Access Engineering is the University of Pennsylvania’s largest student-run engineering education program. Our aim is to cultivate Philadelphia high school students’ interest in engineering and demonstrate their capability to make meaningful change. We do this through a semester of weekend lessons at Penn Engineering’s campus that introduce students to six engineering discipline. We work with over 70 students a semester with a staff of over 40 college student-teachers. This program is for all students in the Philadelphia public high school district and completely free to attend. Lunch and SEPTA keys will be provided.
Fall 2024 Semester
Access Engineering is currently offering its in person program this semester, teaching on the University of Pennsylvania campus. Email us at acceng@seas.upenn.edu if you have any further questions.
The teachers, who were also students, not only inspired me but also connected with each student deeply. They benefited my experience by being willing to engage with students genuinely and educate us no matter what. The lectures were educational and helped me understand what an average engineering class would be like.
– Regina, Spring 2024 Student
About Us
Access Engineering is a free student run hands-on engineering enrichment program at the University of Pennsylvania for talented Philadelphia high school students. Our team of passionate undergraduate volunteers makes engineering exciting for a diverse group of students in a fast-paced year long weekend program. We provide students a challenging and fun environment to explore what engineering is. Since 2014, Access Engineering has worked with over 250 students to nurture their interest in STEM and develop the Philadelphia Public Schools’ pipeline of future engineers.
In school, we never get hands-on experiences and everything is hypothetical. In access, the teachers showed me the real magic that happens behind engineering. Now I know that I want to pursue engineering in the future. My favorite part of access engineering was sampling different projects in each type of engineering. I loved building a bridge, a circuit, and even making my own concrete.
– Sky, Spring 2024 Student
Access by the Numbers
Rahul Gupta and Will Manherz started Access Engineering with a small pilot program in 2014. Since then, we have grown into the largest community service organization in Penn Engineering.
$0
Cost to students
Our program is accessible to students of all backgrounds.
+30%
Intent to pursue STEM education
Our program is proven to lead to greater interest and readiness for college STEM.
63
High schools represented
We serve schools across the School District of Philadelphia.
6
6 engineering disciplines in 8 weeks
Students explore Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Materials Science Engineering.
126+
Students in 2023 alone.
We are dedicated to expanding the STEM pipeline in Philadelphia.
40+
Penn undergrad volunteers
Dedicated students from a broad engineering background make our program fun and technically rigorous.
Talking to the TAs showed what it means to be in college. I was able to run experiments during each day of access, which is an experience I would not have gotten in high school. The program changed my vision to engineering and made me realize that I might want to pursue electrical engineering in the future.
– Thalyson, Spring 2024 Student
Contact Us
acceng@seas.upenn.edu
PennAccess
@upennacceng