University of Kentucky

Project: Summer Engineering Exploration Kamp (SEEK)

The NCEES Foundation award underwrote one complete 20-student week of the 2026 Summer Engineering Exploration Kamp, known as SEEK. The grant-supported week operated within a three-cohort residential program that served 60 rising high school seniors. Students lived on the University of Kentucky campus, worked with UK engineering student mentors, learned from practicing engineers and public agencies, completed hands-on civil engineering and surveying activities, and visited active infrastructure sites.

SEEK broadened students’ understanding of civil engineering, surveying, and the connection between infrastructure decisions and public health, safety, and welfare. Students used total stations and auto levels, built and tested structures and materials, explored water treatment and hydraulics, built mechanically stabilized earth walls, flew drones, and programmed Arduino microcontrollers. Exit-survey summaries show that hands-on projects, field visits, and conversations with engineers were the most valuable parts of the experience. Some students reported stronger interest in civil engineering; others gained enough exposure to make a better-informed choice among engineering disciplines. The program also strengthene partnerships with 14 engineering firms and public agencies and gave UK student mentors leadership and communication experience.

The most effective elements were the linked design-build-test activities, field experiences, peer mentoring, and direct contact with practicing engineers. Students understood technical ideas more clearly when they could build, measure, test, and then see related work in the field. Demand remains the principal challenge: more than 145 students applied for 60 places in 2025, and the 2026 residential program remained at 60 places. Future assessment should add matched pre-and-post-program measures and track participants after high school so long-term education and licensure outcomes can be documented.

UK plans to continue SEEK’s three-cohort residential model and use Civil Engineering Exploration Day to reach students beyond the camp’s capacity. The next cycle should add a concise licensure session led by a professional engineer and professional surveyor, invite non-selected applicants directly to CEED, and begin annual follow-up through the first two college years. These steps will preserve the applied experience students value while providing clearer evidence of enrollment, persistence, and progress toward future FE, FS, PE, or PS milestones.