Soar to New Heights: Aerospace Engineering Module
Ignite your teen's passion for flight at the TryEngineering Summer Institute. This immersive summer program, designed for high school students, allows them to delve into the world of aerospace. Through interactive projects, they'll explore the science and math behind flight, from aerodynamics to propulsion, while building and testing exciting creations like gliders and rockets. Our aerospace engineering module not only provides a thrilling learning experience but also equips students with valuable skills and real-world experience, making it a valuable addition to their college applications. Discover the diverse career paths within the aerospace industry and inspire your teen to reach for the stars.
Students will learn fundamental concepts like lift, drag, and propulsion, we'll also challenge your teen to think like a future innovator. Through engaging design challenges, you'll experience aspects of aerospace engineering firsthand, that could one day lead to a successful career in a STEM field.
At our camp, you will do more than just learn from lectures; you'll collaborate with peers on challenging aerospace engineering projects under the guidance of our experienced staff and guest speakers. During our engineering summer camp you will even have the opportunity to witness engineering in action with exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and field trips, observing how real aerospace engineers tackle complex problems and translate theory into reality.
While aerospace engineering is the primary focus of this module, our engineering camp also explores other exciting disciplines of engineering. Students can delve into the fundamentals of civil engineering, electrical engineering, and even mechanical engineering, which may help students discover their unique engineering passions.
Our Aerospace Engineering Project:
At the TryEngineering Summer Institute, we prioritize hands-on learning. Lectures are just the beginning, the real excitement lies in our engaging projects. The centerpiece of our aerospace engineering module is the Glider & Wing Design project, where students will have the opportunity to design, build, and test their own flying machines. We believe that hands-on experience is the most effective way to grasp the fundamental principles of aerospace engineering. Throughout this project, students not only learn key concepts but also develop crucial skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking.
Glider & Wing Design
During our aerospace engineering project, students will embark on a challenging and rewarding team project: the Glider & Wing Design Challenge! Working collaboratively, teams will learn about the foundations of aircraft design. They'll analyze a variety of materials, shapes, and structural configurations for wings and aircraft bodies, with the ultimate goal of maximizing flight distance.
With the help of our aerospace summer program staff, students will leverage the fundamental principles of flight, including lift, drag, and center of gravity, to design and construct a glider capable of carrying a significant payload – an actual shoebox! This challenging task will push their creativity and problem-solving skills to new heights, all while learning about aerospace engineering. This hands-on project provides a valuable learning experience, allowing students to experience the thrill of aerospace engineering in three different phases.
Phase 1: Design & Planning
- Conceptualization: Students research different glider designs, considering factors like wing shape, size, and airfoil
- Planning: Students plan out their proposed glider designs and choose the optimal materials, shape, and design of their glider
- Calculations: Students might perform basic calculations related to wing area, aspect ratio, and center of gravity to optimize their designs for flight.
Phase 2: Building
- Material Selection: Students select appropriate materials for their gliders
- Construction: Carefully construct gliders based on their designs, using tools like scissors, rulers and glue
Phase 3: Testing and Refinement
- Flight Testing: Students test their gliders by launching them and observing their flight characteristics
- Data Collection: They measure flight distance, duration, and stability to help optimize for the perfect glider
- Analysis and Refinement: Based on their observations, students analyze their gliders, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments to their designs
Learning Objectives:
- Engineering Principles: Students learn about fundamental concepts like aerodynamics, lift, drag, and stability.
- Design Process: They experience the entire design process, from initial concept to testing and refinement.
- Problem-Solving: They develop problem-solving skills as they encounter challenges and find solutions.
- Teamwork: Throughout our aerospace engineering project students work in teams, fostering collaboration and communication skills.
- Creativity and Innovation: Students are encouraged to think creatively and come up with unique glider designs.
Hands-On Design Challenges
Exclusive Guest Speakers
Exciting VIP Tours
and Field Trips
With nonstop sunshine and the beaches, strands, shopping and more just a stone’s throw from campus, our USD TESI students will really have a wonderful summer. With such beautiful surroundings, we get the chance to explore and maybe even find the legendary fish taco truck!
The University of Pennsylvania is a fabulous, safe urban campus located in the heart of Philadelphia. This allows us easy access to many of the local sights, sounds and flavors available to us!
The entrance is staffed by Penn Security 24/7. Inside is our air-conditioned wonderland, packed with the same fabulous amenities the Penn students enjoy. We also have our own outdoor area, inside the secure walls, where we have patio seating, tables, a grassy area, and more. It is quite lovely.
Past students have had the opportunity to discover on-campus engineering tools, equipment and technology that will be available to them as future engineering students. In previous summers we have toured the engineering departments at our host venues to meet and greet and see what are the latest aspects and cutting edge work that is being done.
Get a peek at the inner workings of top engineering companies and centers and discover the world inside your dream career! In previous years, our students:
Students will gain valuable knowledge from engineering professionals on how to succeed in college and in an engineering career.
TryEngineering Summer Institute students explore engineering design challenges through hands-on teamwork. Previous students participated in projects such as:
