Top 8 Aerospace Engineering Research Opportunities for Students

Overview of Aerospace Engineering for High School Students

Aerospace engineers design and build craft to fly through air and space. Although the job description sounds straightforward, those two goals (flying through the air and flying through space) have led to a vast number of subfields that help researchers break down the challenges into their component parts. Fluid mechanics, propulsion, materials, avionics, and aeroacoustics are just a few of the many concentrations within aerospace engineering. In reality, most professional aerospace engineers are highly specialized in one or two areas, making aerospace engineering a necessarily collaborative endeavor.

Why High Schoolers Should Explore Aerospace Engineering

At the high school level, there’s no need to think about specializing in aerospace. Because aerospace engineering is so multifaceted and overlaps with many different subjects, high school students can approach the discipline from a variety of angles and use it as a framework to explore multiple interests simultaneously. For instance, if you have interests in materials and mechanical engineering, plus a passion for aviation, then tackling aerospace challenges could be an exciting way to take your individual skills to the next level and to practice engaging multiple skill sets at once.

The Benefits of Early Experience in Conducting Aerospace Research

In addition to the advanced levels of math and physics required to participate in aerospace engineering research projects, a significant portion of cutting-edge aerospace research labs are in the defense sector and, therefore, require security clearance just to walk through the door. That can make it pretty challenging for high school students to find opportunities to explore aerospace research. However, the students who are able to find and seize those opportunities are better positioned to demonstrate the depth of their interest and commitment to aerospace engineering when applying to colleges and universities.

Beyond college admissions outcomes, participating in aerospace research during high school also helps students explore and clarify their long-term academic and professional ambitions. After all, imagining your future self as an aerospace engineer becomes significantly easier once you’ve actually seen the inside of an aerospace research lab.

With all of that in mind, we’ve put together this list of opportunities in the hope that high school students will use it to gain real, hands-on experience with aerospace engineering research.  Conducting research in these programs allows students to engage deeply with hands-on projects, work alongside professionals, and apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

By the way, if you’re interested in aerospace engineering research, you may also be interested in our lists of aerospace engineering internships, mechanical engineering high school internships, and astrophysics summer programs.

Top Aerospace Engineering Research Opportunities for High Schoolers  

1. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program

The AFRL is the research and development arm of the United States Department of the Air Force. Every year, AFRL labs across the country welcome current university students, recent graduates, and a handful of highly qualified upper-level high school students, to complete research-based internships. These laboratories are equipped with advanced data acquisition systems essential for monitoring, controlling, and analyzing experimental setups. Selected interns gain hands-on experience working with AFRL researchers and engineers on cutting-edge aerospace projects. The projects accepting interns for the summer 2025 session include “Electronic-grade dielectric integration for high-power, high-frequency electronic devices,” “Acoustic and Radar Passive Direction Finding,” “Electric Propulsion Thruster Control,” and many more! All internships take place in person at Air Force bases throughout the U.S. 

During the application process, candidates may select up to three projects per location that they would be interested in joining. Applying for more than one location is possible, but requires separate applications. Applications for summer 2025 research internships are open from October 10, 2024 to January 10, 2025. In addition to selecting the three projects that you find most interesting, you’ll be asked for:

• Up-to-date résumé

• Letters of recommendation (requested directly from the recommenders through the application system)

• Contact and demographic information

• Essay responses

• Academic transcript (GPA of 3.0 or higher is encouraged)

• Proof of U.S. citizenship

Decisions will be announced 6-8 weeks after the application closes. Selected Scholars may be required to obtain government Secret Security Clearance or Top Secret Security Clearance. Participants will receive a stipend of  $492.40 per week (for high school student interns). 

2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

HARP offers trimester-long, 100% online research opportunities for high school students interested in the social sciences and STEM subjects related to Aerospace Engineering. Participants can receive support for their projects under the supervision of a faculty member, emphasizing the importance of direct communication for inquiries about research assistantships and potential projects. During the fall, winter, spring, or summer sessions, participants have the opportunity to work with faculty and graduate scholars at top research institutions. HARP gives students the space to explore a research topic in one of the 15 subjects offered and to develop a 20-page research paper that can help inform college applications. Many participants also submit their research papers for publication in high school academic journals. Students benefit from a high student-to-teacher ratio (between 1:6 and 1:1), allowing their 20 sessions through HARP to become the beginnings of long-lasting mentorships.

HARP offers two varieties of their program: the Horizon Seminar places students in small (4-6 person) virtual classes with an experienced, university-level teacher. Their Horizon Labs, on the other hand, connects students with PhD researchers for individualized sessions. Most subjects are only offered in either the Seminar or the Labs format, so it’s up to you to choose from their list of topics while keeping in mind the learning style that best suits your needs. Here are a few examples of their course offerings:

• Fluid Dynamics and Physics (Labs)

• Environmental Health and Engineering (Seminar)

• Cybersecurity (Seminar)

• Algorithms and Data Structures (Seminar)

There are 12 Seminars and 17 Labs in total.

Applications to HARP are competitive; candidates are required to have a 3.67 (or higher) unweighted GPA. The next deadlines (for Spring 2025) are:

• Financial Aid Application Deadline: January 12, 2025

• Priority Application Deadline: January 26, 2025

• Regular Application Deadline: February 9, 2025

3. Sally Ride Science Academy

Sally Ride was a trailblazing astronaut and physicist and became the first American woman in space in 1983. In 2009, she established the Sally Ride Science Academy at UC San Diego to continue her legacy of curious learning. The program is open to students in grades 3-12 and offers online and in-person courses ranging from 1-4 weeks. The 2025 edition of the program will take place from July 7-25.

Through courses in a variety of science and engineering topics, including their “Space Out” aerospace class, the program aims to encourage students to maintain their interests in STEAM fields and to introduce them to exciting future career paths.

4. USC Viterbi SHINE Program

The Summer High School Intensive in Next-Generation Engineering (SHINE) at USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering is a seven-week research mentorship for high school students. Understanding control systems is crucial for various research opportunities, especially in aerospace engineering projects. The information that is currently available online has not been updated since the 2023 session. However, during that summer, students conducted research in 41 different labs at USC Viterbi, including an aerospace engineering project on flow control and drag reduction in the Fluid-Structure Interactions Lab of Dr. Mitul Luhar. (More labs and projects can be viewed here).

The dates for the program’s 2025 session have not yet been announced. However, based on previous years, the application deadline will likely be around February, and the program will probably take place in June and July. Past selection rounds have required students to submit official transcripts from their high schools and to have a GPA of at least 3.4 out of 4.0.

Full tuition and fees for SHINE have been reported at approximately $5,750, and need-based financial aid is available.

5. NASA High School Internships

Although NASA’s Internship Program is primarily for college students and graduates, they open up a handful of internship opportunities to high school students each year. These internships allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world projects and research.  To view them, go to this page and click on “Search this list,” then type your grade number (9, 10, 11, or 12) and hit enter. Non-high school opportunities may also show up; to be sure you’re eligible, double-check that your grade level appears in the “Academic Level” column. In the Summer of 2025, several NASA internship programs will be open to current high school students. All internships are in person. While most of the internships are in aerospace engineering, some of them are on mechanical engineering or climate topics that are related to aerospace. Here are a few examples of 2025 internships at NASA that are open to high schoolers:

• Pneumatic Shock System – Methods and Development (Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama)

• Materials Processing for Space Nuclear Propulsion (Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama)

• Lidar Design & Development (Goddard Space Flight Center, Maryland)

• Climate Change Research Initiative Internship - GISS (Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York)

• Climate Change Research Initiative Internship - GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center, Maryland)

The application deadline is February 28 for Summer 2025 internships. All NASA internships are organized by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement. High school applicants must be at least 16 years old, hold U.S. citizenship, and have a GPA of at least 3.0 / 4.0. Most interns receive a stipend, and all interns are responsible for making their own housing arrangements.

6. University of Arizona Summer Engineering Academy (SEA)

SEA is a program offering summer engineering camps for high schoolers (grades 9-12) at the University of Arizona’s campus in Tucson. The goal of the program is to introduce high schoolers to engineering careers through hands-on workshops and design projects, and through conversations with engineering students and teachers at the University of Arizona. The program also incorporates data science techniques to analyze complex datasets and support various engineering projects.

The 2025 program is broken down into 7 individual, week-long programs, some of which are day camps while others are residential:

• Week 1: June 9-12

  • Restore and Improve Sustainable Infrastructure: Day Camp

• Week 2: June 16-16

  • Women in Engineering: Day Camp

• Week 3: June 22-26 

  • Explore Engineering I: Residential Camp

• Week 4: June 29- July 3 

  • Explore Engineering 2: Residential Camp

• Week 5: July 7-10

  • Semiconductor Design, Fabrication, and Application: Day Camp

• Week 6: July 14-18

  • Sustainable Environment: Day Camp

• Week 7: July 21-25

  • Challenge Accepted: Day Camp

The day camps cost $350, and are excellent opportunities for students who are based in or near Tucson. The residential camps cost $750. The deadline to apply for need-based scholarships is April 15, 2025.

7. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)

BWSI is a program for high school students (grades 9-11) run through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The program organizes free online courses in technology, as well as month-long, in-person summer courses for a handful of students to attend at MIT’s campus. Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a key framework utilized in these courses, particularly in research methodologies and lab facility development.  The in-person programs are also free for students whose families earn less than $150,000 per year. However, students are responsible for their own housing arrangements during the four-week summer programs. The deadline to apply to summer programs is March 31. 

BWIS’s full course list is available here. Students with an interest in aerospace engineering may be particularly drawn to the following options:

• Autonomous Air Vehicle Racing

• Unmanned Air System – Synthetic Aperture Radar

Both options include:

• Online coursework in the spring (February to May) that is open to all students without an application

• A four-week in-person course at MIT from July 7 to August 3, 2025.

  • Note: in order to be eligible for the in-person summer course, students must participate in the corresponding online course!

Because there are two components to the courses, the process of participating in BWSI can seem complicated. Here’s how the schedule will work in 2025:

• Fall 2024: registration opens for online spring term courses

• Mid-January 2025: students receive log-in information for online courses

• February 3: Online courses begin

• March 3: applications open for Summer Institute

• March 31: application deadline to apply for Summer Institute

• May 1: applicants are notified of admissions decisions

• June 20: The online course ends

• July 7 - August 3: in-person course

8. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Summer Camps

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a highly specialized institute that trains future aviators and aerospace engineers. Graduate students play a crucial role in research assistantships, contributing to projects that often relate to their thesis work, supported by fellowships and grants. The university organizes a variety of summer camp experiences for high schoolers who are interested in exploring aviation and/or aerospace paths academically and/or professionally. Camps take place in person in either Daytona Beach, FL, or Prescott, AZ. Their camp offerings include:

• Aerospace Engineering

• Aerospace Career Exploration

• Drone Flight Exploration

• Rocket Propulsion Engineering

• Robotics and Autonomous Systems

• and more!

Each camp lasts about one week during the summer, but the dates vary from camp to camp. The costs also vary from camp to camp, with most falling somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000. Age eligibility requirements depend on the camp that you choose. Registration opens on January 8, 2025.

Emerging Technologies in Aerospace Engineering

Introduction to AI and Machine Learning Applications

The aerospace engineering field is rapidly evolving with the integration of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). These technologies have the potential to revolutionize the design, development, and operation of aerospace systems. AI and ML can be applied to various aspects of aerospace engineering, including predictive maintenance, autonomous systems, and data analysis.

One key application of AI and ML in aerospace engineering is the development of predictive maintenance systems. These systems use machine learning algorithms to analyze data from sensors and predict when maintenance is required, reducing downtime and increasing overall efficiency. For example, researchers at the University of Michigan are working on a project to develop a predictive maintenance system for aircraft engines using machine learning algorithms.

Another area where AI and ML are being applied is in the development of autonomous systems. Autonomous systems, such as drones and self-driving cars, rely on AI and ML algorithms to navigate and make decisions in real time. Researchers at the University of Michigan are working on a project to develop an autonomous drone system that can navigate through complex environments using machine learning algorithms.

AI and ML are also being used in aerospace engineering to analyze large datasets and gain insights into complex phenomena. For example, researchers at the University of Michigan are working on a project to analyze data from wind tunnels to gain insights into fluid-structure interactions.

Aerospace Engineering Research in Sustainability

Understanding Environmental Impact and Contrail Evolution

Aerospace engineering research is increasingly focused on sustainability, with a particular emphasis on understanding the environmental impact of aerospace systems. One area of research is the study of contrail evolution, which is a critical component of understanding the environmental impact of air travel.

Contrails are trails of condensed water vapor that form behind aircraft engines. They can have a significant impact on the environment, contributing to climate change and air pollution. Researchers at the University of Michigan are working on a project to study contrail evolution using computational models and experimental data.

Another area of research is the development of sustainable propulsion systems. Researchers at the University of Michigan are working on a project to develop a new propulsion system that uses electric motors and advanced materials to reduce emissions and increase efficiency.

Aerospace engineering research is also focused on understanding the environmental impact of aerospace systems throughout their entire lifecycle, from design and development to operation and disposal. Researchers at the University of Michigan are working on a project to develop a lifecycle assessment tool that can be used to evaluate the environmental impact of aerospace systems.

Overall, aerospace engineering research is playing a critical role in understanding and mitigating the environmental impact of aerospace systems. By developing new technologies and understanding complex phenomena, researchers are working to create a more sustainable future for the aerospace industry.

How Do High Schoolers Prepare for Aerospace Engineering?  

Essential Skills and Knowledge for Aspiring Aerospace Engineers

Many of the opportunities listed above are open to all students, with no academic prerequisites. However, some of the more advanced programs are specifically looking for students who have taken physics and calculus courses and ideally have some experience with coding and theoretical knowledge. In addition, several programs recommend that students have experience working with CAD (computer-aided design). Beyond the technical requirements, it’s important that aspiring aerospace engineers be able to write clearly and effectively and to seamlessly alternate between working independently and collaborating in multidisciplinary team environments.

Developing Research Skills in High School

Beyond the academic and communication requirements, a solid grasp of the research and design (R&D) process is one of the most important tools that can help aspiring aerospace engineers set themselves apart. Undergraduate students often engage in hands-on projects and collaborate with experienced faculty, gaining practical insights into aerospace engineering through various research initiatives and programs. While most high schools offer classes in math and physics, the best way to grasp the principles and processes behind R&D is to get hands-on experience in a real-world setting (like one of the opportunities mentioned above).

What Math Should I Take in High School for Aerospace Engineering?  

The Importance of Math in Aerospace Engineering 

As with many engineering disciplines, aerospace engineers rely heavily on the application of mathematical principles to solve real-world problems. And, understanding those principles is usually a good starting point before attempting to apply them, especially when those problems are attached to objects flying through air or space.

Recommended Math Courses for High School Students

Calculus is a requirement for all aspiring engineers. If you are interested in aerospace research, then you’ll probably need to be able to work with nonlinear rates of change, range/payload tradeoffs, orbital mechanics, as well as problems and phenomena related to dynamical systems. For starters, you’ll need a solid grasp of geometry, trigonometry, and pre-calculus. If you have the opportunity to complete Calculus I and Calculus II during high school, then you’ll be in a good position to start working on some aerospace problems. After that, the next steps (probably at the college/university level) would be to take differential equations, linear algebra, and multivariable calculus.

How Polygence Can Help You Pursue Aerospace Engineering Research 

Leverage the Polygence Core Program for Personalized Mentorship

Polygence’s Core Program is a one-on-one mentorship experience that you can tailor based on your specific aerospace engineering goals. We’ll match you with an expert aerospace engineer who will guide you through an exciting research project. You and your mentor will decide on the research topic together, ensuring a fun and feasible process, given your individual skills and ambitions. Past Polygence projects have explored the challenges that designers face in building hypersonic aircraft, the possibilities for generating wind power through aerospace transportation, and applications of fluid dynamic simulations for designing airplane wings.

Ready to get started on your aerospace engineering research project? Explore our Research Mentorship Program!