12 Research Opportunities in Mechanical Engineering for High School Students
If you’re looking into a career in mechanical engineering, exploring the discipline while in high school is a great way to test your interest. Familiarizing yourself with the research process and interacting with professors and professionals can create many more opportunities for you down the line. As an added bonus, having experience on your resume shows colleges that you’re motivated and willing to pursue your interests outside the classroom!
To help you find the right experience, we’ve compiled a list of 12 great mechanical engineering research opportunities for high schoolers!
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Mechanical Engineering track
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
2. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Vary according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
MITES Summer is a six-week program for rising high school seniors with an interest in science or engineering. During MITES, you will take rigorous courses, build lab and research skills, and explore careers in science and engineering while benefiting from college admissions counseling. The program offers robotics, thermodynamics, and design thinking projects to deepen your understanding of mechanical engineering. Each student receives a written evaluation from their instructor at the end of the program. Many students choose to submit this as supplemental material with their college applications.
Cost: None
Eligibility: Juniors at the time of application
4. MIT's Women’s Technology Program (WTP)
This program is a free, rigorous four-week experience that offers high school students mechanical engineering-focused curricula and lab experience. You will study fluid mechanics, materials, statics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and engineering design. The program is led by graduate students in the MIT mechanical engineering department and focuses on empowering underrepresented students.
Cost: None
Eligibility: Female-identifying juniors at the time of application
ARISE is a free seven-week summer program for 10th and 11th graders residing in New York City. You will work under the guidance of NYU’s research faculty, gaining research experience in various STEM disciplines, including mechanical engineering. You will receive professional development training, present your work at a colloquium, and make substantial contributions to your laboratory. While ARISE has specific subject areas involving mechanical engineering (such as robotics), you can also explore topics in chemical engineering, computer science, etc.
Cost: None
Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors in NYC
The Science and Engineering Apprentice Program (SEAP) places high school students as apprentices in one of twenty-five Department of Defense (DoD) labs for eight weeks. You will work with research mentors in your field of interest. You will gain firsthand scientific and engineering experience while earning a stipend, which can help you decide if you'd like to pursue a STEM research career.
Cost: None; first-year interns receive a stipend of $4,000, and returning interns receive a stipend of $4,500
Eligibility: All high school students
As the oldest, continuously running program of its kind, HSHSP is a selective research program offering apprenticeships in all areas of science, engineering, and mathematics. Each participant indicates a preference for their research area and then works with faculty advisors, undergraduate, and graduate students to identify a research methodology and begin the procedure. You will be immersed in the research process for seven weeks. Participants often produce award-winning research projects in this program.
Cost: $4,000
Eligibility: Juniors at the time of application (in the upper 20% of high school classes)
8. MIT's Beaver Works Institute
The Beaver Works Institute at MIT, a rigorous STEM program, offers a variety of courses in the summer. One such mechanical engineering-focused course is “Build a CubeSat.” Dedicated to building, testing, and flying a CubeSat, the four-week course guides you through design trades, assembly, and testing of the space system. After going through online sessions, the in-person session heads into the lab to assemble the working satellite. This course gives you developmental experience and exposes you to real-world trades when designing systems for space.
Cost: Tuition is free; for out-of-state students who require lodging, there is a fee of $5,000 for 4 weeks, waived or partially waived based on family income
Eligibility: Juniors at the time of application
Princeton University offers a 5-6-week summer research experience for high school students interested in the natural sciences and engineering. You will apply to a specific research opportunity. If accepted, you'll receive engineering experience within a Princeton lab and work with the university’s faculty and researchers. At the end of their internship, you will write a two-page research summary report—a great addition to your college applications!
Cost: None
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and older
Students at ESTEEM/SER-Quest will participate in an intensive 4-week research-focused program. At the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering, you will develop a research proposal on a topic of your choice, complete a literature review, and complete a research project in engineering. You'll have the chance to meet undergraduate and graduate students in engineering programs and learn about the college application process.
Cost: $350
Eligibility: Juniors at the time of application
11. MSOE's Women in Engineering
The Milwaukee School of Engineering’s (MSOE) Women in Engineering summer program offers female students entering 10th through 12th grades the chance to explore multiple engineering disciplines, including mechanical engineering. Led by MSOE faculty and women engineering students, this program offers various engineering projects. The program aims to teach you how to apply your skills and knowledge to the real world while supporting girls in a male-dominated field.
Cost: $950
Eligibility: Female-identifying students from grades 10-12
12. MIT's Research Science Institute (RSI)
Every summer, the prestigious RSI at MIT holds a free six-week science and engineering research program. You will experience the entire research cycle, from drafting a detailed research plan to delivering oral and written reports on your findings. The first week is spent attending college-level courses taught by some of the country’s most accomplished professors. The next five weeks are devoted to the research internship, where you work on your project under the mentorship of professionals. RSI is very prestigious, and most attendees are accepted into colleges like MIT.
Cost: None
Eligibility: High school juniors at the time of application
Amelia is a current junior at Harvard College studying art history with a minor in economics. She’s enthusiastic about music, movies, and writing, and is excited to help Lumiere’s students as much as she can!