Engineering Institute

In their first year of the E3 insititue, sophomores will participate in a summer camp to excite and introduce the students into the engineering design proces. Their coursework will expose them to the field of engineering, specifically: what engineering is, what engineers do, and the variety of different types of engineering. Students will learn and apply the engineering design process and follow it to create solutions to design challenges. Students will also learn some basic CAD and machining skills necessary to produce models and prototypes for their solutions. Students will work as teams on design challenges and give presentations of their solutions. The cohort will spend a day at Target Corporation, meeting with engineers and learning about their education, interests and how they apply their education, skills and talents to their job.
 

Junior cohort members will participate in a summer camp at the University of St. Thomas that focuses on design challenges in electronics and rocketry. In their Engineering 2 class, students continue to explore engineering specialties and occupations. Students will apply their knowledge and skills learned in Engineering 1 on four major team projects throughout the semester. Emphasis will be placed on following the engineering design process to come up with creative solutions to challenges presented to them. Projects will be chosen from a variety of engineering fields, and their solutions will be tested through the use of models and prototypes created through a variety of manufacturing processes, including the use of the 3D printer and laser cutter, Arduinos, and fabrication using shop equipment. Students continue to develop their presentation skills with each project and become more comfortable with technical writing. Juniors have the opportunity to meet with engineers at Medtronic Operational Headquarters, tour their labs and facilities and learn about the variety of engineering types and professionals who work for the company.

In their final year of the E3 Institute, seniors will participate in coursework to take an engineering project from conception to completion. They will publicly present their project and findings to a larger audience. The process will involve conceptualizing, designing, testing, modifying, presenting a functioning product or system.

The E3 Institute is open to all current students in 9th grade, specifically who have an interest in the field of engineering. The Institute is looking for students who have a diversity of skills, interests, backgrounds and abilities. Students who like math or science, hands-on learning, creative problem solving and the ability to communicate to a variety of groups are highly encouraged to apply.  The Institute strongly encourages females to apply for the program. With diverse backgrounds, abilities and skills, the E3 Institute will be a rich and vibrant experience for all who are involved.

Here is just a short list of skills that you will develop as a part of the E3 Institute:

• creativity
• problem-solving
• creative critical thinking
• teamwork
• presentation and communication skills
• ability to build and construct models
• application of math and science skills
• computer aided drafting
• coding

The E3 Institute is a 3-year program where a group of students will work throughout the various components. Each year, the group of students will take a one-semester engineering course, as well as other Institute requirements (4 years of math and science, participation in seminars / enrichment activities and field trips, collaboration with a professional mentor, and an engineering-related job shadowing experience). The Institute will begin with a seminar during the summer before sophomore year.

Information Session
Program directors lead an information session for interested freshmen and their parents/guardians in January.

Application
The online application form is made available following the meeting and must be submitted by the identified deadline.

Recommendation Forms
Students must ask two teachers to complete a recommendation form. Students are advised to give ample time for teachers to complete and submit the form.

Notification
Students will be notified of their acceptance into the E3 Institute prior to course registration completion in February.

"I just wanted to take the opportunity to let you know that the E3 experience for both my daughter Rhys, as a student, and myself, as a mentor has been outstanding. I really enjoyed the experience of being a mentor, where I was met with an enthusiastic, intelligent and forward thinking student that rivaled most post college-aged students that I work with through internship programs. I believe whole-heartedly that the E3 program at Totino-Grace is among the finest programs offered to high school students and is effective in cultivating critical thinking, problem solving and partnership work, all of which are vital in success in any field.

As a parent, I watched my child not only enjoy the E3 experience, but blossom in ways that I couldn't have predicted from this program. This was clearly evidenced in the videos recently done for the program. I saw my child representing the program in a confident, posed way that showed me that she grew through the experience, not only academically, but as person who will be ready to accept the challenges set in front of her in the upcoming years.

This program fostered things like learning from failures, collaboration, research, presentation of ideas, brainstorming solutions, having fun, being vulnerable with thought sharing, being confident in your successes because you have learned through trial, and many, many more small things that will rise to the surface throughout life. I'm proud of Totino-Grace for having the fortitude to deliver this course to it's students. Thank you for all you do and have done to ensure this excellent program exists. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" -Current Parent and E3 Mentor