Robots, circuits, CAD, and code-adjacent hardware — the LEAP Engineering & Tech chapter connects you to the firms, mentors, and build nights that turn ideas into working things.
Every LEAP chapter runs on the same four pillars — here's what they look like in Engineering & Tech.
Mechanical, electrical, and civil firms near you that take on high school interns and shadows.
Hands-on placements where you build, test, and break real prototypes.
Research assistant spots in engineering labs — great prep for programs like RSI and science fair.
Learn fabrication, 3D printing, and machining from the people who do it daily.
Get paired with a practicing mechanical, electrical, or civil engineer for the semester.
Bring your science fair or personal build — mentors critique it like a real design review.
Monthly small groups by specialty: robotics, aerospace, sustainable design, and more.
Engineers walk you through their path — degrees, first jobs, and what they'd do differently.
Walk real workshop floors and labs, and meet the teams behind them.
Engineers from different industries answer everything you want to ask.
Timed team builds — bridges, bots, and gadget challenges with prizes.
Train for Science Olympiad, robotics leagues, and engineering fairs together.
Run hands-on demos for elementary and middle schoolers — earn verified hours.
Teach younger students to build their first bot through LEAP Tutoring.
Fix devices and build useful things for families and nonprofits in need.
Design and build props, sets, and systems for community events.
The events and projects we're building the founding year around. (These illustration slots become real photos as soon as we host them — of you, maybe.)
Chapters are student-run. Founding officers build this from day one, which is exactly the kind of leadership colleges and employers notice.
Owns the vision, runs meetings, and represents the chapter to the school and to LEAP national.
Interviews and welcomes new members, and keeps the roster and member records clean.
Plans networking events, tours, and competitions from idea to day-of logistics.
Builds relationships with local firms and sponsors that fund events and open internship doors.
Organizes volunteering projects and syncs member hours with LEAP Tutoring.
Recruits professional mentors and matches them with members through the year.
Fill out the interest form below — takes under a minute.
A short, friendly conversation with the onboarding lead about what you want out of the chapter.
Get your member kit, pick your first event, and log your first volunteer hours.
Pick a discipline and follow the track. Each level unlocks when you check off the one before it.
No. The chapter exists to build your experience, not to gatekeep it. If you're curious about Engineering & Tech, you're qualified.
Nothing. Every LEAP program is 100% free for students — that's the entire point of the organization.
Plan on one chapter meeting per week or two, plus the events and volunteering you opt into. Founding officers put in more — and get more out of it.
Yes — founding members from every grade. Starting early means more years of internships, mentorship, and leadership on your record.
Then you might be its founder. Head to LEAP Home and request the chapter starter kit.
Eight engineering competitions every LEAP member should know. Sorted by first deadline.
The gold standard in high-school robotics — a six-week build season with 40 partners and a real playing field.
Smaller, more accessible robotics competition — design, build, and program a robot with 2–15 teammates.
23 STEM events spanning biology, physics, engineering, and earth science — one of the most well-rounded competitions out there.
Career and technical education competition covering 130+ skill areas — electronics, robotics, welding, and much more.
Sprint, target, and team rounds pushing your mathematical problem-solving under pressure.
National Society of Black Engineers junior chapter competition — projects, STEM challenges, and professional development.
Technology Student Association state and national competitions across 60+ engineering and technology events.
The on-ramp to USA(J)MO — a 30-question multiple-choice exam used by college admissions and top programs worldwide.
Curated by discipline. Everything here is free or free for students.
Fully free, browser-based parametric CAD — no install, runs on any device. The best starting point for high schoolers.
Millions of free CAD models to download, learn from, and remix in your assemblies.
The engineer's hardware bible — every part has a 3D CAD model you can download and drop into your assembly.
Free 3-year education license for full Fusion 360 — CAD, CAM, simulation, and generative design.
NASA's public library of spacecraft, rovers, and components — great for learning complex assemblies.
Interactive, browser-based circuit simulator — drag-and-drop components and watch current flow in real time.
Beginner-friendly virtual Arduino + breadboard environment from Autodesk — simulate before you solder.
Free browser-based PCB design tool — design, then order boards for under $5 at JLCPCB directly.
Textbook-quality reference covering DC/AC theory, semiconductors, and digital logic — completely free.
Hundreds of project guides for Arduino, CircuitPython, and common sensors — written for beginners.
Formulas, tables, and calculators for stress, heat transfer, kinematics, and more — a working engineer's quick reference.
Database of 100,000+ material datasheets — look up yield strength, density, and thermal properties before you design.
The mechanical engineer's bible — look for a library or open-access edition online for tables and standards.
Free lectures, problem sets, and exams from MIT's intro statics and dynamics courses — real college content, no cost.
Standard ME textbook — many colleges post chapter excerpts. Great for understanding shafts, gears, and fatigue.
Official language reference for all Arduino functions — bookmark it and use it constantly.
ST's Hardware Abstraction Layer documentation — the next step after outgrowing Arduino. Dense but essential.
Weekly conversations with embedded engineers about real systems, real bugs, and real careers.
Carnegie Mellon professor writing on embedded systems safety, testing, and design — practically required reading.
Open-source guide to writing firmware for ARM Cortex-M chips from scratch — no HAL, no Arduino, just C and registers.
One prompt per month. Build something, measure it, share it. No CAD software required — just curiosity.
Build the strongest possible bridge using only 12 popsicle sticks and wood glue. Measure how many grams it holds before breaking. Submit your result and a photo description below.
Tell us about your project and what kind of guidance you need. A LEAP mentor will reach out within two weeks.
Submit your project and browse what the chapter has made. Every build counts.
Log every project you build. Track hours, describe what you learned, and download a clean PDF when you're ready to apply.
0 total hours logged
8-week curriculum using free student software (Onshape or Fusion 360). Complete all eight weeks to claim your LEAP CAD certificate.
Partner with local engineering firms for monthly tours — limited spots per visit. Sign up early to secure your place.
Virtual showcase — present your year-long project to invited engineers and admissions counselors.
The people who join first shape everything — the events, the culture, the opportunities. Put your name in.
Request to join →