Summer Springboard
Fundamentals of Engineering
ON THE CAMPUS OF MIT*
* To maximize the hands-on experience of this academic course (9am – noon), it will be held off the campus of MIT, in the Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA area.
EXPLORE THE WORLD OF ENGINEERING THROUGH HANDS-ON PROJECTS, EXPERT INSTRUCTIONS, AND REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES ON THE CAMPUS OF MIT
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Fundamentals of Engineering @ Cambridge, MA
- Learn the core principles of major engineering fields, such as mechanical, electrical, aerospace, civil, computer science and robotics.
- Strengthen your engineering mindset with daily “Warm-up Problems” and apply new concepts through hands-on projects and simulations across various disciplines.
- Gain practical skills using MATLAB, a key programming tool in science and engineering, to support your understanding of course material as it’s taught on many college campuses.
- Explore your academic and career interests in engineering while enhancing your chances of admission to top engineering colleges.
- Take part in excursions to different labs and local industry sites to see real-world engineering in action and connect classroom learning to practical applications.
- Meet industry professionals to learn about engineering careers, ask questions, and discover which engineering fields align best with your interests and goals.
Summer Springboard
Fundamentals of Engineering
About This Course
A engineering program for teens in Cambridge, MA
Engineering is the application of scientific knowledge and real-world data to solve problems within given constraints. In this program, you’ll explore the core principles of major engineering fields, such as mechanical, electrical, computer/programming, aerospace and civil engineering. You’ll also gain insight into potential college paths while boosting your chances of admission to top engineering schools.
Hands-on learning is at the heart of the program. You’ll start with an introduction to MATLAB, which supports the delivery of course material through simulations and projects. Learn directly from professionals about cutting-edge innovations in engineering and technology.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Each day begins with a “Warm-up Problem” designed to strengthen your engineering mindset by guiding you through solving simple science or engineering challenges. This is followed by a lecture on the fundamentals needed for that day’s hands-on project, which may cover areas like aerospace, electronics, robotics, mechanical, civil, computer science, or pneumatics. Students also get the unique opportunity to visit MIT research and development centers to experience real-world engineering in action.
Career Exploration
Through this course and program, you will get on-site experience and learn from experts in the field. We will gain an understanding of applied problem solving skills that are involved in Engineering. Meet with successful professionals and experts in the fields of engineering and technology to learn more about careers and jobs in this field, and have the opportunity to ask questions and learn firsthand what it’s like to work as an engineer. This insight helps students reflect on which areas within the field of engineering is right for them.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“I loved being able to interact with people at MIT and having the opportunity to learn advanced material and tour labs!”
-Marlene L. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Fundamentals of Engineering
Meet Your Instructor
Ali Talebinejad has done his PhD at MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory in the area of Robotics and Computer Vision and has received his MS from MIT Mechanical Engineering in the area of System Dynamics and Control. His postdoctoral research was a pioneering work on Tracking Moving Objects Using Video Images at the Canadian Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems. His industrial experience includes his work at Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) on “Pro Engineer” which was the leading software suite in CAD/CAM area at the time. Dr. Talebinejad has been involved in research and teaching in various areas inside and outside MIT from Design, Manufacturing, Numerical Computation, System Dynamics, Control, Robotics, Computer Vision, and Computer Programming, … to Calculus. In 2018, he was involved in teaching a course titled “Computational Thinking for Modelling and Simulation” through MIT edX program internationally that attracted over 10,000 students. Dr. Talebinejad is private pilot and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
DR. ALI TALEBINEJAD
“It was good experience. It had a good balance between academic courses and non-academic activities. It introduced real world problems and events to let the student take into consideration when choosing their major.”
-Noah B. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Fundamentals of Engineering
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 21 – July 3, 2026 |
| Session 2: July 5 – July 17, 2026 |
| Session 3: July 19 – July 31, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $6,798 |
| Commuter Tuition: $3,498 |
| Course Supplement: $250 |
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: Cambridge |
| State: Massachusetts |
| Campus: MIT* |
* To maximize the hands-on experience of this academic course (9am – noon), it will be held off the campus of MIT, in the Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA area.
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.