Extracurriculars for a Career in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers design machines, engines, and everyday products. Robotics teams, engineering camps, and design competitions are great ways to start in high school.
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Programs for a Career in Mechanical Engineering
Why it fits: Program emphasizes engineering applications through immersive coursework and real-world project-based learning.
Why it fits: Hands-on projects combining mechanical design, sensors, and actuators align with mechanical engineering fundamentals.
Why it fits: Reverse engineering and robotics modules provide foundational exposure to mechanical design and systems.
Why it fits: Program bridges engineering and business, offering insight into how innovation drives technological development.
Why it fits: Hands-on projects in math and science build foundational problem-solving and design thinking skills.
Why it fits: Direct overlap with robot chassis, drivetrain, and mechanical system design and construction.
Why it fits: Hands-on engineering projects and design challenges directly mirror mechanical engineering work.
Why it fits: Students practice soldering, design, and hands-on building of mechanical engineering projects with professional guidance.
Why it fits: Program combines collaborative STEM projects with mentorship exploring engineering majors and career pathways.
Why it fits: Students engage in engineering design and chassis/mechanical systems for competition robots.
Why it fits: Engineering design is a core program theme, with hands-on activities and facility tours of research equipment.
Why it fits: Writing contest encourages students to explore and articulate engineering possibilities and career pathways.
Why it fits: Students design and prototype STEM solutions to real community problems, mirroring engineering design processes.
Why it fits: Students design and build energy-efficient vehicles, directly applying mechanical engineering principles.
Why it fits: Direct hands-on experience designing and building rocket structures that meet altitude and flight duration targets.
Why it fits: Students design and build engineering solutions to real-world challenges in the Design/Build competition.
Why it fits: Students design and build functional machines from everyday objects, directly applying mechanical engineering principles.
Why it fits: Students design and build roadworthy solar cars, directly applying mechanical engineering principles to chassis, drivetrain, and structural systems.
Why it fits: Students envision and design future technologies, simulating real R&D processes similar to mechanical engineering work.
Why it fits: Bridge construction applies physics principles and structural design fundamental to mechanical engineering.
Why it fits: Students engineer systems and structures for planting and growing on the Moon and Mars.
Why it fits: Students design and build engineering solutions in events like Elevated Bridge, applying hands-on mechanical design skills.
Why it fits: Engineering competitions at TSA conferences require design, problem-solving, and building skills core to mechanical engineering.
Why it fits: Students compete in hands-on skilled trades competitions directly aligned with mechanical engineering competencies.
Why it fits: Hands-on experimental physics skills developed through IPhO competitions apply to mechanical engineering design.
Why it fits: Students design and build solutions to open-ended STEAM challenges requiring engineering problem-solving and innovation.
Why it fits: Direct overlap with robot chassis, drivetrain, and mechanical system design in competition.
Why it fits: Project-based learning develops hands-on engineering design and problem-solving skills.
Why it fits: Hands-on project work and engineering focus prepare students for mechanical engineering problem-solving.
Why it fits: Engineering Design Lab and Engineering Investigations provide hands-on design and prototyping experience.
Why it fits: Robot design and construction directly involves mechanical systems and structural problem-solving.
Why it fits: Engineering design process and hands-on building of physical city models applies core mechanical design skills.
Why it fits: Challenge requires designing creative mechanical solutions for real-world aviation systems and technology.
Why it fits: Engineering courses offer hands-on exploration of engineering principles and design thinking.
Why it fits: Students build heatsinks for heat transfer challenges and design model wind turbines.
Why it fits: 3D modeling, 3D printing, and IoT projects provide hands-on exposure to mechanical design and prototyping.
Why it fits: Hands-on prototype design and testing of rocket concepts applies core mechanical engineering design and build processes.
Why it fits: Aircraft and rotorcraft tracks involve designing, building, and demonstrating mechanical aerospace projects.
Why it fits: Camp covers engineering challenges including temperature management, redundancy, reliability, and design for space exploration environments.
Why it fits: Program directly engages high school students in mechanical engineering through interactive summer activities exploring engineering design and problem-solving.
Why it fits: Students engage in hands-on prototype design, building, and iteration—core mechanical engineering problem-solving work.
Why it fits: Engineering summer camps provide hands-on design and building experiences foundational to mechanical engineering.
Why it fits: Students engage in hands-on design projects and tour an experimental mine, gaining exposure to mechanical engineering work.
Why it fits: WOW! That's Engineering and SITE programs provide hands-on engineering design and problem-solving experience.
Why it fits: Explores mechanical engineering fundamentals through hands-on activities in engineering labs.
Why it fits: Students design and build assistive devices solving real workplace challenges for people with disabilities.
Why it fits: Engineering field of study offers practical, hands-on coursework in engineering disciplines.
Why it fits: Sustainable Engineering and Mechanical Engineering courses directly align with engineering design and technical principles.
Why it fits: The program teaches fundamental engineering principles and design innovation techniques applicable to mechanical design work.
Why it fits: Students learn robot construction and component-based design through hands-on building and engineering challenges.
Why it fits: Automation Hackathon teaches engineering design through building and demonstrating inventions.
Why it fits: Students design propulsion systems, maneuverability features, and overall boat structure and mechanics.
Why it fits: Students design and prototype physical inventions, directly applicable to engineering design work.
Why it fits: ROV construction involves designing mechanical systems, structures, and components for underwater operation.
Why it fits: Mechanical engineering research groups provide authentic lab experience in engineering design and innovation.
Why it fits: Program emphasizes engineering methods and techniques applied to polar research and environmental challenges.
Why it fits: Students design and construct robot chassis, mechanisms, and physical components for competition.
Why it fits: Students design and build robot hardware and structures to compete in engineering challenges.
Why it fits: Students build and test robotic systems, developing hands-on hardware design and construction skills.
Why it fits: Students design robot chassis, mechanical systems, and structural components to meet competition specifications.
Why it fits: Students design robot chassis, drivetrains, and mechanical systems for combat and sumo competitions.
Why it fits: Students select materials and equipment to solve engineering problems, core to mechanical design work.
Why it fits: Direct overlap with designing and building robot chassis and mechanisms from Botball kit components.
Why it fits: Students design and build engineering challenges like landing capsules and roller coasters, core mechanical engineering work.
Why it fits: Students conduct college-level engineering research projects and develop research proposals, core skills for mechanical engineering work.
Why it fits: Students explore mechanical engineering research labs and disciplines through virtual tours and demonstrations.
Why it fits: Innovation challenges often include designing and prototyping physical solutions and engineering systems.
Why it fits: Students develop innovative solutions and prototypes, core to mechanical engineering design work.
Why it fits: Students apply invention process and problem-solving to design and build physical solutions.
Why it fits: Engineering research exposure across multidisciplinary projects mentored by Stanford engineering faculty and staff.
Why it fits: Program includes engineering curriculum exposure through academics and hands-on labs at the Academy.
Why it fits: Students engage in engineering practice at DoD laboratories under mentor guidance, directly experiencing engineering work.
Why it fits: Program covers mechanical engineering workshops and hands-on projects exploring engineering disciplines.
Why it fits: Students design, build, and test engineering projects hands-on with university professors and industry professionals.
Why it fits: Engineering cluster offers challenging hands-on and lab-intensive curricula building on campus expertise.