Looking for a summer experience that is more than just a camp? The ACE Composites Bootcamp at Winona State University gives participants the chance to experience college life, explore a highly specialized engineering and manufacturing field, and learn in a hands-on environment alongside university faculty and industry-connected partners.

This week-long bootcamp introduces participants to composite materials such as carbon fiber and fiberglass and shows how those materials are used in advanced manufacturing. Program materials describe hands-on experience with industry equipment, an ACE Composites certification, and the opportunity to make carbon fiber and fiberglass composites to take home. The program also includes free on-campus housing and food, with a stated value of $2,500.

Participants do more than observe — they make. Winona State’s ACE bootcamp was designed so participants experience multiple manufacturing processes, create a project connected to automotive applications, stay on campus for the week, and take home something they built themselves. The featured project is a composite car built through a variety of processes, followed by assembly, customization, trial runs, and a final race day competition.

This experience is especially valuable for students because it offers a chance to spend time on a college campus, learn from professors, and explore a respected program area in a real-world setting. It is a strong fit for students who are curious about engineering, manufacturing, materials science, or other technical career pathways and want to better understand what college-level learning in this field can look like.

Participants will also gain exposure to several manufacturing methods used in industry. Program materials highlight processes including hand layup, injection molding, infusion, compression molding, thermoforming, and resin casting.

Who Should Attend
This opportunity is open to participants age 17 and older and is a strong fit for:
1. High school students, especially those who have completed junior or senior year
2. College students looking to build skills and strengthen their resume
3. Graduate students seeking more exposure to advanced technology
4. Teachers seeking STEM training and professional development
5. Industry professionals interested in understanding composite manufacturing processes

Participants will:
1. Explore advanced manufacturing and composite materials in a hands-on setting
2. Work with industry-relevant tools, materials, and equipment
3. Learn directly from Winona State faculty and industry-connected partners
4. Build, assemble, customize, and race a composite car
5. Take home a completed project
6. Gain exposure to college campus life and technical learning environments
7. Earn an ACE Composites credential
8. Build confidence in engineering, manufacturing, and technical problem-solving

Why Attend?
This is a unique opportunity to explore an in-demand field through real, project-based learning. Participants are not just sitting through presentations — they are actively making, testing, and learning. For students and families, it is also a meaningful way to visit a college campus, connect learning to career possibilities, and better understand pathways in engineering and advanced manufacturing.

Important Details
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Age 17 and older
Includes: Free on-campus housing and meals
Travel: Travel costs are not covered
Format: Week-long summer bootcamp
Credential: ACE Composites certification / badge
Project: Participants build and take home a composite project

Ready to build something real this summer?
Join the ACE Composites Bootcamp at Winona State University and experience advanced manufacturing, college life, and engineering career exploration firsthand.