16 Electrical Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Sep 26
- 10 min read
If you’re in high school and want to see what electrical engineering is really about, summer programs can give you that chance.
These summer programs let you design projects, test ideas in labs, and use tools that real engineers work with. You’ll also learn how electrical engineering connects to things you use every day, like smartphones, renewable energy, or robotics.
What makes summer programs different is that they’re short, structured, and focused. You get an intensive look at the field without the long-term commitment of a college course. Many are also affordable or offer financial aid, so you can explore engineering without a huge expense. Along the way, you’ll build experiences that can strengthen your college applications or future career plans.
To help you explore your options, we’ve put together 16 electrical engineering summer programs for high school students!
16 Electrical Engineering Summer Programs for High School Students
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, and Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: July 13 - July 26
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. citizens
LLRISE, short for Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers, is a free two-week residential program run by MIT and Lincoln Laboratory for rising high school seniors. You’ll stay in MIT dorms and travel to Lincoln Laboratory each day to work alongside scientists and engineers on real radar technology. During the program, you’ll design and build both Doppler and range radar systems using professional tools, gaining firsthand experience in electrical engineering and applied physics. You’ll be encouraged to solve problems, refine designs, and understand how math and physics connect to real-world engineering.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as engineering, tech, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Location: University of Maryland, College Park
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: July 7 - August 1
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders with a minimum 3.2 GPA and strong performance in math and science; applicants should have completed Chemistry with at least a B, be prepared to take Pre-Calculus in 12th grade, and have a demonstrated interest in engineering.
The ESTEEM and SER-Quest Program at the University of Maryland gives you the chance to step into electrical engineering through mentored research and guided academic sessions. Depending on your placement, you might work on projects in areas like circuit design, signal processing, or sensor systems, with instruction and support from engineering faculty and graduate students. Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to ask research questions, review scientific literature, and present your work in professional engineering formats.
Location: New York University, Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-free through scholarships and foundation support
Program Dates: June 2 - August 8, 4 weeks of remote evening workshops + 6 weeks in-person
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Open to New York City high school students currently in 10th or 11th grade with strong academic records and demonstrated interest in STEM.
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering gives you the chance to take part in real research inside NYU’s STEM labs. You’ll be placed in one of more than 30 labs, which range across electrical engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, civil and urban engineering, and other fields. This 10-week program begins with four weeks of evening online workshops, followed by six weeks of full-time, in-person lab research.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 23 - August 8
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to all high school students. Preference may be given to underrepresented students in engineering, upperclassmen without prior research experience, or students unable to participate in other summer enrichment activities.
The Electrical Engineering Mentorship Program (EEMP) is a 5-week immersive summer experience designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of electrical engineering. Covering key areas such as circuits, computer architecture, software engineering, signal processing, and embedded systems, this program combines structured learning with the freedom to pursue independent research. You’ll participate in weekly journal clubs, interactive labs, content lectures, and research skills workshops. Each student is paired with a volunteer mentor who guides them through developing an independent research project, culminating in both a written paper and a final presentation.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: $9,000 program fee
Program Dates: July 6 - July 25
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 15+ with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
The Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) is a three-week residential program hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. You’ll choose one of six college-level engineering courses: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Computer Graphics, Computer Science, Nanotechnology, or Robotics. Each track blends classroom instruction with lab work and project-based learning, giving you both theory and practice. Courses are taught by Penn Engineering faculty with support from teaching assistants, and participants earn college credit.
Location: UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $3,907 | Commuter: $2,262
Program Dates: July 13 - July 26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to rising high school sophomores through seniors
The Summer Engineering Institute (SENGI) is a two-week in-person program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Engineering. It introduces high school students to different engineering fields, including electrical engineering, through labs and guided design projects led by faculty and graduate students. In the electrical engineering portion, you’ll work on topics such as circuit design, signal processing, and energy conversion. One lab focuses on applying the power equation for wind turbines to build working prototypes, while another involves designing and testing wireless systems and sensors. You’ll also gain experience using tools like AutoCAD and working in campus makerspaces to fabricate and test components.
Location: Johns Hopkins University (Homewood campus, Hood College, commuter locations, or online)
Cost/Stipend: $3,850–$9,950 depending on format; financial aid available
Program Dates: Most programs begin in July; online runs June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified; check the site for updates
Eligibility: Primarily rising juniors and seniors (15–17 years old for residential); must have completed Algebra II, trigonometry, and a full year of chemistry or physics with lab
Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI) is a four-week summer program at Johns Hopkins University that lets high school students experience college-level engineering. By the end, you’ll earn three credits for completing coursework equivalent to a first-year JHU engineering class. In the electrical engineering track, you’ll design and build an electronic device aimed at improving user well-being. This involves applying circuit design, signal processing, and systems integration, while using sensors, microcontrollers, and programming to create prototypes. The program combines lectures, labs, and team projects across several engineering fields, including electrical and computer engineering.
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA
Cost: Commuter: $4,225 | Residential: $5,750
Dates: Session 1: July 6 - 18 | Session 2: July 20 - August 1
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12
The Engineering Investigations (EI) program at Tufts University gives high school students the chance to explore a wide range of engineering disciplines while engaging in hands-on, collaborative projects. Over the course of two weeks, you are introduced to fields such as civil, environmental, mechanical, biomedical, human factors, and electrical engineering, while also learning key concepts like project management, design processes, ethics, and client-centered design. You’ll hear from researchers, faculty, and industry professionals about their work in research, design, and entrepreneurship. At the same time, you’ll apply these concepts through activities and group projects that mirror real-world engineering practices.
Location: Philadelphia, PA | Rice University, TX | University of San Diego, CA | Columbia University, NY
Cost: $2,000–$3,000 per session (check site for updates)
Dates: 9-day sessions offered at each location from June to August
Deadline: Rolling admissions until sessions fill
Eligibility: High school students ages 13–17 interested in engineering
TESI Spark Your Future: Electrical Engineering is a project-based program for high school students interested in exploring how electricity and circuits power real-world technology. You’ll cover fundamentals of electronics and then apply them in hands-on challenges like building an AM radio, programming drones, and designing cars with smart sensors. These activities help you strengthen teamwork, problem-solving, and practical engineering skills. Alongside electrical engineering, you’ll also get exposure to other branches like civil and aerospace engineering through interactive sessions. Guest speakers share perspectives on fields such as renewable energy and robotics.
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: Session 1: July 13 - July 17 | Session 2: July 20 - July 24 | Session 3: July 27 - July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors, priority given to sophomores. Session 3 is open only to earlier SES participants.
The Summer Engineering Seminar (SES) at Santa Clara University is a five-day residential program designed to introduce high school students to different branches of engineering. You’ll take part in workshops led by SCU faculty in areas such as bioengineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering. The program has two tracks: the Year-One session for first-time participants and the Year-Two session for returning students who want to build on their earlier experience.
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: June 17 - August 1. Online Orientation is on May 29, June 11, and June 12
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Rising 10th -12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
The Young Scholars Program at the University of Illinois is a six-week STEMM research experience hosted by the Grainger College of Engineering through the WYSE initiative. The program brings together high school students from Illinois and nearby states to work on university-led research projects. If you’re interested in electrical engineering, you may join labs that study topics like power distribution, battery efficiency, sensor systems, or energy grid optimization. Some students work with groups such as POETS (Power Optimization for Electrothermal Systems), where research spans electrical, computer, mechanical, and materials science engineering.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $700
Dates: July 6 - 12
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th-11th graders (12th graders not eligible)
The Summer Engineering Exploration Camp (SEE Camp) at the University of Michigan is a one-week residential program run by the Society of Women Engineers. It gives you the chance to explore several branches of engineering, including electrical engineering, through labs, workshops, and team-based projects. You might work on circuit design, sensor systems, or energy-related challenges, depending on the year’s focus. A key part of the camp is the week-long group design challenge, where you use the engineering design process to solve a real problem. Current Michigan engineering students serve as instructors and mentors, guiding you through the technical work while also sharing their own experiences. You’ll also tour labs and facilities such as the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) building.
Location: California's COSMOS campuses - UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz
Cost: $5,256
Dates: July 6 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: California high school students currently in grades 8–12 with a GPA of 3.5+ and strong STEM coursework
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) is a four-week residential program offered at UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz. When you apply, you choose a “cluster,” which combines two STEM courses with one transferable skills course. If you’re interested in electrical engineering, clusters like “Introduction to Smart and Sustainable Power” or “Semiconductor Materials and Device Engineering” cover topics such as circuit design, energy systems, and semiconductor fabrication. Instruction is hands-on, with UC faculty and researchers guiding lab-based projects that connect theory to practical applications.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,880
Program Dates: Session 1: July 7 - July 25 | Session 2: July 28 - August 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9-12. Residential option available for students aged 16+; commuter option available for all.
Columbia Engineering’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) is a three-week pre-college experience for high school students interested in STEM. One of its options, Electrical Engineering: Harnessing the Energy of the Sun, introduces you to renewable energy through hands-on projects and applied learning. You’ll study the basics of electricity, solar energy, and circuit design, while also seeing how electrical engineering connects with mechanical and computer engineering. Projects include building solar ovens, experimenting with photovoltaic and thermal systems, and using Arduino microcontrollers to program circuits and sensors. You’ll even simulate a voting machine to see how engineering supports everyday systems.
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.
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