NASA Engineering for High School Students

Explore the future of engineering with NASA.

At NSLC’s Engineering program in Houston, you’ll explore engineering and aerospace through mission-based simulations grounded in the real NASA-inspired challenges of modern space exploration. From rocket propulsion and robotics to thermal protection and life-sustaining environments, you’ll learn inside NASA Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston, gaining access to the active facilities used for astronaut preparation and mission development.

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.
Experience the NASA Johnson Space Center

Work and learn inside NASA’s active astronaut training and development facilities alongside the engineers, operators, and specialists who are advancing the future of human space exploration.

I absolutely loved it! I knew I wanted to be an engineer before but now I’m sure. I also made friends I will never forget and experiences I will cherish forever.

Sophia, California

Guest Speakers

Learn from NASA industry leaders.

Learn directly from NASA engineers, mission specialists, and astronauts who bring real-world experiences and technical expertise to the Engineering program.

See Past Guest Speakers
Trips & Tours

Go beyond the classroom at NASA.

Gain a new perspective on engineering and learn how the industry works behind the scenes. Explore NASA’s facilities and see first-hand where rockets are designed, flight systems are tested, and mission hardware is refined.

See Trips by Locations
Columbia University Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
  • Columbia University, Department of Engineering
  • Nokia Bell Labs
  • American Museum of Natural History
  • Statue of Liberty at Sunset Cruise
Duke University Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Sullenberger Aviation Museum
  • Lenovo HQ
  • NC State School of Engineering
  • Duke Pratt School of Engineering
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame
Rice University Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • George R. Brown School of Engineering | Rice University
  • Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen
  • Johnson Space Center
  • Galleria/Uptown
University of California, Berkeley Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Tesla Factory Tour
  • Golden Gate Bridge Tour
  • USS Hornet Museum
  • Berkeley School of Engineering
  • Fisherman’s Wharf & Ghirardelli Square
  • Pier 39
University of California, Los Angeles Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Northrop Grumman
  • UCLA Samueli School of Engineering
  • California Science Center
  • Port of LA
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Lab
  • Santa Monica Pier
University of Michigan Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • University of Michigan College of Engineering
  • General Motors Tech Center
  • Ford Rouge Factory Tour
  • Michigan Robotics and Chemical Engineering Departments
  • Mcity Autonomous Vehicle Research Center
  • Detroit Observatory at University of Michigan
University of Oxford Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • BMW Mini Factory
  • Oxford Engineering Lab Tour
  • The Royal Society
  • History of Science Museum
  • Imperial College
  • Science Museum London
  • Rowing at an Oxford Boat House
  • London Sightseeing (Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery London, Covent Garden)
University of Pennsylvania Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
  • Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia
  • Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
  • Penn Engineering
  • Historic Downtown Philadelphia

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 college campus, and experience living with roommates. Students in the Houston program will also spend five days learning within NASA Johnson Space Center’s state-of-the-art development facilities. All students are required to reside at Rice University in supervised campus dormitories and will be provided meals through campus dining services.

What does my tuition include?

Columbia University*

New York, NY

$4,495 Residential

Summer 2026

Jun 12 - Jun 20

Jun 24 - Jul 2

Trips & Tours Sample Schedule

Columbia University Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
  • Columbia University, Department of Engineering
  • Nokia Bell Labs
  • American Museum of Natural History
  • Statue of Liberty at Sunset Cruise
Duke University**

Durham, NC

$4,295 Residential

Summer 2026

Jul 6 - Jul 14

Jul 18 - Jul 26

Trips & Tours Sample Schedule

Duke University Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Sullenberger Aviation Museum
  • Lenovo HQ
  • NC State School of Engineering
  • Duke Pratt School of Engineering
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame
Rice University°

Houston, TX

$4,195 Residential

Summer 2026

Jun 11 - Jun 19

Jun 23 - Jul 1

Trips & Tours Sample Schedule

Rice University Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • George R. Brown School of Engineering | Rice University
  • Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen
  • Johnson Space Center
  • Galleria/Uptown
University of California, Berkeley

San Francisco, CA

$4,395 Residential

Summer 2026

Jun 12 - Jun 20

Jun 24 - Jul 2

Trips & Tours Sample Schedule

University of California, Berkeley Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Tesla Factory Tour
  • Golden Gate Bridge Tour
  • USS Hornet Museum
  • Berkeley School of Engineering
  • Fisherman’s Wharf & Ghirardelli Square
  • Pier 39
University of California, Los Angeles△

Los Angeles, CA

$4,395 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:

  • Northrop Grumman
  • UCLA Samueli School of Engineering
  • California Science Center
  • Port of LA
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Lab
  • Santa Monica Pier
University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

$4,195 Residential

Summer 2026

Jul 8 - Jul 16

Jul 21 - Jul 29

Trips & Tours Sample Schedule

University of Michigan Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • University of Michigan College of Engineering
  • General Motors Tech Center
  • Ford Rouge Factory Tour
  • Michigan Robotics and Chemical Engineering Departments
  • Mcity Autonomous Vehicle Research Center
  • Detroit Observatory at University of Michigan
University of Oxford†

Oxford, England

$6,395 Residential

Summer 2026

Jul 5 - Jul 16

Jul 20 - Jul 31

Sessions at Oxford are 12 days.

Trips & Tours Sample Schedule

University of Oxford Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • BMW Mini Factory
  • Oxford Engineering Lab Tour
  • The Royal Society
  • History of Science Museum
  • Imperial College
  • Science Museum London
  • Rowing at an Oxford Boat House
  • London Sightseeing (Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery London, Covent Garden)
University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

$4,395 Residential

Summer 2026

Jul 19 - Jul 27

Jul 30 - Aug 7

Trips & Tours Sample Schedule

University of Pennsylvania Trips & Tours

Trips and tours may include:

  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
  • Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia
  • Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
  • Penn Engineering
  • Historic Downtown Philadelphia

* NSLC is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Columbia University.

** The NSLC is not sponsored by Duke University.

° The NSLC is not sponsored by William Marsh Rice University.

△ The NSLC is not sponsored by UCLA.

† NSLC and OSP are not part of the University of Oxford and are not authorised, approved, endorsed or otherwise associated with the University of Oxford. NSLC and OSP hire University of Oxford facilities during the summer and contract with colleges of the University of Oxford to provide accommodation and use of facilities only.

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.
Learn more

Protect your tuition.

Affordable trip insurance protects your investment in case of emergency.
Learn more

Apply for a scholarship.

NSLC awards more than $500,000 in scholarships each year.
Learn more

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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