Mechanical Engineering. At KIT. Before University.
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A University Experience for Future Engineers
The CBS Summer School is designed for mature, independent high school students who want to experience university-level engineering.
The program combines lectures, workshops and excursions during the day. Please note that CBS does not provide 24-hour supervision, evening childcare or residential supervision.
Experience Engineering at KIT
At CBS Summer School, you won't just hear about engineering, you will work with it.
Through university-level lectures, hands-on workshops, team projects and excursions, you will explore how engineers turn complex problems into practical solutions.
Depending on the session, you may explore the following engineering topics:
Structures
Engineering
Production
Technologies
Sustainability provides a common thread throughout the CBS Summer School. Students explore how mechanical engineers can contribute to solutions in areas such as energy, mobility, production, infrastructure and resource efficiency. The aim is not to teach sustainability as a separate subject. It is to show students how engineering decisions have real-world consequences, and how future engineers can help shape the technologies and systems we will depend on.
Engineering does not just ask: Can we build it? It also asks: How can we build it better?
Program content varies by session and instructor availability.
Previous and planned topics include:
Compare the Programs
Both formats include university-level lectures, hands-on engineering activities, projects, excursions and an international student experience at KIT.
Karlsruhe: At the Heart of an Engineering Region
Engineering at CBS Summer School does not stop at the classroom door. Karlsruhe connects research, technology and industry, giving students the opportunity to see where engineering happens in the real world.
Excursions and destinations vary by session and are subject to availability.
Planning Your Stay
Is Housing Included, or Can Rooms Be Booked in Campus Dorms?
No, housing is not included. The CBS Academy is an academic program - not a supervised vacation camp - and takes place during the semester, when campus dorms are fully booked. Students are responsible for arranging their own accommodations, and families should note that 24-hour supervision is not provided. To assist, we provide a curated list of nearby hotels offering discounts for Academy participants. Additionally, a WhatsApp group will be created for students who wish to join, allowing them to connect and coordinate housing arrangements together.
Can 15-year-olds attend?
Yes! Students who are 15 are welcome to join the program, provided they are accompanied by a legal adult guardian. The guardian will supervise during evenings and overnight hours when the program is not in session, ensuring a safe and supportive experience while still allowing students to fully enjoy the Academy’s activities.
What is the difference between the One- and the Two-Week Program?
One-Week Program: Exploring Sustainable Solutions - CBS Summer School in Mechanical Engineering for High School Innovators
The one-week program offers an intensive, hands-on introduction to engineering, designed for students who want to dive straight into the action. Participants enjoy full days packed with interactive workshops, stimulating lectures, and excursion highlights that showcase real-world applications of engineering. They get a concentrated experience of mechanical engineering in action — from exploring how structures are designed and vehicles engineered, to understanding sustainable solutions in energy and mobility — all while collaborating in teams and connecting theory to practice. This format is ideal for students seeking a high-impact, immersive taste of engineering in a compact timeframe.
Engineering in Depth: CBS Extended Summer School for High School Innovators
The CBS Extended Summer School invites high school students aged 16 and older to immerse themselves in a two-week journey that blends engineering exploration with cultural discovery. Designed for those who wish to go beyond an introduction and take more time to connect, reflect, and deepen their understanding, this program unfolds at a more deliberate pace while offering expanded opportunities for engagement.
In addition to the hands-on workshops and lectures aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals that define our one-week programs, participants in the extended track benefit from:
- Additional engineering-focused excursions to leading research facilities and industry sites, bringing theory to life through direct encounters with cutting-edge practice.
- Enriched cultural highlights, including a visit to Heidelberg and the renowned Das Fest (a quintessential KIT student tradition) in Karlsruhe, fostering international friendship and cultural exchange.
- Time for reflection and collaboration, allowing participants to build stronger peer networks, develop more substantial projects, and experience campus life more fully.
By combining academic rigor with cultural immersion, the two-week program provides a uniquely holistic experience -- ideal for students who want to not only explore engineering but also live it in context.
The CBS College Program is a core part of the student experience at Carl Benz School of Engineering. See how we can shape your student experience with our services included in our College Program.
Why the College Program is the right choice
The Carl Benz School's campus is directly located in the center of Karlsruhe. It offers modern educational spaces as well as high standard accommodation to provide the perfect living and study environment for CBS students.
Explore the CBS Campus
CBS offers high school graduates the unique opportunity to study internationally renowned German Engineering in English. The 3-years bachelor's program aims to prepare future engineers for a successful career.
Learn more about our Bachelor Program