10 Aerospace Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students

If you're a high schooler interested in aerospace engineering, a summer program in the field is worth considering! Aerospace engineering is a specialized branch of engineering that focuses on the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and related systems and equipment. It covers various disciplines, such as aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, materials science, avionics, and control systems.

From designing aircraft to studying space exploration technologies, these programs will help you apply classroom knowledge to projects, collaborate with industry professionals, and gain experience in research and development. Participating in an aerospace engineering summer program can boost your college applications by demonstrating your proactive approach to learning. 

To help you find the program that aligns with your goals, we have compiled a list of the 10 best summer aerospace engineering programs that should be on your radar! Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

1. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program

Location: AFRL Scholar internship opportunities are offered at several locations across the United States depending on the program.

Eligibility: US citizens who will be at least 16 (by the session application deadline), have a valid Government ID, enrolled or accepted at an educational institution taking at least a half-time academic course load leading to a degree or certificate for the semester immediately preceding the internship session, and have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Application Deadline: The applications typically close in January.

Dates: The dates vary for different programs.

Cost/Stipend: No cost; weekly stipends are provided based on the education level of the students and the GS pay scale.

The AFRL Scholars Program is a paid internship opportunity for upper-level high school students who are interested in aerospace engineering. You will receive guidance from full-time AFRL scientists and engineers, touring AFRL laboratories and working on research. You can find a list of the available mentors here. The AFRL Scholars Program offers summer internships, with a minimal number of positions available during the fall and spring semesters. You can apply to up to 3 topics per AFRL site. These topics may be within any technical area provided on the topic list. Some research areas available for high school students include Acoustic and Radar Passive Direction Finding, Complex Electromagnetic Structures, High Fidelity Explosive Blast Simulations in Structures, and more. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

2. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program

Location: Part online and part on-site at the University of Texas, Austin, TX.

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who have not worked as a SEES intern previously, who will be 16 years old by July 1, and are US citizens.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.

Dates: July 27–August 4 (10th graders) | July 7–July 20 (11th graders)

Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid (Interns will receive a NASA certificate of completion).

In the STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program, each intern has to complete virtual SEES distance learning activities to be eligible for the internship. 11th-grade interns can choose to work on different project themes like Astronaut Photography, aerospace engineering, Mars Rover resource utilization, and more. Over a week, 10th-grade interns will get to collaborate with ZERO-G flight mentors to engineer and develop a compact research payload to be tested in microgravity on board the ZERO-G parabolic aircraft. Each virtual project has a different timeline and theme. 11th-grade interns will participate in a virtual SEES Science Symposium July 22-24, where teams will present their research to NASA scientists, family members, and guests. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

3. NASA Johnson Space Center’s Texas High School Aerospace Scholars

Location: Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, and Online

Eligibility: Applicants must be high school juniors who are U.S. citizens residing in Texas.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in October.

Dates: This is a year-long program. November-March (Online course) | July 28–August 1: 4-Day Onsite Residential Experience. For other important dates, check here. 

Cost/Stipend: No cost; Unpaid. (Students will be awarded a 0.5 Science elective credit).

Texas High School Aerospace Scholars allows Texas high school juniors to engage with NASA’s missions. HAS is a year-long commitment that begins in the fall with a four-month online learning experience focused on space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics. High-achieving students receive an invitation to a five-day gamified virtual summer experience (Moonshot) mentored by NASA scientists and engineers. Although this is a year-long program, only online activities take place during the school year, and the residential session is conducted during the summer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. You’ll participate in team projects and briefings directed by NASA engineers and scientists, design challenges, and engineering activities to plan a mission to the Moon and Mars. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

4. Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program’s CURIE Academy

Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Eligibility: Current high school sophomore or junior with a GPA of at least 3.0.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.

Dates: July 14–July 20

Cost: $1,850 (Includes room, board/meals, and research supplies). Scholarships are available.

The Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program’s CURIE Academy is a solid opportunity for students interested in aerospace engineering. It offers a blend of rigorous coursework, projects, and mentorship from faculty and researchers at Cornell University. For students aspiring to pursue a career in aerospace engineering, CURIE Academy provides exposure to research and innovation in the field. Throughout the program, you will engage in aerospace-related activities, such as designing and building rockets, conducting experiments, and learning about the latest advancements in aerospace technology. This experience not only enhances your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills but also fosters a sense of community among like-minded peers. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

5. MIT Lincoln Laboratory High School Internship Program

Location: Lexington, MA

Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, local high school rising seniors, and at least sixteen (16) years of age before the start date.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.

Dates: July 10–August 15

Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipend is provided.

The Summer High School Internship Program at MIT Lincoln Laboratory provides an opportunity for rising seniors who live and attend high school in the New England area to explore STEM careers. You will be paired with Laboratory staff mentors to complete projects, solve problems, and learn and apply technical and interpersonal skills in a professional environment. If you’re interested in aerospace engineering, you can choose to work on projects related to developing radar, electronic warfare, and technologies for future integrated air and missile defense systems. You can also work on projects that improve air transportation by developing sensors, weather tracking, and forecasting systems, and decision support automation. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

6. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Programs

Location: Depending on the project, interns will work either remotely or on-site at any of NASA’s 10 field centers across the country.

Eligibility: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), be a full-time student (high school through graduate level) or a part-time college-level student enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester hours, and be at least 16 years old at the time of application.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April-May (Summer session).

Dates: Vary depending on the opportunity (10-week program during the summer, from late May or early June to August).

Cost/Stipend: No cost; Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session duration.

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships to high school and college-level students at its various sites across the country. Internships are offered in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications. You will design experiments, analyze mission data, and develop innovative technologies. For instance, you can apply for ESEA - Equity Strategies for Emerging Aviation where you’ll research the recent advances in electric propulsion and automation that have enabled emerging aviation concepts with the potential to radically change the way people and cargo move from place to place. For tips on getting a NASA internship, check out our complete guide here.

7. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute

Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA (Virtual options are available).

Eligibility: High school juniors (11th grade) attending school in the U.S. can apply.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.

Dates: July 8–August 4

Cost/Stipend: None

The 4-week Beaver Works Summer Institute is a project-based STEM program featuring workshop-style courses. Some of the courses offered in the field of aerospace engineering include Remote Sensing for Disaster Response, Autonomous Air Vehicle Racing, and Unmanned Air System–Synthetic Aperture Radar. Remote Sensing for Disaster Response covers GIS, remote sensing, image processing, network science, and deep learning for emergency management applications. The BWSI has received solid reviews from alumni, owing to the diversity of its cohorts, opportunities for networking and collaboration, as well as the uniqueness of the courses it offers. You can check the current course listing here. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

8. NSLC - High School Summer Aerospace Program

Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD | Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Eligibility: Students must be between the ages of 14-18 and have completed at least one year of high school.

Application Deadline: NSLC will continue to accept applications if space is available in a program or on a program’s waitlist.

Dates: Multiple sessions are offered in Baltimore, MD, and Blacksburg, VA. You can check the exact dates here.

Cost: $3,895 (Residential Program)

At NSLC’s Aerospace High School Summer Program, you’ll design and build an unmanned aerial vehicle with your team and discover how aircraft and spacecraft are constructed. During the program, you’ll get to construct a rocket with your team; construct a glider and build a launch system; build a light and secure payload delivery system; build a wind turbine; and gain knowledge essential for a career in aerospace, including soldering, CAD, types of propulsion, and the various forces present during flight. In addition to these activities, you’ll also gain knowledge from the experts and attend field trips and tours.

9. USC Viterbi's Summer High School Intensive in Next-Generation Engineering (SHINE)

Location: USC campus, Los Angeles, CA

Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with a GPA of 3.4 or higher.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.

Dates: June 10–July 26

Cost: $6,330 + $50 application fee (Full and partial scholarships are available).

At USC Viterbi's Summer High School Intensive in Next-Generation Engineering (SHINE), you can join a USC Viterbi professor's research team for seven weeks to discover how engineering addresses problems in various fields, including biomedicine, robotics, aerospace, and more. You’ll work with an assigned professor and a mentor (Ph.D. student or post-doctoral researcher) who will train you in experimental lab work or computational research. You’ll work on lab projects on cancer, environmental sustainability, machine learning, robotics, haptics, aerospace, and more. Through weekly activities, SHINE builds community and introduces students to the practices and ethics of creating new knowledge, social and intellectual networking, college prep tips, and science communication. You can check out the research projects here. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

10. UIUC Illinois Aerospace Institute (IAI) Summer Camp

Location: Urbana, IL (virtual option is available).

Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12 can apply.

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all slots are filled.

Dates: On-campus sessions: June 9–June 15 | July 14–July 2; Virtual session: July 21–July 27 

Cost: $1,000 (on-campus fee) | $150 (virtual camp fee). Scholarships are available.

The Engineering Summer Camps at the University of Illinois offer multiple sessions of their Aerospace Engineering program for high school students of all grade levels, with a preference for juniors and seniors for on-campus activities. During the IAI camp, you will learn about various engineering topics through discussions, demonstrations, and activities. You will learn about aerospace engineering topics including flight mechanics, aerodynamics, rocket propulsion, navigation, aeronautics design, astronautics design, aerospace materials, and structures, and more. You will also attend workshops where you will learn to apply your knowledge and design model gliders and egg-drop landers. You’ll be provided with materials and online assistance from staff.

One other 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.

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.