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Writer's pictureStephen Turban

Top 10 Summer Engineering Programs for High School Students in California

Exploring summer engineering programs is crucial for high school students eager to delve into the dynamic world of engineering. These immersive programs go beyond the confines of traditional classrooms, offering hands-on experiences that cultivate teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. By engaging with real-world applications of cutting-edge technology, students gain invaluable insights into diverse engineering careers and the practical challenges they entail. 


In this article, we’ve curated a list of the top 10 summer engineering programs for high school students in California. These programs provide a robust platform for young engineers to develop their skills, explore their interests, and prepare for future academic and professional endeavors.




Location: Virtual. You can work from anywhere in the world!

Cost: $1,990 (financial aid available)

Application Deadline: 

  • Spring cohort: February 18, 2024 

  • Summer cohort: March 17, 2024 (Priority Admission); April 14, 2024 (Regular Admission 1); May 12, 2024 (Regular Admission 2)

  • Additional cohorts are available in fall and winter.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort Summer cohorts run from June to August.Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can contribute 5-15 work hours per week for 8-16 weeks can apply.

Ladder Internships is a competitive program that selects around 100 high school students annually and pairs them with startups and nonprofits across the globe. Following a structured system, Ladder offers 8 sessions with the host company. Longer research internships are also offered! Students can choose the field and industry they wish to intern in, with options ranging from tech, machine learning and AI, to engineering, health tech, and more. Interns will work closely with their startup managers, along with a Ladder coach who will guide them through the internship. You will work on a project that’s of genuine importance to the startup, and present your work at the end of the internship. The program also includes skill-building lessons and 1-on-1 and group training sessions. 




Location: Virtual. 

Cost: 

  • AI Scholars - $1790 (financial aid is available); 

  • AI Fellowship - $4900; 

  • Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship) - $5900

Application Deadline: Upcoming fall cohort deadlines - September 8, 2024. You can apply here! Summer cohort deadlines typically fall around May.

Program Dates: You can find all available dates for the summer cohort here

Eligibility: High school students passionate about AI; Basic understanding of Python or completion of AI scholars is required for the AI Fellowship program.


Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students and our programs are geared towards high school students who want to build their foundations in computer science. In the program, students learn various concepts in data science and artificial intelligence like neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, coding using Python, and more. 


Veritas AI offers up to 100% financial aid for the 10-week AI Scholars program. Through the program, students build real-world, hands-on projects in groups of 3-5 students to showcase their interests and skills. You can also apply for the AI Fellowship where you work 1-1 with mentors from top universities to build unique machine learning projects over a period of 12-15 weeks. These programs are a great option for you if you like engaging in hands-on learning and are a beginner! 




Location: Virtual

Cost:

  • Lumiere Individual Research Program  -  $2,800

  • Lumiere Premium Research and Publication Program  -  $4,800

  • Lumiere Research Fellowship  -  $8,400

Application Deadline: Rolling, cohort-based. Applications for the next cohort of 2024 are open till May 12. Apply here!

Program Dates: Upcoming date  is  June 3, 2024. 

Eligibility: High school students


Established by Harvard and Oxford PhDs, Lumiere is a highly selective research program designed for ambitious high school students. This program offers an opportunity for one-to-one collaboration with a PhD mentor, allowing students to delve into independent research across various STEM disciplines such as biology, physics, engineering, mathematics, and technology.


The program offers flexibility in choosing research topics, allowing participants to stay current with the latest developments in their chosen field and expand their technical skills. This personalized approach makes Lumiere an excellent choice for those interested in interdisciplinary research and seeking a deeper understanding of their chosen STEM discipline.




Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA.

Cost: $2,781; Financial aid is available

Application Deadline: June 1, 2024

Program Dates: Students can choose to attend one of these two 3-week sessions:

  • Session A: June 24 - July 12, 2024

  • Session B: July 15 - August 2, 2024 

Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11 in spring 2024, who are at least 15 years old by the program start date, can apply. 


The Engineering Design Summer Institute at UCLA introduces students to fundamental engineering design principles through hands-on projects, detailed report preparation, and through the various engineering majors offered at UCLA. Participants can earn academic credit while still in high school and explore specific areas of interest within engineering.


Students will have access to engineering design software and materials, with specialized tracks available in aerospace engineering (focused on rockets), aerospace engineering (focused on planes), mechanical engineering (focused on GoKarts), and electrical engineering (focused on rovers). Upon completion, students will receive a letter grade.


Additionally, UCLA offers three computer science summer institutes, including an introductory track, an intermediate track, and a generative AI track.




Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA.

Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a stipend (exact amount not specified)

Application Deadline: April 5, 2024.Program Dates: Year-round participation after school and on weekends, continuing for 2-3 years until graduation.Eligibility: Students who 

  • are currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school - check if your school qualifies here;

  • have maintained a GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in science and math

  • can obtain a valid work permit (US citizens and others authorized to work in the US);

  • can commit to all attendance requirements for 2 or 3 years, through high school graduation;

  • can commute to the Academy and nearby locations after school and on Saturdays during the school year, and on weekdays in the summer (some remote work may be required);

  • demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for learning, teaching, and doing science can apply.


The CiS program is a prestigious, multi-year, paid internship and youth development program tailored for students from underrepresented communities in STEM, including girls and students of color. As an intern, you will collaborate with scientists, researchers, and educators at the California Academy of Sciences. This program emphasizes learning the fundamentals of scientific research and effective science communication.


Interns participate in interactive training sessions twice a week, engage in outdoor field activities, and receive guidance on college applications. Group projects involve conducting scientific research or working on environmental action initiatives. The program is highly selective, admitting only about 50 students each year.




Location: University of California, San Diego, CA (for the residential courses)

Cost: $1,500 (online courses); $5,950 (residential courses tuition); scholarships are available.

Application Deadline: May 24, 2024 (residential) | June 2, 2024 (online)

Program Dates: 

  • Residential: July 7  -  July 27, 2024

  • Online: July 1 -  July 26, 2024 

Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.


This program provides high-achieving students an opportunity to engage in rigorous, college-level coursework across a diverse range of subjects. The program includes residential and online options, offering courses in areas like ocean ecosystem dynamics, structural engineering, digital media literacy, and more. 


Participants will earn six units of UC San Diego Extension pre-college credit upon completion. The program emphasizes active learning, critical thinking, and application of fundamental concepts culminating in a final project. Guided by UC San Diego faculty members, the program fosters intellectual discussions among peers who share a passion for learning, providing a rich platform for academic and personal growth.




Location: University of California campuses, including Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Cruz.

Cost: $5,007 for the residential program including housing, meals, orientation, field trips, and activities. There is also a $42 non-refundable application fee. Financial aid is available for California residents.

Application Deadline: Applications open January 10, 2024 and close on February 9, 2024

Program Dates: July 7 - August 3, 2024

Eligibility: Students in California in grades 8–12 who excel in mathematics/science. A minimum GPA of 3.5 is typically expected.


COSMOS, the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science, is a distinguished 4-week summer program aimed at talented and eager students with a strong interest in STEM fields. The program allows students to engage in advanced topics far beyond the typical high school curriculum. Students participate in hands-on, lab-intensive coursework and research, working closely with renowned faculty, researchers, and scientists at UC campuses.


Students can identify and pursue a research topic in their area of interest, utilizing university resources such as teaching laboratories and libraries for their final research projects. The program's unique on-campus residency offers students an immersive experience of college academic life, enriching their learning journey and providing a glimpse into university-level studies.



Location: University of California, San Diego, CA

Cost: Course fees range from $175 to $450; scholarships are available.

Application Deadline: May 31, 2024

Program Dates: 4-day workshops held across July until August 2024 for different courses. Students can choose more than one course, the dates don’t overlap:

  • Session 1: July 8 - July 12, 2024

  • Session 2: July 15 - July 19, 2024

  • Session 3: July 22 - July 26, 2024

  • Session 4: July 29 - August 2, 2024

Eligibility: Open to all high school students.


This program offers a range of hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) workshops covering topics such as coding, engineering, computer science, robotics, and more. These interactive sessions are led by experienced instructors and scientists, providing opportunities for students to explore various interests while engaging in collaborative projects.


Students can earn 1.5 pre-college credits for each workshop they complete. The program includes both in-person and online options, providing flexibility for different schedules and learning preferences.




Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA. There is a virtual track option as well.

Cost: 

  • Residential Track (Session C): $15,800

  • Residential Track (Session D): $14,500

  • Commuter or Virtual Track: $595 per unit fee plus additional fees 

  • Financial aid is available.

Application Deadline: March 11, 2024 (residential track) | June 3, 2024 (commuter track) | June 3, 2024 (virtual track)

Program Dates: 

Session C: June 16  -  August 9, 2024

Session D: June 30  - August 9, 2024 

Commuter and Virtual Tracks: Various dates throughout the summer.

Eligibility: Students who have completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and are 16–17 years old by the start of the program can apply.


This program offers high school students a taste of college life through three tracks: residential, commuter, and virtual. For students passionate about STEM fields, a broad selection of lower-division courses is available, with the full course list accessible here. The program includes subjects like Planetary Exploration, Integrative Biology Methods, Mechanical Engineering Principles, Advanced Mathematics, and Computer Science Applications.


Students can earn college credits during the program, with a focus on academic enrichment through college exploration workshops and social activities. The residential track provides housing and meals, while the commuter and virtual tracks offer flexible learning options.




Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA.

Cost: $4,975 (commuter option) | $11,874 (residential option)

Application Deadline: March 18, 2024

Program Dates: June 17  -  August 2, 2024

Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 (outstanding 9th graders may be accepted on a case-by-case basis) with a minimum weighted GPA of 3.80.


UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program (RMP) is a prestigious 6-week summer initiative that pairs high-achieving high school students with UCSB faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and advanced graduate students for a hands-on, interdisciplinary research experience. 


Participants dive deeply into their chosen research projects, working 35-50 hours a week both virtually and on campus. Students also earn 8 university credits through two courses focusing on research techniques and presentation skills. This program is particularly advantageous for students interested in exploring the intersection of STEM with other disciplines. The program concludes with a formal academic symposium where students present their findings.


If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs


This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. 


You can find the application link here


One other option - 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!


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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