Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers
BCOE connects K-12 students, teachers and community partners with hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics experiences that build curiosity, confidence and future pathways.
From robotics camps and college access programs to student organization outreach and regional STEM events, BCOE helps young learners see themselves as future engineers.
K-12 STEM outreach snapshot
Years of Serving Communities
School Districts
Participating Schools
Programs that open doors to engineering
BCOE outreach programs connect young learners with engineering concepts, mentors, campus experiences and research opportunities that support long-term STEM pathways.
Home to the largest MESA center in the state
The Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement Program, or MESA, works with educationally disadvantaged students from the Inland Empire to help middle and high school students excel in math and science and pursue math-based degrees.
Research inspiration for high school students
The Summer Training and Research Inspiration for Diverse Pipeline Engagement toward Advancing Stem Cell Treatment, or STRIDE, is a five-week summer research training program for diverse high school students from Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Programs that bring STEM to life
These programs and partner events help students explore engineering, computing, robotics, data science and research through applied learning.
Spark curiosity early
Early exposure to engineering helps students ask questions, test ideas and build confidence as problem-solvers.
Bourns Engineering Day
Hosted by BCOE’s Society of Women Engineers, this event brings more than 1,200 students together for hands-on engineering activities.
Contact MESA →Dia de Ciencias
Hosted by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, this program engages K-12 students through STEM demos, presentations and project opportunities.
Learn More →StepCon
Hosted in partnership with Bourns, Inc., the Science and Technology Education Partnership engages K-12 students, teachers and administrators.
Learn More →FIRST LEGO League
Students ages 9-14 explore design, coding and robotics through guided teamwork and regional competitions.
Learn More →
Build confidence through hands-on problem-solving
Middle school programs help students move from exploration to applied learning through robotics, teamwork and engineering design.
AI-Enabled Robotics Summer Camp
Students explore robotics, programming and artificial intelligence through hands-on projects that build technical confidence and teamwork.
Learn More →Dia de Ciencias
Students engage in STEM activities, virtual project demonstrations and presentations designed to make engineering more accessible.
Learn More →StepCon
The Science and Technology Education Partnership supports interest in STEM fields and offers tools for student success.
Learn More →FIRST LEGO League
Guided robotics challenges help students strengthen coding, communication and real-world problem-solving skills.
Learn More →
Prepare for college, research and engineering careers
High school programs connect students with robotics, data science, coding, artificial intelligence and research experiences that support college readiness.
Data Science Academy
Students explore data science through hands-on learning, real-world datasets and applied analysis experiences.
Learn More →AI-Enabled Robotics Summer Camp
Students build skills in robotics, artificial intelligence, programming and engineering problem-solving through applied projects.
Learn More →STRIDE
Students participate in a five-week summer research training program related to stem cells and regenerative medicine.
Learn More →StepCon
Students, teachers and administrators connect with STEM learning opportunities that foster interest and preparation.
Learn More →Looking to partner with UC Riverside Engineering for a STEM event?
BCOE welcomes opportunities to work with schools, districts, community organizations, alumni and industry partners to expand access to hands-on STEM education.