The Engineering Institute

Are you an innovator and problem-solver? Learn lifelong skills and develop your own projects at the Engineering Institute!

June 23 - June 29, 2024 @ Norwich University

“ GIV was definitely an empowering and inspiring experience for me…The various workshops and hands-on learning experiences provided by the Engineering Institute allowed me to exercise and develop problem-solving skills essential in any field of engineering. The strand-specific projects allowed for a direct application of these skills.”

— Vishnu,   2017 Engineering Alum

About the Engineering Institute...

Ready to create a better world?

At the GIV Engineering Institute, you help create a sustainable future through a week-long program on Norwich University’s campus developing your own projects in fields like energy, robotics, and structural engineering. Surrounded by peers who share your interests, you will work together to create resilient solutions to the planet’s most pressing problems. With access to professional equipment and the guidance of renowned engineers, everyone at Engineering works together to build bridges to a better future!

Sunday, June 23rd – Saturday, June 29th, 2024
@ Norwich University
Northfield, VT

For information regarding this Institute’s sliding-scale tuition support, please click here.

Engineering Students Build Bridge 2023
Engineering Students Designing 2019

At This Institute You Will...

  • Dive into several areas of engineering to explore possibilities.
  • Meet other young innovators who share your interests.
  • Learn to “think like an engineer,” analyzing and solving real-world problems.
  • Take on a variety of design challenges to hone creativity and problem-solving.
  • Hear from a wide range of engineers and discover academic and career pathways.
  • Explore technology and equipment used by engineers.
  • Have the time of your life!

Experience the vibe at Engineering!

Attending this Institute can earn you credit and proficiencies!

How To Get High School Credit

We encourage all students who participate in an Institute to use the experience to earn high school credit.

Awarding high school credit is at the discretion of the student’s sending school, so we recommend students make a plan with their high school guidance counselor before attending GIV to earn their credit.

Each school has unique requirements around proficiencies, credits, and PLPs, so there are multiple pathways to awarding credit based on your school's system of assessments.

However, we recommend that high schools award credit by having students produce one or more of the following...
- A presentation to reflect on the overall experience to present for counselors and/or teachers in the fall after their participation.
- A learning journal for submission about areas of learning, activities, reflections.
- Work examples to share with sending school teachers (physical or digital products, writing, videos of presentations, learning journal, etc.) to be reviewed and assessed.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] if we can directly help or support you or your school in determining credit opportunities for your experience at GIV.

Curriculum Format

1-week intensive
2 activities each day
Students choose between two strands of study- energy or hydrology
Students work independently and in teams on projects
Workshops, presentations, and activities that cover different areas of engineering
Field trips to area engineering hubs and businesses
Hands-on exploration
Dormitories and roommates
12:1 student-to-staff ratio

Curriculum Topics

Sustainability
Energy
Hydrology
Electricity
Mechanics
Robotics
Mathematics
Manufacturing
Aeronautics and aerospace industries

Hours and Opportunities

50+ hours of engineering training
Connections/collaborations with professional engineers and college professors.
Resume-building
Connections with Institute sponsor companies and local employers (GS Precision, Global Foundaries, Norwich Solar, NASA)

High School Credit Recommendations

Equivalent to one semester of high school credit in 1 or more of the following:

Science - Physical Sciences
Science - Engineering and Technology
Mathematics- Geometry

VT Proficiency Indicators

This Institute’s curriculum has been aligned with the following Vermont proficiency-based graduation requirements at the high school level.

Science
- Physical Sciences: 1d, 1e, 1j, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g
- Engineering Technology and Applied Science: 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h

Mathematics
- Modeling: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f
- Functions: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f
- Geometry: 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e

Transferable Skills
- Communication: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g
- Self-Direction: 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i
- Problem Solving: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h
- Citizenship: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f
- Informed Thinking: 5a, 5b, 5f

So how does it all work?

Every day is a unique experience filled with expert-led instruction, hands-on investigation, field trips, and immersive learning. We work to build a community around our experiences and share in our passion for everything we explore.

**The schedule is slightly different each year and announced when you arrive!

GIV’s supportive Institute structure is endlessly enriching, empowering, and engaging.

An Example of a Day at the Engineering Institute

7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Morning Check-in
9:00 PM: Guest Speaker Presentations
10:00 AM: Morning Workshop
12:00 PM: Lunch
1:00 PM: Afternoon Workshop & Field Trips
5:00 PM: Dinner
7:00 PM: Nightly social events
10:00 PM: End of Day

Engineering Faculty

Michael Cross, PhD, is a lecturer of electrical and computer engineering, teaching classes in the areas of circuits, electronics, energy systems, and engineering design.

Cross received degrees from the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Vermont and began his academic career at UVM, where he taught courses in the areas of analog and digital circuits, electronics, semiconductor physics, power electronics, and engineering design.

His doctoral and post-doctoral research at the University of Vermont explored the electrical, structural, optical, and electro-chemical properties of thin films and energetic nanomaterials. His professional experience includes working as a development engineer at IBM Microelectronics in Essex Junction, Vt., where he was involved in the development of state-of-the-art photomasks. His professional and scholarly work has been published both nationally and internationally.

Thank you to our Institute Supporters!

Engineering Sponsors

Ready to take your engineering skills to the next level?

Apply Now!