About

The Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) at Lehigh University is an intensive two-week residential STEM experience designed to introduce rising high school juniors and seniors to collaborative engineering challenges and multidisciplinary technology topics. Hosted by Lehigh’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, SEI immerses participants in hands-on projects spanning robotics, nanoscience, 3D printing, environmental sustainability, bioengineering, and computer science. Students work in teams to tackle real technical inquiry, learning about research tools and the iterative design process from faculty and undergraduate mentors.

For 2026, the program offers two back-to-back sessions: Session 1 from June 28 to July 11, and Session 2 from July 12 to July 25. Selection for SEI is unique; students do not apply directly but are nominated by faculty from participating regional school districts in partnership with the Lehigh University School Study Council (LUSCC). The program specifically targets deserving students from underrepresented communities, including first-generation college-bound students and those with limited access to intensive STEM curricula. Tuition, housing, and meals are fully funded at no cost to participants, reinforcing Lehigh's commitment to broadening access to engineering pathways.

Instruction blends collaborative project work—such as mechanical testing and materials science labs—with classroom discussions and field trips to local industry partners. Daily activities emphasize real-world problem decomposition and the communication of technical ideas. Mentorship is provided by Lehigh faculty and "STEM Squad" mentors who guide students through the university's maker spaces and research facilities. Participants finish with enhanced confidence in STEM collaboration and a clearer sense of college-level engineering study.