Preparation for a career in engineering begins early. The College of Engineering offers summer camps, science shows and information to help young students explore their interests and develop goals that include attending the University of Illinois.
Prepare for College
The University of Illinois Admissions website offers a wealth of information on early planning and preparation for college. Choose the "Yearly Action Plans" link for a checklist that can help you keep students on track.
Experience Engineering
Engineering Open House
One of the largest student-run science fairs in the country, Engineering Open House showcases what engineering students do. Students help visitors see how engineering plays a role in everyday life and how engineering will shape the future.
Physics Van
The award-winning Physics Van takes science and engineering into classrooms throughout the Midwest. By performing and explaining exciting physics demonstrations, university students show audiences that science is fun and worthwhile and that many different kinds of people are scientists.
Presentations and Information about Engineering
Engineering Information Bureau
The Engineering Information Bureau is one of fifteen standing committees in Engineering Council whose programs are developed and implemented entirely by current engineering students. These programs--Engineering Campus Tours, Engineering Days, Engineering Student Overnight Program, and Shadow an Engineer Program--are designed to inform interested individuals and groups, most often prospective students and their parents.
Engineering Majors
At Illinois, students can choose from among 15 degree programs in 12 engineering departments. Several minors and dual-degree programs offer even more opportunities to explore particular interests.
Programs to Support Young Students
Saturday Physics Honors Program
Now in its 18th year, the Saturday Physics Honors Program introduces the community to world-class scientists, who talk about groundbreaking research in a relaxed, interactive setting. Although designed primarily for high-school students, the free program is open to the public.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Outreach
Information about camps, workshops, institutes, and activities for students, teachers, and parents is provided.
Women in Engineering
The Women in Engineering Program (WIE) works to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for women students. WIE sponsors programs in the schools and the Girls' Adventures in Math, Engineering, and Science (GAMES) residential engineering summer camp.
GAMES Camp is a weeklong program designed to give academically talented high school aged girls, rising 9th through rising 12th grade, an opportunity to explore exciting engineering and scientific fields through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and classroom presentations specifically focusing on the social impacts of engineering. Participants experience an advanced curriculum, use world-class instructional facilities, and provide an "away from home" experience at one of the best engineering schools in the nation.
World-wide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE)
This international program, headquartered at the University of Illinois, offers the annual Academic Challenge competition, a summer camp and other programs
