Design a Summer to Remember!
For more than 30 years, the Arizona Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) has offered summer outreach programs for rising 9th through 12th graders, as well as graduated seniors*, who want to learn more about engineering – and get a taste of life as a Wildcat! SEA attendees:
- Work with professors, graduate and undergraduate students on design projects and hands-on activities
- Meet current students, faculty and industry partners while learning about engineering degrees, research and careers
- Explore the UA campus, facilities and community
- Develop leadership and communication skills
- Develop meaningful connections with peers who share similar interests and passions
* Class of 2026 graduates
SEA 2026 Schedule
This year, SEA will be offering day camps which are four-days long and bringing back two residential programs. Lunch is provided daily. Housing accommodations will only be provided for the residential programs, but you are welcome to plan a trip to Tucson with your family and visit local attractions while your high school student(s) attends SEA.
- Week 1: 8 - 11
Engineering Our Energy and Water: Commuter Camp
Engineering Our Energy summer camp offers an exciting and educational experience where campers explore innovative engineering solutions to environmental challenges. Through hands-on projects and activities, participants will learn about innovative practices in areas like renewable energy, water conservation, waste management, and energy-efficient building technologies. Campers will work in teams to design, test, and implement future-proof solutions, using cutting-edge tools and techniques to create a robust world. With guidance from experienced engineers and environmental experts, campers will gain practical knowledge and skills while developing a passion for innovation and creative problem-solving and the role engineering plays in shaping the future. This camp inspires the next generation of environmental leaders and engineers dedicated to making a positive impact on the planet.
- Week 2: 15 - 18
Explore Engineering I: Residential Camp
Our residential engineering camp offers an immersive, hands-on experience where participants dive into the exciting and ever-evolving world of engineering through innovation. Throughout the camp, participants will tackle engaging projects, collaborative challenges, and real-world problem-solving opportunities that showcase the many possibilities within STEM. Living on campus, campers will experience college life firsthand, building friendships and developing leadership skills while exploring creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. With guidance from experienced mentors and access to cutting-edge facilities, campers will discover how engineering shapes the world around us and be inspired to imagine their own future pathways. This camp provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the breadth of engineering while igniting a passion for discovery, design, and innovation. Residential camps are only available to rising junior through senior year high school students.
- Week 3: June 29 - July 3
Women in Engineering: Commuter Camp
Our women in engineering summer camp is designed to inspire and empower young women by providing them with hands-on experience and mentorship in the field of engineering. The camp offers a supportive, collaborative environment where young women can build confidence in their problem-solving abilities, enhance their critical thinking skills, and discover how they can make an impact in the world of engineering. With guidance from female engineers and industry professionals, participants will leave the camp not only with new skills but also with the motivation to pursue careers in STEM fields and become leaders in engineering.
Women in Engineering: Residential Camp
An exciting extension of the program includes an overnight experience, where participants will engage in evening activities such as team-building challenges, interactive workshops, and social events that foster community and collaboration. This portion of the program allows campers to further immerse themselves in campus life while strengthening connections with peers and mentors. Residential camps are only available to rising junior through senior year high school students.
- Week 4: July 6 - 9
Semiconductor Design, Fabrication and Application: Commuter Camp
Participants will dive into the fascinating world of semiconductor design, fabrication, and application. Through hands-on projects, campers will learn how semiconductors power everything from smartphones to computers and renewable energy solutions. They will explore the science behind semiconductor materials, how circuits are created, and the critical role semiconductors play in modern technology. From designing their circuits to working with fabrication tools and applying their designs in real-world scenarios, this camp offers a comprehensive, exciting introduction to the world of electronics and innovation. With guidance from experts in the field, campers will gain valuable skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork, all while discovering the transformative impact semiconductors have on our everyday lives and future technologies.
To cap off the week, campers will take part in an exclusive field trip to a leading semiconductor industry partner—potentially in the Phoenix area—where they’ll gain a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge technology and explore how innovations in STEM are transforming the world.
- Week 5: July 13 - 17
Explore Engineering 2: Residential Camp
Our residential engineering camp offers an immersive, hands-on experience where participants dive into the exciting and ever-evolving world of engineering through innovation. Throughout the camp, participants will tackle engaging projects, collaborative challenges, and real-world problem-solving opportunities that showcase the many possibilities within STEM. Living on campus, campers will experience college life firsthand, building friendships and developing leadership skills while exploring creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. With guidance from experienced mentors and access to cutting-edge facilities, campers will discover how engineering shapes the world around us and be inspired to imagine their own future pathways. This camp provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the breadth of engineering while igniting a passion for discovery, design, and innovation. Residential camps are only available to rising junior through senior year high school students.
- Week 6: July 20-23
Challenge Accepted: Commuter Camp
This summer, our ChallENGe Accepted camp invites curious minds to explore the magic of light, optics, and electronics through the creation of their very own infinity mirror. Campers will experiment with reflection, refraction, and circuitry as they bring science to life in a hands-on, project-based environment. Along the way, they’ll collaborate in teams to design, build, and test their mirrors—gaining skills in problem-solving, creativity, and innovation. Guided by experienced mentors, participants will discover how science and engineering work together to create dazzling effects and real-world technology. Fresh, fun, and inspiring, this camp is the perfect opportunity to spark curiosity, build confidence, and ignite a passion for STEM.
Residential camps are $750 while commuter camps are $350. All participants are encouraged to apply for a needs-based scholarships that can be found on the registration portal. All needs-based scholarship applications are due April 15, 2026.
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Cummings Aerospace Middle School Engineering Camp
The Cummings Aerospace Engineering Camp exposes middle school students to STEM-related curricula, which can instill a desire to explore STEM- related fields. This one-week summer day camp introduces students to 3D-design, 3D-printing, coding, and robotics.
As a sponsored program that provides opportunities for middle school students to learn about engineering disciplines, participants are exposed to new technologies, problem-solving skills, and team building exercises.
For more information, please contact the Summer Engineering Academy Director at engr-sea@arizona.edu.
Registration is open for the middle school program and high school programs from February 23, 2026 until June 1, 2026, or until space is filled. Enrollment into all programs is on a first come, first serve basis. Each program's waitlist opens once capacity is reached.
SEA 2025 Recap & Photo Album
Thank You SEA 2025 Campers!
We have reached the conclusion of another successful Summer Engineering Academy program! SEA 2025 featured 4 weeks of camp bringing high school students and one week of middle school programming on the UA campus to work on engineering projects, activities, presentations and real-life experiences from the College of Engineering’s 18 disciplines.
We want to thank our incredible campers, parents, faculty, and staff for an amazing summer and wish everyone a great start to the school year.
SEA 2025 Photo Album
To view photos from this year’s in-person camp sessions, please click the button below for the full SEA 2025 album!
Summer Camp Employment for Current Students
Summer Engineering Academy 2024 employed approximately 12 current undergraduate students from engineering-related majors to work as part-time counseling and administrative staff. We are always looking for current students who are interested in gaining leadership skills, working to inspire youth in STEM, and serving their community. Previous experience working with youth is a plus, but not required. To inquire about future opportunities, reach out to engr-sea@arizona.edu. Applications are posted in Handshake starting in February, you must be a current UA student during the Spring 2025 semester in order to apply.
Supporters
Donors have been integral to the growth of the Summer Engineering Academy. From scholarship support to curriculum development and supplies, every donation has a direct impact on making the program a success and inspiring the next generation of engineers.
A special thanks to our sponsors:
For information on how you can support the Summer Engineering Academy, please contact the SEA staff at engr-sea@arizona.edu.
Learn More
Sign up for our mailing list to find out more about 2024 programs and beyond. Please contact engr-sea@arizona.edu for further information.
Subscribe for SEA Updates
To learn more about the UA’s Summer Engineering Academy, call 520.621.6030 or email engr-sea@arizona.edu
FAQs
- Do I need any engineering background to attend camp?
No, you do not need any engineering background for these camps! The programs are open to everyone within the age range listed and interested in learning about engineering. We welcome students from all schooling backgrounds, including homeschooled students. However, our camps are best-suited for a certain type of individual. Students who do well in our camp enjoy science, technology, and engineering and/or mathematics courses or extracurricular activities.
- What is the registration process?
Registration opens February 26, 2024 and will remain open thru March 29, 2024.
- Can I receive a refund?**
There is a $50 non-refundable registration fee; however, refunds are available within a certain time if cancellation occurs. Refund requests must be made within 7 days of your registered session in order to receive the payment minus the registration fee. Partial refund requests must be made within 72 hours of your registered session. Any refund request made after these two deadlines will not be honored.
- Are scholarships available?
Need-based scholarships are available. You will have the opportunity to indicate your desire to apply for a need-based scholarship during the registration process.
By registering and paying the registration fee up front, you secure your place in SEA; however, this does not guarantee that you will be awarded a scholarship.
If you are having trouble paying the registration fee up front, contact the SEA Team at engr-sea@arizona.edu.
- What is the time commitment?
We ask that parents/students check-in no later than 8:50am and check-out no later than 3:30pm daily. Lunch will be provided to students along with a 45-minute lunch period during the middle of the day.
- What is included in the fee for the camp?
The registration fee covers the cost of hosting the event for your student as well as covering our undergraduate student staff. The fee also covers the cost of all program experiences, including hands-on activity kits, supplies needed throughout the week, instruction and supervision by camp staff and UA faculty/graduate students, and some awesome SEA swag! This swag includes participant T-shirt, drawstring bag, notebook and a reusable water bottle.