Imagine, design and create things that matter!
Explore Engineering is a series of immersive engineering design experiences for students in grades 9-12.
Working in teams with Sweet Briar engineering faculty and undergraduate engineering students, high schoolers work on creative and fun design projects that are perfect for both experienced students and those completely new to engineering. You’ll learn the design process from brainstorming to testing and revising prototypes. Experience problem-solving as an engineer and make your design a reality!
Over the past 10 years, more than 500 students have attended an Explore Engineering event, designing and building such things as:
- Computer-controlled smart wearables
- Automated musical devices
- Sustainable building materials
- Automatically refilling pet bowls
- Electromechanical drawing machines
- Optical bass guitars
- Wearable tech
Explore Box:
We’ll send you a unique STEM project kit through the mail.
Summer Explore Engineering Course:
Our summer course is similar to our weekend experience, but students get to spend 7 days and nights on campus, allowing them to learn additional techniques and develop more detailed designs all while earning college credit. The week culminates in a design expo, where families are invited to come see the student projects and hear about the engineering program over lunch.
Summer Explore Engineering | July 23–28, 2023
Cost
The $950 course fee includes tuition, room and board, snacks, course supplies and a T-shirt. A non-refundable $200 deposit is due at registration, with the remaining balance due by May 15, 2023.
A limited number of scholarships are available for students interested in participating in the Summer Explore Engineering Design course but who have significant financial need. Scholarships are awarded at $475. Click here to apply.
Registration
Please register here. Space is limited and registration occurs on a rolling basis until the course is full.
Only fully paid course registrations reserve your student’s seat. Unpaid registrations are placed on a waiting list until payment is received.
Cancellations received before June 1, 2023 will be refunded without the deposit. Cancellations received on or after June 1, 2023 will not be refunded.
Schedule
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Check In
4 – 5:30 p.m.
Campus Tour
Optional
4:30 p.m.
Dinner
Program Begins
5:30 p.m.
Monday–Thursday, July 24–27, 2023
Classes and Group Work
Tour a local engineering company, interact with successful women engineers, and relax at the campus lake. See examples of previous projects here.
Friday, July 28, 2023
Course Overview and Project Exhibition
Invite your friends and family to show off your design work from the week.
10:30 a.m. – Noon
Lunch with Families
Noon – 1 p.m.
Check Out
1 – 1:30 p.m.
Past Explore Engineering events have been supported by AREVA and the National Science Foundation — through its S-STEM (award #0850092) and STEP (award # 0525388) programs.
Sweet Briar College does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including sex, for admission or participation in this program.