Introduction to Engineering
Engineering 102 High School (ENGR 102 HS) is a three-unit, dual credit, UA course for high school students who want to learn more about engineering. Since ENGR 102 is a required course for all UA engineering students, those who take it in high school get a head start on their first year as engineering majors. The ENGR 102 HS credit is transferable to all Arizona public institutions of higher learning as well as to most of those out of state.
ENGR 102 HS is taught in participating high schools by qualified and trained high school teachers. This award-winning, hands-on course is offered in over 30 high schools across Arizona and California. Students who sign up pay significantly reduced tuition. High school juniors and seniors who are taking or, have completed with a C or better, a fourth-year math course of college algebra or above may enroll. Check here to see if your school offers ENGR 102 HS.
While taking ENGR 102 HS, students learn about opportunities in various engineering fields and experience how engineers improve people’s lives. In addition to the solar oven project, solar trackers, and paper helicopter design and build, high school teachers and their students select additional engineering design projects and topics to study throughout the school year, for example:
- Solar go-karts
- Cellphone chargers
- Robotics
- Balsa wood bridges
- Arduino microprocessor activities
- Duct tape canoes
- Neuro Engineering projects
- Design and build a Biomechanical hand
- Model an artificial heart valve
- Design for artificial bone growth
For ENGR 102 HS admissions, registration and payment deadlines, check here.
FAQs
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ENGR 102 HS.
Participating High Schools
High School | Teacher | Location |
Andrada Polytechnic High School | Justin Villard | Vail |
Brophy Prep | Kevin Elinski | Phoenix |
Buena High School | Amy Martinez | Sierra Vista |
Canyon Del Oro High School | Sara Arnold | Oro Valley |
Catalina Foothills High School | Bryan Reyes | Tucson |
Chaparral High School | Steve Geislinger | Scottsdale |
Cibola High School | Steven Fritz | Yuma |
Corona Del Sol High School | Mel Wendell | Scottsdale |
CREST/Paradise Valley | Reeni Samuel | Phoenix |
Desert Christian High School |
Ryan Barents | Tucson |
Desert Ridge High School | Wendi Harden | Gilbert |
Desert View High School | Richard Duarte | Tucson |
Desert Vista High School | Rick Schapler | Phoenix |
East Valley IT | Alexander Anzar | Phoenix |
Empire High School | Jeff Ofstedahl | Vail |
Fairmont Prep | Preson Fawcett | Anaheim, CA |
Flowing Wells High School | William Golden | Tucson |
Hamilton High School | Chuck Weeks | Chandler |
Innovation Tech | Jeremy Bishop | Tucson |
High School | Teacher | Location |
Ironwood High School | Chuck Balogh | Glendale |
Ironwood Ridge High School | Zane Miller |
Oro Valley |
Kofa High School | Brent Phar | Yuma |
Liberty High School | Travis Hutchison | Peoria |
Marcos De Niza High School | Jay Nelson | Tempe |
Mica Mountain High School | Derek Langley | Vail |
Mountain Point High School | Nick Bonds | Phoenix |
Mountain View High School | Anthony Marinaccio | Marana |
Notre Dame Prep | Tony Cesarano | Scottsdale |
Pusch Ridge Academy | Caleb Clinkingbeard | Tucson |
Saguaro High School | Patrick Lamb | Phoenix |
Sahuaro High School | Benjamin Davis | Tucson |
Salpointe Catholic High School | Cecilia Gossler | Tucson |
Seton Catholic Preparatory | Michael Foor | Chandler |
Sonoran Academy- Tucson | Jaidev Sharma | Tucson |
The Gregory School | Dennis Conner | Tucson |
University High School | Mike Schmidt | Tucson |
Goals for the ENGR 102 HS Curriculum
- Demonstrate how engineers use math and science to help people in a variety of global, economic, environmental, and cultural settings.
- Increase high school students’ belief in their ability to pursue and succeed in the engineering profession.
- Offer students an inside look at the UA College of Engineering through campus visits and lab tours.
- Upon successful completion of the course, high school students receive 3 units of required UA coursework at significantly reduced tuition.
Responsibilities of the Participating High Schools
- High schools participating in ENGR 102 HS will provide a classroom and qualified instructor.
- To maintain a diverse classroom experience, high schools are required to enroll 10 to 25 students per class.
- High schools are asked to verify student co-enrollment of pre-calculus or above when enrolling in ENGR 102 HS.
- High schools and teachers will maintain communication with the UA regarding the progress of the students and keep abreast of other administrative issues.
- High school teachers will turn in course evaluations and student grades at the end of each school year.
- Instructors use UA’s system to report final grades and to access course materials.
- Instructors attend 4-day (for new instructors) or 2-day (returning instructors) workshop, generally held in July.
Responsibilities of the University of Arizona
- The College of Engineering will supply the participating high schools with a basic curriculum as well as assist teachers with new project development.
- Develop, coordinate and conduct the summer workshops for teacher training.
- Facilitate enrollment of participating students into the University of Arizona as a non-degree students.
- The College of Engineering will provide a budget based on enrollment and fulfill orders of additional course materials and supplies within the set budget.
- Coordinate directly with participating high schools with regards to University of Arizona & College of Engineering admission and specialized campus visits
More information about how students register for ENGR 102 HS can be found here:

EPICS High School
Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS), is a service-learning program that schools may include as part of their ENGR 102 HS course. High school students in the program work with mentors in engineering fields on real-world projects that help members of their communities. Past projects include: a portable wheelchair swing and a waterwheel science demo for school children.
EPICS, which originated at Purdue University, was created to increase student interest in STEM fields and to meet the engineering needs of nonprofit organizations. They offer a workshop each year for teachers and administrators hoping to bring EPICS to their campus.
EPICS projects take place in hundreds of high schools throughout the United States. Currently, two ENGR 102 HS classrooms participate in EPICS service-learning projects.
The University of Arizona supports ENGR 102 HS instructors to implement and grow EPICS High programs on their campuses.
We can help:
- Identify community partners and engineering mentors
- Develop project ideas
- Acquire project materials and supplies through additional funding towards the completion of EPICS projects

