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    Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering
    Online Program

    Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering

    by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies

    Study mechanical engineering through interactive group activities and a final team project, applying core principles and engineering tools to practical challenges.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-11; mathematics prerequisites

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-17

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $3,200

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    EngineeringMathematics
    Sessions / cadence: 10 weekday 2-hour classes; 1-2-hour daily homework
    Main deliverable / output: Final team project
    Latest verified cycle: 2026
    Meeting window: 8:00-11:00 AM PDT
    Student support: Online office hours
    Project format: Team-based engineering project

    Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering summary

    An introduction to mechanical engineering from Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, connecting core principles with applications such as robotics, transportation, and renewable energy.

    Students work through interactive group activities and a final team project. The emphasis is on applying engineering tools and processes to practical challenges.

    It suits students testing an interest in an engineering major who want collaborative subject exploration and can manage substantial independent work.

    What is Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering?

    Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering is a course within Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes that connects engineering principles with mathematical thinking. It introduces the tools and processes mechanical engineers use across fields including spaceflight, renewable energy, transportation, and robotics.

    Students learn through live online classes, interactive group activities, and a final team-based project. Assignments and projects outside class give them further practice applying those principles to analyze and solve mechanical engineering challenges.

    Why Succeed highlights Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering

    • The final team project gives students a practical reason to apply the engineering principles they study.

    • Interactive group activities make collaboration part of the academic experience.

    • Applications across robotics, energy, transportation, and spaceflight help students understand the breadth of mechanical engineering.

    • A published live-class and homework pattern helps families assess the commitment realistically.

    Who is Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering for?

    Best for

    Students considering an engineering major who enjoy mathematical problem-solving, collaborative activities, and applying ideas to practical challenges.

    Not ideal if

    You want entirely self-paced study or a light extracurricular commitment, because live weekday classes are accompanied by daily independent work.

    Is Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering worth it?

    This course is worth considering if you want to test whether mechanical engineering interests you beyond school mathematics. Group activities and a team project provide concrete opportunities to apply ideas, rather than relying only on introductory explanations.

    The workload requires consistent attention during and outside live classes, so the experience depends on active participation. Its strongest value is subject exploration and learning; Stanford explicitly separates participation from undergraduate admissions and offers no admission guarantee.

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    Founder, Succeed

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,200; includes Two-hour live weekday classes., Interactive group activities., Online office hours., A final team-based project..

    Dates and time commitment

    2 weeks; 10 weekday 2-hour classes; 1-2-hour daily homework.

    Provider details

    Review the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: The main output is a final team-based project applying mechanical engineering principles.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering need?

    Effort level

    Substantial, with live weekday classes and daily independent work.

    Best started

    Allow several weeks during the next application cycle to gather transcripts and choose a suitable work sample.

    Main challenge

    Balancing mathematical problem-solving, team participation, and independent assignments.

    Typical preparation

    • Review algebra 1 and refresh your exposure to algebra 2 and trigonometry.

    • Choose a work sample that meets the course-specific application instructions and reflects your abilities.

    • Map the published Pacific Time meeting window to your local time and reserve space for daily homework.

    • Write application responses independently, then arrange parent or guardian review and signature.

    Useful if

    You want to explore an engineering major through applied learning.

    What do students do on Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering?

    You explore mechanical engineering principles through live classes and interactive group activities. You apply engineering tools and processes in assignments and a final team-based project.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Attend your assigned live course section.

    2. 2

      Explore core mechanical engineering principles, tools, and processes.

    3. 3

      Participate in interactive group activities.

    4. 4

      Complete assignments and projects outside live class time.

    5. 5

      Apply your learning in a final team-based project.

    Fundamentals of Mechanical 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.

    Session One

    15-26 June 2026

    Monday-Friday live classes within 8:00-11:00 AM PDT, plus asynchronous work.

    Reference date

    Session Two

    6-17 July 2026

    Monday-Friday live classes within 8:00-11:00 AM PDT, plus asynchronous work.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Current Grades 9-11 at the time of application.

    • Completion of algebra 1.

    • Exposure to algebra 2 and trigonometry.

    • Domestic and international applicants may apply.

    • Admitted students may attend only one Summer Institutes course.

    How much does Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering cost?

    Financial aid

    Aid can be awarded to domestic and international participants.

    What's included

    Two-hour live weekday classes., Interactive group activities., Online office hours., A final team-based project.

    How to apply to Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering

    1. 1

      Create or reuse an account in Stanford's application portal using the student's legal name and birthdate.

    2. 2

      Select Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering among the courses you want to attend.

    3. 3

      Complete all application responses independently.

    4. 4

      Upload recent grade reports and transcripts, plus a work sample meeting the course-specific instructions.

    5. 5

      Have a parent or legal guardian review and sign the completed application.

    6. 6

      Review every section, submit the application, and pay the application fee.

    Next step with Succeed

    Interested in this programme?

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    Learning format

    Each session has ten Monday-Friday live online classes lasting two hours within an 8:00-11:00 AM PDT meeting window; the third hour is used for online office hours. Students attend one assigned section and should plan for approximately 1-2 hours per day of asynchronous assignments and projects outside live classes.

    Exact class times and the office-hour schedule are set closer to the start.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Live classes provide two hours of daily interaction Monday-Friday.

    • Interactive group activities support collaborative learning.

    • Online office hours use the third hour of the meeting window.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Both sessions use an 8:00-11:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time window.
    • Live classes meet for two hours Monday-Friday within that window.
    • Students attend one assigned section and meeting time.
    • Allow approximately 1-2 hours per day for asynchronous homework.

    Assessment style

    The course centers on applied work through group activities, independent assignments, and a final team-based project.

    • Apply engineering principles in interactive group activities.
    • Complete assignments and projects outside live class time.
    • Bring your learning together in a final team project.

    Portfolio and outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main output is a final team-based project applying mechanical engineering principles.

    Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering FAQs

    Students must have completed algebra 1 and have exposure to algebra 2 and trigonometry.

    Plan for approximately 1-2 hours per day of asynchronous assignments and projects. This is in addition to two-hour live classes Monday-Friday.

    Students complete a final team-based project. Interactive group activities help them practice applying mechanical engineering principles along the way.

    No. Standardized test scores are optional for domestic and international applicants.

    Applicants must write all responses independently. Parents or legal guardians review and sign after the application is completed.

    Yes. Financial aid can be awarded to both domestic and international participants.

    No. Stanford University's undergraduate admissions process is separate and independent from Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies, and participation does not guarantee admission.

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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 and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Welcome
    • Questions: Application - SI | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
    • Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

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

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page checked

    • Session dates checked

    • Grade requirements reviewed

    • Mathematics prerequisites reviewed

    • Daily workload checked

    • Application portal verified

    • Financial aid eligibility reviewed

    • Admissions caveat reviewed

    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.