Offering the next generation of engineers and computer scientists opportunities to engage with challenging work and exceptional mentors is essential to developing tomorrow’s talent.
At the MSU College of Engineering, special programming throughout the year includes engineering summer camps and academic-year experiences that offer fun, hands-on activities guided by faculty members and current student mentors. The goal - offer young people opportunities to explore pathways to successful engineering and computer science careers.
“We have an incredible team helping prospective students learn about our college and degree programs,” said Andrew Kim, assistant to the dean for Future Spartan Engineers. “We help them decide if MSU is a good fit for them and let them know we’ll take care of them if they head to Michigan State for college.”
High School Innovation & Creativity Day offers pre-college students exciting competitions, a look at current undergraduate student capstone projects, and conversations with the college’s student competition teams. To give students the most impactful experience possible, it is coupled with Design Day, the college’s premier undergraduate academic event.
“We invite Michigan schools to attend our High School Innovation & Creativity Day on Design Day,” Kim continued. “This year our guests were from the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program, East Lansing High School, Innovation Central High School in Grand Rapids, and Oakland Schools Technical Center.”
At the December 2025 event, around 120 pre-college students tested their skills with three engaging experiences:
- VEX Robotics, an introduction to robots. Students work in small groups to create student-controlled robotic programs.
- K’NEX Bridge Build integrates engineering practices to build and evaluate support systems such as a simple beam or intricate bridge.
- LED Labyrinth Competition lets students control electrical currents in a circuit using switches. LED lights showcase the active paths.
The winners are:
- VEX Robotics - Mauricio Wanegeshik-Deras and Juan Hernandez Ralios from Innovation Central High School
- K’NEX Bridge Build - Colt Borror from Oakland Schools Technical Center
- LED Labyrinth Competition - William Grant and Shaundale Williams from Oakland Schools Technical Center
“We strive to help pre-college students envision themselves on the path to an exciting career in engineering or computer science,” said John Papapolymerou, interim dean of the College of Engineering. “We believe an in-depth look at how the Spartan Engineering community develops practice-ready talent helps the students gather information they need to make important decisions for the future,” he added.
Read more about December 2025 Design Day.
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page
