About

Engineering Possibilities in College (EPIC) is a one-week residential engineering camp for middle and high school students hosted by the College of Engineering at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. EPIC invites rising 6th- through 11th-grade students into hands-on labs and design projects that introduce core engineering fields—from civil and mechanical to software and biomedical engineering—through Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy. Participants design, build, and test engineering projects, attend guest talks and engineering panels, and experience life on a major university campus.

Eligibility spans current 6th to 11th graders as of Spring 2026 (high school graduates are ineligible). Applying does not require transcripts or recommendations; students submit a 250-word essay about their interest in engineering as the primary admissions component. The 2026 online application opens January 5 and closes March 31. Early admission applications close February 6, with notifications sent March 31, while regular admission decisions are released April 17. Four sessions are offered: Session 1 (middle school) from June 28–July 2, and Sessions 2–4 (high school) spanning July 5–24. For 2026, the registration fee is $1,900 for Session 1 and $2,100 for Sessions 2–4, covering housing, meals, labs, and activities. Need-based scholarships are available and require early application.

Instruction is led by university faculty, engineering students, and industry partners, blending structured lab time with collaborative design teams that tackle real problems in areas like autonomous robotics, materials fabrication, renewable energy exploration, and structures. Guest presentations and engineering major fairs help students connect lab work to broader career and academic pathways, while evening and weekend activities foster community among peers.

EPIC is an outreach initiative firmly rooted in Cal Poly’s mission to prepare students for engineering careers through experiential education. By engaging young learners early in a university setting, EPIC supports Cal Poly’s broader emphasis on accessible, applied engineering education across demographics. Participants finish with hands-on experience across multiple engineering domains, improved teamwork and problem-solving skills, and a richer sense of what engineering study and campus life entail. The program does not offer academic credit but functions as a structured exploratory immersion.