Youth Engineers Initiative
Empowering the next
generation of leaders.
One student at a time.
Equipping Youth to Design the Future
At the Youth Engineers Initiative, we believe every student has the potential to change the world. Through hands-on engineering workshops, mentorship, and real-world challenges, we teach creativity and problem-solving to the next generation of innovators.
The people who bring our
mission to life
Meet our team
Chris Longo
Founder, President
Liam Hong
Founder, President
Tony Lin
Founder, President
Zack Longo
Founder, President
Leo Lin
Founder, President
Hunter Highland
Vice-President
School Chapters
Youth Engineers Initiative School Chapters are independent, volunteer-led organizations that act as sub-branches of the Youth Engineers Initiative. As part of our mission to inspire the next generation of engineers, the Youth Engineers Initiative will help to support efforts to create these chapters.
Existing Chapters
Please check if your school already has a chapter. The Youth Engineers Initiative School Chapters for the 2025–2026 school year are at the following schools (more to come):
Sage Hill School
Newport Beach, CA
Tompkins High School
Fort Bend County, TX
Dana Hills High School
Dana Point, CA
Start Your Own Chapter
If you are a high school student and are interested in starting a Youth Engineers Initiative School Chapter, please read the following instruction manual.
Why Start a Chapter?
Leadership Experience
By starting a Youth Engineers Initiative School Chapter, students will gain leadership experience in outreach to after-school programs, organizing meetings, and running a team.
Volunteer Opportunities
By hosting local workshops to teach engineering to middle school kids, students can earn service learning hours.
Existing Framework
To support ambitious students in starting a chapter, our program offers an extensive workshop curriculum, templates for social media posts, and outreach emails to help make a lasting impact on your community.
Join the Community of Mentors
Ambitious students starting a chapter will gain access to an exclusive community of fellow Youth Engineers Initiative chapter leaders across the nation. This network of mentors will help support the formation of new chapters.
Workshops
Youth Engineers Initiative workshops introduce students to engineering through hands-on projects, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. Every workshop is designed to make STEM engaging, accessible, and memorable.
What Is A Workshop?
Workshops are guided engineering experiences where students learn by building, testing, and improving designs. Students gain exposure to engineering principles while developing creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.
Our Curriculum
All YEI workshops are supported by structured lesson plans and educational resources that can be used by students, teachers, and organizations.
Interested In Hosting A Workshop?
We partner with schools, camps, community centers, and youth organizations to bring engineering workshops directly to students.
Projects
Student-led engineering projects that extend learning beyond the workshop environment.
Go-Kart Project
The YEI Go-Kart Project gives students experience with mechanical design, fabrication, electronics, testing, and project management. Use this section to document progress, milestones, and photos.
Drone Project
An upcoming project focused on drone design, flight systems, electronics, and engineering applications. Updates and development progress can be showcased here.
Events
Stay updated with upcoming workshops, chapter activities, outreach opportunities, and community events.
Upcoming Events Calendar
For more details on upcoming events or to submit an event for inclusion, please contact us at youthengineersinitiative@gmail.com
Curriculum
Hold a Youth Engineers Initiative workshop from your own home or learn engineering fundamentals with the official project slideshows linked below.
Wind Turbine
Wind turbines are a powerful source of renewable energy. Learn how to create and test your own model of one! For Educators, this is a great resource for renewable energy. Learn the fundamentals of our earthquake-resistant engineering here.
LINK
Truss Bridges
The bridges we drive over every day are carefully designed with engineering principles in mind: design a truss bridge today!
LINK
Earthquake Tower
Earthquakes are a significant problem worldwide, and real-world engineers have to design around them: learn the fundamentals of earthquake-resilient engineering here!
LINK
Balloon Drop
A classic physics-class project, the balloon drop explores the principles behind the parachutes that keep us safe.
LINK
Financial Literacy Economics
Being financially literate is vital for anybody in our modern-day society, especially for engineers: learn the basics with this course!
LINK
Empowering the next
generation of leaders.
One student at a time
Our Purpose
Many students lack early access to hands-on engineering experiences, leaving them unaware of their potential in STEM. This gap limits creative exploration and problem-solving at a critical age.
Youth Engineers Initiative exists to build creative confidence and fill the gap in early STEM education through engaging, hands-on workshops that inspire curiosity and empower the next generation of innovators.
How we make it happen
Workshops
Hands-on learning in collaborative spaces where students build and experiment.
Mentorship
Guidance from aspiring engineers and innovators.
Real World Projects
Applying engineering skills in real-world problem-solving contexts.
By the Numbers
Year Established
2025
Leaders & Mentors
20+
Students Engaged
~200
Our Partners
Real Stories, Real Change
"The program is incredibly well structured for middle schoolers. It challenges them at the right level and builds both their skills and their confidence."
— Anonymous Parent
"I never thought I was a science or math person until I joined YEI. Now I look forward to every single workshop."
— Anonymous Student
"Building real projects with my hands taught me more than I expected. YEI showed me that engineering is something I can actually do."
— Anonymous Student
News
Latest updates from Youth Engineers Initiative.
Featured Article
June, 2026
YEI and YMCA Launch Summer Engineering Camp for Junior High Students
Building on their existing partnership, Youth Engineers Initiative and the YMCA are launching an engineering camp for junior high students this summer. Campers will get hands-on experience with YEI's workshop curriculum — building wind turbines, designing truss bridges, and tackling real engineering challenges in a fun, collaborative environment. Beyond the camp, YEI is also making significant internal progress: the Sage Hill chapter is expanding its member base, new curriculum modules are in development, and the organization is laying the groundwork for launching additional school chapters in the fall. This summer marks a turning point for YEI as it grows from a single school club into a broader community program with real reach.
All News Articles
June, 2026
By Chris Longo
YEI and YMCA Launch Summer Engineering Camp for Junior High Students
February, 2026
By Leo Lin
Students Build a Fully Functional Go-Kart From the Ground Up
June, 2025
By Leo Lin
Youth Engineers Initiative Officially Launches
Media Gallery
Photos and videos from our resources and chapters.
Partner With Us
We collaborate with schools, educators, and organizations to run hands-on STEM workshops, support student programs, and expand engineering education opportunities. If you’re a student interested in getting involved with our program — whether by starting a chapter or exploring other opportunities — click here to get started.
We'd Love to Hear From You!
Whether you're a student, educator, or organization — we'd love to connect with you. If you’re a student interested in getting involved with our program — whether by starting a chapter or exploring other opportunities — click here to get started.