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, from the mechanics of motion to 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 – real-world 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 engineer is the primary focus of this module, our engineering camp also explores other exciting disciplines of engineering. Students can delve into the fundamentals of aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, and even civil engineering, which may help students discover their unique engineering passions.
Our Mechanical Engineering Project:
Prepare to delve deeper than textbook learning! In this exciting project, you'll gain hands-on experience with the principles of robotics and hydro-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 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 suction mechanisms for lifting objects. This project will challenge your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of hydraulic 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 multiple robot arms 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
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.
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. In previous summers we have toured the engineering departments at our host venues to meet and greet and see what are the latest aspects and cutting edge work that is being done.
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:
Students will gain valuable knowledge from engineering professionals on how to succeed in college and in an engineering career.
TryEngineering Summer Institute students explore engineering design challenges through hands-on teamwork. Previous students participated in projects such as:
