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Extracurriculars for a Career in Machine Learning Engineer

39 high school activities and programs that build real experience toward a career in machine learning engineer.

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

Artificial intelligence is a key program component with hands-on lab work and real-world applications.

Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars
Carnegie Mellon University · Pittsburgh, PA · In-Person

Introduces computing applications and advanced technical concepts relevant to ML work.

Stanford AI4ALL
Stanford University · Stanford, CA · Hybrid

Students directly study AI and machine learning through hands-on research projects in computer vision, NLP, and robotics.

AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Stanford University · Stanford, CA · Virtual

Students directly learn machine learning applications in healthcare through guided case studies and expert instruction.

Cornell Tech Summer Innovation Intensives
Cornell University · Ithaca, NY · In-Person

Core focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning technical tracks directly prepares students for this role.

Major League Hacking (MLH) Hackathon Series
Major League Hacking (MLH) · Multiple · In-Person

Students build functional applications and attend technical workshops refining advanced engineering skills.

International Quant Championship (IQC)
WorldQuant BRAIN · Multiple

Creates algorithmic models to identify patterns and signals in large historical market datasets.

DSI Summer Lab
Data Science Institute (DSI) at the University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · In-Person

Students work on applied data science research pairing computational methods with domain expertise.

Technovation
Technovation · Multiple

Program emphasizes cutting-edge AI and technology education to build innovative solutions.

Technovation Girls
Technovation · Multiple · Hybrid

Program explicitly mentions using AI and tech to create solutions, directly aligned with ML work.

USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
USA Computing Olympiad · Virtual · Virtual

Advanced algorithmic problem-solving in USACO builds foundations for ML engineering work.

GENIUS Olympiad
Terra Science and Education · Rochester, NY · In-Person

New GENIUS AI category teaches machine learning and data analysis for environmental problem-solving.

Singularity: AI Essay Contest
Veritas AI · Virtual · Virtual

Students analyze and argue about AI systems' capabilities and limitations, core to ML engineering work.

Imagine Cup
Microsoft · Multiple · Hybrid

Finalists develop AI applications leveraging Azure AI, Machine Learning, and OpenAI services.

Canadian Computing Competition
Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing, University of Waterloo · Ontario, Canada · In-Person

Competition problems develop algorithmic thinking and advanced problem-solving skills foundational to ML work.

BetterMind Labs SPARK HACK
BetterMind Labs

SPARK HACK likely involves building intelligent systems and experimenting with ML algorithms in a competitive setting.

Day of AI Festival
Day of AI USA · Cambridge, MA · In-Person

Festival focuses on AI applications, directly engaging students with machine learning concepts and implementation.

Rice ELITE Tech Camp
Rice University · Houston, TX · In-Person

Deep learning course teaches AI deployment for smart city applications and real-world problem solving.

Research Program for HS Students – Summer 2026
University of Texas at Dallas, Computer Science K-12 Outreach · Dallas, TX · Hybrid

The 8-week deep-dive AI workshop teaches advanced coding and data analysis skills applied to real-life AI projects.

Academy for All
University of Texas at Austin Department of Computer Science · Austin, TX · In-Person

Machine Learning Edition teaches students to train and implement machine learning models using Python.

Academy for Machine Learning
University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX · In-Person

Students train their own ML models and explore core AI concepts directly relevant to the role.

All Star Code Summer Intensive
All Star Code · Multiple · Hybrid

Program develops foundational AI literacy including responsible use, bias evaluation, and critical systems thinking.

Meta Summer Academy
Meta

The academy covers computer science fundamentals essential to machine learning engineering at a leading tech company.

UC San Diego FUTURES Programs
UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies · San Diego, CA

Machine Learning program combines Python, applied mathematics, and hands-on algorithm implementation projects.

Data Science Academy
Wharton Global Youth Program · Philadelphia, PA · In-Person

Program explicitly teaches state-of-the-art machine learning tools and empirical thinking skills.

Voice of Calling
Voice of Calling · Bend, OR · Hybrid

AI projects for youth, including AI campaigns and coding initiatives, introduce machine learning concepts.

Engineering Summer Academy Program (ESAP)
University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science · Philadelphia, PA · In-Person

Dedicated AI course develops machine learning algorithms and applications central to the role.

Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program
Olive Children Foundation · Fremont, CA · In-Person

Program focuses on machine learning platforms for drug discovery and data science applications in research.

Barrett Summer Scholars
Arizona State University Educational Outreach and Student Services · Tempe, AZ · In-Person

AI-focused courses explore how computers think and make decisions using algorithms.

HackMIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA · In-Person

Students can apply ML techniques to solve real-world problems during the competition.

Blueprint (HackMIT)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Cambridge, MA

Hackathon projects often involve AI/ML applications, providing hands-on experience in this specialized engineering field.

North American Computational Linguistics Open Competition
NACLO · Multiple · In-Person

Students solve cutting-edge natural-language processing problems using logic and linguistic analysis.

Presidential AI Challenge
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education · Multiple

Students create AI-based solutions directly aligned with ML engineering work and responsible AI implementation.

Kaggle Data Science Competitions
Kaggle · Virtual · Virtual

Students build and train machine learning models to compete on Kaggle's real-world datasets and benchmarks.

iD Tech: Virtual Tech Camps
iD Tech · Virtual · Virtual

Python Coding & AI Agents course introduces students to AI and machine learning concepts.

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

Students work with NVIDIA AI, study AI algorithms, and earn NVIDIA AI certificates through hands-on projects.

InspiritAI AI Scholars Program
InspiritAI · Virtual · Virtual

Students build and test AI models across diverse domains like deepfake detection and wildfire prediction.

Frontier AI Security Residency
ERA · Cambridge, UK · In-Person

Works on securing and verifying frontier AI systems and compute infrastructure.

US TechGirls Summer Exchange Program
U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs · Multiple · In-Person

Testimonials mention learning Python and advanced software tools relevant to machine learning applications.