Engineering Programs for High School Students

Not at all! You don’t need previous engineering experience to attend NSLC’s Engineering program, but you should have a genuine interest in the field. Whether you’ve taken engineering classes, joined a robotics club, or simply enjoy figuring out how things work, you’ll have opportunities to explore engineering concepts through guided activities and team projects. Come ready to ask questions, experiment with new ideas, and tackle challenges that might be unfamiliar to you.

At NSLC, you’ll explore how engineers turn ideas into working designs. Through projects involving areas like robotics, electronics, and renewable energy, you’ll apply concepts from science and math to practical challenges. You’ll also hear from engineering professionals and explore how the field operates outside the classroom. Between academic activities, you’ll experience life on a college campus, from navigating university facilities to sharing meals and spending time with students from around the world.

Absolutely! That’s a big part of why we’re here. At NSLC, you’ll explore fields such as mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical engineering, giving you a better sense of how different specialties approach problems. You might discover that you’re especially interested in designing physical structures, working with technology, or developing solutions to environmental challenges. You’ll also get a closer look at what engineers do professionally, helping you consider whether studying engineering in college aligns with your interests.

You’ll develop practical engineering skills through hands-on prototyping, design challenges, and problem-solving activities. You’ll explore technical concepts like coding, CAD modeling, circuits, and mechanical systems while learning to test ideas, evaluate results, and improve your designs. Working with your peers, you’ll also strengthen your teamwork, communication, and presentation skills. NSLC’s leadership workshops build on these experiences, helping you develop confidence, adaptability, and decision-making skills you can use in college and beyond.

Engineering includes many specialties, each focused on solving different kinds of problems. Mechanical engineers design machines and mechanical systems, civil engineers work on infrastructure, electrical engineers develop electrical and electronic technologies, and chemical engineers design processes that transform materials into useful products. Other fields include environmental, industrial, and materials engineering. NSLC’s Engineering program gives you opportunities to explore engineering principles and design challenges while discovering which specialties might match your interests.

That depends on your interests and what you’re hoping to gain! If you’re considering engineering as a college major, NSLC offers a chance to explore the field through practical experiences before making that decision. You’ll also experience learning on a college campus, build independence, and connect with students from around the world who share your interests. While a summer program isn’t a shortcut to college admission or a substitute for a college engineering course, it can help you make a more informed decision about your future. Even discovering that engineering isn’t the right fit can make the experience worthwhile.