Browse the listings below for a variety of opportunities for K-12 students interested in engineering concepts and careers.
To inquire about adding a new engineering-related submission to this list email [email protected].
American Society of Civil Engineer-IL Summer Introduction to Engineering Program
ASCE-IL is seeking applications from minority students interested in participating in a two-week summer Introduction to Engineering Program. Applicants must be in their Junior (Third) year of high school to apply. Eligibility can be found HERE.
Chicago Association of Student Engineers (CASE)
The Chicago Association of Student Engineers is a youth-created and led nonprofit organization, offering Chicago area high school students access to engineering career resources, mentoring, and STEM-focused volunteer activities. Learn more about CASE.
ChiS&E: Chicago Pre-College Science and Engineering
Focusing on K-12 and especially K-3 STEM education for Chicago students via a series of age-appropriate STEM sessions held on weekends for students and their parents. Learn more now.
Endeavor Chicago
The America’s Cup Endeavour Chicago program offers Chicago students, ages 10-15, hand-on experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) through the sport of sailing. Visit Endeavor Chicago for more information.
Girls’ Adventures in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science (G.A.M.E.S.)
GAMES is an annual week long camp, designed to give academically talented high school girls an opportunity to explore exciting engineering and scientific fields through classroom presentations, hands-on activities, and contact with women in these technical fields. Applications can be found on the GAMES website.
National Society of Black Engineers Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK)
JOIN THE FUN IN LEARNING! The SEEK Program is designed to be a fun and engaging educational experience, led by NSBE engineering students and technical professionals dedicated to pursuing professional excellence and giving back to the community. The SEEK Program utilizes a hands-on design curricula supplied by various educational companies and cooperate sponsors. This FREE three-week program is open to students who are current 3rd through 5th grade or current 6th through 8th graders (6th-8th offered in selected locations). The program is held at a local elementary schools or middle schools, and includes 100 students in each grade level, for a total of 300 students served per program. Visit the website.
Project SYNCERE
The mission of Project SYNCERE (Supporting Youth’s Needs with Core Engineering Research Experiments) is to prepare the minds and create pathways for underrepresented and disadvantaged students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Learn more about the student activities.
Society of American Military Engineers STEM Camps
SAME Engineering & Construction camps provide a rigorous experience for high school students interested in exploring STEM skills and careers. Campers gain a sense of what it takes to become a STEM professional and what options exist to explore that interest from high school to college and beyond. Find information here.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory – TARGET
Program for sophomores and juniors in high school with demonstrated interest in science and engineering based careers. Full day experience combining a work assignment and electronics rocketry project design. Students are paid for their hours spent on the work assignment. Weekly stipend covers classroom hours. Email: [email protected]
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Design Thinking summer program is a five-day intensive workshop geared toward aspiring maker-designers who want to learn about the design thinking process and practice using it to generate creative solutions to problems they identify in their communities. Learn more.
Wright College Engineering Summer Bridge Program
Wright College is now accepting application for the First Cohort of the “Bridges into Engineering and Computer Science Program”. Learn more about the program.
Engineering Career Resources
Engineering Career Video and Resources
This video (created in September 2021) is a comprehensive look at engineering careers and many opportunities available within this growing sector. A resource page is also available for students and educators, with links to additional videos and resources.
Engineering Career Essentials
TheBestSchools.org open-use guide to engineering careers. This guide is rich with information about engineering, covering core sections such as certifications, education requirements, and job outlook.
Chicago Public Library STEM Discovery Packs
ScienceConnections Discovery Packs are STEM focused kits that come with books and activity sets to let kids explore different topics through hands-on learning. Discovery Packs are available at locations across the Chicago and the suburbs, sponsored by IEEE.
IEEE TryEngineering
TryEngineering aims to empower educators to foster the next generation of technology innovators. TryEngineering is an initiative from IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization for the advancement of technology.
Transportation YOU
Transportation YOU is a national program that offers hands-on, interactive mentorship in the transportation field to young girls, ages 13-18, by introducing them to a variety of transportation careers through different programs, events, and outreach activities. Learn more now.
Revelry Guide to Engineering Career Paths
The possible engineering career tracks can be divided into five major categories: technical, biological, environmental, industrial, and energy. Check out this comprehensive resource all about different engineering careers. Learn more.
STEM is Everywhere: Tips to Help Girls Choose Their Own STEM Adventures
Tips from the Chicago Engineers Foundation to help parents find opportunities to inspire their children to find STEM in their favorite hobbies and career interests. Learn more.
