Lessons learned from a summer engineering outreach program

The University of Kentucky Engineering Summer Program (ESP) is an immersive, one-week, residential program incorporating engineering and entrepreneurship curricula for Kentucky's top, rising (to be) high school seniors. The main objectives of the program include: apprising its students of the role of innovation in a global economy, educating them about engineering as an academic major, informing students of the opportunities available to engineering graduates, acquainting them with the business development process, convincing students of the importance of being entrepreneurial, improving their communication and teamwork skills, and recruiting students for further engineering and entrepreneurial pursuits. The goals of the program are accomplished through the use of team building exercises, hands-on engineering labs, company tours, networking opportunities, and a group business venture competition. The program increases the participants' understanding of engineering and entrepreneurship, and is a useful tool for student recruitment. Additionally, it improves the students' attitudes toward engineering by combating stereotypes and demonstrating its expansive relevance in an attempt to increase the participants' likelihood of studying engineering. Demographic data on the program participants, their current academic pursuits, and program assessment results are presented. Details on the program's evolution over its four year execution are provided.