering programs for high school students. Whether you’re interested in design, research, or practical skills, there’s something here for you to explore!
Location: Various locations in Seattle, WA
Cost: Typically free for accepted participants; some internships even provide stipends.
Program dates: 8 to 10 weeks in the summer; typically from June to August.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Eligibility: High school students interested in STEM fields.
The SPARK Summer Internship Program is an excellent opportunity for those interested in automotive engineering. As a participant, you’ll work in a professional setting related to your interest, which could include automotive companies or robotics startups. During the internship, you'll work on projects, contributing to the design, construction, and testing of devices. Engineers will guide you, offering industry insights, career advice, and feedback. Workshops and seminars on topics like CAD design, materials science, and thermodynamics will enhance your understanding of automotive engineering. For tips on how to land an internship here, you can check out this article.
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost: Free, covering all meals and activities; housing and transportation are not provided.
Program Dates: Spans over 5 days in mid-July.
Application Deadline: Usually in March.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18.
Camp Car is a unique opportunity offered by The Ohio State University for those who want to explore automotive engineering principles and conduct research. This camp exposes you to simulation, testing, and manufacturing in the automotive industry. Additionally, you will have the chance to visit various local automotive research facilities as a part of the program. The program is competitive and only accepts around 25 students annually. This camp is an excellent experience for those looking to understand how engineering principles are applied in the automotive industry. It will also allow you to meet like-minded students and professionals working in this industry.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Program dates: Six weeks in the summer; typically from late June to early August
Application Deadline: Typically in February.
Eligibility: High school juniors
The MITES (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science) Summer Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an excellent opportunity for students interested in exploring engineering. Specifically designed for underrepresented minority students, MITES aims to prepare participants for future careers in STEM and engineering.
During the program, you’ll engage in a rigorous curriculum covering various STEM disciplines. You will acquire essential knowledge, develop problem-solving skills, and work on engineering projects. The program culminates in a capstone project that allows you to apply your learning. You can read more about this program here.
Location: Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI
Cost: Commuter options are $1,050; Residential options are $1,200; financial aid is available.
Program Dates: July 7- 11
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: For high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors aged 14-18.
LTU offers several summer camps in many subjects, with the Automotive Engineering camp designed for those interested in foundational studies of vehicles and automotive engineering. Open only to twenty students every year, this camp will expose you to the fundamentals of vehicle design and performance. You’ll participate in activities in LTU’s engineering laboratories and visit an automotive industry lab that is involved in the design and manufacturing of modern-day vehicles. For those opting to stay on campus, this experience will provide clarity on what undergraduate life looks like.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self-paced; available year-round.
Application Deadline: Available year-round.
Eligibility: Open to all students.
Ford offers free programs that act as job simulators for those interested in learning more about automotive engineering and design. These simulators allow you to ‘work’ as a Ford employee who works in the EV engineering team, where you will work with concepts like battery technology, robotics in the simulations, and data analysis. The simulator offers a unique opportunity to gain experience applying engineering principles to vehicle design and assembly.
Location: Depends on locations open to the applicant in the U.S.
Cost: Free for all accepted participants; stipend may be provided.
Program Dates: Internships last for 6 weeks full-time; they typically run from June to December and January to May.
Application Deadline: February 15 to March 31 for an internship from June until December; September 15 to October 15 for an internship from January until May.
Eligibility: Students seeking a technical degree, whose desired course of study requires a compulsory internship. Must have a good university entrance qualification, especially in scientific subjects, and must not have enrolled in the degree program yet.
BMW’s Technical Pre-Study Internship is a prestigious internship for those looking for experience in automotive engineering before they start college. This opportunity will allow you to explore all aspects of car manufacturing. The program is competitive and is restricted to those who are dedicated to pursuing higher education in this field. You will gain knowledge, skills, and access to a network of professionals in the car industry.
7. Women in Automotive Engineering (WIAE) - Michigan Technological University
Location: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Program Dates: Typically held for 5 days in late June.
Application Deadline: Reviewed on a rolling basis every two weeks.
Eligibility: All students in grades 9 to 11.
WIAE is a pathway program offered by Michigan Tech for women interested in exploring engineering careers in the automotive industry, encompassing both mechanical and electrical aspects. You will work with their mechanical engineering department and learn about engines and vehicular technology. You will also have the opportunity to speak with women role models in the industry and tackle engineering challenges. This program will enable you to acquire skills and gain a broader understanding of automotive engineering. While the program is competitive, the admissions process is holistic, considering both academic achievements and extracurricular activities.
Location: Kettering University, Flint, MI
Cost: $ 1,500 program fee, covering housing, meals, and activities; scholarships may be available. Participants must cover the costs of travel to and from the university.
Program Dates: Typically spans over 10 days in mid-July.
Application Deadline: Typically due in June.
Eligibility: Female high school students who will finish 11th grade before the program.
Kettering University, through its LITES program, offers a vast array of engineering and STEM opportunities for girls interested in the field. This 10-day program covers various STEM disciplines through projects, theoretical courses, and laboratory work. It also covers automotive engineering topics and concerns. This program will allow you to interact with faculty and experts in the field. Since this is a residential program, you will also experience what undergraduate life looks like. The interdisciplinary nature of the program will help you understand how other aspects of engineering relate to automotive engineering.
9. Michigan State University’s High School Honors Science / Mathematics / Engineering Program (HSHSP)
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost: $4,000 program fee; need-based scholarships are available.
Program Dates: Usually spans over seven weeks from mid-June to early August.
Application Deadline: Typically due by March.
Eligibility: Juniors at the time of application.
The HSHSP is a highly selective research program offering research apprenticeships in science, engineering, and mathematics. Participants interested in topics such as automotive engineering should specify their preferred area of research. You will work with faculty advisors, undergraduate, and graduate students to identify a suitable research methodology and execute it. You will be exposed to the various aspects of conducting research and career options in your field of interest. For a deeper dive into this program, you can check out this article.
One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in STEM, you could also 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 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. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Tamanna Parikh is an alum of Ashoka University. She studied Psychology and English at Ashoka and will be joining the University of Pennsylvania as a graduate student. She plans on studying behavioral science and specializing in decision theory at Penn.
Image Source: Ohio State University logo