Berkeley Engineering Youth Academy
Program Overview
Berkeley Engineering Youth Academy is an intensive 3+ week hybrid program designed to give a limited number of students a STEM field college experience. This project-based program combines lectures and laboratory sessions to give students practical experience in engineering design processes. Students will learn to transform their ideas into executable designs and eventually build their own prototypes, which they will showcase during the Completion Ceremony.
The program is divided into two parts and course curriculum will focus on topics in Robotics, Design, Fusion 360, 3-D Printing, and more.
- 7.5 hours of online training focused on CAD basics and additive manufacturing
- 3 weeks in-person classes at UC Berkeley with hands-on design and prototype manufacturing opportunities, including designing and printing a 3D model as well as coding and operating a robot
In addition to academic classes, students will experience college life, living in campus dorms, eating at Cal cafeterias, and interacting with UC Berkeley undergrad and graduate students. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit places such as Berkeley student labs, Silicon Valley companies, and more.
This program allows students to meet new friends from around the world and build important life skills that can make their future college experience a success — all while strengthening their college application.
The program is limited to 30 students.
Program Dates
Online Classes: June 13, 20, & 27
Residential Portion: July 6 – July 24, 2026
BEYA is a hybrid program with 7.5 hours of online instruction and 3-weeks of in-person learning. Students are expected to attend both online and in-person portions.
Class schedule example
The program is divided into two parts: online courses + 3 weeks of in-person lectures and hand-on classes. Students must attend all sessions of the program.
Online Lecture Schedule (Zoom)
Class sessions will be held on the weekend, with each class lasting approximately 2.5hrs long.
- Class 1: Intro to Berkeley, Engineering, Design, & Fusion 360
- Class 2: Intro to 3D Printing, Wind Tunnel, & Electronics
- Class 3: Intro to Embedded Design, Mechatronics, & Robotics
In-person Academic Schedule (UC Berkeley campus)
The three-week in-person portion will be held at UC Berkeley’s College of Engineering lecture halls and lab facilities. Each week will consist of a different academic focus:
- Week 1: Welcome to Berkeley & 3D Printing
- Week 2: Wind Tunnel Testing of Propeller Design
- Week 3: Mindstorm Robotic Design & Programming and Final Project
The daily schedule will look something like:
| 7-8am | Breakfast |
| 9-11am | Lecture |
| 11:30-12:30pm | Lunch break |
| 1-4pm | Lab |
| 4-6pm | Afternoon activity |
| 6-7pm | Dinner |
| 7-10pm | Study Time |
| 10pm | Curfew |
2026 Applications are forthcoming
Check back in Jan for BEYA 2026
Program Price
Regular Price: $8,500
The program price covers the cost of room & board, faculty, lab space, equipment/supplies, transportation to activities & visits, industry visits, and administrative fees.
Scholarships available to select individuals. Separate application required.
About the Instructor
George Anwar
Currently teaching: Design of Microprocessor-Based Mechanical Systems
George Anwar received his Bachelor degree in Nuclear and Mechanical Engineering from University of California at Berkeley. He has also a Master’s and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. He is currently a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering as part of the faculty at both University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco State University.
Info Session
Interested in learning more about this program? Please see below for a recording and slide deck from our 2025 Info Session.
FAQ
What is the program objective?
This project-based program combines lectures and laboratory sessions to give students practical experience in engineering design processes. Students will learn to transform their ideas into executable designs and eventually build their own prototypes.
Course curriculum includes:
- Introduction to Design
- Introduction to Fusion 360
- Introduction to 3-D Printing
- Berkeley Lab Sessions: Turning
- Design Concepts Into Prototypes
Who is eligible to apply?
High School students (ages 15+ by start of the program) with a basic understanding of STEM and an interest in exploring prototypes and design.
Ideally, students should have taken calculus and physics, but we welcome students who have taken algebra and one science class to apply.
How many seats are available?
This program is limited to 30 students.
When should I apply?
Applications for BEYA 2025 are closed. Check back in January for BEYA 2026!
What materials are needed to apply?
Students interested in applying will need to complete the BEYA application (linked above). The application will ask for student info, short essay responses, a character reference, resume, and transcripts.
Students that apply for a scholarship will also need to complete additional short essay responses and upload a letter of reference.
Is there an info session?
A link to the 2025 Info Session is above.
We will host an info session for BEYA 2026 soon. Check back for more details and information.
Is housing provided?
Yes, housing is included in the program price. Students will reside in a double or triple occupancy dormitory rooms with other program participants of the same gender. A Berkeley Resident Assistant and Mentor (RAM) will be on duty throughout the evening to monitor participants and provide emergency assistance, if needed.
Program price
The total cost for BEYA 2026 program is $8,500. We offer scholarships to select students (separate application required).
The program fee cover the cost of tuition, course materials, overnight housing, meals, transportation costs, administrative fees, and lab space. Additional personal expenses are not covered.
Refunds & Cancellation Policy
If, after being admitted to the program, a student needs to cancel and withdraws from the program more than 2 months from the official start date, $4,000 of the program fees will be refunded. Withdrawal requests received less than 2 months from the program start are nonrefundable.
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have. Send us an email if you have any questions!
Email: globesummer@berkeley.edu