The Engineering Place is committed to inspiring the next generation of problem solvers, innovators, and engineers by providing high-quality K-12 engineering education programs. Through engaging, hands-on experiences for students and impactful professional development for teachers, we make engineering accessible and exciting for all learners.

Our outreach extends beyond the classroom, fostering curiosity and creativity through community events, partnerships, and culturally responsive activities. Whether designing renewable energy solutions, exploring cutting-edge technology, or tackling real-world challenges, participants in our programs gain the skills and confidence to see themselves as future engineers and leaders.

Additional programs may be added during the year, so be sure to Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know of these and other opportunities. 

Visit each program description (below the schedule) for more information.

2025-26 Schedule

Fall 2025

Event	Date	Time
Engineering Ambassador Outreach Training	8/15
Solar House Visit Day	8/21
Marbles Museum	9/6
Family STEM Night	9/11	6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
Coharie Youth Summit	9/20
Solar House Class Visit/ SE Raleigh HS	9/23
Bugg Elementary School STEAM Day	9/25
Boys & Girls Club/Goodnight Scholars	9/27
Family STEM Night	10/2	6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
Solar House Tours/ Energy Week	10/3	10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wolfpack STEM Tailgate	10/4
Solar House Class Visit/ Elevate Learning	10/7
Bridging the Gap Conference	10/28 -29
EB&B (MS)	10/31
Solar House Tour/Meredith College	11/5
NCSTA Professional Development Institute	11/6-7
Engineering on the Road: Project Access	11/12
Family STEM Night	11/13	6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
Solar House Class Visit/Homeschool Group	11/14
Solar House Tour/ EcoVillage	11/18
Engineering on the Road: Student U	11/18
EB&B (HS)	11/21
Girl Scouts TechnoQuest	11/22

Spring 2026

Event	Date	Time
Solar House Class Visit/ Zebulon MS	1/15
Family STEM Night	1/29	6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
EB&B (EL)	2/6
Family STEM Night	2/26	6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
EB&B (HS)	2/27
Family STEM Night	3/26	6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
College of Engineering Open House Booth/Activity	3/28	9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Family STEM Night	4/9	6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
First Year Engineering Design Day: FEDD	4/16	Sessions throughout the day
Family STEM Night	4/16	6:00 – 7:15 pm
Reach For The Stars STEM Fair	4/18	9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Boys and Girls Club Teen STEM Summit	4/18

Summer Programs

The College of Engineering plans and executes extensive summer programs for rising 1st to 12th-grade students each summer. From week long day camps to residential stays, these programs introduce students to engineering through hands-on activities and problem-solving. Students spend the week with other like-minded students and gain exposure to engineering, NC State and university life.

The Solar House

Are you ready to embark on a journey toward a sustainable future? Are you curious about renewable energy and its tremendous potential? We offer Solar House visits for individuals and groups interested in learning more about sustainability, renewable energy, and how they can reduce their energy consumption.

The primary purpose of the Solar House is STEM education and outreach. Anyone seeking information on solar home construction or personal home improvements should contact the NC Clean Energy Technology Center.

Family STEM Engineering Nights

School-Hosted Program

Family STEM Engineering Nights are all about family, fun, and engineering! Our team of NC State Engineering Ambassadors, student volunteers, and faculty will come to your school and provide fun, engaging, and hands-on activities to inspire and excite everyone in attendance!  Ten different stations are set up in either the cafeteria/gym and/or classrooms and families engage in the different stations at their own pace.

Schools have been selected for the 2025-2026 school year. While we wish we could come to every school interested in our program, we have limited availability each year. If we can’t make it this year, please be sure to sign up again next year!

Dinner for the NCSU students is the only cost to the school, thanks to a partnership with Duke Energy!

Details

• Schools must be ~20 miles or under from the NCSU campus in Raleigh, NC.
• The program runs from 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
• Engineering Activities include Catapults, Straw Rockets, Diaper Dissection, Smores Packaging, Extreme Rollercoasters, Let’s Communicate, Lightbulbs, Foil Boats, Marshmallows Towers, and Tumbling Towers.

Virtual Program

This program is currently on break!

If you have children in grades K-5, we hope you will join us for an evening of fun engineering challenges over Zoom.

Families are invited to join the Engineering Ambassadors and The Engineering Place as we work together to solve two exciting Engineering Design Challenges!

Learn more about NCSU engineering and engineering thinking by using The Engineering Design Process and participating in fun challenges.

Engineering Bits & Bytes Days

Engineering Bits & Bytes Days are STEM curriculum enrichment experiences held on the NC State Centennial campus for students in elementary, middle, and high school — grades K–12. These half-day events include age- and grade-appropriate hands-on engineering activities. For middle school and high school groups, NC State Engineering Ambassadors are available for a Q&A session about admission requirements, scholarships, college life, and suggestions on how best to prepare now for the college experience you want.

Detailed information about this program, including the registration form, can be found here.

Engineering on the Road

The Engineering on the Road program brings engineering to life in K-12 schools all over the state of North Carolina. Through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities linked to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, we illustrate the true nature of engineering — not just the stereotypical view that many people have — to students, teachers, and staff. Programs are customized to meet the needs of the school or organization and for small- and large-group events. We even have an engineering roadshow!

We also participate in other community organizers’ programs, such as math and science nights, career fairs, and workshops.

Please note:

• Due to limited staff, we are offering this program on a limited basis.
• We are not able to provide science fair judges.

COE First-Year Engineering Design Day (FEDD)

First-Year Engineering Design Day (FEDD) is an end-of-year opportunity for first-year engineering student teams to showcase their design projects and compete for awards. The projects are completed as part of the E 101 – Introduction to Engineering and Problem-Solving course, allowing students to practice core design concepts during their first year while learning how to work successfully on a design team.

The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University would like to invite you to attend the 26th Annual First-Year Engineering Design Day (FEDD).  K-12 teachers are invited to bring their students to FEDD on April 16, 2026.  Engineering Ambassadors will be available to guide students and answer any questions during the event.

The morning Session runs from 9:15 am – 12:00 pm, and another session from 1:15 – 4:00 p.m, with 2-hour blocks for attending. The event will be held at the McKimmon Center located at 1101 Gorman Street (corner of Gorman Street & Western Blvd).  Parking is available and free.

We limit attendance to ensure a quality experience for students. Please note that registering for the event does not mean you have been accepted.  NOTE: We will contact you if your school is selected to attend the event on Feb. 06, 2026.  If room is available, we will allow schools up to 1 week before the event. Contact coe-theengineeringplace@ncsu.edu with questions. 

Note: Lunch is on your own.

Check out pictures from our past events!

FEDD Team Projects

Two Sessions

• Morning Sessions: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Awards presented from 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
• Afternoon Session: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. (Awards presented from 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.)

Location

NC State University McKimmon Center for Extension & Continuing Education at 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, NC 27606. (corner of Gorman Street & Western Blvd). Parking is available and free.

Registration

Questions?

Email coe-theengineeringplace@ncsu.edu.