The University of Washington's Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) regularly works with regional K-12 schools on activities designed to engage pre-college students and their teachers in the field of human-centered design.
Contact HCDE Outreach
Are you interested in arranging a visit with HCDE's outreach team or representatives from the department? Submit an inquiry via our Google Form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
HCDE Outreach Initiatives
K-12 Outreach Workshops
HCDE students lead hands-on design workshops in K-12 schools and community colleges that include students from underrepresented and resource constrained groups in the greater Seattle area. If you are interested in arranging a visit from the HCDE outreach team, please let us know in this contact form.
Undergraduate Research
DUB is a grassroots alliance of faculty, students, researchers, and industry partners interested in Human Computer Interaction & Design at UW. The DUB Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) is a summer program that supports the recruitment and participation of REU students in research projects directed by UW faculty. In addition to hand-on research experience, undergraduate students in the program receive opportunities to learn through interactions with other students in their cohorts and weekly mentoring seminars. View the Summer 2024 DUB REU program information.
Undergraduate Information Sessions
HCDE academic advisors occasionally host information sessions for high school students interested in the Bachelor of Science in HCDE. View scheduled events on our information session calendar, or use our contact form if you would like to arrange a session for students in your program.
Research Talks
HCDE faculty and PhD students occasionally present their research in the community. If you would like to arrange a session for your students or community, please fill out our contact form.
Engineering Discovery Days
Every April, elementary through high school students visit the UW campus to explore interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and UW Engineering labs. High school students and families can attend sessions about admissions, financial aid, engineering programs, and university life.
Alternative Spring Break
In partnership with the University of Washington's Pipeline Project, HCDE organizes students to participate in an Alternative Spring Break experience, bringing Human Centered Design & Engineering workshops to rural communities in Washington state. View a video about the inaugural HCDE Alternative Spring Break.
HCDE outreach videos
HCDE outreach articles
Human-Centered Design Charettes for K-12 Outreach, article by Elena Agapie and Andrew Davidson, Interactions
The State of K–12 HCDE Outreach in the Design Charrette Program, article by 2020 HCDE K-12 Outreach Research Team
