The MIT Women's Technology Program in Mechanical Engineering (ME) is a four-week residential is designed to introduce high school students to the basic principles and ideas of mechanical engineering in the summer after 11th grade. Each year only 20 participants who are excited about learning and excel at math and science are selected nationwide.

Non-credit

Residential

Financial Aid

Final project

Classes taught by graduate students in the MIT ME department provide an in-depth study of many of the subject areas used by mechanical engineers, such as fluid mechanics, materials, statics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and engineering design. Hands-on work is combined with analytical calculations and the use of computer codes for numerical modeling and computer aided design.

20 participants are selected each year from a nationwide applicant pool of 11th grade applicants who have demonstrated outstanding academic talent in math and science. No prior experience in physics or engineering is required, but we do expect students to be able to handle college-level material at a rapid pace.

WTP is designed for students who are excited about learning, have demonstrated their ability to excel at math and science in their high school classes, and who have no prior background (or very little)in engineering or computer science, with few opportunities to explore these fields.

WTP is a women-focused, collaborative community aimed at empowering students from groups historically underrepresented and underserved in engineering. We especially encourage students to apply who will be the first family member to attend college, who come from high schools with limited access to STEM classes and activities, or who are African American, Hispanic, or Native American.

WTP is not a "summer camp" but an intense academic experience. WTP classes are ungraded so that students can feel free to stretch themselves and explore college level material and new areas of learning, without worrying about a grade. However, we do expect students to work hard and make the most of this opportunity; we pack a great deal of curriculum into the short 4 weeks.

The WTP-ME curriculum focuses on the engineering design process as used in mechanical engineering. If you have taken an engineering class or had extensive experience with engineering design, you will not be considered for WTP in 2024

Daily classes will occur Mon - Fri from approximately 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM, with occasional evening hours. We are planning some weekend academic field trips and social outings.

Students will be busy with WTP activities, both academic and social, most of the four weeks WTP is in session, including some evenings and weekends. Students should not expect to do other academic work, internships, or have a job; WTP will require all of your focus.

Additional details will be given to admitted students in April, and before the program begins in June.

Women's Technology Program in Mechanical Engineering

Jun 29 - Jul 26

4 weeks

Residential

0 USD

Applying to WTP is completely FREE. No decision has been made yet whether there will be a fee to attend WTP, as there was in the pre-pandemic years. If a fee is charged, we will offer financial aid to accepted students who would not otherwise be able to attend.