Pre-Engineering Program
Preparing Today’s Students to be Tomorrow’s Engineers
The Pre-Engineering Program (PEP) is a Saturday enrichment program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who are curious about how things are built and how they work!
Through hands-on activities, teamwork challenges, and real-world problem solving, students explore the same science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts that engineers use every day. By sparking curiosity now, PEP helps students see how their interests in STEM can grow into future opportunities in high school, college, and beyond.
Each PEP session, the STEM presentation and activity will be led by students from a different undergraduate or graduate student group within the Vergnano Institute for Impact. Students will be able to ask about their experiences as engineers, advice for succeeding in school, or even life as a college student.
If you have any questions, please contact engr-peptest@uconn.edu.
Join Us For A Virtual Information Session
Tuesday September 8, 2026 from 6:30 – 7:15 PM via Microsoft Teams
Dates and Deadlines
The Pre-Engineering Program offers two five-session Terms. Students are welcome to join for one or both terms.
Fall 2026 Term
- Saturday, October 10th
- Saturday, October 17th
- Saturday, October 24th
- Saturday, October 31st
- Saturday, November 7th
- Snow Date If Needed: Saturday, November 7th
The application deadline is September 11th, 2026 for the Fall 2026 Term.
Spring 2027 Term
- Saturday, March 27th
- Saturday, April 3rd
- Saturday, April 10th
- Saturday, April 17th
- Saturday, April 24th
- Snow Date If Needed: Saturday, May 1st
The application deadline is February 1st, 2027 for the Spring 2027 Term.
If you would like to sign a studet up for both terms, the application deadline is September 11th, 2026.
Program Pricing
The pricing for the Pre-Engineering Program covers all activities during each four-hour session, including lunch. Financial Assistance is available.
- If a student is participating in one term (either Fall OR Spring), the price is $300 for the five session dates.
- If a student is participating in both terms (Fall AND Spring), the price is $500 for the ten session dates.
Student Schedules
Below is a general outline of what students can expect to experience during each PEP session.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:00 – 10:20 AM | Arrival/Parent Drop Off to UConn Hartford Campus |
| 10:30 – 10:45 AM | Student welcome and Agenda Overview |
| 10:45 – 11:05 AM | Engaging STEM Presentation |
| 11:05 – 12:15 PM | Hands on STEM Activity |
| 12:15 – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 – 1:25 PM | Student Empowerment Block |
| 1:25 – 1:45 PM | STEM Game |
| 1:45 – 2:00 PM | Prepare for dismissal |
| 2:00 – 2:30 PM | Student Dismissal |