Aerospace Engineering Internships for High School Students
by
Indigo Research Team
Indigo Research Team
&
Published:
February 23, 2024
Last Updated:
November 15, 2024
Have you ever thought about flying high in the sky, exploring space, and being part of cool space projects?
If you're a high school student who loves science and tech stuff, there's a chance for you to get hands-on experience in the aerospace field.
Today at Indigo Research, we have compiled everything you need about an aerospace engineering internship.
So, stick around as we’ll talk about why an internship can be excellent for high school students, what you can learn, and how it can set you up for a super cool career. We’ll also cover how you can use this internship, so this will be your one-step solution.
Studying aerospace engineering might sound too complex for high school students, as it involves creating airplanes and spacecraft. Aerospace engineering high school internships offer a valuable opportunity for students to learn more about the basics of these professional areas and decide whether they are interested in pursuing them in the future.
Many of these opportunities include collaborating with faculty members to create an aircraft, so you should have some basic knowledge about aviation and related topics.
However, some programs are open to students who have yet to gain experience. If you want to learn more, apply to the programs listed below!
Without any further ado, let's check out these top 8 aerospace engineering research opportunities for high school students.
This program allows high school students to get their aerospace engineering summer internships at the Air Force Research Lab. If you get picked, you'll work with AFRL scientists and engineers, go on lab tours, and be part of cool aerospace engineering opportunities.
You'll focus on designing aircraft technology, complex electromagnetic structures, and creating special lenses. This opportunity is also open to college students, but there are specific spots for high school students. Grants are also offered at competitive rates.
Moreover, it doesn't cost anything to join. To be part of it, having decent grades and doing well in your studies is good. You must be a U.S. citizen, at least 16 years old, and have a driver's license.
You should be enrolled in a school and taking enough classes for a degree or certificate. You'll work full-time during the summer and might need to move temporarily. Lastly, you must pass a background check. In this, you’ll have to pass the Secret Security Clearance.
This clearance involves a background check and is necessary for high school and college students participating in aerospace engineering summer internships at the AFRL, where they work on sensitive projects related to aircraft technology and complex electromagnetic structures.
The Sally Ride Science Academy, named after the famous astronaut and scientist, offers a chance for students in grades 3-12 to dive into STEM roles like aerospace engineering.
This initiative by UC San Diego provides workshops that last for four weeks, and you can attend them either in-person or online. Among the favored workshops are iOS Programming, Messy Discoveries, and Tiny Houses. Space Out stands out for an aerospace high school internship.
The program is led by the University of California San Diego faculty, ensuring it's a great academic experience. To join, there's a cost of $450.
USC Viterbi's SHINE program offers students amazing aerospace engineering research opportunities. High school students get to be a part of a research team for seven weeks.
Working in a team, students explore how engineering tackles real-world problems across different fields, including aerospace. Participants engage in hands-on experimental lab work or computational research, focusing on cutting-edge technology projects.
The tight-knit SHINE community provides strong social and intellectual connections, college preparation tips, and extensive experience in communicating scientific ideas.
There is a cost of $5,750, but scholarships are available. The program is specifically designed for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with a recommended GPA of 3.4 or higher.
Students are expected to contribute at least 20 hours per week throughout the program. Getting into the program is competitive, as they choose from a pool of applicants.
NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) provides paid internships for high school students across various locations in the United States. Students in proximity to NASA facilities can explore available positions and gain hands-on experience in subjects related to aerospace engineering.
Participating in these aerospace engineering internships doesn't involve any costs. Applicants should be U.S. citizens and meet a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 to be eligible.
While the selection process is moderately competitive, it offers a valuable opportunity for high school students interested in aerospace engineering.
The University of Illinois, through its camps, offers multiple sessions for its aerospace engineering internship designed for high school students across all grade levels.
While juniors and seniors are preferred for on-campus activities, students of any grade level can apply, and prior aerospace experience is not required. The program covers various aerospace engineering topics, such as flight mechanics, aerodynamics, rocket propulsion, etc.
The cost is $1,000 for on-campus activities, and for virtual camp activities, it's $50. The program is open to all students in grades 9-12, and while most attendees are from the Midwest, students from across the U.S. and around the world are welcome to apply.
The selection process is moderately competitive, allowing students interested in aerospace engineering to learn and engage in hands-on activities.
The SEES High School Summer Intern Program, a collaboration between NASA and UT Austin, is a highly competitive STEM opportunity for high school students nationwide.
Participants work alongside NASA experts, focusing on Earth and space research. Interns play a crucial role in analyzing and visualizing data, essential elements for advancing projects quickly and building foundational knowledge for aerospace engineering.
The program includes a virtual learning component, followed by an on-site experience at the University of Texas, Austin, where all project teams showcase their research at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium.
Participation in the Aerospace Engineering Internships 2024 is free of cost. Eligible applicants should be high school sophomores or juniors aged 16 by July 1, 2024, with a strong interest in STEM.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have the ability to fulfill online requirements before attending the on-site intern program. The selection process for this program is highly competitive, offering a valuable opportunity for students passionate about STEM fields, especially aerospace engineering.
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute offers virtual project-based courses for high-achieving high school students.
For aerospace engineering, there are courses like autonomous air vehicle racing and remote sensing for disaster response. The program runs from 10 am to 6 pm EDT on weekdays, incorporating a mix of lectures, labs, and office hours.
Participation in the program is free of charge. The aerospace summer internships in 2024 typically cater to high school students ranging from grades 9 to 11. While the program encourages students to either be nominated or self-register for online courses, only a limited number of students are selected, and accepted students are typically rising seniors.
The highly selective program provides a challenging and informative experience for students interested in aerospace engineering and related fields.
This might sound super advanced for high school students, but each aerospace engineering internship is beneficial for ambitious students who love science and tech.
These programs let you work on real projects, like designing aircraft or exploring space, and they're not just for experts – even beginners can join.
From NASA opportunities to university programs, these internships help you learn hands-on and discover the exciting world of aerospace engineering. It's not just about fancy technology but also about teamwork, problem-solving, and preparing for future careers.
These internships connect all you have learned about space in school or independently to real-life stuff, making it way more interesting. These internships also pave the way and help you decide which aerospace engineering classes to take in high school.
If you're passionate about aerospace research, Indigo Research provides a unique platform designed specifically for high school students. It allows you to launch your own research projects, aiming to elevate your skills and boost your college application. With this flexible program, you can start at any time and leverage what you've learned from your internships or classes.
