Young Makers Program
Young Makers pairs youth ages 8-18 with adult mentors in small clubs to design and build a self-chosen, open-ended engineering or making project over a season, culminating in an exhibition at Bay Area Maker Faire.
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Fresno State Lyles College of Engineering Summer Engineering Experience Camp
A one-week, in-person summer camp hosted by Fresno State's Lyles College of Engineering that introduces students in grades 9-12 to hands-on engineering, architectural, and construction management activities, taught by faculty and industry professionals.
NSBE Jr. / Pre-College Initiative
NSBE Jr. is the K-12 arm of the National Society of Black Engineers, running local chapters (including one at Richmond High School in the Bay Area) that provide hands-on STEM activities, mentorship, competitions, and college/career preparation for students interested in engineering. Students without a local chapter can join as an 'At-Large' member nationally.
NSLC Engineering Summer Program
The National Student Leadership Conference's Engineering program is a residential pre-college experience (offered at UC Berkeley among other U.S. campuses) where high schoolers explore civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering through hands-on projects such as drone design, aquatic robotics, and wind turbines.
ACE Mentor Program - San Francisco Bay Area
A free after-school mentorship program pairing Bay Area high school students (grades 9-12) with volunteer architects, engineers, and contractors. Teams work through mock building-design projects, visit real job sites and professional offices, and present their solutions at a year-end showcase.
Sacramento State Summer Youth Academies - Engineering Track
Sacramento State's College of Continuing Education runs week-long Summer Youth Academies for students entering grades 7-12, including an engineering-focused track taught by campus faculty and industry professionals combining hands-on projects with career exploration.
Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program (California Wing)
Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force; its Cadet Program lets youth ages 12-18 train in aerospace education, leadership, and emergency services, including orientation flights in CAP aircraft. California Wing operates dozens of local squadrons across Northern California offering weekly meetings, encampments, and flight training opportunities.