About

The Engineering Academy at the University of Washington in Seattle is a free, one-week, project-based STEM summer experience for high school sophomores and juniors in the greater Seattle area. Hosted by the UW College of Engineering, the Academy is scheduled for July 20–24, 2026. It serves as an introductory bridge for students curious about engineering who have had limited access to the field through their schools or extracurriculars.

Participants engage in hands-on design challenges that explore multiple disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. Working in small teams, students prototype and test solutions to real-world design briefs, receiving direct mentorship from UW faculty and current engineering students. The curriculum emphasizes the iterative refinement process and helps students visualize what studying engineering at a major research university looks like.

The program is commuter-only; students are responsible for their own transportation to the UW Seattle campus. Daily programming runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and includes lab explorations and campus tours. Enrollment is capacity-limited and prioritizes Washington state students from underrepresented backgrounds. The application requires a short personal statement and academic information to ensure a good fit for the cohort. While the Academy does not confer college credit, it provides high-level exposure to university-grade tools and software, building technical confidence and peer community within a professional engineering context.