High School Programs

For 40 years, Manhattan University has introduced high school students to careers in engineering, math and science through the Summer Engineering Awareness Program.

This 10-day intensive program for rising juniors and seniors is offered free of charge, and geared toward minority and female students in the New York City metro area. The program is directed by Walter P. Saukin, Ph.D., associate professor of civil engineering, and sponsored by the ACE Mentorship Program, the Metropolitan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the New York Building Foundation, the General Contractors’ Association, The Richard and Barbara Whitcomb Foundation, the New York Power Authority, in addition to individual and corporate sponsors.

What to Expect

The program focuses on science, engineering and the college admission process. As a program participant, you can expect to:

• Learn about chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering, and physics through hands-on experiments in the laboratories. Specific topics include:
  • Aerospace and energy
  • Computer-aided design sessions in robotics
  • Computer graphics
  • Geotechnical engineering and green building design
  • Green buildings
  • Laboratory experimental design program
  • Robotics
  • Structural project periods
  • Structural competition
  • Water filtration
• Hear from a variety of guest speakers and lecturers
• Take a field trip to a structural design company
• Get information on scholarships and financial aid
• Learn about Air Force ROTC opportunities
• Browse engineering careers in law, business, medicine and education

2025 Program Dates

*All programs and related program details are subject to change based on funding. 

Apply to the Program

Participant selection is based in part on strong mathematics and science skills, as well as interest in or curiosity about engineering. Click here to register. The registration deadline is April 25, 2025.

Registered students should contact Dr. Saukin at (718) 862-7171, or email cwalsh07@manhattan.edu with any questions on the program.

Support the Program

The Summer Engineering Awareness Program is a key component of Manhattan University’s efforts to expose minority and women high school students to STEM careers at an early age, and to recruit these students for its ABET accredited undergraduate and graduate engineering programs.

Thanks to corporate and individual support, students participate in the program for free. Donate and help Manhattan University make an engineering education and profession accessible to everyone!

Donor Benefits

• Exposure to engineering students and parents
• Opportunity to visit and participate in the program
• Acknowledgment in Honor Roll of Donors

Donate

This program is designed for high school students who wish to learn about mechanical engineering from engineering students, faculty members, and professionals in the field. Participants will explore one of the sub-areas of mechanical engineering each week.

The program will take place at the Manhattan University campus for seven weeks, from July 7th to August 21st and will run from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm each day. Each module (week) will offer a variety of activities such as:

1. Hands-on workshops and lectures presented by mechanical engineering professors.
2. Tours of Manhattan University’s labs and facilities.
3. Information sessions on topics such as “how is the life of a mechanical engineering student at Manhattan University”, “what you will be doing as a mechanical engineer”, and “how to apply to become a mechanical engineer”.
4. Presentations from student clubs and student projects, giving insight into the life of a mechanical engineering student.
5. Hands-on experiences and competitions. 

Students have the option to participate in one to seven weeks of the program. Those who complete at least one week will receive a certificate of completion, which grants them a no cost application to Manhattan University’s engineering program (worth $75).

Program Schedule: (Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 2:30 pm):

• Week 1, July 7 - July 10, Overview of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Bahareh Estejab & Dr. Zahra Shahbazi & Dr. Peyman Honarmandi & Dr. Stephen Peluso
• Week 2, July 14 - July 17, Aerospace, Dr. Bahareh Estejab
• Week 3, July 21 - July 24, Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Zahra Shahbazi & Dr. Houngbin Choi
• Week 4, July 28- July 31, Biomechanics, Dr. Parisa Saboori & Dr. Zahra Shahbazi
• Week 5, Aug 4 - Aug 7, Robotics, Dr. Peyman Honarmandi
• Week 6, Aug 11 - Aug 14, Game Design in Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Michael Grabowski & Dr. Parisa Saboori
• Week 7, Aug 18 - Aug 21, Sustainable Energy, Dr. Stephen Peluso

Please visit our website and register online:

Register for the Institute

Contact Information:
If you have any questions or concerns, Please email kathy.balaj@manhattan.edu, or call us at 718-862-7145.

The goal of this two-day Summer Program is to introduce the rising seniors and juniors of area high schools to the exciting discipline of Chemical Engineering.  

This workshop will help participants gain an appreciation for the broad-array of fields in which chemical engineers play a vital role. These include:

• biotechnology and biochemical production, 
• green and sustainable engineering, 
• electronics and semiconductor materials processing, 
• biomedicine and biomedical device manufacturing, 
• food-engineering, 
• renewable energy production, 
• cosmetic, consumer goods, and pharmaceutical production etc.  

Simply put, the chemical engineers contribute to the manufacturing of each and every product essential for improved quality of life. 

Chemical engineering is not just Chemistry! 

This two -day workshop will take place this year on July 30 - 31, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.  The program is offered free of charge and is targeted to all the students with an aptitude for STEM disciplines.  

What to expect:

During this two-day immersive program, the students will: 

• engage in a variety of interactive hands-on activities and competitions that elucidate the critical role of chemical engineers in the above-described disciplines.  
• listen to incisive and informative presentations by Manhattan University faculty and participate in Q&A sessions to gain a better understanding of the breadth and scope of chemical engineering discipline.
• Learn from alumni and practicing chemical engineers from a wide-variety of industries including Cosmetic, electronic materials, polymers, consumer goods, biopharma, food and beverage, biomedicine, renewable energy, environmental preservation, and green manufacturing etc. 
• Gain an appreciation for the important role of computer-based design and control in the chemical process industry. 
• Learn about the (chemical) engineering professional organizations and clubs on college campuses. 
• Tour Manhattan University’s laboratories and facilities.
• Learn about college application, admission, and financial aid processes.

Students who complete Manhattan University’s Chemical Engineering Summer Program will receive a Certificate of Completion and application fee waiver (Worth $75) if they choose to apply to Manhattan University’s Chemical Engineering B.S. program next fall. 

The two-day program also includes complementary breakfast and lunch on both days. The application dead-line is July 1.

Apply for the program

Note: Participants should follow Manhattan University’s vaccine and mask policies. Find the current policies for visiting campus on this page.