Events
Design the Future: STEM & Digital Engineering Preview Day
Purpose

Design the Future: STEM & Digital Engineering Preview Day is an immersive, hands‑on experience that introduces participants to core STEM and digital engineering concepts used in modern defense, technology, and engineering environments. The event highlights real‑world applications, encourages problem‑solving, and helps participants envision their pathway into STEM careers.

Enhanced Skills Include:
  • Systems Thinking: Ability to break down complex problems, understand interdependencies, and propose structured solutions.
  • Digital Engineering Concepts: Understanding of modeling, simulation, digital twins, requirements traceability, and data‑driven design.
  • Technical Literacy: Foundational competence in STEM principles including engineering basics, coding fundamentals, and technology workflows.
  • Team Collaboration: Working effectively in groups, communicating ideas clearly, and contributing to collective problem‑solving.
  • Innovation & Creativity: Using critical thinking to propose new ideas, adapt to constraints, and demonstrate forward‑looking design approaches.
  • Professional Skills: Time management, presentation capability, decision making, and clarity in documentation.
Bring a parent. Build something together. See where it can lead.

What if you could spend one morning finding out whether engineering is your thing, and do it as a team? At Preview Day, students and parents work side by side to build a real system, bring it to life on screen, and take on a quick coding or electronics challenge. No engineering experience needed. Just bring your curiosity.

Register for the Nov. 11, 2026 Preview Day
Register for the Dec. 12, 2026 Preview Day
Program Outcomes

By completing the STEM & Digital Engineering Preview Day, students will unlock opportunities for continued growth through two possible pathways:

Apprenticeship Program

Students who show strong hands-on skills, teamwork, and readiness to jump into real-world work may be invited into a STEM or digital engineering apprenticeship.
In this pathway, students apply what they learned during Preview Day by working on real projects, getting direct mentorship, and building practical experience that prepares them for careers in engineering and technology.

College‑to‑Career Program

Students who demonstrate academic strength, leadership, and an interest in pursuing a college degree may enter a guided college‑to‑career track.
This pathway supports students throughout their college journey with internships, career coaching, and exposure to digital engineering practices helping them transition smoothly into full‑time STEM careers.

What You’ll Do

Build it.

Team up to put together a simple physical system.

Model it.

Recreate your build in beginner CAD (computer-aided design) software.

Code it.

Take on a short electronics or coding challenge.

Map your path.

Get the inside story on DEAP’s two routes, a paid apprenticeship and a college track, and bring your questions.

Why Bring a Parent?

Decisions about life after high school are family decisions. Preview Day gives students and parents the same hands-on experience and the same information at the same time. Parents see firsthand what their student can do, and you leave ready to talk about next steps together.

Register

Space is limited, so register early. High school students (Grades 9–12) are invited to attend and encouraged to being a parent or guardian.You’ll get a confirmation email with arrival details.

Register for the Nov. 11, 2026 Preview Day
Register for the Dec. 12, 2026 Preview Day

Led by Product Manager Army Systems Engineering & Architecture (PdM ASEA) and the Army Digital Engineering Ecosystem, in partnership with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the Energetics Technology Center (ETC).

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