TryEngineering Summer Institute
An exciting two-week, on-campus engineering camp for high school students held at three premier universities across the United States in 2019.
Project Exploration has developed a STEM@ Home Guide as a resource to parents, guardians, and caregivers to ensure the continuation of STEM learning and engagement. The guide includes a great list of STEM videos and channels as well as STEM activities that can be done at home.
Standard Tuition: $1,995 $500 deposit required upon enrollment.
Full tuition due no later than June 1, 2019.
IEEE Member Family and Friends Tuition: $1,895 (includes $100 IEEE Member Discount)
Returning students get an additional $100 discount. Email us at info@tryengineeringinstitute.org after registration to have the returning student discount applied to your account.
Commuter/Day program tuition includes:
Enroll today to place your deposit and reserve your spot in the TryEngineering Summer Institute Commuter/Day program!
Standard Tuition: $2,995 ( includes a $500 non-refundable deposit required upon enrollment).
Full tuition due no later than June 1, 2019.
IEEE Member Family and Friends Tuition: $2,895 (Includes $100 IEEE Member Discount)
Airport Pick-up/Drop-off service: $95 one way, $175 both ways
Returning students get an additional $100 discount. Email us at info@tryengineeringinstitute.org after registration to have the returning student discount applied to your account.
Residential program tuition includes:
Enroll today to place your deposit and reserve your spot in the TryEngineering Summer Institute Residential program!
You will live in the on-campus dorms, with Summer Institute roommates matched by age, gender and the information you provided in your application.
Staff reside on the same floor to provide ongoing supervision and direction.
We encourage you to bring an item or two from home to share your interests and hobbies, such as a musical instrument, board game or athletic gear.
In our experience, the best friendships are often built over a shared meal.
Residential students start each day with the classic college experience: breakfast on campus with your fellow students. Lunch and dinner are also provided throughout your time at the Summer Institute. (Commuter students join us for lunch.)
Vegetarian options are available at every meal. Let us know any food allergies or restrictions in advance so that we may accommodate your specific needs.
After a packed day of hands-on design challenges and learning the latest in engineering and technology, spend your down time relaxing and getting to know your new friends.
Whether that means teaming up for an epic match of volleyball, relaxing with new friends in the common room, or tapping into your budding karaoke skills — the choice is yours.
Plus, you’ll enjoy fun, organized off-campus trips to round out your Summer Institute experience.
No worries!
Most students arrive at the TryEngineering Summer Institute not knowing anyone else. That doesn’t last long — the schedule is packed with team building and collaboration activities so you’ll start forming friendships and partnerships quickly.
“It has been really fun forming the friendships that I have, especially over this short period of time.”
— 2018 TryEngineering Student
We are committed to providing the TryEngineering Summer Institute community with an educational experience of the highest quality, while maintaining a safe, healthy and respectful environment.
Conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person, or that poses a threat of causing damage to the Summer Institute, campus or community, will not be tolerated. The Institute has a “Zero Tolerance” policy with regard to alcohol, illegal drugs, theft, lewd or indecent behavior, sexual, racial or personal harassment or intolerance.
Participants are subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal, for conduct in violation of these terms. All sessions meet American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation and applicable state licensing requirements.
You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers!
Check out our FAQ page for answers to many common questions.
You can also call or email us at any time:
Phone: +1 866 397 2267
The Introductory Program at the TryEngineering Summer Institute is ideal for students who are considering a degree or career in engineering, as well as for those just curious to learn more. This program is designed to challenge and inspire students through a fun and engaging curriculum designed by IEEE STEM specialists specifically for our Summer Institute.
Students participate in team-based, hands-on design challenges, hear from fascinating guest speakers, and experience exciting off-campus field trips to local engineering sites.
This program is perfect for those who want to:
… All while having fun with new friends on one of our engineering campuses.
Past students have had the opportunity to discover on-campus engineering tools, equipment and technology that will be available to them as future engineering students. For example, last year our students at Texas A&M toured the engineering department and met graduate students who are getting their doctorates by working on smart cars, autonomous vehicles, and other vehicles of the future while exploring the university testbed used by these students.The curriculum and coursework for the Advanced Program builds in intensity, providing a fun challenge for older and more experienced students. Students will deepen their understanding of the engineering field through curriculum designed by IEEE STEM specialists specifically for our Summer Institute.
This program is perfect for returning, older or experienced students who want to:
… All while having fun with new and returning friends on one of our prestigious campuses.
Students will gain valuable knowledge from engineering professionals on how to succeed in college and in an engineering career.
This summer we will feature an industry professional at each session and location. Check out the TESI Talks: Speaker Series Blog on our site for highlights. Last year, some of our speakers included:
(1) Oscar Pedroso (CEO) and David Brenner (CTO): Thimble.io
Subject of TESI Talk: Thimble is an engineering start-up and has a unique and amazing business model. Our students will hear their story, the path they took, and much more.
Read more about this on our BLOG post about this TESI Talk
(2) Robert Gerhart (Director of Engineering) : Northrop Grumman (Project Lead – Future Carrier Aviation)
Subject of TESI Talk: Northrop Grumman: Engineering opportunities and Discover All You Can Achieve
(3) Norm Chaffee (Legendary NASA Engineer): NASA, worked on Apollo missions, other positions include Director of the Lunar/Mars Exploration Program Office and Chief of Automation, Robotics and Simulation Division.
Subject of TESI Talk: NASA, Apollo, and the future of space exploration, propulsion, and careers.
(this list is not complete, call us for more information! All speakers subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances)
TryEngineering Summer Institute students explore engineering design challenges through hands-on teamwork. Previous students participated in projects such as:
Get a peek at the inner workings of top engineering companies and centers and discover the world inside your dream career! In previous years, our students:
At UCR, TryEngineering Summer Institute students enjoy a family-like environment, living in double rooms during their time on campus. Students are housed on different floors by gender, and specific halls by age. Each person gets an extra-long twin loft bed, desk, chair and closet. Students may decorate available wall space to make their room feel like home! The rooms also have a mini-fridge and microwave for late night snacking.
On each floor there is a lounge/TV space for students to socialize. Students also have access to on-campus facilities such as the fitness center and swimming pool.
With nonstop sunshine and local engineering destinations, there is lots to enjoy off-campus during site visits and trips for UCR TryEngineering Summer Institute students. Last year, Summer Institute students got an insider’s tour of The Aerospace Corporation during the program. On the weekends, students enjoy Super Saturday trips to get out and enjoy all that the area has to offer.
Last year’s students visited Six Flags Magic Mountain, went to the movies, went out for ice cream, and enjoyed plenty of southern California sunshine during our weekend adventures!
Living in the dorms at Texas A&M gives our summer engineering program students a fun taste of college life. Students live in a suite-style residence hall that features two-room suites, each with a private bathroom. Each student will have a twin-sized bed, dresser, desk and chair to use throughout the program.
Students are housed on different floors by gender and specific halls by age. The residence hall has common spaces with pool tables, ping pong tables, gaming consoles and a TV.
A student lounge and laundry room are also available in the building. Our program has access to amazing on-campus features, including indoor and outdoor pools and sports fields, an indoor rock climbing wall and a fitness center.
Past TryEngineering Summer Institute students at Texas A&M had the opportunity to visit Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston. Students got a behind-the-scenes tour, escorted by a NASA Propulsion Engineer who assisted in sending astronauts to the moon on the Apollo mission. They toured the famed Mission Control Facility, large Mockup and Training Facility, and the Rocket Park, where they viewed the Saturn V Moon Rocket. NASA engineers spoke with the students about STEM careers at NASA.
Last year students also visited Grand Station Entertainment for bowling, arcade and laser tag, and had lots of fun during their downtime, enjoying all that the area has to offer.
Students’ home away from home at Vaughn is a three-story, suite-style residence hall. Double rooms each have a private bathroom. Each student has a bed, dresser, desk and chair. They’re housed on different floors by gender and specific halls by age.
There is a student lounge with a pool table and plenty of comfortable seating for hanging out with friends.
Plenty of outdoor space is also available for relaxing and socializing with new friends between classes. A laundry room is also available in the building.
Vaughn offers all the amenities of bustling New York City, surrounded by excitement and adventure. Past students received an insider’s tour of LaGuardia Airport, which is undergoing an extensive renovation project. Students toured active runways/taxiways and runway decks, as well as the air traffic control tower. They met with chief engineers during their tour of the facility.
Students also toured a ConEd power station and learned from engineers about their work and the challenges of supplying power to a busy urban area.
Finally, students took advantage of the New York location of Vaughn and spent a fun day visiting iconic Coney Island, going out for ice cream, and taking advantage of such an exciting location.
With the heart of Cambridge steps away, our MIT program has an amazing opportunity to explore all the amazing sights and sounds of Boston! Our students enjoy Super Saturday trips to get out and enjoy all that this fantastic historic city and region has to offer. Sunset along the Charles river, frisbee on the quad…. visiting Faneuil Hall, hanging out on Boston Common and exploring the waterfront are just a few of our options.
At MIT, TryEngineering Summer Institute students enjoy a family-like environment, living in double rooms during their time on campus. Students are housed on different floors by gender, and specific halls by age. Each person gets an extra-long twin loft bed, desk, chair and closet. Students may decorate available wall space to make their room feel like home! The rooms also have a mini-fridge and microwave for late night snacking.
On each floor there is a lounge/TV space for students to socialize. Students also have access to on-campus facilities such as the fitness center and swimming pool.
TryEngineering Summer Institute offers airport pick-up and drop-off service for students that may not live locally. A professional staff member will meet your student at the airport and escort them to the TryEngineering Summer Institute campus on the day the program starts. At the end of the program, your teen will be escorted back to the airport, and our staff member will remain at the airport until their flight departs.
Booking the flight:
If you cannot find flights at these times, please try to find one as close as possible, so we can group the pick ups and drop offs together. Once you have booked your flight, please forward the entire itinerary to us at info@tryengineeringinstitute.org. Please make sure the itinerary has the student name, date, time, and flight numbers included.
Is your student flying as an unaccompanied minor? You will need the name, address, and phone number of the staff member that will be picking up or dropping off your student. We do not assign the staff members until camp begins, so in the meantime, you will need a placeholder. Please contact us, and we will provide the contact info for the director on-site. Then when camp begins, you will be able to call the airline and change it to the person who will be there.
The day before the flight, the director will be in contact with you to confirm all of the flight info, and assign the staff member that will be in charge of the pick up or drop off. Then the staff member will text a photo of themselves to your student and make sure they have each other saved in their phones.
Upon arrival, the assigned staff member will be waiting at baggage claim with a camp T-shirt and their cell phone in hand. Once your student exits the plane they can call the staff member (and you!) to meet up, grab their bags, and head back to campus in a cab or shuttle.
Staff members will also drop off students at the airport. Students are transported by cab or airport shuttle. The staff member will help them get checked in, and check baggage. (Note: If your student is checking a bag, please be sure to send along cash for any fees that might need to be paid on the return flight for luggage. This will vary from airline to airline.)
If your teen is flying as an unaccompanied minor, our staff member will escort them through security and wait with them until the plane takes off. If your student doesn’t need an escort, then our staff member will remain at the airport until the plane takes off. If you have any questions regarding this procedure please feel free to give us a call anytime. (866) 397-2267
The TryEngineering Summer Institute curriculum has been carefully designed to build the student experience over the two week period, with earlier activities honing skills needed in later tasks. Collectively, these activities touch on several fields of engineering, including electrical, mechanical, civil, aerospace, chemical, computer, and design think.
Coursework is project-based and hands-on. We design, engineer and build all day. We try new things, we learn new skills and the program builds upon itself. We go on an academic journey, building confidence, knowledge, experience and ability through the 5 C’s: Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, curiosity and creativity.
Below are examples of what is covered in the coursework. You can see the academic underpinnings, the design principles, the expected outcomes, and the opportunity that exists for the students to discover what is possible inside of each challenge, module, and project.
Design thinking is a creative process developed at the d.school at Stanford University that helps you design meaningful solutions to problems. Student will experience the full cycle in an intro hands-on challenge and then they will step through the process of identifying a problem, developing a “how might we…” statement, defining the problem, designing a solution, and creating a prototype. Teams can choose to enter our own home-grown “shark tank” and develop a pitch for their solution.
Students will be introduced to CAD as well as how 3D printers work. Application: Design, 3D print, assemble and test a light sculpture. Teams will create a light show applying what they learn from basic circuitry, breadboarding and microcontrollers and simulate in Tinkercad Circuits. Next they will use CAD to design the sculpture (or body) for the electronics that will enhance the light show.
In this activity we’ll focus on automotive and mechanical engineering and students build from scratch a fully operative smart car and remote control. Students will work with instructors to understand the mechanical principles around steering systems. Students work in teams of three to construct and build a smart car and then edit and upload the underlying code to make functional adjustments in car operations. Build a fully operative smart car and remote control to complete an obstacle course. Explore Arduino code by modifying it to control the function of the car and add sensors to help it best navigate the obstacle course automatically. To complete this challenge, students need to learn basic circuitry and breadboarding.
Build a fully operational AM radio from a kit. To complete this challenge students need to learn how to solder.
Build a fully operational drone from scratch to carry a payload to a specific destination. The day ends with students expanding, augmenting, improving and strengthening their drones so they can participate in battles, races, and other exciting feats of engineering facing off with one another and against the clock. Imagine using the 3D printer to make a battle arm to attach to your drone (and making sure it is counter-balanced and flighworthy) then facing off against your roommate who has created a drop-tank to engage your drone!
Students will create a working solar cell that mimics the process of photosynthesis and they will measure the performance of the device based on power output.
Students will learn the basics of robotics and hydro-mechanical power. They will assemble a wired controlled robot arm. Students will test the arm by conducting various tasks. This activity introduces hydraulics and hydraulic machinery. Students assemble and prepare a hydraulic robot arm that controls six axes of varied movements. Students are challenged to use lever controllers to lift various items with suction mechanism as well as using gripper to transport a range of products. As a group, students simulate a construct a conveyor belt with multiple robot arms to transport multiple materials down a mock production line. Teams also compete to see which can stack the highest number of dice using only the arm.
Students will work in teams to explore aircraft and wing materials, shapes, and structures to maximize the glide slope of a glider. They will create an optimal wing design that will propel their glider the furthest distance. In this activity we will consider the principals of flight, including lift and drag, and students will design, build and test (from scratch) a glider that will carry the payload of an actual shoebox (which is fairly weighty indeed) the farthest.
In this activity we’ll focus on aerospace engineering and how space flight has been achieved from an engineering vantage point. Students will work with instructors to understand the forces acting on a rocket, Newton’s Laws, and other principles and challenges of an actual space vehicle launch. Students work individually to construct and test launch a rocket using a basic kit which they customize. Then based on their results, they will re-engineer their rocket and retest for improved accuracy and altitude. Students will build an altitude tracker and use for the competition.
Students will focus on civil engineering and learn various concepts for bridge design and how they handle large loads. Students will construct bridges of ever increasing complexity of materials and durable strength. These structures will hold more and more weight… what makes them work the best?
A Game of Standardization is designed to teach about technical standards and standards development while developing team and negotiation skills. Topics include the importance of standards to industry, fundamentals of standards development, and a case study on standards. Players participate as members of standards working groups, incorporating roles that reflect the economic, political and technical realities of standards development. In this activity we will explore the importance of engineering standards and work to explore challenges engineers might face in the development of a space colony on Mars.
This is a role playing exercise which surfaces the challenges of agreeing to standards.
Students will take an engineering survey for the future to better understand what engineering disciplines exists, what they mean, what the majors, careers, and opportunities are and, crucially, and with which one (s) the students individually would most align. If Engineering is a possible future major and or career, this module is vital.
Students also prepare for applying to a university by exploring tips and guidelines for picking the right school, what classes to take in high school, the application process, the development of extra-curricular activities, clubs and the beginning of essays and resumes. We will explore recommendations for development practice essays, and resume guidelines for pre-university students. Students will have an opportunity to develop a preliminary resume that they can expand on over the years.
Students explore how ethics is involved in many of the engineering fields. They will consider some of the critical decisions engineers need to make when designing new products and processes.
The following Program Overview, Sample Weekly Schedule, and Sample Daily Schedule are designed to give you a better understanding of the activities in a typical session as well as the flow of typical day. This is a sample schedule based on our prior program. While not all sessions will be exactly the same, this is reflective of the wide range of activities that take place during the program.
The Institute offers a comprehensive curriculum that provides fun and challenges for students at every level of experience. The program is ideal for students who are new to engineering or STEM activities as well as those who have taken engineering classes. The program allows all students to explore engineering in a team environment and consider career and degree options in the field, while forging friendships with others interested in engineering and technology applications.
Coursework is hands-on and project-based. Academic modules have been created specifically for this program by STEM specialists at IEEE and are designed to step up in both engineering difficulty and skill-building as the program progresses.
Class is from 9am-4pm daily and lecture-style classes do not exist. Engineering principles are introduced and reinforced through hands-on work. Inside of each module there are academic underpinnings: design principles, expected outcomes, and the opportunity for students to discover what is possible. Those are detailed in our Curricular Overview.
The TryEngineering Summer Institute curriculum has been carefully designed to build the student experience over the two-week period, with earlier activities honing skills needed in later tasks. Collectively, these activities touch on several fields of engineering, including electrical, mechanical, civil, aerospace, chemical, computer, and others.
Coursework is project-based and hands-on. We design, engineer and build all day. We try new things, we learn new skills and the program builds upon itself. We go on an academic journey, building confidence, knowledge, experience and ability through the 5 C’s: Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, curiosity and creativity.
Below are examples of what is covered in the coursework. You can see the academic underpinnings, the design principles, the expected outcomes, and the opportunity that exists for the students to discover what is possible inside of each challenge, module, and project.
Another main focus across the entire two-week stretch is our program-long Design Challenge which is built on Design Thinking. Design Thinking is a creative process developed at the d.school at Stanford University, which helps students design meaningful solutions to problems. Students will experience the full cycle in an intro hands-on challenge and then they will step through the process of identifying a problem, developing a “how might we…” statement, defining the problem, designing a solution, and creating a prototype. Teams can choose to enter the “shark tank” and develop a pitch for their solution.
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| Time | Activity |
| 8:00 am – 8:45 am | Breakfast |
| 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Engaging engineering activities and challenges at all levels. |
| 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Field trip to local facility/university lab exploration; OR continued classwork and skill-building |
| 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Check in with RAs, outdoor time, sports and/or free time (pool, climbing wall, etc). Time to bond and explore the University offerings. Day Student pick-up 4-4:30pm |
| 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Dinner |
| 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm | Planned, curated events and activities (movies, campus center, challenges, pizza parties, lots more) |
| 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm | Free time and in-residence hall activities, movies, games, socialization and time to hang out |
| 11:00 pm | In rooms |
We are looking for highly motivated, energetic and dedicated people who want to be summer camp counselors/resident advisors for our engineering summer program. These individuals are in charge of keeping the students safe, and planning great events to make camp fun.
TryEngineering Summer Institute is a co-ed, residential program for high school students at various locations around the country. Students choose a class and are immersed in that subject every day. The counselor’s job is to make sure that all of their time out of class is fun! Talent Shows, 80’s night, trivia, outdoor and indoor sports, swimming, and that is just to name a few ideas of evening events that you might hold for the students.
Our entire staff, directors, teachers, counselors and students live in the dorms, and have all meals provided throughout the duration of the program and staff training.
NOTE: below are the focused hours, but in a sleepaway camp community, you are fully immersed in the position 24/7. There will be many hours of work outside of the hours below. We are looking for the person who understands that at camp, you are truly never off duty. Be ready for long days, and a lot of fun!
Focused hours:
Visit our site to learn more about our program:
http://tryengineeringinstitute.ieee.org
Note: Employees are responsible for paying their own travel costs to their assigned venue.
We are looking for someone who is fun, reliable, and excited to be part of the camp community. Anyone who has ever been to summer camp before knows how important the activities and the camp community is to the overall experience. The counselors are not only an exciting and upbeat presence but they are also a friend to the students as some experience being away from home the first time, or a wide variety of other issues.
We are open to speaking to anyone who is interested in the position.
Bachelors degree, or in pursuit of.
All RAs Must:
Live in the dorms throughout the duration of the program and staff training. (All meals and housing are provided.)
Note: If offered a position, completion of a background check is required. Position is only open to US Citizens or people who are authorized to work in the US. We do not assist in the process of governmental authorization.
To Apply: Email info@tryengineeringinstitute.org with cover letter and resume. Please include the job title and TryEngineering Summer Institute in the subject line.
TryEngineering Summer Camps are two-week co-ed residential engineering summer camps for rising 8th through 12th grade students held at three premier colleges and universities across the USA. Camp instructors are responsible for organizing and conducting the camp learning sessions and providing guidance for the hands-on activities. Designed to be educational on an introductory college level, the learning sessions are to be hands-on and fun. There are no tests and quizzes to create a stress free learning environment for every student of every skill level. The classes are small, so students receive plenty of personalized help and guidance.
Important:
This is a summer learning program and has many aspects of a traditional summer camp. If you have been to camp before, you know it is a non-stop type of job with very high rewards.
Instructors are encouraged to join in the after class activities; hikes, bonfires, swimming, games, talent shows, etc. We are looking for instructors who want to be part of the entire camp community.
Visit our site to see the current program description:
http://tryengineeringinstitute.ieee.org
Note: Instructors are responsible for paying their own travel costs to their assigned venue.
Job Type: Contract
Salary: $600/week
Ideal candidates will have studied any field of engineering, computing, engineering technology, or the applied sciences. An upper level undergraduate student or graduate student in these fields who would enjoy sharing their skills and insights to inspire prospective STEM students is preferred. Familiarity with electronic circuitry, Arduino programming, basic soldering, and other technical skills is a plus.
Additional Qualifications Include:
Note: If offered a position, completion of a background check is required. Position is only open to US Citizens or people who are authorized to work in the US. We do not assist in the process of governmental authorization.
To Apply: Email info@tryengineeringinstitute.org with cover letter and resume. Please include the job title and TryEngineering Institute in the subject line.
TryEngineering Summer Camps are two-week co-ed residential engineering summer camps for rising 8th through 12th grade students held at three premier colleges and universities across the USA. The camp Program Director is responsible for organizing and leading the entire camp experience. Designed to be educational on an introductory college level, the learning sessions are to be hands-on and fun and the off hours provide students with opportunities to experience recreational, sporting and cultural activities. The Program Director will lead the camp staff of instructors and counselors; ensure the implementation of all of the camp programs and provide an exciting and fun experience for the students. If you thrive in a “Life Accelerated” atmosphere, enjoy meeting new people and take pride in who you are, this is the right position for you.
Visit our site to learn all about the program:
http://tryengineeringinstitute.ieee.org
Note: Camp Program Directors are responsible for paying their own travel costs to their assigned venue.
Job Type: Contract
Salary: $1200+ per/week (Pay commensurate with experience level)
We are looking for an enthusiastic, dedicated and experienced Program Director. This person will be leading their staff into the 2nd summer of our technical engineering summer institute and knocking it out of the park! This is a great job for someone who can work with people of all types, is very organized and creative, has a STEM related or education background, is willing to devote the necessary hours, and knows how to have a great time.
Note: If offered a position, completion of a background check is required. Position is only open to US Citizens or people who are authorized to work in the US. We do not assist in the process of governmental authorization.
To Apply: Email info@tryengineeringinstitute.org with cover letter and resume. Please include the job title and TryEngineering Institute in the subject line.
