8 Civil Engineering Programs for High School Students
In an increasingly technological world, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is more critical than ever. Pursuing studies in STEM fields not only equips students with essential skills like critical thinking and problem-solving but also opens up vast career opportunities. For high school students, getting a head start in STEM can be particularly advantageous, providing a strong foundation for college and future careers.
Summer programs are an excellent choice for high school students, especially those with busy school schedules. These programs offer intensive learning experiences that can cover a lot of ground in a short period, making them ideal for students eager to dive deep into a subject. Additionally, summer programs often provide hands-on experiences, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to real-world applications of classroom knowledge, all of which can be incredibly beneficial for personal and academic growth.
In this blog, we cover 8 civil engineering programs that will elevate your college application and build your foundational understanding of civil engineering!
1. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Introduction to Engineering
Location: Stanford, CA
Cost: $3,050 tuition. There is financial aid offered, but the fee for the financial aid application is $60.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Program Dates: Tentative dates based on previous year’s dates.
Session 1: June 17 - June 28, 2025
Session 2: July 8 - July 19, 2025
Eligibility: Open to those in grades 8-10
This introductory course offers students the opportunity to delve into various engineering disciplines, including biomedical, computer, civil, and environmental engineering. Students will work in teams to learn and apply design principles while navigating challenges and ethical considerations.
Through interactive projects and design challenges, students will explore structural engineering, environmental engineering, and transportation systems. By the course's conclusion, participants will have a better grasp of the engineering field and be better equipped to decide on future studies or career paths.
2. University of Illinois Engineering Summer Camp
Location: Urbana-Champaign, IL
Cost: $1,000 for residential participants, $600 for commuters
Application Deadline: The application cycle will be updated in late January of next year for the summer of 2025.
Program Dates: Dates are dependent on which camp you pick
Eligibility: Open to students 9th - 12th, but each camp has grade restrictions listed below
Open to rising sophomores and juniors, the Discover Engineering Camp goes from July 7 - 13. Students explore multiple engineering fields through hands-on projects, team-based design challenges, and presentations. They will gain an understanding of engineering principles and the design process, helping them decide on future studies or careers.
Open to rising seniors, the Exploring Your Options Camp takes place between July 14 - 20. This camp allows students to delve into various engineering disciplines through interactive projects, lab activities, and field trips. Participants will learn about design principles and ethical considerations while working in teams.
The City Designers and Builders camp for 10th - 12th grades takes place July 21 - 27. It focuses on civil and environmental engineering. Students will engage in hands-on projects, lab demonstrations, and field trips, gaining insights into how engineers address societal challenges like climate change and infrastructure development.
3. MIT’s Research Science Institute
Location: Cambridge, MA
Stipend: A stipend is provided. There is a $40 application fee that can be waived with a need-based refund.
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors
The Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT is an elite summer program lasting six weeks, tailored for rising high school seniors with a deep passion for science and engineering. Annually, around 80 of the world’s most promising students are selected through a highly competitive process. The program begins with an intensive academic week that delves into scientific theory and hands-on experimentation. Following this, participants engage in individual research projects over the next five weeks. These projects cover a diverse array of fields, such as physics, biology, mathematics, chemistry, and engineering.
At the conclusion of RSI, students present their research findings in a formal symposium, offering a valuable opportunity to share their work with mentors, peers, and the wider scientific community. The blend of rigorous academic preparation, hands-on research, and professional networking makes RSI a pivotal experience for aspiring scientists and engineers.
If you are interested in learning more about RSI, you can look at our comprehensive guide over here!
4. Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Program
Location: Baltimore, MD (Homewood campus) as well as Frederick, MD (Hood College)
Cost: Homewood Residential: $9,375 | Hood College Residential: $9,125 | Homewood and Hood Commuter Fees: $3,825
Application Deadline: Applications for summer 2025 will open in December
Program Dates: July 1 - July 26, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Eligibility: Open to all high school students (including recent graduates), but there is a preference for rising juniors and seniors
EEI is a summer program for high school students interested in engineering. Participants engage in hands-on activities across multiple engineering disciplines, including civil engineering. The civil engineering component involves designing and constructing a structurally stable bridge.
Students will also explore chemical, electrical/computer, and mechanical engineering, as well as materials science. The program includes college-level lectures, problem-solving, and team projects, aiming to build students' confidence and engineering skills. Residential and commuter options are available.
We’ve also covered this program in detail, so if you are interested, you should check it out!
5. Summer Springboard - Fundamentals of Engineering
Location: Berkeley, CA
Cost: $5,898 for residents and $3,198 for commuters. Need-based scholarships are offered.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Tentative dates based on the previous year’s dates
Session 1: June 16 - June 28, 2025
Session 3: June 30 - July 12, 2025
Session 5: July 14 - July 26, 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Summer Springboard Fundamentals of Engineering program at UC Berkeley provides high school students with a comprehensive introduction to various engineering disciplines, including mechanical, civil, and biomedical engineering. Participants engage in hands-on projects such as designing and building scale model structures and creating artificial limbs.
An added bonus is that the program includes excursions to industry sites like Circuit Launch and the NASA Ames Visitor Center. Additionally, students interact with professionals in the field, gaining insights into engineering careers.
6. Texas A&M University Camp BUILD
Location: College Station, TX
Cost: There is a cost, as it is listed that they accept credit card payments, but the cost is not listed on the website, maybe because this summer’s period is closed
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May
Program Dates: June 9 - 14, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates).
Eligibility: Open to recent graduates who are incoming freshmen at A&M
Camp BUILD, hosted by the Texas A&M Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is a one-week summer camp designed for accepted students (College of Engineering) interested in civil engineering. Throughout the week, campers engage in activities such as designing and building a bridge, purifying water from a local creek, and calculating forces in practical scenarios. They also tour on-campus labs and facilities, receiving guidance from engineering faculty and current students.
Campers live in dorms, offering them a glimpse of college life, and participate in scavenger hunts to become familiar with the campus. The camp also prioritizes outreach to underserved communities, emphasizing the importance of diversity in engineering.
7. Purdue University Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects (STEP)
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Cost: $1900. Need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Session 1: July 7 - 13 | Session 2: July 14 - 20 | Session 3: July 21 - 27
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors
The Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects (STEP) at Purdue University is a week-long residential program for rising high school seniors, focusing on various engineering disciplines. Participants develop engineering design skills through hands-on projects, teamwork, and challenges.
The curriculum covers physics, computer programming, 3-D modeling, and robotics. Students also visit engineering facilities and interact with Purdue faculty and students. The program includes campus activities like scavenger hunts and movie nights.
Location: Various locations across the country
Cost: None
Application Deadline: None
Program Dates: Takes place after school, but dates can be decided between the mentor and the student.
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The ACE Mentor Program offers high school students a unique opportunity to explore careers in architecture, construction, and engineering through mentorship and hands-on projects. By pairing students with industry professionals, the program provides valuable insights into these fields, helping participants develop practical skills and understand various career paths.
Students engage in weekly meetings, work on real-world projects, and benefit from site visits and workshops. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, ACE aims to inspire and prepare students from diverse backgrounds for future careers in these exciting and dynamic industries.
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
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