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    Materials Engineering: A Revolution in the Making
    In-person Program

    Materials Engineering: A Revolution in the Making

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    Explore how material properties shape useful products through experiments, circuit building and a final reverse-engineering project at Brown University.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Materials Engineering at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; basic science and math

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Providence, Rhode Island, United States

    Cost

    $5,786; $4,482

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    EngineeringScienceTechnology
    Language: English
    Accommodation: University residence halls; commuter option
    Meals: Residential: three daily; commuter: one daily
    Certificate / Outcome: Digital certificate; Course Performance Report
    Campus experience: Workshops, activities and excursions
    Sessions / cadence: Weekdays 12:15-3:05 p.m.; 2-3 hours homework/day
    Tutor: Hanan Mogawer

    Materials Engineering summary

    Materials engineering asks how a material's properties can solve a practical problem. Brown's course makes that question concrete through polymer experiments, circuit building and product design.

    The final project brings metals, polymers, ceramics and composites together in a reverse-engineered product. It suits students who enjoy explaining how objects work and testing their own design ideas.

    What is Materials Engineering: A Revolution in the Making?

    Materials Engineering: A Revolution in the Making is a Brown University pre-college course exploring how materials can be selected and manufactured to solve engineering problems. It connects the properties of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites with the design of useful products.

    Students learn through on-campus laboratory and project work, including a polymer comparison activity and a light-up circuit device. A final reverse-engineering project asks them to combine material families in a product with a practical purpose.

    Why Succeed highlights Materials Engineering

    • The activities connect material properties with objects students can design and build.

    • A final project spanning four material families encourages students to justify practical design choices.

    • The Engineering Design Cycle gives critical thinking and problem solving a concrete framework.

    • Published learning outcomes identify specific manufacturing processes and nanotechnology applications.

    • A Course Performance Report provides an instructor's assessment alongside completion recognition.

    Who is Materials Engineering for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy practical science and want to understand why engineers choose particular materials for a product.

    Not ideal if

    You want college credit or prefer a light summer workload with little independent project work.

    Is Materials Engineering worth it?

    The course offers a useful way to test whether materials engineering interests you through practical work. Building circuits and redesigning a product can make abstract science more memorable and give you specific experiences to reflect on afterward.

    Its value depends on how much you want the academic and campus experience relative to the substantial fee. It is non-credit, and Brown states that Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admission, so judge it primarily by the learning you want to gain.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $5,786; $4,482; includes One two-week course., Residential housing and three daily meals., One daily on-campus meal for commuters., Fitness, athletic and aquatics center access., Program activities and excursions., Digital certificate upon successful completion., Instructor Course Performance Report..

    Accommodation

    University residence halls; commuter option

    Meals

    Residential: three daily; commuter: one daily

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Materials Engineering need?

    Effort level

    High for a short summer course.

    Best started

    Begin six to eight weeks before a published application deadline, allowing longer for English testing and travel arrangements.

    Main challenge

    Balancing product-design work with independent study and campus life.

    Typical preparation

    • Refresh basic high school science and math before attending.

    • Prepare your application essay and gather current and previous academic year grades.

    • Pack laboratory-safe clothing and plan how you will manage daily work independently.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in practical engineering.

    What do students do on Materials Engineering?

    You investigate how materials behave, then use that understanding to design simple products. The final project brings those ideas together in a reverse-engineered product with a practical purpose.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore the properties and uses of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites.

    2. 2

      Compare thermoset and thermoplastic polymers through a practical activity.

    3. 3

      Design and create a light-up device using series or parallel circuits.

    4. 4

      Apply the Engineering Design Cycle to a final product incorporating all four material families.

    Materials Engineering dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    15 May 2026

    General Brown Pre-College application deadline.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    22 June-2 July 2026

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    Brown Pre-College application cycle.

    Reference date

    Final admission decisions

    22 May 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Complete grades 9-12.

    • Be aged 14-18 by 14 June 2026.

    • Have basic high school science and math knowledge.

    • Have strong English language proficiency.

    • Submit required English test results when applicable.

    • Meet Brown Pre-College admission and course enrollment requirements.

    How much does Materials Engineering cost?

    Program fee

    $5,786 residential; $4,482 commuter — One two-week course.

    Funding or discounts

    • Course supplement: $300 — Additional course-specific charge.
    • Application fee: $80 — Fee waivers are available to eligible applicants.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before course enrollment; generally non-refundable.
    • Scholarships: Sibley and PPSD scholarships — Separate applications and U.S.-status eligibility requirements apply.
    • Required insurance: $80 — For international students and U.S. students without adequate coverage.

    What's included

    One two-week course., Residential housing and three daily meals., One daily on-campus meal for commuters., Fitness, athletic and aquatics center access., Program activities and excursions., Digital certificate upon successful completion., Instructor Course Performance Report.

    How to apply to Materials Engineering

    1. 1

      Create one applicant account through Brown's Student Portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the Pre-College application form and original 250-500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current and previous academic year grades and any required English test results.

    4. 4

      Pay the application fee or request a waiver, and complete any selected recommendation requirement.

    5. 5

      Monitor your portal and email for missing materials and the admission decision.

    6. 6

      After admission, review your intended course before submitting the non-refundable deposit.

    7. 7

      Enroll separately in the course through your Student Portal and complete the required forms.

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    What does Materials Engineering cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Material properties

    Explore the properties and practical uses of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites.

    Polymer manufacturing

    Identify blow molding, injection molding, rotational molding and thermo-molding or vacuum processes.

    Conductivity and circuits

    Use metals' electrical properties to design a light-up device with series or parallel circuits.

    Composites and nanotechnology

    Study composite structures and nanotechnology applications in engineering and medicine.

    Engineering design

    Apply the Engineering Design Cycle to reverse engineer a useful product incorporating four material families.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Materials Engineering?

    A typical day during the program.

    Course meetings

    Weekdays, 12:15-3:05 p.m. Eastern Time, for laboratory and project-based study.

    Independent work

    Plan for two to three hours of homework daily, individually or with classmates.

    Campus activities

    Optional workshops, activities and events run throughout the day.

    Residential check in

    Check in face to face at 10 p.m. and remain on your floor until 6 a.m.

    Who teaches on Materials Engineering?

    Hanan Mogawer is the named instructor for the course section. Summer@Brown students can use instructor office hours to discuss course content, assignments and questions.

    Where do students stay on Materials Engineering?

    Residential plan

    • Furnished residence halls: Rooms include an extra-long twin bed, study furniture, wireless internet and cooling.
    • Three daily meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in Brown's all-you-care-to-eat dining halls.
    • Residential support: Trained staff provide support, with 24/7 on-call coverage and nightly 10 p.m. check-ins.
    • Campus facilities and activities: The fee includes fitness facilities, program activities and excursions.

    Non-residential plan

    • Commuter study: Commuters attend in person and use campus resources and activities without a campus room assignment.
    • Commuter meals and facilities: The commuter fee includes one campus meal daily and fitness, athletic and aquatics center access.

    Rooms may be single, double or triple occupancy; roommate requests are not honored.

    What happens after Materials Engineering?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Create a final reverse-engineered product.

    Receive a digital Certificate of Completion after successful completion.

    Receive an instructor Course Performance Report.

    Develop critical thinking through the Engineering Design Cycle.

    Build understanding of materials science and engineering applications.

    The course is non-credit and does not produce a university transcript.

    Where does Materials Engineering take place?

    The course takes place on Brown University's campus in Providence, Rhode Island. Residential check-in is at Sayles Hall on the Main Green, with nearby Thayer Street restaurants and shops.

    Families arrange transportation to and from campus; Brown does not coordinate travel assistance.

    Materials Engineering FAQs

    You will study metals, polymers, ceramics and composites, including their properties and practical uses. Activities also cover polymer manufacturing, electrical conductivity, nanotechnology and the Engineering Design Cycle.

    Only basic high school science and math are required. The course also calls for analytical thinking, imagination and a keen desire to learn.

    You reverse engineer a product of your choosing and create a product containing metals, polymers, ceramics and composites. Your final product should serve a purpose if manufactured.

    This is a non-credit course. Successful completion earns a digital Certificate of Completion, and the two-week course qualifies for a Course Performance Report.

    The course meets on weekdays from 12:15 to 3:05 p.m. Eastern Time. Summer@Brown students should also plan for two to three hours of daily homework or project work.

    Summer@Brown offers a commuter option without a campus room assignment. Commuters receive one on-campus meal per day and access to campus resources, activities and fitness facilities.

    Trained student life staff support the residence halls, with staff on call around the clock and a nightly 10 p.m. check-in. Students may explore Rhode Island independently when this does not interfere with classes, work or curfew.

    Bring closed-toe shoes, long pants and suitable shirts; long hair must be tied back when required. Students must wear any provided protective equipment during laboratory or project work.

    Alternatives to Materials Engineering

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Summer@Brown On Campus | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Admissions Decisions | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Summer@Brown
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Laboratory/Project Attire
    • 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
    • Materials Engineering: A Revolution in the Making - Pre-College Course Catalog"

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Course details checked

    • Application dates compared

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Residential and commuter fees checked

    • Workload and schedule reviewed

    • Completion credentials checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.