TryEngineering Summer Institute

An exciting ten day, on-campus engineering camp for high school students held at premier universities across the United States.

Engineering Summer Program

Your Future in Action

The TryEngineering Summer Institute offers an incredible opportunity for students to discover the exciting world of engineering. Throughout the summer program, students will explore four diverse disciplines: mechanical, civil, electrical, and aerospace engineering. Students will learn the fundamentals of each field, work in teams with engaging in hands-on engineering challenges, and go on exciting field trips to see real engineers working in the field. Our engineering summer program for high school students works to ensure your teen gains an understanding of different engineering fields, has fun working on engineering challenges, and inspires them for a future career in STEM.

Past off-campus field trips included:

  • NASA's Johnson Space Center - Insider tour with NASA Engineers and behind-the-scenes sneak peek (for students at our Rice University location)
  • Qualcomm - This high tech company provides a tour of the manufacturing facilities, meet and greet with working engineers, a Q&A session, and a chance to see the history of their products (for students at the University of San Diego)

Past engineering challenges included:

  • Flying Drone Challenge - Students design and build operational drones to carry payloads to designated targets.
  • Hydraulic Robot Arm Challenge - Students design and build a hydraulic robot for lifting objects, then they compete in two unique team challenges.
  • Bridge Engineering Challenge - Students learn the fundamentals of bridge engineering and then design and build their own bridges. The bridge that is able to hold the most weight wins a pizza party!
  • Glider & Wing Design Challenge - Students will design and construct a glider capable of carrying a shoebox payload. The goal of this hands on challenge is to maximize flight distance and learn the fundamentals of aerospace engineering.

Click above to watch our video: All About the TryEngineering Summer Institute

Curriculum Overview

Who is Our Engineering Summer Program For?

The TryEngineering Summer Institute gives students ages 13-17 the opportunity to explore a variety of engineering disciplines in a fun, hands-on way. The program is ideal for students who are considering a degree or career in engineering, as well as for those who are curious to learn more. Whether your teen is brand new to engineering or has taken a few classes in school, every student will have fun tackling a variety of engineering design challenges while developing skills in engineering, communication, and consensus-building.

The program is designed by IEEE STEM specialists specifically for our summer program. Students participate in team-based, hands-on design challenges, hear from and interact with working engineers, and experience exciting off-campus field trips to local engineering sites.

The program is perfect for those who want to:

  • Find out how engineering is applied in the real world, and how it’s shaping our future.
  • Participate in multi-disciplinary projects in electrical, civil, mechanical, aerospace and other engineering disciplines.
  • Learn to think like engineers while building critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills.
  • Experience how engineers work in teams to solve local and global challenges.
  • Gain insight into what it’s like to study engineering at the university level.
  • Engage with professionals working in your field of interest.
  • See real-world engineering projects while learning about future academic and career possibilities through exciting trips and tours.
  • Build awesome projects that teach engineering skills, including soldering and breadboarding, to create AM radios, lighted signs, and more.

If you want to learn more about different fields of engineering, be sure to check out of our engineering articles below which will help you get a feel of activities in each discipline that we have to offer:

Learn more about the TryEngineering summer campuses: University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of San Diego, Columbia University, and Rice University

TryEngineering Summer Institute summer STEM camp students pose in front of a rocket during a field trip to NASA and the Johnson Space Center

2025 Summer Camp Dates & Locations

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

Session 1
June 29th - July 8th

Session 2
July 11th - July 20th

Tuition Pricing
$3,995

Engineering camp for high school students at USD is fun and educational.

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA

Session 1
June 12th - June 20th

Session 2
June 24th - July 3rd

Tuition Pricing
$3,995

Engineering camp for high school students at Rice University.

Rice University

 

Houston, TX

 

Session 1
June 29th - July 8th

Session 2
July 11th - July 20th

Tuition Pricing
$3,995

Columbia University

 

New York, NY

 

Session 1
July 12th - July 20th

Session 2
July 24th - August 2nd

Tuition Pricing
$4,195


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