Engineering Institute
Identifying needs and problem solving with innovative solutions to real world problems.
The Engineering Institute is an unforgettable experience at Wake Forest University for high school students. Are you a problem solver that wants to explore sustainable solutions to our ever changing society? Do you find yourself asking “how?” and “why?” when you encounter new ideas, products, or technology? Prepare to be introduced to the fundamentals of engineering and the variety of career pathways available to engineers. Students will develop essential engineering skills, learning the engineering design process and interactive prototyping methods through hands-on design challenges where students will display their knowledge.
At a Glance
2025 Dates: Week of July 6 – 11 or July 20 – 25
Who Can Apply?: Current 9th – 12th grade students
Program Length: Sunday – Friday, overnight
Tuition: $3,400
*Tuition is subject to change per year
Location: Winston-Salem, NC – Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus
*Courses carry no secondary school or college credit. Upon completion of the program, an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion will be awarded to all Engineering Institute participants.
What You’ll Experience
Topics Covered:
- Human-Centered Design Process
- Technical Sketching
- Biomedical Models
- Mechanics
- Electronics
Hands-On Experiences:
- Chair design challenge
- Tour the Engineering Innovation Lab
- 3D printing
- Robotics
- Engineering field trip
- Engage with researchers in Wake Forest Innovation Quarter research labs.
*Hands-on experiences are subject to change.
A Day in the Life
Typical Daily Schedule
- 8:00 am – Morning Meeting and Breakfast
- 8:45 am – Travel to Wake Downtown
- 9:00 am – Welcome and Program Introduction
- 9:30 am – Discuss the Engineering Design Process
- 10:30 am – Introduce the design challenge activity
- 11:00 am – Student sketch time
- 11:30 am – Prototype
- 12:00 pm – Lunch
- 12:45 pm – Student build time
- 3:45 pm – Student presentations
- 4:10 pm – Test designs
- 4:25 pm – Announce winners
- 4:30 pm – Travel to Wake Forest University main campus
- 5:30 pm – Dinner
- 6:30 pm – Evening Activities
- 7:30 pm – Free Time
- 9:00 pm – Prepare for Bed
- 10:30 pm – Lights Out
*The “A Day in the Life” sample schedule is subject to change.
Meet Your Academic Leaders
Dr. Melissa Kenny
Academic Leader, Engineering Institute
I am an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Engineering at Wake Forest University. I have a passion for science, communication, and education. My research interests include engineering education as well as insect biomechanics and the microfluidics of the insect circulatory and respiratory systems.
Dr. William Crowe
Academic Leader, Engineering Institute
I am an Assistant Teaching Professor at Wake Forest University’s Engineering Department with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Wake Forest School of Medicine. I am a complex problem solver with experience in medical, industrial, and mechanical fields. I am mechanically savvy and have interests in Additive Manufacturing, Automotive, Biomedical, Education, Aviation, Nanotechnology, and Medical Devices.
