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Extracurriculars for a Career in Aerospace Engineer

20 high school activities and programs that build real experience toward a career in aerospace engineer.

Naval Academy Summer STEM Program
United States Navy · Annapolis, Maryland · In-Person

Naval Academy STEM program introduces engineering disciplines relevant to military aerospace applications.

MIT Women's Technology Program
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA · In-Person

Intensive engineering coursework and design challenges explore advanced engineering applications.

Beaver Works Summer Institute
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA · In-Person

Program explicitly covers aerospace systems design and engineering through hands-on collaborative projects.

Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA · In-Person

Radar technology and signal processing are core applications in aerospace systems and navigation.

The Conrad Challenge
The Conrad Foundation · Houston, TX · In-Person

Students design innovative solutions in aerospace and aviation categories, directly applying engineering principles to real-world aerospace challenges.

Georgia Tech Research Institute High School Summer Internship
Georgia Institute of Technology · Atlanta, GA · In-Person

Program explicitly includes aerospace research as one of the cutting-edge technology areas.

Shell Eco-marathon
Shell · Multiple · In-Person

Aerodynamics and fuel efficiency optimization mirror core aerospace engineering challenges.

The American Rocketry Challenge
Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) · Multiple · In-Person

Students design, build, and launch rockets to meet engineering specifications and real-world performance requirements.

TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science)
Technology Student Association (TSA) · Multiple · In-Person

Competition theme-based challenges expose students to advanced engineering design and problem-solving methodologies.

Plant the Moon Challenge
Institute of Competition Sciences

Students design and test solutions for lunar agriculture and exploration using NASA's Artemis program framework.

U.S. Physics Team
American Association of Physics Teachers · Multiple

Physics competition experience provides foundational scientific and mathematical skills essential for aerospace engineering design and analysis.

SEES High School Summer Intern Program
University of Texas Center for Space Research · Austin, TX · Hybrid

Students analyze NASA mission data and work on aerospace projects aligned with national priorities.

Dream with Us Design Challenge
NASA · Multiple

Students design aviation innovations directly aligned with aerospace engineering challenges NASA addresses.

Genes in Space
Genes in Space · Virtual · Virtual

Students design and propose space experiments for actual ISS missions, directly applying aerospace engineering principles.

Aerospace & Aviation Academy
Envision by WorldStrides · Houston, TX · In-Person

Students design, build, and launch rockets and satellites while learning propulsion and flight technology directly from aerospace professionals.

Camp SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Aerospace Research)
Texas A&M University Department of Aerospace Engineering · College Station, TX · In-Person

Direct alignment; campers explore aerospace engineering through technical lectures, hands-on design projects, and facility tours.

CU Science Discovery | Aerospace (Grades 9-12)
University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder, CO · In-Person

Direct focus on aerospace engineering principles, space exploration challenges, and learning from CU aerospace professionals and facilities.

US Air Force Academy Summer Seminar
United States Air Force Academy · Colorado Springs, CO · In-Person

Participants explore academic facilities and research labs at the Air Force Academy focused on aerospace innovation.

Engineering Possibilities in College (EPIC)
California Polytechnic State University · San Luis Obispo, California · In-Person

Camp showcases Cal Poly student-developed satellites and engineering projects demonstrating applied aerospace concepts.

Camp Integem: AI Robot, Holographic AR Coding, Game Design
Integem · Multiple · In-Person

Students build and program AI drones, launch stratospheric balloons to 30K-100K feet, and explore aerospace technologies.