Career Discovery in

Electrical Engineering

This program delivers expert instruction in the core principles of electrical engineering, integrating conceptual lectures with applied, project-based learning to develop technical proficiency and strengthen problem-solving capabilities.

Overview

The Electrical Engineering Discovery Program at St. Theodore Academy is a two-week, in-person learning experience designed for students and professionals eager to explore the foundations of electrical engineering. The program offers a practical and intellectually engaging introduction to the systems and technologies that power the modern world.

Through a carefully structured curriculum, students learn core concepts such as circuits, power flow, sensors, and embedded systems. Daily instruction combines theory with hands-on experimentation, encouraging participants to think critically and solve real-world problems through design, testing, and iteration.

Led by a field expert and supported by guest professionals, the program fosters both technical proficiency and creative confidence. Participants complete the program with a portfolio of applied work, a certificate of completion, and a clearer path toward further study or career exploration in engineering and technology.

Program Summary

  • 3 weeks, in person format in Dhermi, AL

  • Audience ages 18 to mid-career professionals

  • Introduction to architecture design discipline

  • Fabrication and physical model making focus

  • Instruction by Johns Hopkins Master’s graduate.

Who Attends

Who Attends

St. Theodore Academy’s Electrical Engineering Discovery Program is designed for intellectually curious individuals from a wide range of backgrounds who are eager to explore the fundamentals of electrical engineering in a hands-on, immersive setting. Participants typically include:

  • High school graduates and college students considering a future in engineering, technology, or applied sciences

  • Recent graduates exploring options for graduate study or technical careers

  • Young professionals and career changers seeking a structured introduction to electrical engineering concepts and practical skills

  • Designers, architects, and creatives interested in integrating electrical systems into their work or expanding their technical fluency

No prior experience in engineering is required. The program welcomes participants with a passion for learning, a curiosity about how things work, and a desire to engage with real-world problems through design and experimentation.

Please note: International participants must ensure they have the appropriate visa for travel and study in Albania, as St. Theodore Academy does not provide visa sponsorship.

Learning Format

Lab Experience & Format

St. Theodore Academy’s Electrical Engineering Discovery Program offers an intensive, hands-on learning experience rooted in the problem-solving nature of the discipline. Over the course of three weeks, participants are introduced to core principles of electrical engineering through a dynamic blend of interactive instruction, real-time experimentation, and project-based challenges.

Students explore foundational topics such as voltage, current, sensors, and microcontrollers, applying concepts through guided exercises that emphasize iteration, analysis, and creative thinking. The curriculum mirrors the structure and rigor of a first-year university engineering course, supported by personalized mentorship from experienced instructors and industry specialists.

This is an ideal environment for those who learn best by doing—and who are ready to be challenged and supported in equal measure.

Program Format

The curriculum is organized around a series of intensive, application-driven modules. Participants will:

  • Work closely with instructors and mentors to build functional prototypes

  • Engage in collaborative lab sessions focused on circuit design, prototyping, and testing

  • Develop core competencies in circuit design, coding, and physical assembly

  • Present their work in both informal reviews and a culminating project showcase

Accessibility

If you have a disability or medical condition requiring accommodations, please contact admissions@sttheodoresacademy.org at least two weeks before the program start date to ensure proper arrangements.

Faculty

  • Arion Kocani

    Architecture Program Director

    Founder of AKDW

    Harvard University

    Masters of Architecture

  • Nick Sicalides

    Engineering Program Director

    Johns Hopkins University

    Masters of Electrical Engineering

Schedule

Below is a sample schedule for the program. Most students work evenings and weekends in the studio.

Evaluation + Certification

Each successful Architecture Discovery Program participant receives a written evaluation from their instructor and a certificate of completion from St. Theodore Academy. While the academy does not offer undergraduate academic credit for this program, some colleges and universities may award credit for participation.

Requesting a Copy of Your Evaluation

Participants will receive a digital copy of their written evaluation after the program concludes.

Although we do not provide an official transcript for work completed in the program, we can issue a letter explaining the nature and rigor of the Architecture Discovery Program. If you would like to request this letter, please email [Insert Contact Email] with the following information:

  • Full Name

  • Email Address

  • Year Attended

  • Documents Requested: Written explanation of the program

  • Brief Description of how you intend to use these documents

This documentation can be useful for admissions committees, employers, or academic credit consideration at your home institution.

Program Fee + Financial Aid

Program Fee
The total program fee for the 3-week Career Discovery in Architecture program is $7,600 This fee covers all aspects of the program, including personalized instruction, course materials, practice tests, final evaluations, as well as housing and two meals per day for the duration of the program.

Additional Costs
There may be additional costs for optional activities or personal expenses during the program. Any extra charges will be communicated in advance. Depending on the activities you choose, this could be as much as an additional $600.

Payment Policy

A nonrefundable application fee of $50 must be paid in full with your application before the application deadline in order to be considered for admission to the program.

Financial Assistance

We offer financial aid based on various factors. If the applicant and/or their parents (if applicable) have a combined gross income exceeding $30,000, financial aid may not be awarded. However, we encourage all applicants to apply for financial assistance, as each case is reviewed individually.

To apply for financial aid, please submit a Financial Aid Application Form along with the required documentation by the application deadline. The form will be available within your program application.

Please Note: Financial aid is not subsidized and is available to U.S. citizens, Albanian Citizens, and permanent residents of Albania only. International students are not eligible for financial aid. Aid requests will only be considered once a completed program application has been submitted. Late applications will not be accepted.

Program Fee and Financial Aid FAQ

  • A. Yes. Further payment instructions will be provided in your admittance letter. Tuition payments must be completed online via the online system by the deadline of May 31, 2025.

  • A: Tax forms from parents are required for every applicant under the age of 20.

  • A: No. We are unable to waive the application fee.

  • A. No. Financial aid is available to U.S. citizens, Albanian citizens and permanent residents of Albania only. International students are not eligible to apply for financial aid.

  • A: Yes. The College Essay & SAT Prep program financial aid application form is part of the program’s online application. Once you indicate an interest in applying for aid, the aid application application form will appear for filling out. In order to apply for aid, submit this form and supporting documents online with the rest of your application by the application deadline.

  • A. College Essay & SAT Prep financial aid funds are need-based awards, which means that funding is based on the financial situation of the student. Financial aid takes into account many factors; however, as a guide, if the applicant’s and parents’ (if appropriate) combined adjusted gross income exceeds $30,000, an aid award is unlikely.

  • A: Yes, you need to complete the College Essay & SAT Prep online application in order to access the financial aid application form. We advise submitting the financial aid application form prior to receiving your admissions decision letter.

  • A: Yes, we will notify all aid applicants of their admission along with their aid award by email according to the program schedule on this site.

  • A: We cannot accept applications for financial aid beyond the program application deadline.

  • A: Awards only apply towards tuition and possible support for a computer device. Aid for College Essay & SAT Prep does not cover housing.

Accommodation & Dining

Participants will stay in comfortable, shared accommodations for the duration of the 3-week Career Discovery in Architecture Program. Accommodation is included in the program fee and is conveniently located near the learning facilities, offering a safe and structured environment for students.

Room Arrangements

  • Students will be housed in shared rooms with other program participants.

  • Rooms are furnished with essential amenities, including beds, desks, and storage space.

  • Housing assignments will be made based on availability and roommate preferences submitted during registration.

Meals & Dining

  • The program fee includes two meals per day (breakfast and dinner).

  • Meals are provided in a communal dining area with a variety of nutritious options.

  • Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice.

Supervision & Safety

  • Staff and program coordinators will be present on-site to ensure student safety and well-being.

  • Housing facilities have designated quiet hours to maintain a focused study environment.

  • Students are expected to adhere to the program’s housing policies, which will be provided upon acceptance.

Apply

To apply for the 3-week Career Discovery in Architecture summer program, please submit the following required materials along with your online application form:

  • Application Fee: A non-refundable $50 application fee is due upon application submission.

  • Statement of Intent: Please tell us (in 250 words or less) what you hope to achieve by attending this summer program.

  • Personal Essay: Submit an essay (500 words or less) discussing a significant experience or challenge you’ve faced.

  • Resume or CV (PDF): which includes the following information: employment; education; extra-curricular academic and community activities (note whether an office held was elected or appointed); honors; awards; professional registration; professional societies; publications; avocations; hobbies; travel.

  • Academic Transcripts (upload scanned copy, does not need to be official)

    Transcripts should be submitted with the program application from all academic institutions from which the applicant has received high school credit or above. The transcript must include a complete record of courses taken and examinations taken, grades received and degrees and dates of degrees received. Transcripts should be clear and legible when uploaded. Both official and unofficial copies are accepted at the time of application; however, official transcripts may be required upon acceptance. If the transcript is not in English, a certified English translation must be provided. If the school does not issue official transcripts, a certified letter from the institution must be submitted, detailing courses taken, grades earned, and the expected or completed graduation date.

  • Financial Aid Application (optional U.S. or AL applicants only)

Application Deadlines

Applications and application fees are due by the program application deadline. Early completion of the application and application fee are encouraged! Please see below for the detailed deadlines for the upcoming program cycle.

* Contact St. Theodore Admissions to cancel your enrollment by this date to receive a full (100%) refund of the $7,600 program fee.

**Contact St. Theodore Admissions to cancel your enrollment by this date to receive a partial (50%) refund of the program fee (amounting to $3,800).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A: Admissions and aid decisions will be emailed to you by June 6th, 2025.

  • A: No, the summer program does not grant deferrals. If you are admitted but unable to attend, you would need to reapply in another year.

  • A: No. Any former applicant wishing to reapply to a St. Theodore’s summer program must resubmit all forms and documentation.

  • A: Applicants must be at least 15 years old. A high level of academic skill is necessary to take full advantage of our rigorous program.

  • A: A valid visa for entry within AL is required to be supplied by international citizenship participants of the program. St. Theodore will not sponsor new visas for enrollment in this program.

  • A. Transcripts should be submitted electronically through the online application. Applicants should scan a copy of their transcript(s) and upload these documents into the online application. During the application process, it is not necessary to send and official transcript.

  • A: Scanned transcripts can be unofficial or official. If we need further information, we may ask for an official transcript to be sent to our office for review.

  • A: Please contact the admissions office by emailing us at

    admissions@sttheodoresacademy.org

  • A: Students in the 3-week summer program are housed in comfortable, shared accommodations located near the program's learning facilities. The housing is included in the program fee and provides a safe and supportive environment. There are no traditional dorms, but the living arrangements are designed to offer a comfortable and community-focused experience. Students will share rooms with other participants, and housing assignments will be made based on availability and preferences submitted during registration.

  • A. To request a copy of your evaluation please follow the instructions here: