Summer Opportunities at Kansas Universities for High School Students
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Whether you’re curious about engineering, design, education, entrepreneurship, aerospace technologies, fashion or agriculture, Kansas universities host a variety of hands-on summer experiences that are ideal for high school students exploring future majors or careers.
University of Kansas
University of Kansas School of Engineering Summer Camps
Who: Rising 9th–12th graders interested in engineering disciplines
When:
July 12–17, 2026 (9th–10th graders)
July 19–24, 2026 (11th–12th graders)
Cost: $1,325 (covers housing, meals, lab access, activities)
Deadline: Rolling / space limited
What You’ll Do: This immersive, week-long overnight experience lets students get a real taste of college-level engineering in areas like mechanical, electrical, aerospace, and more. Includes hands-on engineering projects, lab tours, interactive sessions with faculty
KU- The Center for Remote Sensing and Integrated Systems (CReSIS)
Who: Rising high school seniors interested in advance aerospace technologies
When: May 31st - June 12th
Cost: FREE - housing and meals included
Deadline: Apply by March 10th
What You’ll Do: This camp offers instruction in computer science and engineering in a safe and fun environment. Students will challenge themselves by experimenting with drone piloting, model car programming, and more!
Apply: https://cresis.ku.edu/aatee
Kansas State University
K-State EdCats Summit
Who: High school students entering grades 10–12 interested in becoming educators
When: July 26-29
Cost: $75
Deadline: Rolling admission until capacity is reached
What You’ll Do: Explore the K-State Manhattan campus, visit the College of Education, and explore the facilities available to future educators.
Engage in activities led by K-State faculty and staff to learn effective teaching strategies and the tools needed to be a successful educator.
Gain insight into career opportunities available in education, from teaching to administration, counseling, and more.
Meet like-minded peers who share your passion for education, and network with K-State educators and professionals in the field.
K- State Feeding Your Future Summer Camp -
Who: High school students entering grades 10–12 interested in growing, harvesting and milling grain into ingredients to produce food.
When: June 9-13th
Cost: $75
Deadline: No deadline listed - still open
K-State Social Impact Lab
Who: Middle and High school students entering grades 7-10
When: April 8, 2026
Cost: FREE
Deadline: March 28th - Apply by March 15th to receive a t-shirt
What you’ll do: At this one-day camp, students do hands-on activities to learn about careers in various helping professions, meet with K-State faculty members and students, and experience a day on campus.
K- State College of Architecture, Planning & Design -Summer Design Experience
Who: High school students entering grades 10–12
When: June 24-27, 2006
Cost: $800
Scholarships: limited number will be available
Deadline: Not listed, registration opens in March
What You’ll Do: This faculty-led experience will introduce high school students to the professions of architecture, industrial design, interior architecture, landscape architecture and regional and community planning through exposure to basic environmental design concepts, the creative design process, design technology and hands-on projects in cutting-edge design labs.
K-State VetMed Rocks
Who: Elementary to high school students interested in veterinary school
When: July 27-29
Cost: $125
Scholarships: limited number will be available
Deadline: Not listed, registration opens in April
What You’ll Do:Vet Med ROCKS is an immersive opportunity for students to experience veterinary medicine in a fun, hands-on and educational environment with current Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students and veterinary faculty and staff. The camps offer interactive activities, expert-led workshops and career insights for participants interested in becoming veterinarians.
K-State FARM to fashion camp
Who: Middle and high school students entering 7th grade and higher
When: July 13th -16th, 2026
Cost: $100 (lodging and food not provided)
Deadline: Not listed
What You’ll Do:This four-day camp introduces students to fiber arts and fashion design. The camp includes hands-on experiences with activities such as spinning, dyeing, weaving, and fashion design.
K-State Precision Agrictulture workshop
Who: Middle and high school students entering 7th grade and higher
When: June 14th - 16th
Cost: $50 (lodging and food provided)
Deadline: Not listed
What You’ll Do: Explore agriculture technologies like drones, soil sensors, and variable rate application equipment. You will meet experts, learn new skills like flying drones or collecting field data, mapping variability, and discover how to make farming easier and more efficient.
Wichita State University
Engineering Summer Camps
Who: Grades 4–12 (various focus areas - robotics, lego, machine learning, biomedical, computer security)
When: Camps from June–July
Cost: Typically $25–$275+ depending on topic
Deadline: Registration opens March 19th and runs on a rolling basis
Apply: WSU College of Engineering Camps: https://www.wichita.edu/academics/engineering/engineeringsummercamp/index.php (Wichita State University)
Wichita State University Camp Destination Innovation Internship
Who: High school students
When: June 2nd- June 26th (Tuesday through Friday)
Cost: No cost - pays $15 per hour
Deadline: Registration open now
What you'll do: This program is for high school students in the Wichita area who are passionate about entrepreneurship and eager to gain valuable professional knowledge in a exciting and interactive environment. Campers will gain hands-on business experience and have the chance to meet inspiring leaders from the ICT community.
Newman University
Investigative Summer STEM Program
Who: Rising 10th–12th graders interested in engineering disciplines
When:
July 12–17, 2026 (9th–10th graders)
July 19–24, 2026 (11th–12th graders)
Cost: $400 by April 15th or $450 after April 15th(includes tuition for two hours of college credit, lodging for 5 nights in the residence halls, breakfast, lunch, dinner for 5 days.)
Deadline: TBA
What You’ll Do:
Earn two hours of college credit with a pass/fail grade upon satisfactory completion of the program
Spend 5 days performing hands-on research in small groups led by highly qualified NU faculty
Expand team-building and communication skills
Engage with guest speakers from a variety of STEM-related fields to discuss the career opportunities possible with a STEM education
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