Outreach & Community Programs

The School of Engineering hosts a variety of programs for students of all ages. These programs are designed to foster skills in the applied sciences, develop a love of learning and exploration, and build teamwork capabilities.

For more information pertaining to School of Engineering outreach activities contact Outreach Advisor Marie Reid.

For Geering Up related inquiries contact kelowna.geeringup@ubc.ca

The School of Engineering hosts a variety of summer programs for students of all ages.  These programs are designed to foster skills in the applied sciences, develop a love of learning and exploration, and build teamwork capabilities.

For more information on any of the programs listed below, please email engineering.okanagan@ubc.ca.

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Stewards in Engineering Education (SEED) Program

Age Group: High School Students, Grades 9-12.

Dates: July 21 – 25, 2025

Application Deadline: May 30th, 2025

Notification of selected candidates: June 13, 2025

Apply

 

The School of Engineering at UBC’s Okanagan campus conducts a Stewards in Engineering Education (SEED) Program to promote engineering research interest and involvement among high school students. Through the SEED Program, students have the opportunity to participate in state-of-the-art research laboratories with world-class researchers and graduate students.

Students going into grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 can apply for the SEED Program by completing the SEED Program application form and submitting it via the instructions above. Application forms will then be reviewed, and successful applicants will be selected to participate in engineering research projects at UBC’s Okanagan campus for a one-week period.

Participants will be asked to share their research experiences with their peers the following school year. The hope is that the shared research experiences will plant seeds for future interest and involvement in engineering.

Learn about one student’s SEED experience here.

 

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Explorations in Engineering (Geering Up Summer Program)

Curious about studying Engineering? Dive into a week-long exploration of the diverse world of engineering at UBCO! Whether you’re thinking about Biomedical, Mechanical, Civil, or other Engineering fields, this camp will give you an exclusive peek into what it’s really like to study Engineering. Explore labs, meet professors and graduate students, and test out machinery. Through hands-on design challenges, campus tours, and expert talks, you’ll experience first-hand the excitement and opportunities of an engineering degree.
Join this program if you’re considering an Engineering degree or if you’re fascinated by the world around you and curious about how engineering makes it all work!

Age Group:  High School Students, Grades 10-12
Dates: This program is offered twice in the summer of 2025, July 14 to 18 and July 28 to August 1.

Register 

If you have any questions please email: kelowna.geeringup@ubc.ca

Summer Camps (UBCO Location):

Geering Up offers STEAM camps for students entering Grades 1 to 12 at our UBC Okanagan campus located in Kelowna. Our STEAM camps inspire and challenge youth across the Okanagan through fun, innovative, and hands-on experiments and projects, and each day is a dynamic mix of hands-on activities, demonstrations, tours, mentors, and design challenges. Our camps are taught by experienced university students with a passion for their field of study. In addition to all of this, we ensure each camper spends, at least, one hour of each day participating in active games outside (weather permitting).

This Summer, Geering Up is offering camps in the following areas: STEAM, STEM Explorations, Maker, Creative Coders, Eco-Innovators Engineering, Intro to Engineering, and Explorations in Engineering. Learn more here: https://geeringupokanagan.ca/programs/kelowna-camps/

Classroom Workshops:

Geering Up is excited to announce that we are offering in-person workshops from October 2022 – June 2023! Each workshop will be led by two amazing Geering Up instructors and will consist of exciting STEAM based and hands-on activities that stimulate experimental thinking and scientific literacy. Students of all levels can participate and be equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to further explore Science, Engineering and Technology after the workshop. Workshops are available to schools across the Okanagan!

Registration and more information can be found here: https://geeringupokanagan.ca/programs/kelowna/

Saturday Clubs:

Geering Up clubs are a mix of science and engineering through hands-on projects, demos, design challenges, and mentors! Ever wanted to launch a rocket, design a skyscraper, or program a computer? Explore all of this and more in our weekly hands-on STEAM Clubs.

Registration and more information can be found here: https://geeringupokanagan.ca/programs/kelowna-saturday-clubs/

UBC Okanagan Engineering Open House Details

On-campus: November 1, 2025

Attend our on-campus UBC Engineering Open House to discover your future at one of Canada’s top engineering schools. Prospective students will be able to explore all UBC Engineering has to offer through in-person booths, demonstrations, lab tours, campus tours, and more! For more information about this event visit: https://engineering.ok.ubc.ca/attend-the-on-campus-ubc-engineering-open-house-to-discover-your-future/

If you have any questions please contact Marie Reid at marie.reid@ubc.ca.

Applying to UBC Engineering

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pacific Time

Thursday, October 2, 2025 8:00 am – 9:00 am Pacific Time

Future students are invited to learn more about applying to UBC Engineering. Learn about course planning, admissions requirements, and the application process! Parents, guardians, teachers, and counsellors are also welcome to attend.

There are two sessions available and both cover the same content. Just pick the timeslot that works best for you.

UBC Engineering: Paid Experience with Impact

Thursday, October 16, 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pacific Time

Did you know that you can get paid work experience while studying with us? Did you know that UBC is home to one of the largest co-op programs in Western Canada? Join us to learn how you can apply your learning, get paid, and grow your professional network.

UBC Engineering: Parents and Supporters Information Night

Friday, October 24, 2025 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Pacific Time

Supporting your student’s journey to UBC Engineering? Join us for a session designed specifically for parents, guardians, and supporters. We will provide valuable insights into admissions, student support services, and the resources available to help your student succeed. Get your questions answered and learn how you can support your future engineer.

UBC Engineering Virtual Program Fair

Friday, November 14, 2025 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Pacific Time

Explore your future in engineering from anywhere! Join the UBC Engineering Virtual Program Fair to learn more about our 14 undergraduate engineering programs. You’ll have the chance to meet with professors, staff, and current students from each program, ask your questions about learning opportunities and career paths, and discover the right fit for you.

Ask Me Anything: Admissions to UBC Engineering

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 8:00 am – 9:00 am Pacific Time

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pacific Time

Future students are invited to ask our advisors all of your last-minute questions before submitting your application for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering) at UBC’s Vancouver or Okanagan campus. This session will recap the most important information you need to know when applying and will serve as a forum for you to ask questions, hear from other applicants, and learn why UBC is one of the top engineering programs in Canada.

There are two sessions available and both cover the same content. Just pick the timeslot that works best for you.

Careers from UBC Engineering

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pacific Time

Thinking about a career in engineering? Join us to hear from UBC Engineering alumni about their professional journeys and the impact of their degrees. Discover the wide range of career paths open to you with a UBC Engineering degree. Our graduates will share their experiences and insights on how their education prepared them for success in the workforce.

Life as a UBC Engineering Student

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pacific Time

What’s it really like to be a UBC Engineering student? Join us for a firsthand look at student life and meet some of our current students from both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. They will share their experiences with academics, student groups, and finding balance, giving you an inside look at what it means to be a part of our supportive community.

Interested in more Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Programs available at the UBC Okanagan campus? Check out the UBC Okanagan STEM page for more details.