High schoolers explore STEM careers at Summer Engineering Academy
Summer Engineering Academy students explore career opportunities and daily operations at the Missions Mine Complex on July 7 with ASARCO tour guide Michael Landin.
The college’s 2025 Arizona Summer Engineering Academy gave about 130 middle schoolers and 300 ninth- to 12th -graders and recent high school graduates a real-life understanding of engineering fields in high demand, such as mining operations, hypersonic vehicles and semiconductor manufacturing.
Now in its 20th year, SEA’s expanded hands-on programs for high school students include five camps spanning four days and two weeklong residential camps. Additionally, Cummings Aerospace sponsored a five-day camp that immersed middle schoolers in 3D-design and printing, coding and robotics.
Campers made lifelong connections not just with one another but also with professors, grad students and undergraduate mentors.
Camilla Chavez-Correa, a U of A junior in mechanical engineering and second-year assistant head counselor, said the camps “build community with future engineers – something that can sometimes be lacking in the pre-college experience.”
Other camp focus areas included transportation and infrastructure; energy and water; and light, optics and electronics.