High School Summer Aerospace Program

Ignite your career in aerospace.

At the NSLC on Aerospace, you’ll step into the world of aviation and space engineering through projects that bring complex ideas to life. Working with a team of your peers, you’ll design and build an unmanned aerial vehicle and create components for a Mission to Mars, applying the engineering design process from first sketch to final test. You’ll explore aerodynamics, propulsion mechanics, and flight control systems, gaining a clear picture of how aircraft and spacecraft move from design to launch. By the end of the program, you’ll develop a strong foundation in aerospace engineering and understand how these principles are applied to solve real challenges in aviation and space exploration.

The NSLC is proud to partner with IEEE and the IEEE TryEngineering Summer Institute to foster the next generation of technology innovators through hands-on, interdisciplinary engineering education that empowers students to solve real-world challenges.

Honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had. I learned not only so much about aerospace, but also about myself.

Phoenix, New York

Guest Speakers

Gain industry insights.

Interact with guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds that bring practical knowledge and real-world experiences to the Aerospace program.

See Past Guest Speakers
Trips & Tours

Go beyond the classroom.

Gain a new perspective on aerospace through field trips that uncover how the industry works behind the scenes. A mix of educational and sightseeing tours allow you to explore the city surrounding the university.

See Trips by Location

Duke University Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
  • Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
  • NC State School of Engineering.
  • GE Aerospace

University of California, Los Angeles Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  • SpaceX
  • Northrop Grumman
  • UCLA Samueli School of Engineering
  • California Science Center
  • Santa Monica Pier

Leadership
is in our name.

Each NSLC program contains a leadership curriculum designed to teach skills that can apply to all areas of life. Workshops on personality styles, communication and listening, resilience, and empathy set the foundation for a successful future, no matter where it may lead.

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Life on a College Campus

Dates, Locations, & Tuition

NSLC provides an immersive pre-college experience that prepares students for life beyond high school, allowing them to study in university classrooms, learn to navigate a campus, and experience living with roommates. All students are required to reside in supervised campus dormitories and will be provided meals through campus dining services.

What does my tuition include?

Duke University**

Durham, NC

$4,395 Residential

Summer 2026

Jun 11 - Jun 19

Jun 23 - Jul 1

Jul 6 - Jul 14

Jul 18 - Jul 26

Trips & Tours Sample Schedule

Duke University Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
  • Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
  • NC State School of Engineering.
  • GE Aerospace
University of California, Los Angeles△

Los Angeles, CA

$4,495 Residential

Summer 2026

Jun 23 - Jul 1

Jul 5 - Jul 13

Trips & Tours Sample Schedule

University of California, Los Angeles Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  • SpaceX
  • Northrop Grumman
  • UCLA Samueli School of Engineering
  • California Science Center
  • Santa Monica Pier

** The NSLC is not sponsored by Duke University.

△ The NSLC is not sponsored by UCLA.

Tuition Resources

See our cancellation and refund policy

Pay over time.

Flexible plans allow you to pay monthly – until 30 days before your program – at no additional fee.
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Protect your tuition.

Affordable trip insurance protects your investment in case of emergency.
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Apply for a scholarship.

NSLC awards more than $500,000 in scholarships each year.
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Earn College Credit

NSLC has partnered with American University to offer an online college credit opportunity for students across all our programs and locations. AU’s faculty-taught courses are completed at home outside the dates of your program and tailored to complement your area of study.

Learn More

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