15 Engineering Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student thinking about majoring in engineering or building a career in the field someday, enrolling in an engineering program can be a smart first step. Engineering programs often cover areas that regular classes do not.
Why should I do an engineering program in high school?
These programs help you move past formulas and homework problems and start understanding how engineering works in real life. You might explore mechanical, electrical, biomedical, civil, computer, or environmental engineering, work with basic tools and software, or build projects from scratch. These programs can also strengthen your college applications by showing early commitment to a demanding field.
New Jersey offers many engineering programs for high school students connected to local universities and research centers. To help you explore strong options, here are 15 engineering programs for high school students in New Jersey!
Location: The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Lakehurst, NJ
Cost: No cost. Stipend based on the student's years of participation in SEAP - New participant: $4,000; returning participant: $4,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 300 across 38 labs
Program Dates: Vary based on the lab location (typically 8 weeks or more in the summer)
Application Deadline: November 1 (applications typically open on August 1)
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school who have completed at least Grade 9; must be at least 18 years of age or older by the start of the program (age criterion may vary based on the lab location); must be U.S. citizens (check eligibility criteria and exceptions here)
Naval Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program, known as SEAP, places you inside a real Navy research lab for eight weeks if you are a New Jersey high school student interested in science or engineering. You will work at the NAWCAD New Jersey lab and learn how engineers test, evaluate, and improve systems used by the Department of the Navy. You shadow researchers, assist with ongoing projects, and take part in hands-on work tied to areas like aviation systems, materials science, jet propulsion, cybersecurity, and robotics. Past students have worked on visual landing aids, avionics systems, and robot software analysis.
Location: Remote; you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type, with full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 1:1 student to mentor ratio
Program Dates: Varies by cohort – summer, fall, winter, or spring; options range from 12 weeks to one year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs you with a PhD mentor and gives you the space to work on an independent research project over twelve weeks. If you are a New Jersey high school student interested in engineering or technical research, this program lets you focus deeply on a single question rather than juggling surface-level assignments. You choose a research area such as engineering, technology, data science, or computer science and meet regularly with your mentor to design the project, review literature, refine methods, and work through problems as they come up. The work is demanding and self-driven, and by the end of the program, you will produce a complete independent research paper. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not known
Program Dates: Vary, as determined by research mentors and project specifics (5 – 6 weeks in the summer)
Application Deadline: March 15 (applications typically open on February 15)
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in a local US high school; must be age 16 years or older by June 15; additional eligibility criteria may apply to a specific research opportunity (check all requirements here)
NJ local high school students keen to pursue a research engineering program in the summer could consider the Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP). You will attend lab safety training sessions for the lab components of the program. You will work on an engineering research project mentored by Princeton faculty and participate in a supervised study in a research field. Based on research opportunities available, you could work on projects in mechanical and aerospace engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and more. At the end of the program, you will submit a two-page research summary of your project.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type, with full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
High school students passionate about artificial intelligence could consider pursuing the Veritas AI Scholars Program. Founded and run by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers programs for high school students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science. Through the 10-session AI Scholars program, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of AI and data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you get access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Rutgers University - New Brunswick, Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: Free (a $65 check as key deposit will be returned at the end of the program)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive, with 15% - 25% of nominees accepted
Program Dates: July 6 – July 10 online preparatory sessions; July 11 – July 31 (on campus)
Application Deadline: January 8 (nomination form, nominator application, student application); April 16 (student acceptance form)
Eligibility: High school juniors in the current school year with primarily "A" grades in honors math and science classes and outstanding PSAT/SAT/ACT scores/strong abilities in engineering outside the classroom; should be nominated by their school; must be New Jersey residents
The Governor's School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology (NJ GSET) at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, is a highly competitive summer program for high school students with a strong interest in engineering and technology. The academic component includes core courses in robotics and physics, and two electives, such as materials science and engineering, engineering applications in the medical field, earthquake-resistant structures, and more. You will gain hands-on experience while working on a group research and design project. You will then work on a research paper to present at the Governor's School Research Symposium at the end of the program. Field trips to local firms and guest talks will enhance your knowledge of potential careers in engineering disciplines.
Location: Rowan University Glassboro Campus, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: An earlier cohort had 24 students
Program Dates: July 13 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students/rising sophomores – seniors
Rowan University CREATES Program’s National Summer Transportation Institute gives you a practical introduction to how transportation systems actually work. You will learn about different modes of transportation, safety, mobility, logistics, and operations while building leadership and professional skills. The program mixes hands-on lab activities with STEM lessons, writing sessions, and conversations about real engineering careers. You tour campus labs and visit working sites to see transportation infrastructure up close. Past visits have included places like the New Jersey Department of Transportation, ports, refineries, and asphalt facilities.
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro/Camden campus, NJ (biomedical engineering participants); Camden/Stratford campus (biomedical science participants)
Cost: Free (volunteer program)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: An earlier cohort had 21 students
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1 (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: May 16 (nominations by a high school teacher)
Eligibility: Students residing in or attending high school in South Jersey who begin their senior year in the fall
Rowan University’s Research Immersion in Biomedical Science and Engineering at Rowan, known as RISER, is a summer program for South Jersey high school seniors who want direct experience in biomedical research. You will be placed in a Rowan research lab and matched with a faculty mentor to work on an independent project in biomedical engineering or biomedical science. You commit about 20 hours each week in the lab, learning how research is planned, carried out, and documented. The work is hands-on and requires consistency, problem-solving, and attention to detail. At the end of the program, you present your project at a research symposium.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 30
Program Dates: August 11 – August 22
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Rowan University’s BioEngineering And Me, known as BEAM, is a free virtual summer program that introduces you to how biology and engineering come together in real research and applications. You will learn about bioengineering devices, therapies, and ongoing work at the university from faculty and researchers. The program includes virtual lab demonstrations and small group activities where you work with other students to think through problems and ideas together. You build an understanding of what bioengineering looks like as a field while practicing collaboration and problem-solving, all without needing to be on campus.
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $1,525 + $70 application fee (nonrefundable); the information on financial aid is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: July 6 – August 6
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Grade 4 – 9; should maintain a B or better grade average
New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Female Cohort Early College Preparatory Program, known as FEMME ECPP, is a summer program for girls finishing grade 9 who want an early, realistic introduction to STEM through chemical and materials engineering. You will spend your time in classrooms and labs, learning from faculty and working with peers who are curious about engineering. You learn basic lab techniques, work on small projects, and take part in field trips that show how engineering ideas are used outside the classroom.
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $725/week + $70 application fee (nonrefundable) with need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: July 7 – July 11 (Week 1); July 14 – July 18 (Week 2); July 21 – July 25; July 28 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 10 – 11; should maintain a "B" or better grade average
New Jersey Institute of Technology’s STEMx High School Program gives you the freedom to explore engineering in a hands-on, flexible way during grades 10 and 11. You can choose from topics like materials engineering, cybersecurity, sustainable engineering, robotics and neuroscience, STEM entrepreneurship, or applied engineering technology. Each program is led by NJIT faculty and combines practical project work with academic foundations such as math, data literacy, computer science, and communication. You spend your time building, testing, and solving problems while learning how engineering ideas connect across subjects.
Location: Rowan University, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, Glassboro, NJ
Cost: $200; the information on financial aid is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 30
Program Dates: July 8 – July 10
Application Deadline: June 10 (applications typically open in February)
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9 – 12
Rowan University Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering’s Introduction for Students to Engineering, known as RISE, is a summer camp where you explore different engineering fields through hands-on work. You will work on projects and take part in workshops led by Rowan engineering faculty, spending most of your time building, testing, and refining ideas. Past students have designed circuitry using CAD software, tested biodiesel performance, and built concrete canoes, giving you a feel for how different engineering disciplines think and operate. The program also includes campus and industry tours, along with discussions with current Rowan engineering students about academics and campus life.
Location: Montclair State University, School of Computing, Montclair, NJ
Cost: $1,900 ($500 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Session I: Sunday, July 12 – Saturday, July 18; Session II: Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1
Application Deadline: Application opens November 25
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders
Montclair State University’s AI and Engineering Summer Lab is a residential program where you spend your time learning how artificial intelligence actually works by building things yourself. Led by university faculty, the program introduces you to machine learning and neural networks, then asks you to apply those ideas in a group project. You will work with peers to design and build an AI-powered system using a Raspberry Pi, learning step by step how the software and hardware connect. By the end of the program, you present your project to classmates and parents, explaining what you built and how it works.
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick Campus, NJ
Cost: $2,899 (in-state); $2,899 (out-of-state) + a non-refundable $500 USD deposit to secure a spot; the information on financial aid is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 25 – 30
Program Dates: July 12 - July 18 (Week 1); July 19 - July 25 (Week 2)
Application Deadline: May 24 (domestic students); April 14 (international students)
Eligibility: High school students completing their sophomore and junior years; ages 16 to 18 before the summer program
The Rutgers Pre-College Engineering Summer Academy is a residential program that provides high school rising juniors and seniors with opportunities to enhance their knowledge of a diverse range of disciplines, including engineering. You can explore your interest in an engineering field such as electrical, civil, mechanical, chemical, biomedical, aerospace, and more. You will work on a project, develop lab skills, and gain exposure to the real-world applications of engineering. You will also participate in academic workshops, undertake a tour of campus facilities, attend alumni and guest speaker talks, and enjoy cultural and recreational evening group activities. At the end of the program, you will earn a Rutgers Pre-College Digital Badge credential, which indicates your skills and achievements and can be used on your college application, resume, and LinkedIn profile.
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $3,150; $4,700 for ECOES with need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: July 6 – July 12 (Session I); July 13 – July 19 (Session II); July 20 - August 1 (ECOES)
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: High school rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors
Stevens Institute of Technology's Pre-College Summer Residential Program offers immersive learning experiences for high school students, allowing them to explore a potential college major in engineering. You can choose from a range of courses, including civil engineering design, pre-med biomedical engineering, Exploring Career Options in Engineering and Science (ECOES), or an engineering bootcamp. You will develop technical expertise while collaborating with faculty and peers, build personal and professional skills, and participate in extracurricular activities. On completing the program, you may qualify for an undergraduate merit scholarship upon admission to the institute!
Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
Cost: $2,200 + $40 application fee (non-refundable); the information on financial aid is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: July 5 – July 10
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who rank in the top 30% of their class and have completed at least one year of math and science coursework.
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)'s Artificial Intelligence and Wireless Communications Camp provides high school students with a passion for engineering with immersive learning experiences in electrical and computer engineering. You will attend short lectures to learn concepts in digital electronics, wireless communications, computer vision, and more. A typical day incorporates lab sessions or creative design activities and interactions with electrical and computer engineering professionals. You will construct a machine learning algorithm, deep dive into AI and facial recognition hardware and software, and learn about the components of wireless systems, such as microstrip antennas. At the end of the program, you will receive an engineering experimentation kit to take home!
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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