Interested in robotics, design, manufacturing, or mechanical systems? These top summer programs offer hands-on experience in mechanical engineering through research projects, coursework, and mentorship from leading engineers. Below are the 5 best mechanical engineering programs for high school students.
Student interested in working on mechanical engineering projects can check out the MehtA+ Technical Project Mentorship program or MehtA+ Science & Engineering Mentorship program. For a personalized list of mechanical engineering summer programs and support with applications, check out the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program.
1. Columbia University SHAPE (Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers)
Type: Summer Program
Age: Must be enrolled in a high school
Timeline: Students can opt for one of these two 3-week sessions: July 8 – July 26 or July 29 – August 16
Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: $5,500 (includes tuition, lab and materials fee, and activities fee). Students will have to arrange their own transportation. Housing is not provided.
Columbia University’s SHAPE offers high school students project-based, college-level courses taught by the university’s diverse and established faculty. The program also includes workshops, electives, lab work, college preparation, and learning from Columbia students.
2. COSMOS
Type: Summer Program
Age: 8th–12th graders in California and beyond
Timeline: Four‑week summer program (one cohort per campus each year)
Location: UC campuses (Davis, Irvine, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Merced, and others depending on year)
Cost: Varies by campus; COSMOS is a state‑supported program and offers financial aid for eligible California residents.
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) is one of the most selective STEM summer programs in the state. Students apply to a specific academic cluster, each of which combines two advanced STEM courses and a science communication course taught by UC faculty and researchers.
3. NYU ARISE
Type: Summer Program
Age: Students residing in New York City, who will complete 10th or 11th grade in June
Timeline: 10 weeks
Location: NYU campus, New York City, NY
Cost: Free. Students will receive a stipend of at least $750.
NYU’s ARISE is a comprehensive summer experience for students interested in engineering and its various subsets. Designed for students who want authentic exposure to engineering, computer science, and applied research, ARISE places participants directly into NYU research labs for a full‑time summer immersion. Students work under the mentorship of NYU faculty, graduate students, and postdocs on ongoing research projects.
4. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Type: Summer Program
Age: Rising high school seniors
Timeline: 6 weeks
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
This prestigious program, hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education (in collaboration with MIT), offers an intellectually stimulating environment where students will get to work with like-minded peers from around the globe. Students dive into high-level scientific inquiry, exploring technology through hands-on projects, and engaging in discussions with leading researchers and experts in the field. RSI’s commitment to academic excellence and research innovation ensures that students don’t just study technology but actively contribute to pushing its boundaries.
5. Texas Tech University Clark Scholar Program
Type: Summer Program/Internship
Age: Students who will be at least 17 years old by the program start date
Timeline: 7 weeks
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free. The program covers on-campus housing, meals, and weekend activities. $750 stipend provided upon completion. With an acceptance rate of less than 3%, this highly competitive program only admits 12 high school students each year. Once selected, students join a cohort of high-achieving students to conduct research across a wide range of fields, including engineering, and receive 1-1 mentorship and guidance from some of the country’s top scholars. As part of the program, students also participate in discussions, seminars and field visits.
—
Written by Wallyson S, MehtA+ Alum & Intern