About

The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Engineering Institute is a one-week residential program for high school students (grades 9–12) at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of engineering through hands-on design challenges and real-world problem solving. The 2026 program runs two sessions — July 5–10 and July 19–24.

Students are introduced to core engineering principles including human-centered design, technical sketching, and introductory statistics, alongside specialized topics such as biomedical modeling using EKG Arduino modules, mechanics, and electronics. The curriculum is organized around the engineering design process: students identify needs, prototype solutions, and present their work in culminating design challenges. Field trips to local engineering sites connect classroom learning to professional practice. Programming runs Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with evening activities and residential housing included. Students receive a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion; no academic credit is awarded. Tuition is $3,500, covering all materials and activities. Admission is rolling and not meaningfully selective beyond a strong academic background. Need-based scholarships are available.

For a high school student in grades 9–12 who wants a solid, if brief, introduction to engineering, the WFU Engineering Institute is a well-organized and genuinely hands-on option.