Summer Springboard
Fundamentals of Engineering
ON THE CAMPUS OF UC SAN DIEGO
DESIGN A SCALE MODEL OF A BUILDING USING PRINCIPLES OF MECHANICAL STRUCTURAL AND CIVIL ENGINEERING.
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Fundamentals of Engineering @ UC San Diego
- Develop 3D solutions to design challenges that teach fundamentals across mechanical, civil, and biomedical engineering.
- Manufacture an artificial limb to mimic natural biological movement.
- Design and build a scale model structure that fits code zoning and budget constraints.
- Learn about engineering innovations and industry advancements from professional experts.
- Network with engineers and visit local San Diego firms or project sites.
- Choose a specialization area for the final project and deepen exploration in a selected engineering field.
Summer Springboard
Fundamentals of Engineering
About This Course
The Teen Summer Engineering program at UC San Diego immerses high school students in a two‑week exploration of engineering fundamentals.
Learners tackle mechanical structural civil and biomedical design challenges that introduce core principles across these disciplines. Students design and construct working prototypes—such as artificial limbs and scale model buildings—that must satisfy real-world constraints like zoning regulations, structural codes, and budget limits.
Through classroom learning and field experiences, participants engage with industry professionals and visit engineering sites throughout San Diego to connect theory with practice. The final phase allows each student or team to choose an engineering focus area and complete a capstone project. By the program’s end, students emerge with hands-on design experience, exposure to different engineering pathways, and a clearer understanding of real-world engineering work.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Students will explore the engineering design process and problem-solving methods. They will complete design challenges to test and evaluate their projects, including building a scale model structure that meets code, zoning, and budget requirements, as well as creating an artificial limb.
Working under constraints like time, budget, gravity, and limited resources, students will complete mini design projects across various engineering fields. The final project allows them to focus on a specific area of their choice for deeper exploration.
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 had a great time! I was able to get a lot of freedom as a rising sophomore in high school. I was able to meet people from all over the world, network and cultivate long lasting friendships. Showed a lot of interesting things about myself and future career and college plans. Thanks SSB @ UCSD!”
– Remy K. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Fundamentals of Engineering
Meet Your Instructor
Andrea (Andi) Frank is a Computer Science and Engineering PhD candidate at UC San Diego’s Contextual Robotics Institute.
Her research focuses on how robots use “common sense” to solve previously unsolvable problems. She has worked on projects ranging from robotic tool improvisation to improving human-robot teamwork in hospitals. Andi holds a BSE in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and has a strong passion for cross-disciplinary engineering collaboration.
She is also an experienced instructor, having taught graduate and undergraduate courses at UCSD and led an advanced robotics course for underserved high school students before her PhD. Andi is dedicated to inspiring curiosity and a love of learning in engineering.
Originally from Philadelphia, Andi enjoys hiking, camping, bouldering, playing piano, video games, and Dungeons & Dragons in her free timE.
ANDREA FRANK
“Overall this is one of the best camp experiences I have had! I’ve learned so much from this 2 week course (at UC San Diego) and made so many new connections with many different people!!”
– Naveen N. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Fundamentals of Engineering
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 28 – July 10, 2026 |
| Session 2: July 12 – July 24, 2026 |
| Session 3: July 26 – August 7, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $5,998 |
| Commuter Tuition: $3,298 |
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: San Diego |
| State: California |
| Campus: UC San Diego |
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.