Our Review of Stanford University's SeeME Program for Middle & High School Students
If you're a middle or high school student seeking hands-on engineering opportunities to prepare for college and strengthen your academic skills, this blog is for you! Participating in programs offered by the top universities in the country can significantly enhance your college applications by indicating your ability to handle advanced material and your passion for your chosen field. These programs will allow you to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, develop practical skills, and connect with professionals in the field.
In this blog, we will explore Stanford University's SeeME program, designed specifically for middle and high school students interested in mechanical engineering.In this blog, we will explore Stanford University's SeeME program, designed specifically for middle and high school students interested in mechanical engineering. We'll cover the program's main features in detail and examine its pros and cons to help you decide if it's the right fit for you!
What is the SeeME Program?
The Stanford Exploration of Engineering and Mechanics (SeeME) program is a free outreach event designed to introduce middle and high school students to college-level mechanical engineering. It is a one-day program typically held in May at the Stanford University campus in California. For 2024, SeeME took place on May 11 and the exact date for the 2025 program is yet to be announced.
Through hands-on activities led by current Stanford students, seeME offers an introduction to different areas of the field. The program aims to inspire a passion for engineering by connecting participants with graduate students and exposing them to potential career paths. SeeME is open to all middle and high school students in the Bay Area, regardless of their background or experience in engineering.
In the program, you will engage in practical classes on subjects including wind energy, autonomous vehicles, disease prediction, industrial engineering, fire science, data science, and others.
The program is organized and led by a team of over 20 engineering graduate students, who are responsible for recruiting middle and high school students as well as designing and teaching the courses. SeeME is funded by the Stanford Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Mechanical Engineering Women’s Group, the Stanford DARE–Diversifying Academia, Stanford Women in Fluid Dynamics, and the Recruiting Excellence Doctoral Fellowship.
What can you expect as a SeeME participant?
The SeeME program offers an opportunity for middle and high school students to learn and understand mechanical engineering directly from current Stanford graduate students pursuing their degrees in the field. They will engage you in interactive activities that let you apply engineering concepts to real-world problems.
SeeME is a free outreach program that accepts a limited number of students each year and offers transportation for participants from schools throughout the Bay Area.
As a participant, you'll explore a variety of classes that may cover topics such as bird flight biomechanics, desalination, cardiovascular flows, vehicle dynamics, computational mathematics, and ocean mixing. Between sessions, you'll also have the chance to engage with Stanford mechanical engineering alumni.
The program will give you a firsthand look at the labs and facilities within Stanford's mechanical engineering department, including the advanced tools and technologies used by engineers.
During the program, you will work with other students, helping to develop your teamwork and communication skills.
At the end of the program, you might be asked to present your project findings or take part in a design competition to demonstrate and apply your new knowledge.
Is it prestigious?
Although the SeeME program is linked with Stanford University, it is run by students with the university’s support, which may affect its perceived prestige. The open admissions criteria result in a less selective process, despite the program's limited batch size of around 50–60 students. Overall, while not classified as prestigious, it offers an engaging learning experience for middle and high school students interested in mechanical engineering and exploring related career paths.
Who is eligible to participate in the SeeME program?
To be eligible for the SeeME program, you must be a current Bay Area middle or high school student. There is no prior experience in mechanical engineering required to apply. However, a strong interest in engineering and a willingness to learn are essential.
Pros and cons of applying to the SeeME program
Pros:
You will gain hands-on experience in mechanical engineering through interactive lessons and activities on subjects including wind energy, autonomous vehicles, disease prediction, industrial engineering, fire science, data science, and others.
You have an opportunity to learn directly from experienced Stanford undergraduate mentors and graduate students in addition to understanding the college-level course load and career options from them.
You get a glimpse into how a top engineering university’s program works, and the expectations it sets on participants. This lets you be better prepared for your college applications.
The small batch sizes and direct mentorship help you build networks with other students as well as current Stanford grads, potentially forging lifelong connections.
Cons:
Although the SeeME program is associated with Stanford University, it is not particularly prestigious as it is organized and led by the university’s engineering graduate students.
There is no exposure to the renowned staff and faculty of Stanford, further limiting both your learning and the program’s prestige.
The batch size is limited as it only accepts Bay Area middle and high school students restricting its accessibility and making it difficult to secure a spot in the program.
Our review — Should you apply?
Stanford University's SeeME program offers a solid opportunity for middle and high school students interested in exploring mechanical engineering. The program offers valuable hands-on learning experiences, mentorship from experienced Stanford students, and exposure to a top engineering university's resources. While the program may not be particularly prestigious and be limited in scope due to being student-run, the potential benefits for your academic future can still make it a worthwhile endeavor.
One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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