The program offers a unique blend of hands-on design challenges, in-depth academic exploration, and unparalleled access to Southern California's thriving aerospace industry through company visits and guest speakers.
Students in the UCLA Aerospace Engineering: Pre-College Program delve into the mechanics of air and spacecraft, gaining a comprehensive understanding of aerospace engineering principles. Through hands-on design challenges, participants learn about the history of flight, flight mechanics, system engineering, principles of effective design for aircraft and spacecraft, propulsion systems, and aircraft performance. A key activity involves designing, building, and testing a glider or small rocket to explore flight principles. The program also offers career exploration opportunities through visits to leading aerospace companies like Boeing, SpaceX, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as well as insightful talks from industry professionals. Students will understand the key differences between aeronautical and astronautical engineering and utilize basic orbital mechanics. The program aims to foster curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills, connecting scientific and mathematical concepts to real-world aerospace systems.
A typical day involves academic courses from 9am to 5pm, with some afternoons dedicated to course-specific academic excursions, guest speakers, or activities. Residential students also participate in evening social activities and weekend excursions.
This program is ideal for high school students (grades 9-12) with a strong interest in aerospace engineering who want early exposure to aerospace concepts and real engineering tasks.
UCLA Campus
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