Explore Engineering
Find your fit in engineering.
Applications open now until May 1st!
Camp Dates: July 12th – July 24th, 2026
Explore Engineering is a two week residential summer program designed to introduce rising high school students to various engineering majors. Our residential programs give students the full college feel, from buffet-style dining halls, premium-style dorms, and a packed schedule filled with learning, hands-on projects, and community building.
Our experience is completely dreamed of and designed by current undergraduate engineering students. Our students were intentional with designing activities and lessons that they wish they had when they were in high school. In addition, our Major Exploration presentations are designed and delivered by UConn’s World Class Engineering faculty.
Timeline:
Early Bird Deadline: March 1, 2026
Early Bird Acceptance Notification: March 15, 2026
Standard Deadline: May 1, 2026
Standard Acceptance Notification: May 15, 2026
Payment Window Without Financial Assistance: May 15 – June 30, 2026
Alternative deadlines with payment plans listed below.
Empowering Futures
The Vergnano Institute for Impact is committed to building connection and passion in engineering and STEM fields.
Our programs are for everyone.
In particular, we welcome and encourage students who are…
– first in their family to go to college, or
– attending a Title I school or district, or
– have participated in English language learning classes, or
– looking forward to meeting their first engineer,
…to apply!
Who’s Eligible?
Any high school (including home school) student who will be entering 9th – 11th grade in September 2026.
Out of state students are welcome. Airport transportation can be arranged
Rising seniors are welcome, though you may find our camp may not be challenging enough for you
Neurodivergent students are welcome, and we are ready to support you.
The Grand Challenge Project
In our Grand Challenge Project, students deep-dive in a two-week multidisciplinary project. These are hands on projects that students have time to work on every weekday in the camp. Total project time: 21 hours!
This year’s Grand Challenges themes include ”Engineering for Accessibility”, “Engineering for Rescue”, “Engineering for Human Performance”, and “Engineering for Revitalization”.
Designing an Exoskeleton or Robotic Hand
Some skills that you will learn include, 3D Modeling (CAD), Artificial Skin and Tactile Design, Circuitry and Robotic Controls, Sensors and Data Collection.
Suggested for students interested in exploring:
Biomedical Engineering (BME) Computer Science & Engineering (CSE)
Robotics Engineering (RE)
Designing an Underwater Remote Vehicle
Some skills you’ll learn include Soldering, Water Resistant Design, Motor Control and Coordination.
Sensors and Data Collection.
Suggested for students interested in exploring:
Electrical Engineering (EE), Mechanical Engineering (ME)
Materials Science & Engineering (MSE), Maritime or Naval Engineering,
Designing a Force Place and Motion Capture for Athletic Movement
Some skills you’ll learn Human Joint Structure and Function, Prototyping for Dynamic Experiments
Modeling and Simulations, Sensors and data Collection.
Suggested for students interested in exploring:
Biomedical Engineering (BME), Computer Science (CS), Mechanical Engineering (ME), Multidisciplinary Engineering (MDE)
Designing Systems to Create Smart Bridges with Energy Capture
Some skills you’ll learn Structural Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, Modeling and Simulations, Sensors and Data Collection.
Suggested for students interested in exploring:
Civil Engineering (CE) Chemical Engineering (CHEG), Environmental Engineering (ENVE)
Major Exploration
Our philosophy is listen, learn, try, apply.
Listen and Learn:
Our incredible UConn faculty present about a different major each day. Hear about their journey, what kinds of research or applications faculty and students are working on in that major/department, and what kinds of jobs you could have after graduating.
Try and Apply:
Our undergraduate student leaders have designed an engaging hands on activity or challenge to help dive into that major/field.
Examples include building a circuit to learn about electrical engineering, or designing an ecohouse that withstands the elements to learn about civil and environmental engineering.
Major exploration activities are led by our undergraduate student counselors with students in groups of 18-25.
Our camp includes more than 10 hours of designated major exploration! Students can choose to engage in additional major exploration during Choice Blocks, or always ask a counselor for their advice, experience, and perspective.
These activities are designed to be beginner-friendly. Our counselors are ready to add complexity or challenge for students with experience or who learn at a different pace than others.
Financial and Transportation Information
Early Bird Applicants (Apply by March 1, 2026): $3500
Standard Applicants (Apply by May 1, 2026): $4000
6 month payment plan: June – December 2026
9 month payment plan accelerated: June 2026 – March 2027
9 month payment plan early: September 2026 – June 2027
25% Waiver: $1000 off, $3000 due
50% Waiver: $2000 off, $2000 due
75% Waiver: $3000 off, $1000 due
100% Waiver: $4000 off, $100 refundable deposit due
Combination plans (waiver & payment plan) are also available.
This is built into our program application (no separate application needed)!
Financial Assistance is awarded on a demonstrated need basis.
The application will ask you to upload documentation (i.e.. unemployment, tax return, demonstration of free/reduced lunch, etc.)
For an additional ~$50 round trip, we can provide safe and reliable transportation to/from camp.
Pick Up Locations:
- Bradley Airport
- Hartford (UConn Hartford AND Union Station Pick Up Sites)
- New Haven (University of New Haven Pick Up Site)
- Stamford (UConn Stamford AND Stamford Train Station Pick Up Sites)
Weekend Participation is optional. Students may go home Friday night or Saturday morning, and check back in Sunday evening.
Schedule
Our day starts at 8:20 AM with breakfast, and ends at 9:15 PM after evening activities like basketball, yoga, or movie night.
Our undergraduate student counselors have filled the day with activities, presentations, and breaks.
Skills Labs:
In this session, you will have time to learn and practice a new STEM skill, such as how to solder a circuit board. This skill will be used again later in the program, such as in a grand challenge or major exploration activity.
Tours:
UConn has many world class facilities on the Storrs Campus! We are pleased to bring you to check out labs, museums, makerspaces, and other unique spots on campus
Grand Challenge:
Described above. This is where you work on your two-week long project of choice. We estimate 18-25 students in each Grand Challenge.
Presentations (Major Exploration):
Delivered by our incredible engineering faculty, learn more about each major, what research is happening at UConn, and what you can do with each engineering degree.
CBE – Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
ME – Mechanical Engineering
BME – Biomedical Engineering
ECE – Electrical and Computer Engineering
CSE – Computer Science and Engineering
CE/ENVE – Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering
MSE – Materials Science and Engineering
Counselor Planned Activities (CPAs):
After dinner, you’ll have the choice between (1) resting in the dorms, (2) a high energy activity like volleyball or going to the Mansfield Community Center, or (3) a low energy activity like a board game or movie night.
Closing Ceremony:
We welcome parents, families and friends to join us in celebration of the week! Some campers will present or showcase what they’ve been working on during the camp. We end with awards and some inspiration for the future.
Weekend:
Saturday and Sunday are optional! Campers can go home for the weekend on Friday night or Saturday morning, and check back in on Sunday night. If you choose to stay, we’ve got a mix of rest and community time, as well as design challenges like our Engineering for Human Rights Challenge. Families are also welcome to visit on the weekend.
UPDATE 2/6/2026
Thanks for your interest in Explore Engineering! Applications for Explore Engineering 2026 are open now. For questions, email engr-explore@uconn.edu.
Also, please note that the website is currently being updated. If you have any comments or questions regarding previous website content, please contact us.