In-person Program

    Aerospace Engineering High School Course

    by Summer Springboard

    A hands-on aerospace course exploring flight mechanics, propulsion, orbital mechanics and aircraft design through glider or rocket projects and industry insight.

    Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
    Aerospace Engineering High School Course
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    Aerospace Engineering Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Recently closed

    Eligibility

    High-school students; 3.0 GPA

    Age range / Year group

    Approximately 14-18

    Location / Region

    Los Angeles; Seattle; New Haven

    Cost

    From $2,498

    Duration

    1-2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    EngineeringSpace & physics

    Accommodation: Shared university dorms

    Meals: Full board residential; commuter lunch

    Certificate / Outcome: Certificate and recommendation letter

    Sessions / cadence: 5 x 4-hour or 9 x 3-hour classes

    Main output: Custom glider or rocket

    Aerospace Engineering Course summary

    This is a practical aerospace engineering course covering flight mechanics, aerodynamics, propulsion, aircraft design and orbital mechanics.

    Students apply the theory by designing and testing a glider or rocket, with industry visits, guest speakers and campus-based learning extending the experience.

    It best suits students who want to test a serious interest in aerospace engineering before choosing a university subject or career direction.

    What is Aerospace Engineering High School Course?

    The Aerospace Engineering High School Course is a Summer Springboard academic program offered across UCLA, the University of Washington and Yale. It introduces the physics and engineering principles behind aircraft and spacecraft through focused campus teaching.

    Students study flight mechanics, aerodynamics, propulsion, aircraft design and orbital mechanics. Practical design challenges, aerospace excursions and conversations with professionals connect classroom concepts to real engineering work.

    Why Succeed highlights Aerospace Engineering Course

    • The course turns flight theory into a concrete glider or rocket design challenge.

    • Named instructors bring university research and aerospace-industry experience into the classroom.

    • Students encounter both aeronautical and astronautical engineering before committing to a narrower pathway.

    • Academic excursions and guest speakers show how aerospace concepts operate beyond a textbook.

    • Residential and commuter options offer families different ways to access the campus experience.

    Who is Aerospace Engineering Course for?

    Best for

    Motivated high-school students who enjoy physics, mathematics and practical design, and want to explore aerospace before university.

    Not ideal if

    You want a formally credited course, need every excursion to be accessible without U.S. citizenship, or prefer a purely theoretical classroom program.

    Is Aerospace Engineering Course worth it?

    The course can be worthwhile for students who want a concentrated test of aerospace engineering through both technical concepts and practical work. Producing and testing a glider or rocket gives students something specific to reflect on when considering future study.

    The main limitation is cost: base tuition is supplemented by mandatory fees, and the program does not generally award college credit. Families should also compare campus lengths, travel needs and excursion restrictions before deciding.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    From $2,498; includes Academic course and course excursions, Residential lodging and all meals, Residential weekend excursions and activities, Commuter lunch and weekday programming, Completion certificate and professor recommendation letter.

    Accommodation

    Shared university dorms

    Meals

    Full board residential; commuter lunch

    Provider details

    Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    1-2 weeks; Los Angeles; Seattle; New Haven.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Aerospace Engineering Course need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high academic intensity.

    Best started

    Begin comparing campuses and assembling application materials two to three months before the next admission deadline.

    Main challenge

    Turning flight principles into a glider or rocket that performs within set parameters.

    Typical preparation

    • Review core algebra and rearranging equations.

    • Refresh basic forces, motion and energy concepts.

    • Read introductory material on lift, drag, thrust and weight.

    • Prepare questions about aerospace study and careers for instructors or guest speakers.

    Useful if

    You have studied algebra and physics, although formal prerequisites are not required.

    What do students do on Aerospace Engineering Course?

    Students combine interactive teaching with practical design, testing and career exploration. The exact excursion program varies by campus.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Learn the fundamentals of flight mechanics, aerodynamics and propulsion.

    2. 2

      Compare aeronautical and astronautical engineering using orbital mechanics.

    3. 3

      Develop an aircraft or spacecraft design through hands-on challenges.

    4. 4

      Build and test a glider or small rocket against flight parameters.

    5. 5

      Meet aerospace professionals through guest talks or industry visits.

    6. 6

      Reflect on aerospace university subjects and career pathways.

    Aerospace Engineering Course dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Yale Session 2

    21-27 June 2026

    One-week course

    Reference date

    UCLA Session 1

    21 June-3 July 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    Yale Session 4

    5-11 July 2026

    One-week course

    Reference date

    UCLA Session 2

    5-17 July 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    Yale Session 6

    19-25 July 2026

    One-week course

    Reference date

    UCLA Session 3

    19-31 July 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    Washington Session 1

    26 July-7 August 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    UCLA applications

    1 May 2026

    Course-specific 2026 cutoff

    Reference date

    General admission

    17 May 2026

    Final 2026 provider-wide deadline

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Rising high-school freshmen through graduating seniors

    • Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent

    • Must meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria

    • International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency

    • Student must participate in the application

    • U.S. citizenship required for some company excursions

    How much does Aerospace Engineering Course cost?

    Program tuition

    From $2,498 — Campus, length and attendance type affect tuition

    Funding or discounts

    • Program deposit: $600 — Paid with the application
    • Course supplement: $250 — Mandatory aerospace engineering fee
    • Need-based scholarship: Up to 30% residential — Up to 60% of commuter tuition
    • Eligible discounts: 5% — Heroes, multi-program, sibling or referral terms apply

    What's included

    Academic course and course excursions, Residential lodging and all meals, Residential weekend excursions and activities, Commuter lunch and weekday programming, Completion certificate and professor recommendation letter

    How to apply to Aerospace Engineering Course

    1. 1

      Ask a parent or guardian to create an application-portal account.

    2. 2

      Confirm the registration email and complete the account details.

    3. 3

      Select the campus, session, course and tuition type.

    4. 4

      Enter the student's details and complete the short-answer questions.

    5. 5

      Review and sign the required agreements.

    6. 6

      Submit the application with the $600 deposit and application fee.

    7. 7

      Wait for the enrollment decision and complete any additional forms.

    What does Aerospace Engineering Course cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Flight mechanics

    Explore lift, motion and the forces governing aircraft flight.

    Aerodynamics and propulsion

    Study airflow, aircraft performance and propulsion-system fundamentals.

    Orbital mechanics

    Apply basic orbital principles to spacecraft-focused design questions.

    Aircraft and spacecraft design

    Develop a glider or rocket within practical performance parameters.

    Aerospace careers

    Connect technical learning with professional roles and current technology.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Aerospace Engineering Course?

    A typical day during the program.

    Academic course

    Two-week students study 9am-noon on weekdays in week one and Monday-Thursday in week two.

    One week classes

    Yale lists five four-hour classes from Monday through Friday.

    Academic enrichment

    Course excursions, labs, activities or guest speakers follow morning teaching.

    Residential program

    Dinner, social activities and supervised dorm time complete the day.

    Who teaches on Aerospace Engineering Course?

    Named instructors include aerospace engineers, researchers and university faculty such as Dr. Vincent Phong, Dr. Andres Garcia Jimenez, Carl Knowlen, Lily Behnke and Wajid Ali Chishty. Their backgrounds span propulsion, aerodynamics, materials science, aerospace research and engineering education.

    Instructor assignments vary by campus and session.

    Where do students stay on Aerospace Engineering Course?

    Residential plan

    • Campus accommodation: Students stay in shared, gender-separated university dorm accommodations.
    • Meals: Residential tuition includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    • Staff support: Summer Springboard staff and mentors live on-site and support students.
    • Weekend excursions: Residential tuition includes supervised weekend excursions.

    Non-residential plan

    • Weekday attendance: Commuter programming generally runs from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
    • Commuter lunch: Lunch is included for commuter students.

    Specific dorm buildings and room layouts can vary by campus and year.

    What happens after Aerospace Engineering Course?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Use the design project to reflect on aerospace engineering study.

    Compare aeronautical and astronautical engineering pathways.

    Explore future study in physics, mathematics or engineering.

    Receive a completion certificate and professor recommendation letter.

    Draw on professional encounters when evaluating aerospace careers.

    The program generally does not award college credit.

    Where does Aerospace Engineering Course take place?

    The course is offered on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, the University of Washington campus in Seattle and the Yale campus in New Haven. Each setting supports campus-based teaching alongside locally relevant aerospace visits, museums, laboratories or professional encounters.

    Summer Springboard operates independently of the named campus partners except where explicitly stated otherwise.

    Aerospace Engineering Course FAQs

    Students study flight mechanics, aerodynamics, propulsion, aircraft design and basic orbital mechanics. The course compares aeronautical and astronautical engineering.

    It combines interactive teaching with hands-on design challenges. Students create and test a glider or small rocket and may join aerospace-focused visits or talks.

    No formal prerequisites are stated. Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus and physics are recommended at different levels, so preparation in mathematics and physics is useful.

    Named instructors include university researchers, professors and practicing aerospace engineers with expertise in propulsion, aerodynamics, materials and engineering design.

    Yes. Published tuition includes residential and commuter options, although the exact availability and price vary by campus and session.

    Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, meals, course excursions, activities and weekend excursions.

    International students can apply but must demonstrate English proficiency through an interview or an accepted test score. Some company excursions require proof of U.S. citizenship.

    Most Summer Springboard programs do not award college credit. Students receive a completion certificate and a professor's letter of recommendation after completing the program.

    Alternatives to Aerospace Engineering Course

    Compare these related engineering and physics programs if you want a different location, subject balance or summer-course structure.

    Alternatives to Aerospace Engineering Course

    Engineering summer study in Cambridge

    Engineering
    Deadline: Not announced
    From £4495
    13-18
    Cambridge
    In-person

    Best for

    Students seeking engineering breadth rather than aerospace specialization

    View details

    Physics and astronomy study in Cambridge

    Space & physics
    03 Aug 2026
    From £6295
    14-18
    Cambridge
    In-person

    Best for

    Students more interested in space science than aircraft design

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Terra Education
    • 2026 HS 1-week Aerospace Engineering V5
    • (1) New Messages!
    • General Information FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Tuition and Financial Aid FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Summer Aerospace Program for High School Students at Yale
    • Summer Aerospace Engineering Program for High School Students at UCLA
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Aerospace Engineering | Course | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)

    • Course details reviewed

    • Eligibility checked

    • Tuition compared

    • Dates verified

    • Schedules reviewed

    • Campus arrangements checked

    • Instructor profiles reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.