Engineering for High School Students: How to Get Involved as a High Schooler
High school is a great time to explore and develop new interests and passions. Engineering, in particular, is an excellent field that involves various practical and hands-on aspects like designing, building, and problem-solving that high-schoolers can get involved in. Specifically, the realm of possibilities within engineering for high school students provides many opportunities to get involved and gain hands-on experience in the field.
In this blog post, we will discuss various ways high school students can get involved in engineering both inside and outside of the classroom, as well as the benefits of doing so for increasing passion for engineering and even bolstering college applications.
How to Get Involved with Engineering Inside the Classroom
Take advanced STEM-related courses
Beginning a journey into engineering for high school students begins with immersing oneself in advanced STEM courses. During high school, taking advanced STEM courses can help build a solid foundation in subjects core to engineering. For example, high school students can consider taking physics, biology, chemistry and calculus to develop a strong understanding of the fundamental principles that are essential in engineering. Specifically, IB or AP classes can provide college-level rigor and challenge, giving students a taste of what they can expect in their future engineering studies. This can also help you as a student gauge how interested and proficient you are in these subjects, which are heavily relied upon in engineering.
Join or start engineering clubs or organizations
Active participation in clubs provides a dynamic platform for high school students to explore specific streams of engineering. For example, join a robotics club to delve into mechanical engineering, a coding club to delve into software engineering, or if you’re unsure as to which stream of engineering sparks your interests, you should join math or science clubs to develop a strong foundation in the fundamental concepts that are utilized in all branches of engineering. Participation in these clubs fosters a deeper understanding of the diverse facets of engineering. It can also help you network with and make friends with others who are interested in engineering as well. If your school lacks a specific engineering club, take the initiative of starting one to create a space for students to come together and explore their passion for engineering. This can build your leadership skills and also allow you to inspire other budding engineers.
Compete in engineering competitions
Engage in engineering competitions to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. Competitions like Science Olympiad, FIRST Robotics, or the American Computer Science League provide opportunities to collaborate with peers, solve complex problems, and demonstrate your engineering skills in a real-world context. Participation in these competitions not only enhances your practical skills but also exposes you to a competitive yet collaborative environment—preparing you for future workplace dynamics. This can also be a great addition to your college application or general resume, further enhancing your credibility in the field of engineering as a high school student.
How to Get Involved with Engineering Outside the Classroom
Engage in engineering programs during the summer
Use summer break to further get involved in engineering through summer camps, pre-college programs, or engineering courses at a local community college. You may want to check out our blog for specific engineering camps and programs tailored for high school students to engage in during the summer. If you have more experience within the realm of engineering but want to apply in a research-based setting, you may want to consider participating in our Inspirit AI 1:1 Program: AI + X Individual Research where you can gain research experience on the intersection of artificial intelligence and engineering (or any other field of interest!).
Seek internships or job shadowing opportunities
Internships can provide real-world exposure to engineering for high school students. Even though securing engineering internships is often challenging as a high school student, there are some opportunities that are still available. For example, NASA offers good STEM internships for high school students, which you can explore through their STEM gateway search system. Also consider reaching out to local organizations or companies in your area that may offer internships or job shadowing opportunities. Perhaps if you know someone who is a current engineer, you can reach out to them for the opportunity to shadow them and gain firsthand experience in the field. Connecting with professionals in the engineering field through networking events or online platforms can also provide valuable insights and potential internship leads.
Start a passion project
Passion projects are a great way to explore your interests and gain hands-on, personalized experience in engineering for high school students. You can start by identifying a problem or topic that you are passionate about and brainstorming ways to address it. If you’re not sure on where to begin, check out our blog about passion projects for high school students for guidance on how to get started. Not only will this help you develop valuable skills in engineering, but it can also demonstrate your initiative and dedication to potential internship providers or college admissions officers. Additionally, passion projects can serve as excellent talking points during interviews or even in college essays!
Benefits of Getting Involved with Engineering as a High Schooler
Exploring engineering for high school students may seem too early or overwhelming at first, but there are numerous benefits that it offers that prepares students for the world after high school.
Develop meaningful skills
First off, you’ll build critical skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, skills that will be beneficial in any career path you end up choosing. Additionally, getting involved with engineering for high school students allows for the flexibility to explore different branches of engineering and discover that passion early on. This can help you make informed decisions about your future education and career goals, and allow for a more planned-out pathway. Even if engineering’s not your thing, the exposure to engineering in high school can still provide you with valuable knowledge and understanding of how things work in the world around you, which will enable you to think analytically and creatively, which are essential skills in any field.
Gain hands-on experience
Engaging in engineering for high school students also helps gain hands-on experience in the industry itself. This practical experience can give you a head start in college or in the workforce, as employers often value candidates who have already demonstrated their ability to apply their theoretical knowledge to projects or competitions. Additionally, exploring engineering in high school allows you to network with professionals in the field, attend workshops and conferences, and participate in competitions, all of which can further enhance your understanding and, ultimately, passion for engineering.
Bolster college application
By participating in engineering activities in high school, you can showcase your dedication and passion for the field, making your college application stand out among other applicants. Additionally, colleges often look for well-rounded individuals who have pursued their interests both inside and outside of the classroom, and involvement in engineering as this blog details can demonstrate your commitment to growing as a future engineer.
Overall, getting involved in engineering as a high school student not only enables you to develop valuable skills and knowledge, but it ultimately paves the way for a successful career in the field in the world after high school.
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
