Engineering
High School Summer Program
Engineer Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs
Dive into the world of civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering as you explore how science, math, and creativity combine to solve real-world challenges. From sustainable energy and smart infrastructure to robotics and drone technology, you’ll learn how engineers design systems that drive progress and improve everyday life.
Hands-On Simulations
Design robots, engineer drones, and explore renewable energy as you apply the full engineering design process from concept to creation.
Drone Design
Collaborate with your team to engineer specialized drone prototypes, each built to tackle a unique challenge. Apply principles of aerodynamic, circuitry, and control systems as you refine your designs through flight testing.
Guest Speakers
Hear from experts across engineering fields. Check out some of our past speakers!
Chris Carhut
Manager, Production Development Engineering
SpaceX
Kathleen Kramer
Professor of Electrical Engineering
University of San Diego
James Burroughs
Standards Manager
Siemens
Gene Lew
VP of Strategic Initiatives
Salesforce
Trips & Tours
Go behind the scenes at places such as:
- Nokia Bell Labs
- American Museum of Natural History
- Sullenberger Aviation Museum
- Lenovo HQ
- NC State School of Engineering
- Duke Pratt School of Engineering
- NASCAR Hall of Fame
- Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen
- Johnson Space Center
- Tesla Factory Tour
- Golden Gate Bridge Tour
- USS Hornet Museum
- Fisherman’s Wharf & Ghirardelli Square
- Pier 39
- Northrop Grumman
- UCLA Samueli School of Engineering
- California Science Center
- Port of LA
- NASA Jet Propulsion Lab
- 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
- 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)
- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia
- Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
Locations, Dates, & Tuition
TryEngineering Summer Institute is a hands-on pre-college engineering program for high school students. Participants will attend classes in university classrooms, live in supervised campus dorms, and enjoy meals through campus dining—offering a safe, immersive preview of college life.
Columbia University
New York, NY
$4,495
Session Dates
June 12 – June 20
June 24 – July 2
Duke University
Durham, NC
$4,295
Session Dates
July 6 – July 14
July 18 – July 26
Rice University
Houston, TX
$4,195
Session Dates
June 11 – June 19
June 23 – July 1
University of California, Berkeley
San Francisco, CA
$4,395
Session Dates
June 12 – June 20
June 24 – July 2
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
$4,395
Session Dates
June 23 – July 1
July 5 – July 13
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
$4,195
Session Dates
July 8 – July 16
July 21 – July 29
University of Oxford
Oxford, England
$6,395
Session Dates
July 5 – July 16
July 20 – July 31
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
$4,395
Session Dates
July 19 – July 27
July 30 – August 7
FAQs
View all frequently asked questions
What is engineering?
Engineering is the application of science and math to create solutions to real-world problems. Engineers are the creative inventors and problem solvers of the world.
Over 25 specialties exist in the field of engineering, ranging from electrical engineering to environmental engineering.
Am I eligible to attend the IEEE TryEngineering Summer Institute?
We encourage all 9th-12th grade students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership ability to apply to our summer programs. Students must be between the ages of 14-18 and have completed at least one year of high school. Students may attend a program through the summer following high school graduation.
How do IEEE and NSLC work together?
Through the IEEE TryEngineering Summer Institute, IEEE and NSLC have come together to create an incredible summer of experiential learning where high school students explore a future career in an engineering field through hands-on workshops and simulations.
All students will enroll through the NSLC website and have access to the NSLC Enrolled Student Portal to manage their program details. The NSLC team will provide support before, during, and after the summer. The NSLC Portal will provide students with logistical information about their program, including packing checklists, travel and shuttle information, and general program information.
IEEE and the IEEE TryEngineering Summer Institute are proud to partner with NSLC to foster the next generation of technology innovators through hands-on, interdisciplinary engineering education that empowers students to solve real-world challenges.
Give your teen a hands-on engineering summer.
The TryEngineering Summer Institute offers STEM programs for high school students with real engineering projects, robotics, aerospace, AI, and more at top universities. Explore our engineering summer programs and secure a spot today.