Succeed
    In-person Program

    Fundamentals of Engineering High School Course

    by Summer Springboard

    A hands-on engineering course where students build prototypes, explore multiple disciplines and learn from engineering professionals.

    Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
    Fundamentals of Engineering High School Course

    • What Succeed checks

      We review public program details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, location, format, accommodation, meals and application timing.

    • What Last verified means

      Last verified is the latest date Succeed checked the public details shown on this page. Program dates, prices and availability can still change.

    • How official sources are used

      Succeed uses official provider information where available, then rewrites it into a student-facing summary for comparison and planning.

    • Why some dates are reference dates

      If the current cycle is not available, Succeed may show the latest verified cycle dates so you can understand typical timing.

    • Succeed is independent from this provider unless a partnership is clearly stated.

    Engineering Summer Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA

    Age range / Year group

    14-18; Grades 9-12

    Location / Region

    Four US campus locations

    Cost

    From $2,498

    Duration

    1-2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

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

    Save program
    EngineeringBiomedical Engineering

    Accommodation: Residential and commuter

    Meals: Full board or commuter lunch

    Sessions / cadence: 5 x 4-hour or 9 x 3-hour classes

    Assessment style: Design challenges and final project

    Main outputs: Prototypes and design presentation

    Tutors / faculty: Academics and industry professionals

    Course supplement: $250 mandatory

    Engineering Summer Course summary

    This practical introduction spans several engineering disciplines and emphasizes designing, building and testing solutions rather than learning only through lectures.

    Students complete smaller discipline-based challenges before developing a larger project in their preferred engineering area.

    It suits students who want to test their interest in engineering while experiencing professional insight, technical communication and campus life.

    What is Fundamentals of Engineering High School Course?

    The Fundamentals of Engineering High School Course is a Summer Springboard academic course built around practical design challenges. Students explore mechanical, civil, structural and biomedical engineering, with some campus variants also covering electrical, aerospace, robotics or computer engineering.

    The experience combines core concepts with prototype construction, testing and technical presentation. Students may build an artificial limb or scale structure, work within constraints such as safety codes and budgets, meet professionals and complete a larger project in a chosen engineering area.

    Why Succeed highlights Engineering Summer Course

    • Projects turn broad engineering concepts into tangible prototypes students can test and discuss.

    • Exposure to several disciplines helps students compare potential majors before specializing.

    • Real constraints such as zoning, safety, budgets and limited resources make the design work more authentic.

    • Professional interaction and subject-related excursions connect classroom engineering with career pathways.

    • The final project gives students room to pursue the engineering area that interests them most.

    Who is Engineering Summer Course for?

    Best for

    Curious high school students who want a broad, project-led introduction before choosing an engineering specialty or university pathway.

    Not ideal if

    You want a narrowly specialized course, formal academic credit or a primarily theoretical classroom experience.

    Is Engineering Summer Course worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for students who need practical evidence of whether engineering genuinely interests them. The mix of disciplines, prototypes and professional contact offers more diagnostic value than a course focused only on lectures.

    The limitation is the substantial tuition and the introductory breadth: students may not reach advanced depth in any one discipline. Its value is strongest when the student will reflect on the projects, document what they learned and use the experience to guide later subject choices.

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

    Cost and what is included

    From $2,498; includes Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, meals and excursions., Commuter tuition includes the academic course, lunch, excursions and weekday programming., Residential two-week options include weekend excursions., All project materials, supplies and tools are included for the Cambridge course..

    Accommodation

    Residential and commuter

    Meals

    Full board or commuter lunch

    Provider details

    Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    1-2 weeks; Four US campus locations.

    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.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Engineering Summer Course need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high.

    Best started

    Begin application preparation in early spring, allowing four to six weeks.

    Main challenge

    Turning broad ideas into workable designs under real constraints.

    Typical preparation

    • Review the campus variants and choose the curriculum and duration that best match your interests.

    • Prepare a concise explanation of why you want to explore engineering for the short-answer application questions.

    • Refresh basic mathematics and science concepts, but do not assume prior engineering experience is required.

    • Cambridge participants should check the published Windows laptop and USB requirements before travel.

    Useful if

    You enjoy mathematics, science, building, testing and collaborative problem-solving.

    What do students do on Engineering Summer Course?

    Students move from introductory engineering concepts to practical challenges, prototype evaluation and a final focused project. Professional conversations and excursions add career context to the technical work.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore key concepts across several engineering disciplines.

    2. 2

      Apply each set of concepts in a practical design challenge.

    3. 3

      Build and test prototypes such as an artificial limb or scale structure.

    4. 4

      Work individually or in a team within time, budget and material constraints.

    5. 5

      Choose an engineering field for a larger final project.

    6. 6

      Present design decisions, improvements and final solutions.

    Engineering Summer Course dates and deadlines

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

    General admission deadline

    17 May 2026

    Latest verified general deadline

    Reference date

    Yale Session 1

    14-20 June 2026

    One-week course

    Reference date

    Berkeley Session 1

    14-26 June 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    Cambridge Session 1

    21 June-3 July 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    Yale Session 3

    28 June-4 July 2026

    One-week course

    Reference date

    Berkeley Session 3

    28 June-10 July 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    San Diego Session 1

    28 June-10 July 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    Cambridge Session 2

    5-17 July 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    Yale Session 5

    12-18 July 2026

    One-week course

    Reference date

    Berkeley Session 5

    12-24 July 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    San Diego Session 2

    12-24 July 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    Cambridge Session 3

    19-31 July 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    San Diego Session 3

    26 July-7 August 2026

    Two-week course

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Open to students in Grades 9-12

    • Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent

    • Complete eighth grade before the program starts

    • Meet the provider's Essential Eligibility Criteria

    • International students must demonstrate English proficiency

    How much does Engineering Summer Course cost?

    Program tuition

    From $2,498 — Varies by campus and accommodation option

    Funding or discounts

    • Course supplement: $250 — Mandatory for Fundamentals of Engineering
    • Program deposit: $600 — Paid during application
    • Application fee: From $99 — Mandatory and nonrefundable
    • Need-based scholarship: Up to 30% residential — Up to 60% of commuter tuition
    • Eligible discounts: 5% — Heroes, multi-program, sibling or referral terms apply

    What's included

    Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, meals and excursions., Commuter tuition includes the academic course, lunch, excursions and weekday programming., Residential two-week options include weekend excursions., All project materials, supplies and tools are included for the Cambridge course.

    How to apply to Engineering Summer Course

    1. 1

      Create an account in the official application portal and verify your email address.

    2. 2

      Complete the account details and select Create New Application.

    3. 3

      Choose the campus, session, course and residential or commuter tuition type.

    4. 4

      Enter the student's details and complete the short-answer questions and agreements.

    5. 5

      Pay the application fee and $600 deposit, then submit the completed application.

    6. 6

      Monitor email for the enrollment decision and any additional forms.

    What does Engineering Summer Course cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Engineering design

    Learn a structured process for creating, testing and improving solutions.

    Mechanical and civil systems

    Apply core principles while building structures and mechanical prototypes.

    Biomedical engineering

    Explore biomechanics by designing a functional artificial-limb model.

    3D design and prototyping

    Develop models and assemblies using engineering design methods and software.

    Technical communication

    Explain design choices and demonstrate iterative improvements to an audience.

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

    What is a typical day on Engineering Summer Course?

    A typical day during the program.

    Academic course

    Yale classes run 9am-1pm; two-week variants typically run 9am-noon.

    Excursion or activity

    Students join academic excursions, guest sessions or recreational activities.

    College preparation

    Two-week campus schedules may include college-readiness or personal-development workshops.

    Residential program

    Dinner is followed by clubs, social activities and a nighttime room check.

    Who teaches on Engineering Summer Course?

    Courses are taught by subject specialists recruited from academic and professional settings. Named instructors include engineering professors, doctoral researchers and professionals with experience spanning robotics, environmental engineering, product development and technical education.

    Instructor assignments vary by campus and session.

    Where do students stay on Engineering Summer Course?

    Residential plan

    • Campus housing: Students share university-style rooms, with basic linens provided at documented campuses.
    • Meals: Residential tuition includes meals, generally served in or near campus dining facilities.
    • Pastoral support: Program staff live in the residences and provide 24-hour emergency support.
    • Security: Residences use controlled access, campus patrols and scheduled nighttime checks.
    • Evening activities: Residential students join clubs, social events and other scheduled activities.

    Non-residential plan

    • Weekday attendance: Commuters receive lunch and attend course, excursion and daytime programming.

    Room configuration varies: Berkeley, Yale and Cambridge use shared rooms with communal bathrooms, while UC San Diego uses shared suite-style housing.

    What happens after Engineering Summer Course?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Compare potential engineering majors through direct experience of several disciplines.

    Develop prototypes and a final project that can support later reflection or portfolio discussion.

    Strengthen technical communication by explaining design decisions and improvements.

    Gain insight into engineering careers through professionals and workplace-related excursions.

    Use the experience to plan further mathematics, science, coding or engineering study.

    The course does not state that it awards academic credit or a formal qualification.

    Where does Engineering Summer Course take place?

    The course has documented variants in Berkeley and San Diego, California; New Haven, Connecticut; and Cambridge, Massachusetts. Campus life, local excursions and facilities differ by location, while the Cambridge academic course is taught in Kendall Square next to MIT rather than on the MIT campus itself.

    Summer Springboard operates independently of most host universities and is not sponsored or endorsed by them.

    Engineering Summer Course FAQs

    The curriculum includes mechanical, civil and structural engineering, with biomedical, electrical, aerospace, robotics or computer engineering included in particular campus variants.

    Documented projects include a functional artificial-limb model, a scale structure designed around code and budget constraints, and a larger final project in a chosen engineering area.

    The Cambridge variant states that there is no prerequisite. It introduces the required foundations while allowing more advanced students to extend their work.

    Residential and commuter tuition options are documented. Residential students receive campus lodging, meals and evening programming, while commuters attend daytime programming and receive lunch.

    Teaching combines short introductions to engineering fundamentals with practical projects, simulations, testing, professional interaction and subject-related excursions.

    Instructor profiles include professors, doctoral researchers and experienced engineering professionals. Assignments differ by campus and session.

    Yes. The Cambridge variant requires a PC laptop running Windows 10 or higher and states that MacBooks and Chromebooks are unsuitable for its specialist programs.

    Need-based scholarships may cover up to 30% of residential tuition or 60% of commuter tuition. Several 5% discount categories are also documented, subject to their individual terms.

    Alternatives to Engineering Summer Course

    Compare these related academic programs if you want a different engineering focus, location or style of scientific study.

    Alternatives to Engineering Summer Course

    Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.

    Compare with other programs
    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Summer Springboard on the campus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Summer Program for HS Students
    • Yale Summer Program for High School Students - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Summer Engineering Program for High School Students at UC San Diego
    • Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Tuition Protection Plan T&C
    • 2026 HS 1-week Fundamentals of Engineering V1
    • Fundamentals of Engineering | Course | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard

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

    What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)

    • Course content checked

    • Campus variants compared

    • Session dates reviewed

    • Tuition details checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Application process checked

    • Accommodation details reviewed

    • Policy terms 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.