Design a Summer to Remember!
For more than 30 years, the Arizona Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) has offered summer outreach programs for rising 9th through 12th graders, as well as graduated seniors*, who want to learn more about engineering – and get a taste of life as a Wildcat! SEA attendees:
- Work with professors, graduate and undergraduate students on design projects and hands-on activities
- Meet current students, faculty and industry partners while learning about engineering degrees, research and careers
- Explore the UA campus, facilities and community
- Develop leadership and communication skills
- Develop meaningful connections with peers who share similar interests and passions
* Class of 2026 graduates
SEA 2027 Schedule
Registration to open in January.
Service through Engineering
June 7 – 10, 2027
Current 8th – 11th grade students
Engineer solutions. Serve communities. Make an impact.
Discover how engineers use their skills to improve lives and strengthen communities. Students will work together on hands-on design challenges that address real community needs while exploring how engineering, creativity and service can create meaningful change.
Engineering areas may include: Civil & Architectural Engineering • Environmental Engineering • Biosystems Engineering • Electrical, Computing, and Software Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Engineering Design*
Students might…
- Design solutions to address a real community need
- Build and test sustainable structures or systems
- Explore clean water, renewable energy, or accessibility challenges
- Apply the engineering design process to a service-based project
- Work in teams to develop solutions with community impact
- Meet engineers whose work improves communities
*Activities and engineering disciplines may vary based on faculty, facility and industry partner availability.
Engineering Innovation and Exploration — Residential Camp
June 14 – 17, 2027
Current 10th – 11th grade students
Explore engineering. Discover possibilities. Experience college life.
Not sure which type of engineering is right for you? This residential experience gives students the opportunity to explore multiple engineering disciplines through hands-on projects, interactive labs, design challenges and experiences with University of Arizona faculty and students. Participants will also experience campus life while building friendships, independence and confidence.
Engineering areas may include: Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering • Biomedical Engineering • Chemical Engineering • Civil Engineering • Electrical, Computing, and Software Engineering • Materials Science & Engineering • Mining & Geological Engineering • Optical Sciences*
Students might…
- Explore several engineering disciplines through hands-on labs
- Design, build, test, and improve an engineering prototype
- Experiment with robotics, structures, biomedical devices, materials, or optics
- Visit University of Arizona engineering laboratories and facilities
- Work alongside faculty, engineering students, and other aspiring engineers
- Experience campus life while living in a university residence hall
*Activities and engineering disciplines may vary based on faculty, facility and industry partner availability.
Women in Engineering – Residential and Day Camp
June 28 – July 1, 2027
Current 8th – 11th grade students
Explore. Connect. Lead. Engineer your future.
Designed to inspire young women interested in STEM, this camp provides opportunities to explore a variety of engineering disciplines while connecting with women who are studying and working in engineering. Through hands-on projects, mentorship, teamwork and career exploration, students will build technical skills, leadership, confidence and a supportive community of future engineers.
Engineering areas may include: Biomedical Engineering • Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering • Civil Engineering • Chemical Engineering • Electrical, Computing, and Software Engineering • Materials Science & Engineering • Optical Sciences • Biosystems Engineering*
Students might…
- Complete hands-on challenges across multiple engineering disciplines
- Design and build solutions as part of an engineering team
- Explore engineering labs and technology on the University of Arizona campus
- Meet and learn from women engineers, faculty, students, and industry professionals
- Participate in leadership and team-building experiences
- Build a network with other young women interested in STEM and engineering
*Activities and engineering disciplines may vary based on faculty, facility and industry partner availability.
Semiconductors
July 5 – 8, 2027
Current 8th – 11th grade students
Explore the tiny technology that powers our world.
Discover the science and engineering behind the microchips found in everything from smartphones and cars to medical devices and spacecraft. Through hands-on activities, students will explore how semiconductors are designed, manufactured, tested and used while discovering the many engineering careers that contribute to the semiconductor industry.
Engineering areas may include: Chemical Engineering • Electrical, Computing, and Software Engineering • Materials Science & Engineering • Optical Sciences • Mechanical Engineering • Systems & Industrial Engineering*
Students might…
- Examine silicon wafers and discover how microchips are made
- Simulate semiconductor masking, layering, and fabrication processes
- Build and test electronic circuits
- Explore the properties of materials used in semiconductor manufacturing
- Visit laboratories and experience semiconductor-related equipment
- Meet engineers and industry professionals and explore Arizona's growing semiconductor workforce
*Activities and engineering disciplines may vary based on faculty, facility and industry partner availability.
Grand Challenges in Engineering — Residential
July 12 – 15, 2027
Current 10th – 11th grade students
Think big. Design solutions. Engineer a better future.
What will engineers need to solve next? Students will investigate some of the world's most complex challenges involving sustainability, energy, water, health, technology, infrastructure and security. Through collaborative projects and engineering design challenges, participants will develop innovative solutions while experiencing university life and exploring how different engineering disciplines work together to address global problems.
Engineering areas may include: Environmental Engineering • Biosystems Engineering • Biomedical Engineering • Civil Engineering • Chemical Engineering • Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering • Electrical, Computing, and Software Engineering • Materials Science & Engineering*
Students might…
- Tackle engineering challenges involving water, energy, health, sustainability, infrastructure, or technology
- Design solutions to complex real-world and global problems
- Build and test prototypes using the engineering design process
- Combine ideas from multiple engineering disciplines to solve one challenge
- Work collaboratively to present an engineering solution
- Experience university life while exploring how engineers can shape the future
*Activities and engineering disciplines may vary based on faculty, facility and industry partner availability.
Disaster Response: Engineering in the Community
July 19 – 22, 2027
Current 8th – 11th grade students
Prepare. Respond. Rebuild.
Explore the critical role engineers play before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies. Students will tackle hands-on challenges involving resilient structures, infrastructure, water, energy, communication, transportation and emergency response while learning how engineers collaborate to protect people and help communities recover.
Engineering areas may include: Civil Engineering • Environmental Engineering • Electrical, Computing, and Software Engineering • Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering • Biosystems Engineering • Systems & Industrial Engineering • Engineering Design*
Students might…
- Design structures that can withstand earthquakes, flooding, or extreme weather
- Develop solutions for emergency water, power, or shelter
- Explore how engineers restore transportation and critical infrastructure after disasters
- Solve emergency communication and resource-distribution challenges
- Participate in a simulated disaster-response engineering challenge
- Design, build, and test solutions that help communities become more resilient
*Activities and engineering disciplines are examples and may vary based on faculty, facility and industry partner availability.
Semiconductors and the Workforce of Tomorrow
March 17 – 19, 2027
Current 9th – 12th grade students
Discover the technology powering our world.
Spend spring break exploring the science, engineering and innovation behind semiconductors and microchips at the University of Arizona College of Engineering. Designed for current 9th–12th grade students, this three-day camp introduces participants to the semiconductor manufacturing process and the many engineering disciplines and careers that make today's technology possible.
Through hands-on activities, laboratory experiences, engineering challenges and interactions with University of Arizona faculty, students and industry professionals, participants will explore how semiconductors move from raw materials to the tiny chips found in phones, computers, vehicles, medical devices, aerospace systems and countless other technologies.
Engineering areas may include: Chemical Engineering • Electrical, Computing, and Software Engineering • Materials Science & Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Optical Sciences • Systems & Industrial Engineering*
Students might…
- Examine silicon wafers and learn how microchips are manufactured
- Simulate semiconductor fabrication processes such as masking, patterning, layering, and material removal
- Build and test circuits using semiconductor components
- Explore the chemical and material properties involved in chip manufacturing
- Participate in hands-on activities and University of Arizona laboratory experiences
- Discover how chemical, electrical, materials, mechanical, optical, and other engineers contribute to semiconductor production
- Meet engineering students, faculty, and industry professionals
- Explore educational pathways and careers within Arizona's growing semiconductor industry
* Activities and engineering disciplines may vary based on faculty, facility and industry partner availability.
Summer Engineering Explorers
May 31 – June 4, 2027
Current 5th – 7th grade students
Explore. Create. Discover Engineering.
Summer Engineering Explorers is about more than learning what engineers do, it is an opportunity for students to begin seeing themselves as future problem-solvers, creators and engineers. No previous engineering experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to explore!
The Summer Engineering Explorers program introduces middle school students to the exciting world of engineering through hands-on, project-based learning at the University of Arizona College of Engineering. Designed for current 5th through 7th grade students, this program gives young learners an opportunity to discover how engineers use creativity, science, math, teamwork and problem-solving to make a difference in the world around them.
Throughout the week, students will explore a variety of engineering disciplines while participating in age-appropriate design challenges, experiments, demonstrations and collaborative projects. Rather than focusing on just one area of engineering, Summer Engineering Explorers encourages students to ask questions, build, test, redesign and discover the many possibilities within engineering and STEM.
Engineering areas may include: Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering • Biomedical Engineering • Chemical & Environmental Engineering • Civil & Architectural Engineering • Electrical, Computing, and Software Engineering • Materials Science & Engineering • Mining & Geological Engineering • Optical Sciences*
Students might…
- Design, build, and test their own engineering creations
- Experiment with structures, circuits, materials, energy, robotics, or other technologies
- Use the engineering design process to solve fun, real-world challenges
- Participate in hands-on activities in University of Arizona engineering spaces
- Work in teams to brainstorm and develop creative solutions
- Meet University of Arizona engineering students, faculty, and STEM professionals
- Discover different types of engineering and the careers connected to them
- Build confidence in STEM while making new friends and experiencing a university campus
*Activities and engineering disciplines may vary based on faculty, facility and partner availability.
SEA 2025 Recap & Photo Album
Thank You SEA 2025 Campers!
We have reached the conclusion of another successful Summer Engineering Academy program! SEA 2025 featured 4 weeks of camp bringing high school students and one week of middle school programming on the UA campus to work on engineering projects, activities, presentations and real-life experiences from the College of Engineering’s 18 disciplines.
We want to thank our incredible campers, parents, faculty, and staff for an amazing summer and wish everyone a great start to the school year.
SEA 2025 Photo Album
To view photos from this year’s in-person camp sessions, please click the button below for the full SEA 2025 album!
Summer Camp Employment for Current Students
Summer Engineering Academy 2024 employed approximately 12 current undergraduate students from engineering-related majors to work as part-time counseling and administrative staff. We are always looking for current students who are interested in gaining leadership skills, working to inspire youth in STEM, and serving their community. Previous experience working with youth is a plus, but not required. To inquire about future opportunities, reach out to engr-sea@arizona.edu.
Supporters
Donors have been integral to the growth of the Summer Engineering Academy. From scholarship support to curriculum development and supplies, every donation has a direct impact on making the program a success and inspiring the next generation of engineers.
A special thanks to our sponsors:
For information on how you can support the Summer Engineering Academy, please contact the SEA staff at engr-sea@arizona.edu.
Learn More
Sign up for our mailing list to find out more about our programs. Please contact engr-sea@arizona.edu for further information.
Subscribe for SEA Updates
To learn more about the UA’s Summer Engineering Academy, call 520.621.6030 or email engr-sea@arizona.edu
FAQs
Does my child need an engineering background to attend camp?
No prior engineering experience is required. SEA camps are open to students within the listed age range who are interested in learning more about engineering. We welcome students from all educational backgrounds, including public, private, charter, and homeschool settings.
SEA is best suited for students who show curiosity about science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics. Students who enjoy problem-solving, hands-on activities, or STEM-related classes or clubs tend to benefit most from this camp experience.
How does the registration process work?
Registration opens on March 2, 2026, and will remain open through June 30, 2026, or until all sessions are full. Enrollment is limited, and spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once registration and the non-refundable registration fee are completed, your child’s spot in the camp is reserved. Full payment must be received no later than three weeks prior to the start of your child’s registered session. If full payment is not received by this deadline, your child may be removed from the program to allow space for another participant.
What is the refund policy?
There is a $50 non-refundable registration fee.
- Families may request a refund of the remaining balance if cancellation occurs at least 14 days before the start of the registered session.
- Partial refunds may be requested up to 7 days before the session begins.
- Refund requests made after these deadlines cannot be honored.
We encourage families to review schedules carefully before registering.
Are scholarships available?
Yes. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to support families. Once registration has been completed, you will receive an email inviting families to apply for a scholarship.
Please note that paying the registration fee secures your child’s spot in the program but does not guarantee a scholarship award.
Please note that full payment is not due until three weeks prior to the start of your child’s registered session, allowing ample time for families to receive and consider potential scholarship awards.
What is the daily schedule and supervision like?
Commuter camps runs daily, Monday - Thursday; campers should plan to:
- 8:45 AM Drop-off
- 9:00 AM Workshop I
- 12:00 PM Lunch
- 1:00 PM Workshop II
- 4:00 PM Pick up
Students are supervised throughout the day by trained undergraduate staff and University of Arizona faculty and graduate students. Lunch is provided daily, and students receive a 45-minute lunch break in the middle of the day.
Residential camps follow the same daily schedule as the commuter camp with breakfast in the morning, Workshop III, dinner, and an evening engineering program prior to lights out.
What does the camp fee include?
The registration fee covers all aspects of your child’s camp experience, including:
- Hands-on engineering activities and lab experiences
- All materials and supplies needed throughout the week
- Instruction and supervision by trained undergraduate staff, UA faculty, and graduate students
Students will also receive SEA program materials (“swag”), including:
- A camp T-shirt
- Drawstring bag
- Notebook