At the NSLC on Engineering summer program for high school students, you’ll explore a variety of engineering fields including mechanical, civil, electrical, and biomedical engineering. Professors and professional engineers will tell you about exciting new research endeavors and their latest projects. Then, engineering simulations give you the opportunity to design and build with your teammates.
College Credit is Available for This Program
The National Student Leadership Conference has a unique partnership with American University to offer college credit for our high school summer programs. The American University is distinguished as a premier global university and known for turning “ideas into action and action into service.” As a result of this NSLC/AU alliance, students attending the NSLC’s summer programs for high school students have the opportunity to take college credit classes taught by American University faculty at all NSLC locations. This credit option enhances your education within the framework of your program experience, without interrupting NSLC activities.
Read more about earning college credit through your NSLC program.
Program Highlights
Engineering Design Challenges
Work with a team to design and build robots, wind turbines, water purification systems and more.
Visit university laboratories
Interact with leading researchers and university professors.
Explore cutting-edge technologies
From the fields of energy and nanotechnology.
Dates & Locations
Yale University
New Haven, CT
- June 24 – July 2
- July 6 – July 14
- July 18 – July 26
- July 30 – August 7
Northwestern University
Chicago, IL
- June 28 – July 6
- July 10 – July 18
- July 22 – July 30
- August 3 – August 11
University of California, Berkeley
Georgia Tech
American University
Washington, DC
- July 9 – July 17
- July 21 – July 29
- August 2 – August 10
Rice University
Work on Teams to Solve Engineering Challenges
Hands-on Simulations
At the NSLC on Engineering program for high school students, you will experience some of the most exciting work that is challenging professional engineers today. During the program, you will design, build, and operate an underwater ROV. Then, you and your team will work together to find the most economical way to build a wind turbine that produces electricity. Each day offers hands-on activities and intriguing problems to solve.
Our college-level lecture series will provide you with a foundation of knowledge on a variety of engineering disciplines, including:
- Chemical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science
Meet Engineering Professionals
While at the NSLC’s summer high school engineering program, you will meet with and learn from leaders in the engineering community.
Examples of past guest speakers include:
Mr. George Levin
Director of the Aeronautics & Space Engineering Board, The National Academies
Dr. Roman Kuc
Professor of Electrical Engineering, Yale University
Mr. George Banker
Operations Manager, ARMY Ten-Miler
Dr. Stephen Carr
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University
Dr. Ken Goldberg
Professor of Industrial Engineering, UC-Berkeley
Dr. Mehran Sahami
Professor of Computer Science, Stanford University
Mr. Joseph Holtgrieve
Assistant Dean for Student Career Development, Northwestern
Mrs. Tiffany Reardon
Admissions Officer, UC-Berkeley College of Engineering
Mr. Barrie Green
Assistant Director of Engineering Operations, NASA
Dr. Brian Scassellati
Director, NSF Expedition on Socially Assistive Robotics, Yale University
Dr. C.D. Mote
President, National Academy of Engineering
Dr. Alton Romig
Executive Director, National Academy of Engineering
Explore Future Careers in Engineering
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
The NSLC on Engineering has created special partnerships with engineering facilities across the country to provide unparalleled access and experiences for our summer engineering program students.
- Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science
- Yale Social Robotics Lab
- Brookhaven National Laboratory
- Long Island Sound Cruise
- Boston Museum of Science
- Historic Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market
- Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering
- Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
- mHUB, Technology Innovation Hub
- Navy Pier
- Magnificent Mile
- UC Berkeley College of Engineering
- Levi's Stadium
- Intel Museum
- Autodesk Gallery
- Pier 39
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Ghiradelli Square
- Georgia Tech Engineering Laboratories
- Delta Flight Museum
- Georgia Dome
- World of Coca-Cola
- Georgia Aquarium
- Lockheed Martin
- NASA
- Northrop Grumman
- Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division
- Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Dulles International Airport
- George Washington University School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
- A.James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland
- Stephen F. Udvar Hazy Center and the National Air & Space Museum
- The Smithsonian Institution
- Baltimore Harbor
- Rice University Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen
- Space Center Houston
- Offshore Energy Center
- Texas Medical Center
- Kemah Boardwalk
Leadership Training
At the heart of the NSLC is a leadership curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. From the beginning of your youth engineering program you will learn to work as a team during an exciting Ropes Challenge Course. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Leadership topics tailored to the Medicine & Health Care program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Conflict Resolution
- Negotiation and Effective Presentations
Your NSLC tuition is all-inclusive. Your tuition covers course materials, housing, on-campus meals, social events and transportation throughout your program.
We offer a comprehensive scholarship program to assist qualified students with the cost of NSLC tuition, based on financial need, academic merit and extracurriculars.
Fundraising is a great way to raise funds to contribute toward your NSLC program tuition while also forging relationships with leaders in your community.