Engineering Summer Camp
Engineering Summer Camp
Summer Engineering Week
Free residential STEM program for rising high school juniors and seniors
Aug. 2-7, 2026 | SUNY ESF Campus, Syracuse, NY
Ready to Think Like an Engineer?
This is your chance to step into the role—and the steel-toed shoes and safety goggles—of an engineer, tackling real-world problems that matter for the planet.
At SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), one of the nation’s top environmental STEM colleges, you’ll spend a week exploring how engineering and sustainability come together to solve today’s biggest challenges, from water, to waste, to renewable resources.
Program Overview
- Who: Rising high school juniors and seniors
- What: Free, week-long residential engineering camp
- When: Aug. 2-7, 2026
- Where: SUNY ESF Campus, Syracuse, NY (students stay in Centennial Hall residence)
- Why: Gain hands-on engineering experience, explore college life, and discover if STEM is your path
What You'll Experience
You’ll work in teams to tackle hands-on projects that turn ideas into impact—like recycling paper or food waste into useful new products. This isn’t about lectures or textbooks. It’s about solving real problems the way engineers do every day.
By the end of the week, you’ll have developed:
- Understanding connections across engineering disciplines | Explore sustainable chemical engineering, environmental resources engineering, and more—discovering how different types of engineering work together.
- Teamwork and communication | Collaborate with peers who are just as curious and driven as you are.
- Systems thinking and creative problem-solving | Learn to break down complex challenges and find innovative solutions.
- Presenting and sharing ideas confidently | Practice communicating your work clearly and persuasively.
Real-World Learning
This isn’t just classroom work. You’ll get out into the field and see engineering in action:
- Industry facility tours at companies like Smurfit Westrock
- Behind-the-scenes access to the Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Lab experiments in ESF’s state-of-the-art facilities, exploring hydrology (water science), fermentation, and more
- Hands-on practice breaking down complex problems to find real solutions
You’ll leave with practical experience and a clearer picture of your future—whether that’s in engineering, at ESF, or both.
Recreation: More Than Just Academics
college student. You’ll stay on ESF’s campus in Centennial Hall, our student residence, and enjoy:
- Movie and game nights with your fellow campers
- Tie-dyeing a t-shirt (an ESF tradition we wouldn’t let you leave without!)
- A community service project that makes a local impact
- Free time to explore campus and connect with new friends
By the end of the week, you won’t just have learned—you’ll have lived the college experience.
How to Apply
Applications open in January 2026. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!