Summer Activities and Programs
Brainstorming
What are some examples of summer
opportunities available?
Internships & Summer Programs
Internships
Gain work experience and
transferable skills
Earn course credit
Possibly earn money
Experience a prospective
career path
Gain practical experience by
applying
Network with professionals
for references and job
opportunities
Build your resume
Summer College Programs
Exploring new interests
Meet peers with same
interest
Conduct real-life research
Earn college credit
Experience college life
Explore the colleges that
interest you
Determine what majors
interest you
Where to begin your search
• Ask around
 Reach out to existing friends, SHPE Chapter members or
contacts with connections to employment opportunities or
summer programs
• Use high school resources
 Visit the guidance office or reach out to teachers for
suggestions
• Use online search engines
• Visit the websites of companies and universities you would
like to work/attend
 Send an email or call if you do not see any open opportunities
listed. Create your own opportunity!
Next steps
• Begin your search NOW!
• Prepare references and resume
 Request letters of reference from
teachers/contacts in advance. Give at least two
weeks notice.
 Use guidance office as a resource when creating
your resume and have it reviewed by a teacher or
professional
• Follow up with a phone call for positions or programs
you have applied for but not received a response
from (check if they allow calls)
Interview tips
• Research the company/program
 Have a general idea of the company/university’s
history and mission.
 Ensure you understand the position /program you
are applying for
• Arrive early
Interview tips
• Dress professionally for interviews
• Ask questions
 Prepare 2-3 questions in advance to demonstrate
your interest in the position/program
• Follow up with a thank you note to the person that
conducted your interview
• Follow up with a phone call or email one week later
if you have not had a response (if allowed)
Think outside of the box
• Volunteer
 Reach out to local charities and organizations to
learn what opportunities are available in your
area
National Summer
Program Opportunities
Summer Programs
•
Penn Summer High School Programs

http://www.sas.upenn.edu/summer/programs/highschool
•
American University Summer College Programs for High School Students

http://www.summeratau.com/hs/front/frontHideInput.jsp?uID=0&cmd=&loginType=ski
pWelcome&surveyID=489&clientID=543&campaignID=420
•
MIT Residential Summer Programs

http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/summer
•
Carnegie Mellon SAMS: The Summer Academy for Mathematics + Science

http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/sams.html
•
Texas State University Honors Summer Math Camp

http://www.txstate.edu/mathworks/camps/hsmc.html
Summer Programs and Internships
•
Stanford Office of Science Outreach

http://oso.stanford.edu/programs/audiences/5-high-school-students
•
UCLA High School Summer Research Program

https://esc.seas.ucla.edu/mod/resource/view.php?id=224
•
Johns Hopkins University Engineering Innovation

http://engineering-innovation.jhu.edu/
•
NCI-Werner H. Kirsten Internship Program at the National Cancer Institute

https://ncifrederick.cancer.gov/careers/student_programs/internships/SIP/
•
National HS-STEM Summer Internship Program (Homeland Security)

http://www.dhs.gov/national-hs-stem-summer-internship-program
SAME Engineering & Construction Camp
Hosted by: Society of American Military Engineers
• Where: SAME posts across the United States
• Who can apply: Minimum of 15 years of age
• Program Dates: Summer 2014
• Description: The USAFA camp is geared toward students interested
in joining a service academy and is built on a reduced scale program
of what a USAFA cadet in an engineering curriculum goes through.
The camp operates under the concept ‘Build then Design’. Tasks are
given that challenge students to use their imagination, as well as
their problem solving and teamwork skills.
Link: http://samecamps.org/?page_id=27
Mathematics Camp
Hosted by Stanford University
• Where: Stanford Campus, Stanford, CA
• Who can apply: 10th and 11th grade students
• Program Dates: July – August 2013
• Application Deadline: March 5, 2014
• Description: To bring mathematically talented and motivated
high school students from across the United States to Stanford
University for four weeks of serious mathematical pursuits. To
provide access for these students to advanced topics in
mathematics, in a way that is fun and interesting.”
Link: http://math.stanford.edu/sumac/
Summer Programs Across the USA
Extensive list of opportunities across the
United States may be found at the link below
http://www.careercornerstone.org/pcsumca
mps.htm
Region 1
(Optimally for students in Northern California, Nevada,
Oregon, and Washington State)
COSMOS Summer Program
Hosted by: University of California
• Where: UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego
• Who can apply: High School Students
• Program Dates: July 6 - August 2, 2014
• Application Deadline: February 21, 2014
• Description: COSMOS is a four-week residential program for
talented and motivated students completing grades 8-12.
Students work side-by-side with outstanding university
researchers and faculty exploring advanced topics beyond the
typical high school curriculum in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Link: http://cosmos-ucop.ucdavis.edu/main/application
RISE Summer Internship Program
Hosted by Stanford University
• Where: Stanford Campus, California
• Who can apply: Students must be 16 years old by start date
• Program Dates: June 18 - August 5, 2014
• Description: Intensive 7-week summer program for local Bay
Area students interested in science, engineering, math, and
computer science. Students spend 30 hours a week on the
Stanford Campus, working in an active research lab under
guidance of a mentor from the lab, and attending weekly group
sessions that include field trips, presentations, hands-on
science activities, and lab tours.
Link: http://oso.stanford.edu/programs/39-rise-summer-internshipprogram
Stanford Medical Youth Summer Program
Hosted by: Stanford University
• Where: Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
• Who can apply: 10th and 11th grade students
• Program Dates: June 22 – July 27, 2013
• Application deadline: February 17, 2014
• Description: Participants divide their time between
instruction, group project work, anatomy and pathology
laboratories, hospital volunteer internships, educational
field trips, evening discussions, and time with mentors.”
Link: http://smysp.stanford.edu/education/summerProgram/index.html#10
Young Scholars Program
Hosted by: UC Davis
• Where: UC Davis Campus
• Who can apply: 10th and 11th grade students
• Program Dates: June 22- August 2, 2014
• Application deadline: March 21, 2014
• Description: Summer residential research program
designed to expose approximately 40 high achieving
high school students to the world of original research in
the natural sciences with emphases on the biological,
environmental and agricultural sciences.”
Link: http://ysp.ucdavis.edu/
Region 2
(Optimally designed for students in Southern
California, Southern Nevada, and Arizona)
NanoScience Lab
Hosted by: California NanoScience Institute
• Where: UCLA Campus
• Who can apply: High school students
• Program dates: July 8 – 12, 2014 or July 15 - July 19, 2014
• Application deadline: April 15, 2014
• Description: CNSI NanoScience Lab Program is an exclusive
summer workshop for high school students interested in
advanced science and technology and is limited to 30 participants.
During this five day program students will learn about
nanoscience and nanotechnology through intense hands-on
experiments developed by UCLA graduate and postdoctoral
researchers
Link: http://nanosciencelab.cnsi.ucla.edu/
9Up Robotics Camp
Hosted by Arizona State University
• Where: ASU Campus
• Who can apply: High school students
• Program Dates: Summer 2014
• Description: This program will cover Microsoft
Robotics Studio, robot construction, VPL
programming, C# programming, Web programming
in Service-Oriented Computing, Phone 7
programming, and a robotics challenge
Link: http://venus.eas.asu.edu/roboticscamp/
Summer Transportation Institute
Hosted by: Arizona State University
• Where: ASU Campus
• Who can apply: 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students
• When: Summer 2014
• Description: Students spend three weeks on the
ASU Tempe Campus and learn how traffic engineers
plan and maintain our systems of transportation
around the state
Link: http://engineering.asu.edu/summerprograms/sti/index.html
High School Engineering Research Program
Hosted by Arizona State University
• Where: ASU Campus
• Who can apply: 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students
• When: Summer 2014
• Description: The program is designed for students
to learn more about engineering fields, work on
projects that benefit society, meet ASU faculty and
graduate students, and help clarify future goals and
aspirations.
Link: http://engineering.asu.edu/summerprograms/research/
Region 3
Summer Science Program
Hosted by Summer Science Program, Inc.
• Where: New Mexico Tech, Westmont College
• Program Dates: Summer 2014
• Who can apply: Rising high school seniors
• Description: SSP is a five-week residential enrichment
program held on two campuses. Talented high school
students come to SSP for its research-based curriculum,
stimulating guest lectures, and behind-the-scenes field
trips to places like NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab or the
Very Large Array
Link: http://www.summerscience.org/admissions/index.php
Boise State e-Girls
Hosted by Boise State University
• Where: BSU Campus
• Who can apply: 9th and 10th grade students
• When: Summer 2014
• Description: Enrollment is limited to 50, workshops led by
Society of Women Engineers. May include biomedical
engineering, virtual worlds with Alice, packaging and the
environment, designing for Natural disasters, Rocketing into
Space, Physics of Rock Climbing/Rope Walking, a World of
Career Choices and more.
Link: http://news.boisestate.edu/update/2013/03/07/boise-states-2013summer-camps-are-for-kids-of-all-ages/
CU Science Discover
Hosted by University of Colorado
• Where: Denver, CO and Boulder, CO
• Who can apply: Students up to age 18
• Program Dates: Summer 2014
• Description: Science Discovery offers intensive 1-3
week summer workshops for high school students.
Workshops provide unique opportunities for older
students to work in CU laboratories, interact with CU
scientists, and explore STEM careers.
Link: http://sciencediscovery.colorado.edu/program/summerclasses/
Summer Science Institute
Hosted by Bethel College
• Where: Bethel College, Kansas
• Who can apply: Rising 10th grade – college freshmen
• Program Dates: June 1-6, 2014
• Description: Offers opportunities for research investigations in
a number of areas of science, including biology, psychology,
mathematics, chemistry and computer science. You will be able
to study fascinating and challenging topics that high school
courses typically do not cover, with a focus on learning how to
do research through close interaction with faculty.
Link: http://www.bethelks.edu/community/events/summer-camps/summer-scienceinstitute/
Region 4
(Designed for Students in the North East)
Engineering Innovation Summer Program
Hosted by Johns Hopkins University
• Where: Johns Hopkins University Campus, Maryland
• Who can apply: Rising undergraduate students
• Program Dates : Summer 2014
• Application deadline: March 1, 2014
• Description: Engineering Innovation is a four-week Johns
Hopkins engineering course. It is a condensed version of a 3credit JHU course offered to freshman undecided engineering
students. Students will have lab experiences in chemical
engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, material
science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.”
Link: http://engineering-innovation.jhu.edu/parents/index.html
ESTEEM Research Mentoring Program
Hosted by University of Maryland
• Where: UMD Campus
• Who can apply: Rising high school seniors (targeted to
underrepresented students)
• Program Dates: Summer 2014
• Description: ESTEEM Research Mentoring Program
offers opportunities in research to high school students
considering a career in engineering. Students will
attend a four-week summer robotics camp where they
design and build a SeaPerch Robot
Link: http://www.cmse.umd.edu/summer/esteem.html
Mentor Connection
Hosted by University of Connecticut
• Where: UConn Campus
• Who can apply: Current 10th and 11th grade students
• Program dates: July 6-25, 2014
• Application deadline: April 2014
• Description: This program is an annual, three-week, summer
program for academically talented secondary students at the
University of Connecticut. It is designed to provide
opportunities to participate in creative research projects and
research investigations under the supervision of university
mentors
Link: http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/mentor/mentor13.html
Columbia Summer Program
Hosted by Columbia University
• Where: CU Campus, New York
• Who can apply: Rising 9th – 12th grad students
• Program dates: June 22 – July 12, 2014 or July 14 – August 2, 2014
• Application deadline: Early Registration is February 1, 2014
• Description: This summer program offers highly motivated high
school students the opportunity to experience college life in the Ivy
League while sampling the vibrancy of New York City. It combines
academic rigor and instructional excellence with lively
extracurricular offerings and careful supervision and support.
Link: http://ce.columbia.edu/high-school/nyc
Exploring Engineering
Hosted by University of Connecticut
• Where: UConn Campus
• Who can apply: Current 10th and 11th grade students
• Program dates: June 22 – 26, 2014
• Application deadline: April 15, 2014
• Description: This one-week residential summer program for
current high school sophomores and juniors will allow them to
explore engineering careers by working in small groups with
faculty and college students. They will learn what various
engineers do in the workplace and see engineering concepts
demonstrated
Link: http://www.engr.uconn.edu/engineering2000.php
EXPLO
Hosted by Yale University
• Where: Yale Campus, Connecticut
• Who can apply: 10th and 11th grade students
• When: Sessions from June 2014 – August 2014
• Description The EXPLO at Yale offers students grades
10-12 the opportunity to explore more than 90 course
offerings (ranging from psychology to video production
to biomedical ethics and business management). For
three weeks this summer, Yale University belongs to
you
Link: http://www.explo.org/360/yale/overview
Region 5
(Designed for students in the South extending from
Tennessee to Texas)
D.R.E.M.E Summer Camp
Hosted by Science Literacy Foundation
• Where: Texas
• Who can apply: Rising high school students
• Program dates: Summer 2014
• Description: The D.R.E.M.E Summer Science Youth
Academy is a camp for students established to
continue motivating, supporting, and strengthening
the learning of science, technology, engineering and
math (STEM)
Link: http://dremefoundation.org/science-literacy-camp-2/dremesummer-camp-student-information/
Summer Science Research Program
Hosted by Baylor University
• Where: Baylor Campus, Texas
• Who can apply: Rising high school seniors
• Program dates: July 9 - August 12, 2014
• Application deadline: March 1, 2014
• Description: This program’s purpose is to give superior high
school students hands-on research experience by working on
research projects with Baylor University science professors in
many disciplines. The research program occurs during the
University’s first session of summer school.
Link: http://www.baylor.edu/summerscience/index.php?id=2346
Student Introduction to Engineering
Hosted by: University of Alabama
• Where: UA Campus
• Who can apply: Rising high school juniors and seniors
• Program dates: Sessions occur during July 2014
• Application deadline: June 1, 2014
• Description: For students interested in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics. Challenges in mathematics,
engineering, computer science and English courses will be
assigned. There will also be opportunities to team with other
students in design competitions to test your skills.
Link: http://site.eng.ua.edu/about/
Engineering Camp
Hosted by: Society of American Military Engineers
• Where: Vicksburg, MS
• Who can apply: Rising high school juniors and seniors
• Program dates: June 22-28, 2014
• Application deadline: March 28, 2014
• Description: The one-week program is supervised by professional
engineers and volunteers from engineering organizations in the lower
Mississippi Valley. The crewmates (campers) are exposed to a wealth
of knowledge about the various career choices in the fields of
engineering and construction, focusing primarily on water resources
engineering.
Link: http://samevicksburg.org/engineering-camp/
Region 6
(Designed for students in the Mid West extending from
Kentucky to Wisconsin)
Hillsdale College Summer Science Camps
Hosted by Hillsdale College
• Where: Hillsdale College Campus, Michigan
• Who can apply: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students
• Program dates: Summer 2014
• Description: This program is primarily intended for high
school sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in
learning more about modern science. These science camps
promote scientific literacy among high school students and
instill a deeper appreciation of what science is all about.
Link: http://www.hillsdale.edu/seminars/oncampus/sciencecamps.asp
Math and Science Summer Program
Hosted by University of Michigan
• Where: UM Campus
• Who can apply: Rising sophmores, juniors, and seniors
• Program dates: Sessions occur June – July, 2014
• Description: The program is designed to introduce high
school students current developments and research in
the sciences. It features small 15-student classes taught
by UM professors as well as other outstanding
instructors from across the country
Link: http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/mmss/
Fermilab Target Program
Hosted by U.S. Department of Energy
• Where: Fermilab, Warrenville, IL
• Who can apply: Illinois 10th and 11th grade students
• Program Dates: June 23 – August 1, 2014
• Application deadline: March 31, 2014
• Description: Fermilab’s Target program is a highly competitive
paid summer internship opportunity for Illinois high school
sophomores and juniors who have strong interest and
demonstrated aptitude for mathematics and the science,
physics, in particular
Link: http://wdrs.fnal.gov/eeo/target.html
Girls’ Adventures in Math, Engineering, and Science
(GAMES) Camp
Hosted by University of Illinois
• Where: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Who can apply: Rising high school students
• Program dates: July 13 – 19, 2014
• Application deadline: April 15, 2014
• Description: This annual week-long camp, designed to give
academically talented high school aged girls an opportunity to
explore engineering and scientific fields through
demonstrations, classroom presentations, hands-on activities,
and contacts with women in these technical fields.
Link: http://publish.illinois.edu/womeninengineering/camps/g-a-m-e-s-camp/
Operation Catapult
Hosted by Rose Hulman Institute of Technology
• Where: Rose Hulman Campus, Indiana
• Who can apply: Rising high school seniors
• Program dates: Sessions June – July 2014
• Description: Operation Catapult is a unique summer
program. The goal is to explore fundamental scientific
and engineering principles and systems. Apart from
that, it offers the opportunity for group living in a
campus setting.
Link: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/admissions-financial-aid/earlyplanning/operation-catapult.aspx
UE Options
Hosted by University of Evansville
• Where: UE Campus
• Who can apply: High school girls in grades 9-11
• Program dates: June 8 – 13, 2014
• Description: UE OPTIONS will acquaint you with the
vast career options available with a degree in
engineering or computer science. Specifically aimed
for high school students talented in math and
science.”
Link: http://www.evansville.edu/options/
Introduction to Engineering
Hosted by University of Notre Dame
• Where: UND Campus, Indiana
• Who can apply: Rising high school seniors
• Program dates: Sessions occur June – July 2014
• Application deadline: March 15, 2014
• Description: This program is designed for students to
get a taste of college life, meet the faculty, understand
career opportunities in engineering, observe the
facilities at Notre Dame
Link: http://www3.nd.edu/~iep/index.html
Region 7
(Designed for Students in the South East
extending from North Carolina to Florida)
Young Scholars Program
Hosted by Florida State University
• Where: FSU Campus
• Who can apply: Rising Florida high school senoirs
• Program Dates: June 8 – July 19, 2014
• Application deadline: March 6, 2014
• Description: A residential science and mathematics
program for Florida high school students with
significant potential for careers in the sciences,
engineering, and health professions.
Link: http://www.bio.fsu.edu/ysp/
Aerospace Program
Hosted by: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Where: Embry-Riddle AU Campus, Florida
• Who can apply: Students ages 15-18
• Program Dates: June 25 - July 16, 2014
• Application deadline: April 9, 2014
• Description: This course is designed to foster a basic
understanding of space technology. Sessions are also
filled with hands-on activities and labs, classroom
interaction and trips off campus.”
Link: http://daytonabeach.erau.edu/degrees/summer-camps/
Robotics & Autonomous Systems
Hosted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Where: Embry-Riddle AU Campus, Florida
• Who can Apply: High school students (ages 15-18)
• Program Dates: July 13 - 20, 2014
• Application deadline: April 9, 2014
• Description: This program allows high school students to work with
Embry-Riddle faculty and collegiate robotics competition teams to
design, build, program and test their own autonomous robots. During
this week-long experience, students will be introduced to concepts
from mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.
Link: http://daytonabeach.erau.edu/degrees/summercamps/aerospace/index.html
Mission Discovery
Hosted by: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Where: Embry-Riddle AU Campus, Florida
• Who can apply: Students ages 14 and above
• Program dates: June 22 - 28, 2014
• Application deadline: April 09, 2014
• Description: Students will have the opportunity to work with
astronaut Nicole Stott, astronaut trainers, scientists and NASA
leaders. The Mission Discovery program includes NASA
leadership and team building, experiments in space, how space
exploration benefits the earth, and the environment of space
Link: http://daytonabeach.erau.edu/degrees/summercamps/aerospace/index.html
Engineering Scholars Program
Hosted by Florida Atlantic University
• Where: FAU Campus
• Who can apply: Rising 10th-12th grade students
• Program dates: Summer 2014
• Description: The FAU College of Engineering and Computer
Science offers a three-credit, dual-enrollment program in
engineering and computer science for high achieving high
school students in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Students
will take 1 of 5 courses offered during a three-week period in
the summer.
Link: http://www.dessa.fau.edu/esp
Science Quest
Hosted by: University of Florida
• Where: UF Campus
• Who can apply: Rising 10th grade students
• Program dates: Summer 2014
• Description: Science Quest immerses students in various
science disciplines to stimulate interest and appreciation for
the range of college and career opportunities available in
science. Students will live in a campus dorm for one week,
attend a variety of lectures and demonstrations, visit research
laboratories and other facilities, and perform multiple science
experiments.
Link: http://www.cpet.ufl.edu/students/sciquest/