About

The IEEE TryEngineering® Summer Institute (TESI) is a 9-day residential engineering and technology program for high school students who want hands-on exposure to engineering disciplines under the auspices of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Hosted on premier university campuses—including UC Berkeley, UCLA, Columbia, Duke, Georgetown, Rice, the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Oxford—TESI brings together learners in grades 9–12 to explore foundational engineering concepts such as circuits, robotics, and systems integration. The curriculum complements IEEE’s global mission by introducing participants to engineering careers and innovation principles that reflect real industry contexts. Students work in teams to tackle challenge problems while living on a university campus and interacting with faculty, IEEE volunteers, and undergraduate mentors.

Eligibility includes current high school students entering grades 9–12; the program is open to both U.S. and international students. Admission focuses on academic motivation and potential in STEM. For 2026, tuition ranges from $4,195 to $4,495 for domestic sessions and $6,395 for the Oxford session. While the program is fee-based, a limited number of need-based scholarships covering tuition, room, and board are available for U.S. citizens residing in the U.S. The scholarship application window for the 2026 sessions runs from March 1 to March 30, 2026. Application components for all students include an online form and short written responses.

Instruction balances facilitated workshops with structured project time, where students apply engineering principles to challenges such as building circuits or mobile robots. Evening events, guest talks from IEEE members, and site tours (including visits to the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, SpaceX, or the Tesla Factory, depending on location) supplement the academic schedule. Participants complete the program with an enhanced understanding of engineering fundamentals and exposure to professional engineering cultures. Students may also opt to earn a 1-credit college course through American University for an additional fee upon completion of the institute.