NC State's Engineering Camps for Middle School Students—Should You Apply?

Ever wondered what an engineer’s job looks like? Well, if you’re a middle school student curious about engineering, summer programs can help you experience just that! You can learn more about the engineering design process, see what a day in the life of an engineer looks like, and explore career options in popular fields like electrical, computer, mechanical, and aerospace engineering.

Engineering summer programs can set you up for success in STEM classes in high school. Summer programs go a long way in demonstrating interest in a subject, which college admissions boards consider when evaluating your motivation to join a study program.

Here, we will review NC State’s Engineering Camps for middle school students, providing information about the program’s features, eligibility, application process, and prestige. We will also give a list of pros and cons to help you make a better decision and end with our review of the program!

What are NC State’s Engineering Camps for middle school students all about?

North Carolina State University offers middle school students two week-long day programs to introduce them to essential engineering concepts and connect theory to practice. NC State offers two camps, Imagine Engineering, a project-based approach to learning engineering fundamentals, and Computer Science, which teaches you coding, AI, and other concepts. 

The camps take place on NC State’s North and Centennial campuses and are led by engineering faculty and students. 

How much does the program cost?

NC State’s Engineering Camps cost $500, which includes a daily lunch. Financial aid is available for families who demonstrate financial need.

What is the eligibility criteria?

All rising grade 6-8 students can apply. NC State welcomes applicants from across the U.S. and internationally.

What are the important dates?

Applications for the 2025 cohort will open in January 2025 and close by the end of March. Last year, the deadline was March 29. 

The camps run for a week each and will likely be held sometime in July. The 2024 dates for Imagine Engineering were July 8–12 and July 15–19. The Computer Science camp was held from July 22–26, 2024. 

Admission decisions will be communicated by the end of April.

Is the program prestigious?

The program is moderately prestigious and selective. NC State’s engineering department ranks #27 nationally, so students attending the engineering camps can be sure of receiving valuable instruction from experienced teachers. While the camps’ acceptance rate is unavailable, classrooms have a 1:6 teacher-to-student ratio, highlighting some selectivity. No minimum grade is required to participate in the program.

What is the application process like?

You can apply to the middle school engineering camps via NC State’s Summer Programs Portal. Along with a student portfolio, you must submit answers to the following essay questions: 

• What are two goals that you would like to achieve at camp?

• What problem would you like to solve?

What can I study at the engineering camps?

NC State offers two week-long day camps you can choose from: Imagine Engineering and Computer Science. You can attend both camps if you’d like to. The camps’ curriculum changes each year, but you can see a sample of what camps will cover below:

• Imagine Engineering: Here, you will learn about and explore the engineering design process (ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve), putting yourself in the shoes of an engineer by doing hands-on projects. Working in groups, you will think about a new or improved product, how to construct it, conduct tests, and what changes need to be made to reach the desired result. Each year, students work on a different project. In previous years, students have designed solar-powered boats, bridges that can withstand earthquakes, and more!

• Computer Science: This camp teaches you coding fundamentals and lets you explore different concepts in computer science. You’ll design and test educational AI games, building your coding, creativity, and collaboration skills. In 2024, students learned about AI and its applications, especially in digital game design. The camp ends with a showcase event, where you present what you worked on to peers, teachers, family, and friends.

What does a typical day at the camp look like?

NC State’s camps for middle schoolers are commuter-only and run for one week, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. A typical day begins with receiving an engineering challenge and breaking into teams to work on the problem. You will work on the challenge throughout the day, with breaks for lunch and recess. You show your progress to the instructor at the end of the day. 

What are the pros and cons of the NC State camps?

Now that we know what the camps offer, let’s dive into some pros and cons of attending them:

Pros:

1. You get to study at one of the top engineering colleges in the U.S.

NC State University’s engineering college ranks #27 nationally, making it a sought-after institution for higher studies. The summer camp for middle school students is taught by faculty and students, ensuring you receive quality instruction and can learn more about college life.

2. You get a hands-on introduction to engineering

The engineering and computer science camps take a project-based approach to learning, ensuring you learn while building models. Program alumni have made bridges and solar panels, codes for games, and more.

3. You can apply if you don’t live in the U.S.

The summer camps are open to all students, allowing you to experience learning at a reputed U.S. university even if you live abroad.

4. You get personalized attention

The camps’ classrooms are small, boasting a 1:6 teacher-to-student ratio. This ensures you will be supervised and faculty will be available to guide you and answer your questions.

Cons:

1. You have to make your own living arrangements

The summer camps are commuter-only, making them difficult to attend if you do not live in or around the NC State campuses. This could limit the number of students applying and dissuade international students from making the trip.

2. Prestige may be limited 

The program is moderately prestigious. However, it runs only for a week, limiting how much you can learn. If you’re looking for an in-depth engineering program, it might be worth considering alternate courses.

Our review 

NC State’s engineering and computer science camps are worth considering if you’re looking for a hands-on, project-based introduction to engineering and computer science. NC State University has a reputed engineering school, you get to learn from experienced faculty, and the small classes ensure personalized attention. What’s more, you can apply as an international student. However, prestige is limited, especially if you’re looking for a competitive and intensive program. You also have to make your own living arrangements, which can be expensive.

One more option - The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about.  Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.

The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! 

To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.

Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!

Kieran Lobo is a freelance writer from India.