Events & Camps
Each year, the KU School of Engineering hosts several events, camps and programs that let students of all ages and their teachers explore the possibilities of engineering.
Whether you're trying to find out if engineering is a good career choice for you, or if you want to get a taste for life at KU, there's a KU School of Engineering event or camp for you.
Personalized Visit
The School of Engineering offers opportunities for prospective students to tour our facilities, meet with departmental representatives, and talk with current engineering students.
Schedule a personalized visit.
Academic Showcase: Engineering Career Night
September 14, 2017 | Black & Veatch World Headquarters
Academic Showcase is an evening with the School of Engineering and Black & Veatch about the rewarding careers and opportunities in engineering.
Engineering Undergraduate Open House
September 30, 2017 | KU School of Engineering
Engineering Undergraduate Open House is an opportunity for prospective students and their families to explore the KU School of Engineering. There will be departmental information sessions that explore our degree programs and career opportunities, tours of the engineering facilities and other events designed to showcase all the exciting things happening on our campus. Information and registration for Open House will be available in mid-late August 2017. For more information, contact Kathryn Silvers.
Exponent
The Exponent is an exclusive exploration of engineering and computing for African-American, Hispanic and Native-American high school juniors and seniors. Students will learn about the different fields of study at the University of Kansas School of Engineering and the great career potential in engineering and computing. Participants will try their hands at some cool projects, meet KU engineering and computer science students and talk with professors driving advances in technology.
All applicants must have 3.0 GPA and recommendations from their high school counselor or teachers. Cost is $25.
To learn more, contact Florence Boldridge, Director of Minority and Women's Programs for the School of Engineering, or call 785-864-3620.
Engineering Expo
Engineering Expo is a free multi-day, student-run event that lets visitors explore the fascinating fields of engineering and demonstrate the amazing projects KU engineering students have completed. Engineering Expo will take place on March 2 & 3, 2018 at KU's Engineering Complex.
There are cool, hands-on displays and engineering contests for visitors. Usually between 1,000 and 2,000 visitors — mostly students from kindergarten through 8th grade — from throughout the state and the Kansas City metropolitan area attend. All ages are welcome. This event is free.
Visit the Engineering Student Council website to learn more, or to register for one of the great contests.
High School Design Competition
The annual High School Design Competition is a KU School of Engineering sponsored competition scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, will test high school students' creativity, teamwork skills, as well as their technical knowledge and ability. Each year features a new engineering design challenge as dreamed up by students in the Self Engineering Leadership Fellows Program. Working in small teams at their hometowns, high school students design, build and test a project that addresses the design criteria. On the day of the competition teams arrive at KU prepared for a head-to-head competition to see whose device performs best.
Teams must register in advance. To ensure a more level playing field the challenge is announced after the start of the fall semester. There is no fee.
For more information, visit: http://engr.ku.edu/hsd, or call 785-864-3881.
Here are the highlights from the 2014 High School Design Competition, which offered students the opportunities to take part in two competitions: To the Moon and Back and a Lego Mindstorm competition.
High School Camps
KU Engineering High School Summer Camp
The KU Engineering High School Summer Camp, Project Discovery, is a week long, intensive learning camp for high school students. Campers choose from different engineering disciplines and work closely with KU faculty and graduate students as they complete a hands-on project. Held on KU’s campus, students will get an up-close view of KU and the School of Engineering classrooms and labs.
Camp Experience: Each morning campers will learn about a field of engineering through lectures and laboratory tours. After lunch, campers will make their way back to the engineering complex to design, test and build various hands-on projects. Evenings at camp are filled with activities, competitions, and chances to unwind.
REGISTRATION CLOSED - We hope you will keep us in mind for next year!
- Dates: Location: KU School of Engineering in Lawrence, Kansas
- Session 1: July 9-14, 2017
- Session 2: July 16-21, 2017
- Type: Overnight camp
- Cost includes meals, housing and lab supplies
- $750.00 (Kansas residents)
- $995.00 (out-of-state US residents).
- Refund Policy - Full refunds granted if requested by June 9th 2017. Full refunds can be granted with appropriate documentation after June 9th. No refunds will be given for cancellations less than 5 days before camp begins. For more information please contact engrsummercamps@ku.edu.
- Engineering and computing disciplines offered*:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Architectural & Civil Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Sign-up for our mailing list to receive additional details when they become available.
Please direct your questions to engrsummercamp@ku.edu
Middle School Day Camps
The KU Center for STEM Learning and the KU School of Engineering are pleased to announce an engineering camp available for middle school students this summer. We will continue to offer our middle school day camp Explore at the Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) in Overland Park, Kansas. Additional middle school camps are offered on our KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.
Explore @ CAPS - REGISTRATION CLOSED
Students will learn about engineering through hands-on activities designed to make them think creatively and use problem solving skills. Campers will also experience the KU campus during a field trip to the School of Engineering labs and classrooms. Because this is a day camp, families must pick up and drop off their camper at the beginning and ending of each day. Campers are asked to bring a sack lunch with them each day.
REGISTRATION OPEN: https://engr.ku.edu/caps/register
Registration closes June 16th 2017. Participants must pay in full at time of registration.
- Dates: Monday, July 17 - Friday, July 21 2017
- Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) in Overland Park, Kansas
- Cost: $275.00
- For: Students entering 7th & 8th grade in Fall 2017
Please direct your questions to engrcamps@ku.edu
Refund Policy: Full refunds granted if requested by June 19th 2017. Full refunds can be granted with appropriate documentation after June 9th. No refunds will be given for cancellations less than 5 days before camp begins. For more information please contact engrcamps@ku.edu.
Explore @ Lawrence: The Big Five: This Camp is FULL
What do engineers do? It depends on what kind of engineering you choose! Explore Aerospace, Chemical and Petroleum, Civil and Architectural, Electrical and Computer Science, and Mechanical engineering in this week long camp. Engage in problem solving activities related to each of these five engineering disciplines, and tour University of Kansas School of Engineering lab and research facilities where real engineering research happens!
REGISTRATION OPEN: https://deptsec.ku.edu/~stem/forms/form/3
- Dates: July 24-28, 2017
- Time: 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
- Location: KU School of Engineering in Lawrence, Kansas
- Cost: $250.00
- For: Students entering 6th through 9th grades in Fall 2017
- Please direct your questions to Katrina Rothrock at rothrock@ku.edu.
Campers who would like to stay all day for both Explore @ Lawrence camps may bring their lunches and eat in a supervised area between 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM.
Cancellation Policy: Explore @ Lawrence camp registrations cancelled 30 or more days prior to the start of the camp will receive a 90% refund of registration. Cancelations 5-29 days prior will receive a 50% refund. No refunds for cancelations less than 5 days before the camp begins. To request a refund, please contact Kristie Parfet, kparfet@ku.edu, (913) 897-8552.
Explore @ Lawrence: Who Knew? This Camp is FULL
Did you know that engineers are a key force driving many medical field advancements? Or that popular music advanced significantly because of the work of engineers? The military relies heavily on engineering research, and many like to note that engineers make great lawyers, business managers and even doctors. This camp session explores areas of engineering that are less well-known, but important, fun, and surprising. Campers will participate in activities, and tour University of Kansas School of Engineering lab and research facilities where research you never expected happens!
REGISTRATION OPEN: https://deptsec.ku.edu/~stem/forms/form/3
- Dates: July 24-28, 2017
- Time: 12:30 PM-4:30 PM
- Location: KU School of Engineering in Lawrence, Kansas
- Cost: $250.00
- For: Students entering 6th through 9th grades in Fall 2017
- Please direct your questions to Katrina Rothrock at rothrock@ku.edu.
Campers who would like to stay all day for both Explore @ Lawrence camps may bring their lunches and eat in a supervised area between 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM.
Cancellation Policy: Explore @ Lawrence camp registrations cancelled 30 or more days prior to the start of the camp will receive a 90% refund of registration. Cancelations 5-29 days prior will receive a 50% refund. No refunds for cancelations less than 5 days before the camp begins. To request a refund, please contact Kristie Parfet, kparfet@ku.edu, (913) 897-8552.
High School Design Competition
The annual High School Design Competition is a KU School of Engineering sponsored competition scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, will test high school students' creativity, teamwork skills, as well as their technical knowledge and ability. Each year features a new engineering design challenge as dreamed up by students in the Self Engineering Leadership Fellows Program. Working in small teams at their hometowns, high school students design, build and test a project that addresses the design criteria. On the day of the competition teams arrive at KU prepared for a head-to-head competition to see whose device performs best.
Teams must register in advance. To ensure a more level playing field the challenge is announced after the start of the fall semester. There is no fee.
For more information, visit: http://engr.ku.edu/hsd, or call 785-864-3881.
Engineering Expo
Engineering Expo is a free multi-day, student-run event that lets visitors explore the fascinating fields of engineering and demonstrate the amazing projects KU engineering students have completed. Engineering Expo will take place on March 10 &11, 2017 at KU's Engineering Complex.
There are cool, hands-on displays and engineering contests for visitors. Usually between 1,000 and 2,000 visitors — mostly students from kindergarten through 8th grade — from throughout the state and the Kansas City metropolitan area attend. All ages are welcome. This event is free.
Visit the Engineering Student Council website to learn more, or to register for one of the great contests.
Graduate Student Open House
Whether you're just considering grad school or trying to decide which university is right for you, our Research and Graduate Student Open House in the fall and spring will help you learn more about your options and the great environment the School of Engineering and the University of Kansas provide. Attending the Research and Graduate Programs Open House allows prospective graduate students to meet faculty, staff and students from a number of our highly regarded programs and learn about our current research initiatives. Students also have the chance to learn about the application process and funding resources. Current graduate students will also be available to share their perspectives and speak with potential students about the many benefits of earning a graduate degree in engineering or computing from KU.
Graduate Student Visitation Day
Get to know more about degree programs, research opportunities, labs and more at the prospective graduate student visitation day in March. Students who've applied and been admitted to the school will be able to learn more about funding opportunities and how they can be part of research efforts that are changing what people know of the world. The faculty and staff of the KU School of Engineering will be on hand to answer questions and show why KU is a great choice to further your pursuits.
Register here to attend one of these exciting recruitment events.
