Want to love what you do? Find out if engineering could be your college major—or even your career. Iterate, design, prototype, and test in the company of professional engineers across disciplines—from robotics and mechanical engineering to software and civil engineering. You’ll learn through hands-on projects, such as designing and building a biologically inspired robot and building a fuel cell yourself. You can even earn college credit in the process.
Highlights
- Design and Build a Biologically Inspired Robot—Your robot will use deep learning to navigate real-world environments with abilities such as avoiding obstacles and responding to visual and auditory cues.
- Create a Fuel Cell—Your fuel cell will be capable of cleanly converting hydrogen to usable electric energy.
- Write Computer Code—You’ll write and modify computer code using hardware such as a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino.
- Design and Build Functional Electronics—You’ll use breadboards, servo motors, LED displays, and other electronics hardware to design and build real electronics.
- Practice Iterative Design—Integrate feedback from professional engineers in order to hone your project prototypes to better meet project challenge requirements.
Program Description
From fusion power to nanotechnology to artificial intelligence, engineers are on the front lines of developing and applying these technologies in the areas of maximum impact, such as climate change and medicine. In EXPLO Engineering, you’ll investigate a problem, understand end-user requirements, design a solution, create and test a prototype, collect data to measure effectiveness, and optimize for efficiency. Work side-by-side with the experts across disciplines — from robotics and mechanical engineering to software and civil engineering. Here, you can deepen your understanding of the key differences between the various fields engineers can pursue.
You’ll meet working engineers like Natalia Guerrero, NASA planet-hunter and MIT research associate; Lauren Lyons, senior systems lead at Blue Origin; and Nick Bria and Connor Walsh from Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. This concentration also includes trips to places like Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, where you can meet engineers and get guidance on designing and completing your final project.
Summer Fun in Greater Boston
At EXPLO, you’ll start building a future while having unforgettable summer fun, from foodie tours, sports events, and cruises in Boston to unwinding at movie nights, spa nights, and concerts on the Wellesley College campus.
Get College-Ready
EXPLO’s Career Concentrations can be college application boosters. You can earn college credits while still in high school, tour Boston-area colleges and universities, and include your completed work in college applications portfolios.
College credit is available through Sarah Lawrence College and Hampshire College.
Session One: June 30 – July 19, 2024 (Residential), July 1 – July 18, 2024 (Commuter)
Tuition: $7,895 (Residential), $3,995 (Commuter)
Tuition at EXPLO is all-inclusive in nature: it includes all programming costs, course supplies, room and board, and entertainment. Industry-leading Program/Travel Protection plans are available.