10 Exciting Summer Engineering Opportunities for High School Students
Are you a high school engineering enthusiast searching for an exciting way to spend your summer vacation? Then you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we will introduce you to ten summer engineering opportunities that provide high school students like you with hands-on experiences to help guide your engineering career journey. And don’t forget, parents—you’re invited, too! We encourage you to take a look and share the options with your high school students.
MIT Edgerton Center: Engineering Design Workshop
The Edgerton Center provides students with hands-on learning opportunities in engineering and imaging, fostering a culture of building and sharing. Students have the freedom to select and collaboratively design projects with a mechanical and electrical engineering focus, often incorporating creative or artistic elements, and are guided on how to continue their work beyond the summer, utilizing publicly available resources at MIT.
Hk Maker Lab Engineering Program - Columbia University
Hk Maker Lab is a six-week biomedical engineering program where high school students learn the engineering design process and delve into electrical circuitry, programming, and fabrication. Students work in teams to research and develop prototype solutions to real-world health and medical problems, culminating in presentations and a poster session, with an opportunity for a future internship.
Boston University Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)
High school junior students passionate about the sciences can apply for the Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program at BU, a six-week opportunity to conduct university laboratory research under the mentorship of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, with a choice between an internship or practicum track. Internship participants will engage in hands-on research, attend workshops on various scientific topics, and have the chance to present their work at the RISE Poster Symposium, potentially even submitting it to national science fair contests. Practicum students will focus on structured research in computational neurobiology, also presenting their findings at the symposium.
Tufts University: Engineering Investigations
The Engineering Investigations (EI) program offers high school students an introduction to various engineering disciplines, aiming to broaden their understanding of the field's diverse career pathways and societal impact. Through a combination of presentations, discussions, and hands-on activities, students explore fields like civil engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, and more, culminating in a group project and a public showcase.
NYU Tandon School of Engineering – Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
ARISE is a seven-week summer program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering designed for tenth and eleventh-grade New York City students passionate about STEM fields. It combines college-level coursework in engineering, lab research, and mentoring by graduate or postdoctoral students, offering students exposure to engineering concepts, scientific methods, research practices, and presentation skills.
Governor’s School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology at Rutgers University
The Governor's School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology at Rutgers University School of Engineering is an intensive, free summer program for high-achieving high school juniors. It offers academic courses in robotics, physics, and other STEM fields, along with a small-group research project mentored by experienced researchers, culminating in a research symposium presentation, providing students with valuable connections and skills in various engineering disciplines.
MIT's Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science – MITES Summer
MITES offers diverse and underrepresented students the opportunity to explore STEM fields, build connections, and prepare for their academic and professional future. The program provides a comprehensive curriculum in mathematics, life sciences, physics, and humanities, tailored to individual student placement through diagnostic tests, with a focus on nurturing students with a passion for STEM and a strong academic record.
University of Rochester - Biomedical Engineering Online Programs
This online course introduces the integration of engineering with biology and medicine, covering engineering design stages, data collection, and topics related to medical innovation. It aims to help students develop skills such as data measurement, heart-muscle analysis, brainstorming techniques, and the development of engineering solutions, providing insights into the fields of engineering and healthcare.
U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) QuarkNet Summer Research Program
QuarkNet provides paid summer research opportunities for students with a strong passion and aptitude for math and science. Students collaborate with scientists on Fermilab-related research projects for seven weeks, with the option to express preferences in their areas of interest, contributing to the lab's mission in various research fields.
Saturday Academy: Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering
The Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering (ASE) program pairs high school students with mentors in STEM fields for pre-professional internships, emphasizing reciprocal learning and contribution. Partnering with universities, hospitals, research institutions, and private companies, ASE welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to engage in impactful research, product development, and hands-on laboratory experiences.
Summer engineering opportunities offer high school students a great opportunity to explore their interests in the STEM field. Broaden your horizons in engineering, discover new interests, and meet people with similar passions for science and technology. Remember that one summer experience can be the start of an incredible journey in the engineering world. So don’t hesitate; take a step now!
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