Community Involvement
William States Lee College of Engineering takes pride in our engineering outreach efforts which seek to promote engineering awareness, education and engagement in the K-12 student population of the Charlotte community. The Engineering Outreach program focuses on connecting W.S. Lee College of Engineering faculty, staff and students to the community through professional development, school visits and on-campus events which mutually benefit the college and the community. Outreach efforts happen year round both on and off campus.
On-campus events include our Mini Carolinas Conference, a high school engineering competition; field trips to tour the engineering department; open houses; and K-12 engineering community events such as Discover Engineering. Off-campus events include lessons in classrooms, STEM nights, college and career fairs, and partnerships with various youth organizations. On occasion, the engineering department supports STEM-oriented organizations such as the Pinewood Derby or MathCounts competitions.
To engage in our various outreach efforts, please check back regularly for upcoming events or reach out to Kelly Anderson at kellyanderson@charlotte.edu to connect your K-12 student population.
Connect with us
Annual Discover Engineering Day
at Discovery Place Science
Join our faculty, staff, and student organizations on February 21, 2026 as we showcase engineering demonstrations and activities across all 3 floors of Discovery Place Science! This event is included with museum admission.
Women in Engineering STEM Fair
This free event, hosted by the Society of Women Engineers at UNC Charlotte is open to students K-8 with specific activities to meet each age range.
Kick off Summer with STEM!
Each summer, participate in the STEAM Expo on campus in April! Thanks to all who attended in 2025. We hope to see you again in April 26, 2026.
Summer Camps
Our amazing faculty, staff, and graduate students host a variety of summer programs through Camps on Campus. Check back in early 2026 for Summer 2026 camps.
Want a Niner Engineer to visit your classroom?
Teachers, do you want to give your middle or high school students an engaging, STEM-focused learning experience? Our Student Ambassadors can visit your classroom and provide age-appropriate information about STEM, as well as a fun activity that will help engineering come alive for your students. Reservations required.
Resources
Electrical Systems and System Parts
In this module, students investigate the 2021 Texas blackout to explore how electrical systems function and fail. Through modeling and hands-on activities, they examine how electricity is transferred across small and large-scale systems, including substations and microgrids. Students design and revise models to explain energy flow, disruptions, and system resiliency.
This high school physical science unit engages students in exploring alternative energy sources through the lens of sustainability, energy transfer, and cost-benefit analysis. Over several days, students investigate how various fuels (gasoline, ethanol, electricity, etc.) impact Earth systems, calculate energy efficiency and work, and examine the environmental and economic trade-offs of different energy sources.
Forces and Motion
This high school physical science unit challenges students to apply Newton’s Laws and force concepts by designing resilient transmission towers. Through case studies, modeling, and hands-on building, students investigate how unbalanced forces—like wind, impact, and weight—affect structural stability.
In this high school physical science or physics unit, students apply wave and energy concepts to solve a real-world engineering challenge: designing a wave-powered buoy system to generate electricity for an island community. Through modeling, testing, and data analysis, students bring core wave standards to life, including frequency, amplitude, velocity, and energy transfer.