Engineering Summer Academy at UGA

In collaboration with the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, the University of Georgia offers annual interactive summer camps for middle and high school students interested in engineering and STEM fields.

Program Information and Registration

Introductory Engineering Summer Academy

Explore the world of engineering in this exciting, hands-on camp! Discover the variety of different roles that engineers play in the world, and see many of the fields engineering can be applied to, including architecture, transportation and aerospace. We’ll learn the basics of mechanical, structural, electrical, and control system engineering, and discover the scientific principles at work behind them, including Newton’s laws, work, energy, simple machines, friction, gravity, heat, electricity, and fluid forces. You’ll get the chance to participate in hands-on activities and friendly competitions, as we build structures, vehicles, catapults, and rockets. Time will be available to discuss topics of interest to the students as the week progresses.

Ages: 11-14

Additive Manufacturing and Engineering Hackathon

Advancements in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) along with three-dimensional (3D) printing are revolutionizing the world. Recent years have seen an increase in prototyping tools and products for various industrial sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, among others. Additive manufacturing is a term that describes the application of 3D printing materials piece by piece in order to produce an object. These advancements have produced new product ideas and business solutions.

The challenge of this camp is to identify a business and design need within the realm of medical, industrial, and consumer markets. Guidance from the instructor will be provided to narrow your focus to a particular product. Students will work in teams to 3-5 to develop a process-oriented business and engineering design plan that integrates product design and fabrication. Your team will learn CAD and CAM during an immersive first two days of the camp and then apply the knowledge through a two- and half-day Hackathon culminating with a Pitch Competition. The Hackathon will require groups to develop a design concept and 3D print additive manufacturing parts to produce a product for use during the Pitch Competition. The “pitch” will require the presentation of your product idea, engineering design, and business plan.

Ages: 15-17

Robotics and Automation

Participants will explore the foundations of advanced manufacturing through hands-on robotics, data analytics, and digital twin technologies. Students will interact with industrial robot types—such as articulated arms, SCARA robots, and other platforms—and learn how sensing, vision, and voice control enhance real-world automation. Working in small teams, they will program robot arms (or simulators) to perform pick-and-place and inspection tasks, analyze sensor data, and build simple digital twin models to visualize system behavior. The camp emphasizes applied learning, blending engineering concepts with practical problem-solving. Using digital twins, vision tools, and basic sensors, students will complete guided challenges that mirror modern smart factory workflows. By the end of the program, participants will understand how manufacturing, robotics, data science, and digital twin come together in today’s intelligent manufacturing systems and gain skills essential for future STEM pathway

Ages: 15-17

Advanced Engineering Summer Academy

Students in the Advanced Engineering camps will get to experience a week in the life of an engineer – thinking, planning, designing, fabricating, and proving designs using an expansive engineering toolkit of software, tools, and equipment. The project-based program lets students Experience Engineering in a fun, informative, and creative environment with just a hint of friendly competition. You will select one project for the week with emphasis on electrical, mechanical, civil, computer systems, biological/agricultural, biomedical, chemical, or environmental engineering. Activities will include learning from engineering experts and working in teams to complete projects. Upon departing for the week, we hope that students leave excited about engineering, minds racing with ideas to change the world, and with a greater understanding of what engineers do to make ideas come to life.

Ages: 15-17

Building Engineering Pathways

This week-long camp is your mission control to the world of engineering. You won’t just learn what engineers do; you’ll be one! Get ready to tackle epic hands-on projects as you jump into state-of-the-art engineering labs and fabrication spaces, exploring the professional engineering design process. Attend cool workshops and compete in awesome team challenges that mirror actual industry problem-solving. Meet students and faculty from the College of Engineering who will show you exactly how your love for science and math can turn into a powerful career! Discover how real engineers solve problems and create incredible things, from apps to impressive robots. By the end of the week, you’ll have the technical and teamwork skills you need to succeed as you explore your path into engineering.

This camp offers support to participants interested in pursuing a future engineering degree who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to promoting greater access to the field of engineering.

Ages: 15-17

ExCEL In Engineering

Discover different fields of engineering while building community and having fun in this week-long residential camp. The Experience Creativity, Excitement, and Learning (ExCEL) in Engineering camp is designed for future engineers and will explore the work of engineers through planning, designing, fabricating, and testing in a variety of group and individual projects. Activities include learning from other engineers and working in teams to complete projects.

Students will be afforded formal and informal life and physical sciences learning opportunities and explore leadership, innovation, and the engineering design process through hands-on activities within our Engineering Discovery Laboratory and Fabrication Design Studio spaces. Additionally, students will be led on a mid-week field trip to a nearby lake where sustainability and environmental stewardship will be the focus. After completion of the camp, we hope students leave excited about engineering and filled with a passion for how they can make their impact on the world as a future engineer.

Ages: 15-17