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Explore Engineering
The UConn Explore Engineering (E2) Program is residential summer camp for current high school sophomores and juniors (during the 2023-2024 academic school year)*. During this exciting two-week at the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus participants explore engineering careers by working in small groups with College of Engineering students and faculty. They will learn what various engineers do in the workplace and see engineering concepts demonstrated. They will also experience:
- On-campus housing and dining hall meals
- Access to state-of-the-art research areas
- Access to our Engineering Learning Center and use of the center’s associated software
During the evenings, through participation in a Grand Challenge project, students focus on an interdisciplinary two-week project that addresses some of society's greatest problems. The program wraps up with a student showcases that celebrates their accomplishments.
*Current first year students/rising sophomores are welcome to apply! These will be considered if spots remain available after the deadline
Summer 2024: July 14 - July 27
Grand Challenge 2024
A grand challenge is a 2 week multidisciplinary (multiple engineering majors) engineering project that is designed to give you a full engineering experience.
Exploration of our Oceans (EoO)
Areas of Study:
- Electrical and Computer Engineering(ECE)
- Robotics Engineering(RE)
- Computer Science and Engineering(CSE)
This NIUVT and NAVY STEM grand challenge allows you to take a look into into marine engineering, where you are able to take a look into how they do underwater exploration. The focus of EoO is to provide students with real-world experience of how ECE, CSE, and RE intersect in order to help safeguard, innovate, and support in a field critical to our planet’s health.
This year's project is unfolding to center around designing and prototyping an underwater ROV for search and rescue.
Exploration of our Anatomy (EoA)
Areas of Study:
- Biomedical Engineering (BME)
- Mechanical Engineering (ME)
- Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)
This project is centered around understanding and innovating within the human body, using engineering as a tool to tackle medical and/or biologically significant challenges. The focus of EoA is hands-on learning, where students will use CS and ME concepts to enhance BME solutions, promoting a deeper understanding of how engineering can positively impact human health and wellbeing.
This year's project is unfolding to center around designing and prototyping an exoskeleton for assistive mobility.
Exploration of our Sustainable Machines (EoSM)
Areas of Study:
- Environmental Engineering(ENVE)
- Civil Engineering(CE)
- Management and Engineering for Manufacturing(MEM)
This project’s goal is to explore the world of sustainable development and engineering, engaging with a project that addresses the environmental challenges we face. The focus of EoE is to demonstrate the importance of sustainability in engineering through CE, MEM, and ENVE, encouraging students to think critically about how we can make a positive impact on our environment through thoughtful and responsible engineering practices.
This year's project is unfolding to center around designing and fabricating a tabletop functional eco-vehicle.
A Typical Weekday
We hope you are awake and ready by the time we knock on your door, but just in case, our counselors will provide a courtesy knock around 8:00 AM.
You need to meet the group in the lobby by 8:15 AM
We will enjoy breakfast in the dining halls. There are hot and cold breakfast options served buffet style.
Tours
We will bring you several engineering labs and facilities on campus. Sometimes we'll start the day with a tour, and sometimes we will start with a presentation.
Most tours will require closed-toe shoes so our counselors will let you know what to wear the night before.
Major Presentations
Either before a tour, or after, we have incredible School of Engineering faculty to share more about their discipline and what you can do with it!
Each day, we'll have a different major or discipline presenting for approximately 45 minutes
Week 1:
- Monday: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Tuesday: Mechanical Engineering
- Wednesday: Materials Science and Engineering
- Thursday: Electrical Engineering
Week 2:
- Monday: Biomedical Engineering
- Tuesday: Civil Engineering
- Wednesday: Environmental Engineering
- Thursday: Computer Science and Engineering
Snack Break
After the presentation, we will have a 15 minute break with snacks available!
Major Exploration Activity
Following each major's presentation, our counselors will split the group into three smaller groups for a hands on activity!
This activity is meant to be a fun taste of principles or concepts that engineers in this discipline use.
We will enjoy lunch in the dining halls. Lunch options change daily but there are plenty of healthy choices, as well as comfort staples like pizza or burgers and fries.
We are thrilled to have some of a lineup of amazing engineers join our explorers to share a bit more about themselves and their work.
Some of our speakers are UConn College Engineering Alumni who are now working as engineers in the field. Some are friends who work in industries we partner or collaborate with, such as Collins Aerospace and Electric Boat.
Some are current faculty who are working on unique projects, such as Human Factors Engineering, or Engineering for Human Rights. Everyone of our speakers has a story to tell
Here is a concentrated block to work on a consistent project throughout the 2 weeks of camp. These are hands-on activities designed to engage, inspire, and challenge students. Our student staff will be ready to mentor and guide you throughout this challenge.
This year, our Grand Challenges are:
- Manufacturing our Machines (MOM)
- Innovating our Infrastructures (IOI)
- Enhancing our Ecosystems (EOE)
- Adapting our Anatomy (AOA)
We were able to place every Explorer in their first or second choice Grand Challenge Project in the camp!
We will enjoy dinner in the dining halls. Dinner options change daily but there are plenty of healthy choices.
These activities are meant for community building and fun! Our counselors have planned a few different options each day, with options available for different personality types or energies.
Examples of high energy activities: Outdoor basketball, soccer, volleyball, kickball
Examples of medium energy activities: Video game tournament, board games
Examples of low energy activities: Yoga, meditation, painting, listening to music
Free time will be in the dorms. This is a great time to call family, catch up on social media, or connect with fellow Explorers.
Our counselors will ensure every Explorer is in their room and ready to recharge for tomorrow's adventure.
A Typical Weekend
After we let you sleep in just a little, we can go to the dining hall for our normal breakfast buffet
Celebrating diversity in STEM
Lunch will be in the dining halls with our normal buffet
Activities will vary depending on weather and group votes the evening before.
Examples could include:
- Community movie
- Group outdoor games
- Indoor games
- Arts and crafts
Dinner will be in the dining halls
Activities range from outdoor games, to indoor video game tournaments, to karaoke or arts and crafts
Counselors will ensure Explorers are in their rooms.
The program cost is $2499.
- If you choose not to stay the weekend (7/20-7/21), you will receive a discount of $250
We are exploring the ability to provide transportation from (1) Bradley International Airport, (2) Hartford, (3) New Haven
This would be an additional $50 round trip if selected.
Full and partial financial is available to those with financial need! We DO NOT want cost to be a barrier for application or participation.
Deadline to Apply:
Early bird deadline: April 1, 2024 by 11:59 PM
- Decisions will be shared by April 8, 2024
Deadline**: April 15, 2024 by 11:59 PM
- Decisions will be shared by April 30, 2024
**Depending on availability we may accept students after the deadline on a rolling basis