The program offers a unique opportunity to earn 2 units of UCLA academic credit while engaging in intensive, hands-on engineering projects under the guidance of UCLA faculty and undergraduate mentors.
The UCLA Engineering Design Summer Institute is a 3-week experiential pre-college program for high school students interested in engineering. Participants engage in hands-on, project-based learning, choosing tracks such as Go-Karts, Rockets, Rovers, or Microcontrollers/Internet of Things (IoT). Students utilize engineering design software and materials to construct their projects, gaining practical skills in areas like CAD, 3D printing, laser cutting, and programming (e.g., Arduino, C programming, machine learning algorithms). The curriculum emphasizes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, mirroring real-world industry environments. Students also explore various engineering majors and career paths through coursework, presentations, and potentially guest speakers. The program culminates in a final project presentation and, for some tracks, a competition to test their designs.
A typical day involves a combination of lectures and extensive lab activities, meeting Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM.
This program is best for motivated high school students in grades 9-11 who are at least 15 years old by June 22, 2026, and are interested in an introductory, hands-on experience in various engineering disciplines.
Multiple Locations (UCLA Campus and Science Academy STEM Magnet)
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