I imagine most engineering programs offer some sort of “introduction to engineering” course or courses during freshman year. I recall the one I took had overviews of the various fields during lecture, and also featured a group design project. No idea what they do now. But the content, emphasis and effectiveness of these courses probably varies considerably. Not just institutionally, but depending on who specifically is teaching it.
Also IMO in some cases the learning value from such design project might be tempered to an extent by the fact that freshmen don’t know anything yet. I would think that the overview lectures highlighting the various sub-disciplines and activities of the broader engineering field might be equally or more important, at this stage. At least at those schools where students haven’t already elected, and been admitted directly into, a specific engineering sub-discipline from the get-go. Probably a mix is best. At schools with direct admission into a sub-discipline I guess the design component could be more prominent and emphasized. Because for them overview is less pertinent because they’ve already selected a sub-discipline from the get-go.
But how this is handled might well vary considerably, and is legitimately something one can investigate and review, and develop preferences about, during the college hunt.
But in any event keep in mind this is just one or two courses. At a pivotal time perhaps. But a school could have a great intro engineering sequence, but then very few upper level courses in the subdisciplines. Or interests can change for other reasons. I recall a relative of mine had a great freshman engineering group design project. Despite it having absolutely nothing to do with chemical engineering, it did not dampen his interest in the field at all. But what did was later on, when he struggled through organic chemistry and some of the other core courses.