FAQ >>

1. What is YEA (Youth Engineering Adventure)?
2. Who is sponsoring YEA?
3. Who is eligible to attend YEA?
4. Where and when will YEA be held?
5. Is YEA all work?
6. What is the cost to attend YEA?
7. How to apply?
8. How can I get more information?
9. Are there safety guidlines?
10. When will YEA release selection notifications?

What is YEA (Youth Engineering Adventure)?
YEA is a program that is designed to allow participants to have fun while learning about
engineering and is modeled after YBA (Youth Business Adventure). YBA has been held
annually since 1980 for South Dakota High School students between their junior and
senior years. YEA was started in 2001 with 40 student participants at SDSM&T. Check
out more details at http://yea.sdsmt.edu

Who is sponsoring YEA?
YEA is being sponsored by SDSU College of Engineering and by SDSM&T. Engineering
firms and industries that employ engineers are being contacted and will be asked to help
sponsor YEA.

Who is eligible to attend YEA?
Any student who has attended high school within the past year is eligible to submit an application

to attend YEA. Preference is given to students between their sophomore and junior years.

Students from all regions of the United States are welcome to apply.
Applications are available from SDSU, SDSM&T, and high school math and science teachers.

Where and when will YEA be held?
YEA at SDSM&T in Rapid City – June 21-26, 2009 (noon on Sunday through noon on Friday)
YEA at SDSU in Brookings – June 14-18, 2009 (noon on Sunday through noon on Thursday)

Is YEA all work?
YEA is a co-ed program that includes a variety of educational and social activities. One of
the important aspects of YEA will be to allow participants to meet and make new friends.
Students will be divided into approximately 10-member groups. Each student group will
work closely with an engineer. Activities will include speakers, panel discussions,
engineering design projects, tours, demonstrations, hands-on projects, group learning
experiences, and social functions.

What is the cost to attend YEA?
Students selected to attend YEA will be required to submit a $100 non-refundable,
registration fee. Participant expenses for food, lodging, materials, and activities will be
paid for by YEA. Participants will be responsible for travel expenses to and from YEA.

How to apply?
Students interested in applying must complete sections 1) and 2) of the application form
and have the school principal, guidance counselor, or a teacher (preferably one who teaches
mathematics or science) complete section 3) and return it to the address at the end of the
application form. Completed applications should be submitted by April 30, 2009.

Applications received beyond this date will be considered as long as room is available.

Enrollment is now closed. All who sent an application will receive a response.

Contact Information:

Program Safety Guidelines

Due to the number of students involved in Youth Engineering Adventure, you should be aware of staff expectations. This is a special program for special students. These guidelines are to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the YEA program by all participants. Please read them carefully so that you understand what will be expected of you as a program participant.

• Transportation to and from the program is the responsibility of the participants and their parents or guardians. Participants are expected to make travel arrangements well in advance of the program to ensure their timely arrival for registration.
• Dormitories will be supervised 24 hours a day. Participants will be required to comply with all dorm rules and cooperate with dorm counselors.
• Participants will be required to stay on campus from the time they register on Sunday until the time they check out on Friday. The only exception will be when on-site tours of local engineering firms are planned. Transportation will be provided for all participants.
• If participants bring their own car, cars must be parked in a designated lot and all car keys must be given to YEA staff for the length of the program.
• Because the program is vigorous, participants will be expected to observe a “lights out” policy each night at the specified time.
• Participants will be expected to participate in all YEA activities, beginning with Sunday’s registration and concluding with Friday’s adjournment.
• Absolutely no drugs (including tobacco and alcohol) are permitted.

You may download Program Safety Guidlines from this site in portable document format (PDF). To view PDF files, Adobe Acrobat Reader is required. It is available for free from adobe website. Download Acrobat Reader.

Selection Notification
Applicants selected for YEA participation will be notified by first week of May.