Gear Up for the Future: Mechanical Engineering Module
Are you a high school student fascinated by how things work? Do you enjoy tinkering, building, and solving problems? If so, the TryEngineering Summer Institute is the perfect summer experience for you! We offer an immersive summer program designed to give you a taste of real-world engineering. Through hands-on projects, you'll explore the principles of mechanical engineering such as the mechanics of motion and the design of complex structures.
With our mechanical engineering projects and engaging activities, you'll explore the science behind everyday objects, from the intricate workings of a simple machine to the complex engineering behind cutting-edge technologies. This summer program will not only ignite your passion for engineering, but also equip you with valuable skills and knowledge that will set you on the path to a successful STEM career.
As a student at the TryEngineering Summer Institute, you will go beyond traditional lectures. You'll gain invaluable hands-on experience through exciting challenges like our Hydraulic Robot Arm Challenge, where you'll apply your knowledge to design and build a functional robot. You'll also hear from inspiring guest speakers—professional mechanical engineers who will share their passion and insights. Lastly, to see these concepts in action, students will embark on an exclusive field trip, where you'll witness firsthand how mechanical engineering principles are applied in real-life settings.
While mechanical engineering is the primary focus of this module, our summer engineering program also explores other exciting disciplines of engineering. By also providing an introduction to the fundamentals of aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, and civil engineering, students will have a chance to discover which field they're most interesting in pursuing.
Our Mechanical Engineering Project:
Prepare to explore the field of mechanical engineering deeper than in traditional textbook learning! In this exciting project, you'll gain hands-on experience with the principles of robotics and mechanical power. You'll assemble and test a wired-controlled robot arm, exploring the fundamentals of hydraulics and machinery. This project will challenge you to think critically and creatively as you design and build a hydraulic robot arm capable of complex movements.
This challenging project will not only enhance your understanding of robotics and hydraulics, but also cultivate essential teamwork and collaboration skills. Working together, you'll brainstorm ideas, design solutions, and collectively build and refine your robot arm. You'll learn to effectively communicate, delegate tasks, and resolve conflicts as you and your team work towards a common goal—which in this case is winning the competition!
Hydraulic Robot Arm Challenge
In this mechanical engineering project, students will design and build a sophisticated hydraulic robot arm with six degrees of motion, mastering the art of controlling its precise movements, and utilize mechanisms for lifting objects. This project will challenge your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of engineering principles.
Once your team completes your robot arm build, you will compete in two different team challenges! In the first challenge you'll simulate a real-world production line. Working together, you'll design and implement a system using your robot arm to transport materials along a simulated conveyor belt. In the second challenge, we will see which team can stack the highest number of dice using their robot arm.
Learning Objectives:
- Mechanical Engineering Principles: Students will apply fundamental principles of mechanical engineering, such as force, motion, and leverage, to design, build, and operate a functional hydraulic robot arm.
- Understanding of Mechanical Systems: Students will gain a deeper understanding of how mechanical components work together to create a complex system.
- Engineering Design Process: Students will experience the iterative design process firsthand, learning to design, prototype, test, and refine their robot arm based on their observations and results.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Students will work together in teams, communicating effectively, delegating tasks, and collaborating to achieve a common goal.
Hands-On Design Challenges
Exclusive Guest Speakers
Exciting VIP Tours
and Field Trips
Access University Engineering Labs and Tech Spaces
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Session 1
June 29th - July 7th
Session 2
July 11th - July 19th
Tuition Pricing
$4,095
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
Session 1
June 11th - June 19th
Session 2
June 24th - July 2nd
Tuition Pricing
$4,095
Rice University
Houston, TX
Session 1
June 29th - July 7th
Session 2
July 11th - July 19th
Tuition Pricing
$4,095
Columbia University
New York, NY
Session 1
July 12th - July 20th
Session 2
July 24th - August 1st
Tuition Pricing
$4,295
![NASA Camp](https://tryengineeringinstitute.ieee.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/field-trip_Nasa-2-e1540685692361.jpg")
With nonstop sunshine and the beaches, strands, shopping and more just a stone’s throw from campus, our USD TESI students will really have a wonderful summer. With such beautiful surroundings, we get the chance to explore and maybe even find the legendary fish taco truck!
The University of Pennsylvania is a fabulous, safe urban campus located in the heart of Philadelphia. This allows us easy access to many of the local sights, sounds and flavors available to us!
The entrance is staffed by Penn Security 24/7. Inside is our air-conditioned wonderland, packed with the same fabulous amenities the Penn students enjoy. We also have our own outdoor area, inside the secure walls, where we have patio seating, tables, a grassy area, and more. It is quite lovely.
