Lives Improve Through Engineering and Science 2026

LITES has built a reputation for providing high school students with immersive STEM experiences that inspire exploration, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving. The program was founded to address the historical underrepresentation of women in STEM fields and continues to create a supportive, confidence-building environment that many students and families seek for that very reason.

If you’ve ever wondered how engineers design airbags that prevent injuries or how biomedical breakthroughs help repair joints, limbs, and organs, LITES gives you the chance to explore these questions up close.

This immersive two-week residential experience at Kettering University invites students who will complete 11th grade by July 1, 2026, to step into the shoes of real engineers and scientists. Through hands-on labs and classes taught by our faculty, participants discover how STEM professionals solve human problems and improve lives every day. Along the way, students build meaningful relationships with mentors, role models, and peers in an intentionally designed environment that encourages exploration of STEM careers.

Many participants choose LITES specifically because it offers a learning community centered on supporting young women in engineering and science while remaining welcoming to all students who are excited to learn, explore, and grow.

During LITES, participants will:

• Investigate how engineers design and test airbags, child car seats, and crash-test dummies to keep people safe.
• Explore how biomedical engineers create durable replacements for joints, limbs, and organs.
• Take on environmental challenges using scientific and engineering principles.
• Experience the intersection of science and technology to understand how modern tools help solve crimes.
• Discover how science and engineering can reshape communities—and the world.
• Connect with like-minded peers who share a love for math, science, and innovation.
• Enjoy engaging social activities with mentors who support and encourage students throughout the program.

LITES isn’t just about learning—it’s about imagining your future, building confidence, and seeing firsthand how you can make a difference through engineering and science.