15 Summer Engineering Programs for High School Students in Houston, Texas
- Stephen Turban
- 11 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you are a high school student from Houston, Texas, and intend to pursue engineering further, participating in a structured summer program can offer a solid way to explore the field in advance. These programs are typically held in academic or research environments and provide instruction in areas such as robotics, design, programming, and laboratory methods.
In many cases, you’ll be introduced to technical concepts through practical engagement, working in teams, or under the supervision of faculty and graduate mentors. Joining a selective or well-structured summer program also helps you build a stronger college application. Colleges look for students who show initiative and a clear interest in their academic goals.
To help you find the right opportunity, here are 15 summer engineering programs for high school students in Houston, Texas!
15 Summer Engineering Programs for High School Students in Houston, Texas
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 pairs you with a PhD mentor from universities like MIT, Columbia, or Harvard. Over 12 weeks, you choose a topic in engineering, computer science, data science, or another STEM field and work on an independent research project. You meet regularly with your mentor and get writing support from a coach. By the end, you completed a full research paper. The program focuses on research skills, academic writing, and independent work. It is a good option if you want to explore college-level research in STEM.
Location: Virtual and Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Program Dates: October to April (online)
Application Deadline: Typically opens in August
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Eligibility: US citizens enrolled in 11th grade at a Texas high school
NASA’s Texas High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) Program is a year-long opportunity for high school juniors in Texas. It starts with a five-month online course covering space exploration, Earth science, aeronautics, engineering design, and technology. You complete lessons, design challenges, and virtual sessions with NASA professionals while learning coding and computer-aided design (CAD).
If you finish the course, you may be selected for Moonshot, a virtual summer program focused on Artemis-themed missions, where you work in teams with NASA scientists and engineers to create and present research-based design proposals. Top teams are invited to a one-week residential experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI offers online summer programs created by Harvard graduate students for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is for beginners in AI, machine learning, or data science. Over 10 sessions, you learn core concepts and apply them through real-world projects. You work in small groups with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio across 25 instructional hours.
If you already have experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase lets you work on an independent AI research project with a university-level mentor. You also get help from an editorial team to submit your work to high school research journals.
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Program Dates: June 9–August 8
Application Deadline: April 10
Cost: Free; participants may be eligible for scholarships up to $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; the program accepts approximately 55 students
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who will attend UH in the fall; must list a first-choice major in Natural Sciences, Mathematics, or Engineering; must have completed or be enrolled in pre-calculus in high school
The TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy is a nine-week program for graduating high school seniors who plan to attend the University of Houston and major in natural sciences, math, or engineering. You take Calculus I for credit, preview college chemistry, and build academic skills through CORE 1100. Classes run five days a week with daily homework, and you get support with time management and problem-solving. You work in groups on activities like the Chem Olympics and connect with faculty and staff. You can also earn up to $1,000 in scholarships.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Program Dates: Session 1: June 29 – July 7; Session 2: July 11 – July 19
Application Deadline: May 15
Cost: $4,095; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment, no academic prerequisites
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 or between the ages of 13–17 at the time of the session
The TryEngineering Summer Institute is a residential program where you explore electrical, mechanical, civil, and aerospace engineering through hands-on projects on a college campus. You work in teams to build an AM radio, program a smart car with Arduino, design a drone, create a hydraulic robot arm, and test gliders and bridges. Instructors lead structured workshops, and you develop skills in design, teamwork, and problem-solving. You live on campus, follow a daily schedule, and meet other students interested in STEM.
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Program Dates: In person: June 9 – June 27; Online: July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 11
Cost: Free, up to $2,000 stipend awarded upon completion of milestones
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, limited to 4 students
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors (age 16+) who are US citizens or permanent residents; enrolled in Los Fresnos CISD, Sharyland ISD, or South Texas ISD
The PATHS-UP Young Scholars Program is a three-week residential research internship at Texas A&M University for high school students interested in biomedical engineering and health tech. You join lab-based projects with faculty and graduate mentors, learning scientific writing, literature review, lab techniques, and technical communication. You also take part in seminars, academic workshops, and group discussions focused on STEM and healthcare careers. After the summer, you help start a Young Scholars Club at your school and join outreach events like Young Scholars Invent. You can earn stipends based on research, outreach, and travel participation.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Program Dates: Different dates in June and July for different sessions, check here for more details.
Application Deadline: Rolling admission
Cost: $3,795 (residential); $1,695 (commuter); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (varies by session)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 to 12
Rice University’s ELITE Tech Camp is a one-week summer program for high school students interested in engineering, technology, and leadership. You work on hands-on, project-based courses in areas like machine learning, robotics, bioengineering, 3D modeling, and programming in Python and C++. Courses are taught by Rice instructors with support from Rice engineering students. You also build leadership, communication, and project management skills through daily workshops.
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Program Dates: June 9 to 13 for Session I, June 16 to 20 for Session II
Application Deadline: May 23
Cost: $500 per session; 10% discount if attending both sessions
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, based on transcript and letter of recommendation
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 to 12
The Idea Factory is a one-week summer program at the University of Houston’s Hines College of Architecture and Design for high school students interested in product design. You explore how everyday objects are sketched, modeled, and built through hands-on projects that combine creativity, materials, and construction methods. The program includes daily design workshops, group problem-solving, and guidance from UH industrial design faculty. You learn by sketching, prototyping, and building while gaining a better understanding of how design shapes innovation.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Program Dates: Will be held from July to August, dates vary for different sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling until seats fill
Cost: $2,500, financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8–12
Tapia Camps at Rice University are six-day residential STEM programs for rising 8th to 12th graders. You stay in dorms, attend classes in campus buildings, and take a STEM-focused field trip, such as a visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. During the week, you work in teams on a STEM project based on your grades and interests. Most students explore Carbon Storage by designing a model reservoir for carbon capture. Up to 30 students per session can choose the College Admissions project, build an admissions algorithm, and learn about the US college system.
Location: University of Houston Central Campus, Houston, TX
Program Dates: June 16 to July 18
Application Deadline: May 23
Cost: $1,500, financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; based on GPA, test scores, and coursework
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 or recent high school graduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA
From the Ground Up is a five-week summer program at the University of Houston for high school students interested in architecture, urban design, and the built environment. You attend morning lectures on architectural history and theory, then spend afternoons in studio sessions designing and modeling small structures like cafés or learning centers. You also go on field trips around Houston and take three full-day visits to architectural sites in Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.
Location: NASA centers nationwide, including Houston; virtual options available
Program Dates: Different dates for different sessions. The upcoming session will begin in August and last 16 weeks.
Application Deadlines: February 27 for summer cycle
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; stipend provided based on level and session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Eligibility: US citizens who are at least 16 years of age, with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s OSTEM Internships offer paid opportunities for high school students to work with NASA scientists, engineers, and staff on real-world STEM projects. You might analyze data, assist with mission planning, conduct telescope observations, or help with science communication, depending on your placement. Internships are available at NASA centers across the country, including the Johnson Space Center in Houston, with both in-person and virtual roles. You receive mentorship, career development support, and hands-on experience in fields like space science, robotics, aeronautics, and ecology. Most projects involve one-on-one or small-group mentorship.
Location: Rice University, Houston, Texas
Program Dates: July 7–11
Application Deadline: Typically closes in May or June
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Students entering 10th or 11th grade. Also open to boys and non-binary students.
The Sustainable Futures Academy is a one-week summer program for students entering 10th or 11th grade who want to explore engineering and sustainability. You take part in hands-on labs and design projects led by Rice faculty and graduate students. Projects include building green landing capsules, designing roller coasters, and working with TI Nspire Micro: bits and Rovers to learn circuitry. You explore how physics and engineering can be used to solve environmental problems while building teamwork and design skills.
Location: Held in Austin, Houston, and San Antonia
Program Dates: June 16 to 18 for the Houston program
Cost: Free
Application deadline: May 2
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th graders
Longhorn Engineering Summer Camp is a free three-day program at the University of Texas at Austin for rising 8th and 9th graders who want to explore engineering through hands-on projects. You start each day with presentations from UT faculty and students, then work on activities that connect engineering to areas like art, sports, medicine, and sustainability. The camp is for students who are curious about engineering but may not have access to STEM opportunities at school.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Program Dates: June 22 to July 3 and July 5 to 16
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until all spots are filled
Cost: $6,745; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified (rolling basis)
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12
The Aerospace Academy at Rice University is a 12-day on-campus program for high school students interested in aerospace engineering. You attend daily sessions with Rice faculty, meet aerospace professionals, including NASA engineers, and hear from former astronauts about human spaceflight. You take part in a hands-on project where you design, build, and launch a payload using a high-altitude weather balloon and collect data from nearly 100,000 feet. The program also includes a visit to the Lone Star Flight Museum for flight planning and simulation training.
Location: Space Center Houston, Houston, TX
Program Dates: Various options from July 21 - August 8
Application Deadline: Registration is open until spots are filled; early application is recommended, with a first-come, first-served basis
Cost: $779 per student for individuals or groups less than 20 students; $679.95 for groups of 20 or more, with additional fees for accommodations not included
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 70 students per session, with a minimum group size of 10; larger groups considered case-by-case
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18, with no specific academic prerequisites
This five-day program at Space Center Houston gives high school students (ages 15–18) a hands-on introduction to aerospace engineering and space science. You’ll work on real challenges like building and launching rockets, designing space habitats, and coding for robotics. You’ll also visit NASA’s Mission Control and astronaut training areas, try underwater simulation activities, and hear from engineers, scientists, and astronauts about what it’s like to work in space exploration.
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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