Application deadline
13 March 2026
2026 Summer Institutes application cycle; materials due by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
Online Program
Introduction to Structural Engineering
by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
Explore how structures withstand forces through materials, load transfer, structural dynamics, and collaborative bridge-building and final projects.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Introduction to Structural Engineering at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Grades 9-11; completed geometry
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-17
Location / Region
Online
Cost
$3,200
Duration
2 weeks
Format
Online
EngineeringComputer Science
Sessions / cadence: 10 × 2-hour classes, Monday-Friday
Main deliverable / output: Bridge-building challenge and final project
Time-zone / scheduling model: 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT window
Latest verified cycle: 2026
Independent work: 2-3 hours daily
Academic support: Online office hours
Introduction to Structural Engineering summary
This Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes course introduces the science and art of designing structures that safely resist forces. It connects construction materials, load transfer, and structural dynamics to real engineering examples.
Students learn through lectures and activities, then work in small groups on a bridge-building challenge and a final project. It suits students who want to test their interest in how buildings and bridges work.
What is Introduction to Structural Engineering?
Introduction to Structural Engineering is an online academic enrichment course within Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. It introduces how structures safely resist forces, combining lectures and activities with examples of successful projects and structural failures.
Students study steel, concrete, timber, and masonry, how structures take and transfer loads, and the basics of structural dynamics. Small-group bridge-building and final projects turn those concepts into practical work, while live classes and online office hours support learning.
Why Succeed highlights Introduction to Structural Engineering
The course links construction materials, load transfer, and structural dynamics rather than treating bridge-building as an isolated activity.
Studying structural failures alongside successful projects encourages students to examine why designs work.
Small-group projects provide a practical way to apply ideas introduced in lectures.
The published class and homework commitments help families judge the workload realistically.
Who is Introduction to Structural Engineering for?
Best for
Students curious about how structures work who enjoy applying mathematical ideas to collaborative projects.
Not ideal if
You want a light summer activity or a campus stay; the course combines live online classes with substantial daily homework.
Is Introduction to Structural Engineering worth it?
The course is worth considering if you want a focused introduction to structural engineering with practical group work. Its combination of materials, load transfer, dynamics, and real-world examples gives you several ways to test whether the subject interests you.
The main trade-off is intensity: live classes sit alongside approximately two to three hours of daily homework. Judge its value by what you could learn and apply, because participation does not guarantee admission to Stanford University.
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Cost and what is included
$3,200; includes Live lectures and course activities., Small-group bridge-building challenge., Small-group final project., Online office hours..
Dates and time commitment
2 weeks; 10 × 2-hour classes, Monday-Friday.
Provider details
Review the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
What the student gains
Potential output: Students complete a bridge-building challenge and a final project in small groups.. 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.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Introduction to Structural Engineering need?
Effort level
High for a short summer course.
Best started
Begin gathering application materials four to six weeks before a future published deadline.
Main challenge
Balancing daily assignments with live classes and collaborative projects.
Typical preparation
Refresh the geometry concepts you have already studied.
Gather recent grade reports and transcripts, and choose a work sample that meets the course's application instructions.
Write your application responses independently and allow time for guardian review.
Map the Pacific Time meeting window to your local time and reserve a daily homework block.
Useful if
You want to connect geometry with practical engineering questions.
What do students do on Introduction to Structural Engineering?
You learn how structures resist forces through lectures, activities, and real-world examples. Small-group projects let you apply those ideas, with assignments and project work continuing outside live class.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Study steel, concrete, timber, and masonry as construction materials.
- 2
Explore how structures take and transfer loads.
- 3
Learn the basics of structural dynamics.
- 4
Examine successful projects and lessons from structural failures.
- 5
Work in a small group on a bridge-building challenge and a final project.
Introduction to Structural 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.
Reference date
Session One
15-26 June 2026
Monday-Friday live classes; students attend one course section.
Session Two
6-17 July 2026
Monday-Friday live classes; students attend one course section.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 13 March 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session One | 15-26 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session Two | 6-17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Be in Grades 9-11 at the time of application.
Have completed a geometry course.
Complete application responses independently.
Attend only one Summer Institutes course if admitted.
How much does Introduction to Structural Engineering cost?
Program tuition
$3,200 — 2026 Summer Institutes tuition.
Funding or discounts
- Financial aid: Aid can be awarded to domestic and international participants.
What's included
Live lectures and course activities., Small-group bridge-building challenge., Small-group final project., Online office hours.
How to apply to Introduction to Structural Engineering
- 1
Create a Stanford Pre-Collegiate application account using the student's legal name and birthdate, or sign in to an existing account.
- 2
Select Introduction to Structural Engineering among the courses you want to attend.
- 3
Complete all written responses yourself.
- 4
Upload recent grade reports, transcripts, and a work sample meeting the course's application requirements.
- 5
Have a parent or legal guardian review and sign the completed application.
- 6
Submit the complete application and application fee through the online system; submitted applications cannot be changed.
Next step with Succeed
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Learning format
Students attend a two-hour live online class each Monday-Friday within an 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT meeting window, with the third hour reserved for online office hours. Plan approximately two to three additional hours daily for assignments and projects outside class.
Exact class times and the office-hour schedule are set closer to the start; students attend one course section and time.
Mentorship and feedback
Online office hours provide academic support alongside live classes.
The third hour of the published meeting window is reserved for office hours.
The exact office-hour schedule is set closer to the program start.
Time-zone considerations
- Both sessions use an 8:00-11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time meeting window.
- Live classes run for two hours each Monday-Friday.
- The third hour is reserved for online office hours.
- Students attend one assigned course section and time.
- Exact class and office-hour schedules are set closer to the start.
Portfolio and outputs
Main deliverable / output
Students complete a bridge-building challenge and a final project in small groups.
A small-group bridge-building challenge.
A small-group final project.
Introduction to Structural Engineering FAQs
Students study steel, concrete, timber, and masonry, how structures take and transfer loads, and the basics of structural dynamics. They also examine successful projects and structural failures.
Students must have completed a geometry course and be in Grades 9-11 when applying.
The course has two hours of live class each weekday and approximately two to three hours of daily homework. A third hour in the published meeting window is reserved for online office hours.
Students work in small groups on a bridge-building challenge and a final project.
Financial aid is available, and both domestic and international participants can receive it.
Applicants must write all responses themselves. Parents or legal guardians review the completed application and sign it.
Standardized test scores are optional for both domestic and international applicants. Applicants can upload transcripts directly, and most upload an unofficial transcript.
No. Stanford University's undergraduate admissions process is separate and independent from Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs, and participation does not guarantee admission.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent 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.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- SU26_SPCS_Flyer_TeachCoun.indd
- Welcome
- Questions: Application - SI | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
- Introduction to Structural 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)
Course requirements reviewed
Session dates checked
Historical deadline checked
Tuition and aid reviewed
Daily workload reviewed
Application portal 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.
Introduction to Structural Engineering
by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
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