STEM Summer Programs
Dream. Design. Discover.
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
Discover the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through hands-on summer programs at Colorado State University! Taught by CSU Mechanical Engineering faculty and student mentors, the programs are designed for middle and high school students. These hands-on learning experiences offer a fun and engaging way to explore STEM concepts in real-world settings.
Held at CSU’s Fort Collins campus and CSU Spur facilities, each day includes dynamic lessons, creative activities, collaboration with peers, and lunch around campus. Students will dive into core STEM ideas that spark curiosity and build lasting knowledge.
Registration now open.
*Limited scholarships available.
Questions or funding assistance? Contact us!
Interested in supporting our STEM Program Fund? Make your gift here!
Students ages 12 – 14, or rising 7th – 9th graders, will discover solutions to engineering challenges by exploring five disciplines: mechanical, electrical, civil, biomedical, and chemical engineering through ten hands-on activities designed to simulate a collaborative lab environment and spark the imagination.
In the past students have built a saltwater circuit, designed and built a swamp cooler, Mars rover egg-lander, and artificial bicep; created, constructed, and tested the strength of a bridge made of spaghetti, prosthetic leg, and clay boat; tested and analyzed sunscreen; created slime. Students will have the opportunity to visit and use CSU’s state-of-the-art 3D printing and engineering laboratories.
Key practices will enhance students’ critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving skills, and involve collecting and analyzing data, conducting experiments, using models, carrying out investigations, materials processing, and working with design and budget constraints.
Students ages 12 – 14, or rising 7th – 9th graders will discover solutions to engineering challenges by exploring five disciplines: mechanical, electrical, civil, biomedical, and chemical engineering through ten hands-on activities designed to simulate a collaborative lab environment and spark the imagination.
In the past students have built a saltwater circuit, designed and built a swamp cooler, Mars rover egg-lander, and artificial bicep; created, constructed, and tested the strength of a bridge made of spaghetti, prosthetic leg, and clay boat; tested and analyzed sunscreen; created slime. Students will have the opportunity to visit and use CSU’s state-of-the-art 3D printing and engineering laboratories.
Key practices will enhance students’ critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving skills, and involve collecting and analyzing data, conducting experiments, using models, carrying out investigations, materials processing, and working with design and budget constraints.
This program is available to students ages 12 – 14, or rising 7th – 9th graders. Creating Your World is an advanced summer program for students who have previously completed the first summer program (Engineering Your World) or students with advanced knowledge in STEM.
Students will build upon their understanding of STEM by completing projects focused on solving real-world engineering challenges, conducting experiments, and measuring data. They will use and tour CSU’s state of the art engineering labs and work directly with engineering faculty and staff. Activities have been updated for the 2026 program.
Students ages 14 -17, or rising 10 – 12th graders, will work on design activities chosen to simulate real-world, entrepreneurial, engineering problems. Students will be tasked with identifying a problem to solve and then will design, build, test, iterate, and demonstrate a solution (likely including an Arduino-controlled robot).
Students will also tour and utilize CSU’s state-of-the-art mechanical engineering laboratories, including its 3-D facility, mechatronics lab, and machine shop to create their designs.
These hands-on projects will help students to develop a scientific view of the world around them, and enhance their critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving skills while practicing the design process. Activities have been updated for the 2026 program.
Colorado State University, one of the nation’s top-performing public research institutions, has 33,000 students, and annual research funding of more than $440 million. Founded in 1870 as Colorado’s land-grant institution, CSU’s main campus is in Fort Collins, with a mission that includes serving all of Colorado through statewide programs such as Extension and 4-H, and CSU Spur in the heart of Denver – uniquely integrating education, public outreach, research and scholarship. CSU is renowned for its world-class faculty, and research and academic programs in infectious disease, atmospheric science, clean energy technologies, human and animal health, environmental science, global business and more. Through CSU Spur, the university is creating opportunities for students of all ages, working toward a more sustainable future for the planet, and connecting rural and urban areas of Colorado, with a focus on innovation and finding creative solutions for a strong tomorrow.
