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Extracurriculars for a Career in Civil Engineering

Civil engineers plan and build roads, bridges, and water systems. Bridge-building contests, engineering camps, and STEM programs give high schoolers an early look at the field.

12
programs
0
online or hybrid
2
open enrollment, no application
4
states with in-person programs

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Showing 12 of 12 programs

Programs for a Career in Civil Engineering

EngineerGirl Writing Contest
National Academy of Engineering

Why it fits: Writing contest encourages students to explore and articulate engineering possibilities and career pathways.

TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science)
Technology Student Association (TSA) · Multiple · In-Person
In-PersonOpen EnrollmentGrades 6th - 12th

Why it fits: Mathematical Modeling and essay components require applying engineering principles to solve practical infrastructure problems.

The High School Bridge Building Contest
International Bridge Building Committee, Illinois Institute of Technology · Chicago, IL · In-Person
In-PersonGrades 9th - 12th

Why it fits: Students design and test model bridges to specifications, core civil engineering work.

Future City
DiscoverE · Multiple · In-Person
In-PersonOpen EnrollmentGrades 6th - 12th

Why it fits: Students design sustainable cities addressing real-world urban challenges using engineering design processes.

Summer Engineering Awareness Program
Manhattan University · New York, NY · In-Person
In-PersonGrades 10th - 11th

Why it fits: Introduces civil and environmental engineering fundamentals and explores the built world.

embARC Summer Design Academy
University of California, Berkeley College of Environmental Design · Berkeley, CA · In-Person
In-Person

Why it fits: Engineering design projects and built environment focus prepare students for civil engineering careers.

Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Stockholm Water Foundation · Stockholm, Sweden · In-Person
In-PersonHighly SelectiveGrades 10th - 12th

Why it fits: Winners like the flood warning system developers apply engineering principles to solve real-world water infrastructure problems.

Open City Accelerate
Open City · London, United Kingdom · In-Person
In-PersonGrades 10th - 12th

Why it fits: Program explicitly mentions engineering as a target career with mentoring from engineer professionals and site observation skills.

Construction Management Summer Academy for Young Women
Auburn University McWhorter School of Building Science · Auburn, AL · In-Person
In-PersonSelectiveGrades 11th - 12th

Why it fits: Hands-on learning with construction drawings, materials, methods, and active construction site field trips.

Santa Clara University Summer Engineering Seminar (SES)
Santa Clara University School of Engineering · Santa Clara, CA · In-Person
In-PersonSelectiveGrades 10th - 11th

Why it fits: Program includes civil, sustainable, and environmental engineering workshops for introductory exposure.

Engineering Possibilities in College (EPIC)
California Polytechnic State University · San Luis Obispo, California · In-Person
In-PersonGrades 6th - 11th

Why it fits: Camp features concrete canoes built by Cal Poly students, demonstrating structural design and testing processes.

Build Up High School Internship
DPR Construction · Multiple · In-Person
In-PersonSelectiveGrades 11th - 12th

Why it fits: Exposure to jobsite operations, design-to-build processes, and project management workflows that align with civil engineering career pathways.

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