Summer @ Brown - Introduction to Engineering and Design

Are you considering a career in engineering? Are you fascinated by what engineers do? This course is modeled in part after the popular undergraduate course at Brown, “Introduction to Engineering.” In this course, high school students will be given the same opportunity to experience engineering and design first hand. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of the engineering design process, a grasp of the various fields of engineering, and an appreciation of the far-reaching impacts of engineering. A major focus of this class will be the engineering design process. Students will work in teams on design projects which cover a range of engineering disciplines. For example, past groups have designed a safe and functional walker, a low-cost water filtration system, a biocompatible replacement blood vessel, and a plan for moving a town from its current fossil energy sources to solely solar or wind (or both) energy. Groups will discuss potential ethical issues in their design, brainstorm possible solutions, and formulate and present their own ‘final’ detailed design. They will have the unique opportunity to work in the Brown Design Workshop to bring their ideas to life through the development of a small-scale engineering prototype. In the process, they will experience the engineering design approach, as well as learn the importance of managing the design process and communicating design outcomes. Finally, students will be able to make engineering choices for their own futures based on guest speakers, panel discussions, and lab tours in various engineering fields. Application process includes: online application, essay, transcript, application fee. Accepted Pre-College students may apply for Dean’s Scholarships, awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and academic merit. Need is determined by considering several factors, including family income, family size, number of siblings in college, and housing expenses.