For future engineering and computer science students
Engineering and Computer Science Opportunities for High School Students
12 volunteer programs, research programs, competitions, and clubs for high school students interested in engineering and computer science: 0 national or online, and 12 local programs in New York City, the Bay Area, and Houston.
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- Opportunities
- 12
- Not paused or waitlisted
- 11
- application availability varies
- Minimum age under 16
- 5
- excludes paused and waitlisted
- Summer only
- 5
- others run longer or do not say
- Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy Explorers
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Exploratorium High School Explainer Program
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 18
- When to apply
- School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Liberty Science Center Teen Summer Docent Program
Summer program · Jersey City, NJ
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- When to apply
- Summer
- Liberty Science Center Youth Volunteering
Volunteering · Jersey City, NJ
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 18
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Long Island Science Center Student Volunteers
Volunteering · Riverhead, NY
- Who can join
- 11 and up
- When to apply
- Not posted
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Research · New York, NY
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- February 5, 2027
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Teen Conservation Leaders
Volunteering · Monterey, CA
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Applications closed for 2026; interviews were in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Space Center Houston Teen Academic Year Program
Volunteering · Houston, TX
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Not currently accepting applications; applications for summer 2027 open January 1, 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship Program
Internship · Berkeley, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 11 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research Programs
Summer program · Berkeley, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 7 to 12
- When to apply
- Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday Helpers
Volunteering · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPaused
Volunteering · Mountain View, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- Not posted
| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy ExplorersVolunteering · Museum or science center | Oakland, CA | Grades 10 to 12 | 2 floor shifts per month in the school year, 3 per month in summer, plus Inquiry Teams that meet 7 times per semester | Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Exploratorium High School Explainer ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | San Francisco, CA | Ages 15 to 18 | Entire school-year or summer session; more than 60 hours of training | School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Liberty Science Center Teen Summer Docent ProgramSummer program · Museum or science center | Jersey City, NJ | Grades 10 to 12 | Not posted | Summer |
| Liberty Science Center Youth VolunteeringVolunteering · Museum or science center | Jersey City, NJ | Ages 16 to 18 | At least one full day every week for a minimum of 6 months, then at least every other week | Year-round |
| Long Island Science Center Student VolunteersVolunteering · Museum or science center | Riverhead, NY | 11 and up | Not posted | Not posted |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student ProgramResearch · Hospital or health system | New York, NY | 16 and up | 8 weeks, June 29 to August 20, 2027 | February 5, 2027 |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium Teen Conservation LeadersVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | Monterey, CA | 14 and up | Volunteer 3 to 4 days per week; summer program June 8 to August 2, 2026 with mandatory training | Applications closed for 2026; interviews were in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Space Center Houston Teen Academic Year ProgramVolunteering · Museum or science center | Houston, TX | Ages 14 to 17 | 6 Saturdays (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) between October 17 and March 13, plus 6 elective hours | Not currently accepting applications; applications for summer 2027 open January 1, 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Grades 11 to 12 | Saturday workshops in May plus full-time summer placement, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm, June 1 to August 7, 2026 | Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research ProgramsSummer program · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Grades 7 to 12 | One-week sessions in June and July 2026; optional residential add-on for some sessions | Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday HelpersVolunteering · Museum or science center | San Jose, CA | 14 and up | At least six shifts of 3-4 hours across November 21-29 and December 19 to January 3; one 3.5-hour orientation | Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | Mountain View, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | Not posted | Not posted |
Email me this list
A link to this list, so you have the age rules and application windows when they open.
Summer programs for engineering and computer science students
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI ScholarsCarnegie Mellon University Pre-College Programs | Pittsburgh, PAResidential | Students between 11th and 12th grade | Free | February 1, 2027 |
| ASPIREJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory | Laurel, MDCommuter | High school juniors and seniors | Free | Not posted |
| ASPIREHarvey Mudd College | Claremont, CAResidential | Rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders | Paid | March 31, 2026 (priority deadline; rolling admission afterward until full)Last cycle’s date |
| BSASUC Berkeley GLOBE (Global Learning and Outreach from Berkeley Engineering) | Berkeley, CACommuter | High school students ages 15 to 17 by the start of the program | Paid, aid available | March 31, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| Berkeley Summer Computer Science AcademyUC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars | Berkeley, CAResidential | Completed 10th or 11th grade | Paid | March 17, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| COSMOSUniversity of California | CAResidential | Rising 9th through rising 12th graders | Paid, aid available | February 5, 2027 |
| MathcampMathematics Foundation of America | Burlington, VT | Ages 13 to 18 | Paid, aid available | February 23, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| EPICCal Poly College of Engineering | San Luis Obispo, CAResidential | Currently in grades 6 to 11 | Paid, aid available | March 31, 2027 |
| PathwaysGirls Who Code | OnlineOnline | 9th to 12th grade girls and non-binary students, including rising 9th graders and graduating seniors | Free | Not posted |
| HCSSiMHampshire College | Amherst, MAResidential | Mostly students who have finished 10th or 11th grade; some after 9th grade | Paid, aid available | April 17, 2026, 11:59 pm EST (Interesting Test due April 25, 2026)Last cycle’s date |
| ICS Summer AcademyUC Irvine Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences | Irvine, CACommuter | Rising 9th to 12th graders and graduating 12th graders | Paid, aid available | Not posted |
| KWKKode With Klossy | Multiple locationsHybrid | Ages 13 to 18 | Free | Not posted |
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Frequently asked questions
What activities help a future engineering and computer science student?
Activities a student keeps up over time and can describe in their own words. One long commitment usually says more than several short ones.
Do these programs have age limits?
Most do. Each program page shows the minimum age or grade the organization posts, and says so when nothing is posted.
Sources and method
Each opportunity was read from the organization's own page. A rule, date, or fee the page does not state is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-13. Programs change age rules, hours, and application windows, so confirm on the official page before applying. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these organizations.
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Engineering and Computer Science Opportunities for High School Students”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/major/engineering-and-cs.
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