Berkeley

Are you considering a career in architecture or design? Are you working on your college application and portfolio? Or are you simply curious about what it is like to be an architect?
The Summer Springboard architecture course for high school students introduces architectural ideas, design principles, and methods of exploring problems of the built environment in a collaborative studio setting. While working on a design project you will learn about the academic path to an architectural degree, the day-to-day work of an architect, and the career opportunities.

Excursions – Students in this program have had the opportunity to visit some of San Francisco’s top architectural firms including: Studio Sarah Wilmer, Aidlin Darling Design, and Studio O+A. Students have also had the opportunity to explore the concept of mimetic design with a culminating project that was set in the natural beauty of Inspiration Point in the Tilden Regional Park.

Are you interested in medicine, science and technology? Is your goal to create a life saving drug? This is a unique opportunity for high school students to gain real exposure and hands-on experience working in a state-of-the-art science lab utilizing advanced equipment. The goal of this program is to provide students intensive laboratory experience relevant to the biotechnology field, and to understand fundamental chemical processes common in prokaryotic and eukaryotic biology, and classical and molecular genetics with an emphasis on gene expression and genetic engineering. 

Students will learn firsthand from business veterans about starting and running a business. Over the course of the program, they will develop a plan for a new venture and pitch their idea to real world investors. Along the way, meet with leaders from different areas of business and finance.

Excursions – Last summer in Berkeley, students had the opportunity to visit Bay Area businesses like Netflix, Autodesk Gallery, Maker Nexus, Planet Renu, Shuggie’s Trash Pie, and Pet Experts. Students were also treated to an inspiring and informative career panel of CEOs, producers, and entrepreneur consultants who provided invaluable insights on the journey to becoming an entrepreneur in a wide variety of industries.

According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, chemical engineering is poised for faster than average growth. Chemical engineering integrates and synthesizes knowledge from multiple disciplines like chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and engineering to solve complex problems in a broad array of industries such as, energy, environment, and consumer products. For this reason, students interested in pursuing this field are actively sought by industrial enterprises, governmental agencies, and academic institutions. Students in this program will explore the complex processes involved with chemical transformations and separations. They will evaluate chemical reactions, process design, energy systems, and environmental engineering. Through a blend of lectures, hands-on experiments, industry visits and/or a guest speaker, and team-based projects, students will gain insight into this exciting field of study.

This program challenges students to think critically and creatively about today’s most pressing technology-related questions. Students will be exposed to the whole cycle of product development from database architecture and APIs to debugging. The curriculum is tailor-made to the skills of each individual student so beginner, intermediate, and advanced students are all welcome.

Excursions – Last year, students got the opportunity to visit technology companies such as Thunkable and Google Geo Education. Thunkable staff members described their scholastic and career journeys and the different responsibilities that they have with the team. Nearly all of the employees are graduate and undergraduate students at MIT and worked on the original MIT App Inventor project. Students also got a behind the scenes tour of Google, where they heard an insightful talk from the Google Earth Education Team.

This course will introduce students to 3D CAD design and fast prototyping using a 3D printer that they will make to take home with them. Students will learn how to design products using Autodesk Fusion360 and then build a Creality Ender Pro V2 3D printer. They will also learn how to use the 3D printer for fast prototyping, review, and improvements of their designs. The course will cover the principles of 3D CAD design, including design methodology, geometric modeling, and assembly modeling. Students will also learn the fundamentals of 3D printing, including how to select and maintain a 3D printer, materials, and printing techniques.

The Ecology & Environmental Science course integrates knowledge and methodologies from various biophysical and social science disciplines to understand and address complex environmental issues. With the recognition that environmental science is inherently interdisciplinary, the course will draw upon biology, chemistry, physics, and ecology, as well as psychology, communications, education, economics, and policy studies to understand humanity’s impact on the environment and the complexity that goes into developing truly sustainable solutions. This interdisciplinary approach is crucial for comprehensively studying and tackling the intricate web of interconnected environmental challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, which require a holistic understanding that transcends the boundaries of individual scientific fields.

Discover how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions about the use of scarce resources in a world of unlimited wants and needs, and what implications economic issues can cause, such as tax and inflation, interest rates and wealth, inequality and emerging markets, and energy and the environment. The Economics course will provide the structure required to understand the way our world operates, from the choices we make in our everyday lives to how businesses or governments achieve their desired objectives.

Our summer medical program for high school students gives you a 360 degree view of the medical and healthcare field, as well as immersive learning through hands-on projects and simulations.

Excursions – In past years, students went to the KANBAR Simulation Center, which supports UCSF’s educational mission of teaching, learning, and assessment through simulation recreating routine and complex situations. Additionally, students received a behind the scenes tour of Berkeley Fire Department #3 and met with their EMT staff who shared about career opportunities in emergency response and provided a tour of an ambulance. All of the students also complete the requirements to receive their Red Cross Adult & Child CPR certification.

Engineering is one of the top desired careers in many companies. These businesses are always in need of creative minds that can problem solve on their feet and help the company save money, solve issues, and expand their reach. If you are considering a career in Engineering, this course will help you explore what it takes to be an engineer. We will explore facets of mechanical, structural, civil, and electrical engineering in a hands-on, minds-on approach.

Excursions – Students in this program have visited Circuit Launch, an innovative shared electronic and prototype lab, woodshop and additive manufacturing facility, the Chabot Space Center/NASA Ames Visitor Center, and Intel headquarters.

Nursing is the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most respected of all healthcare professions. Nursing employment is expected to increase by 9% by 2030, post-pandemic, progressively more students have been considering this career path. Nurses are responsible for providing primary health care and specialty services to individuals, families, and communities. Discover the diverse career opportunities and what a day in the life of a nurse looks like. During the program, students will learn the fundamental concepts of caring and gain an interesting perspective on how patient care is provided.

Does your budding physician have an interest in diagnosing, treating, and caring for adolescents, children, and infants? Pediatricians are trained to diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries for children from infancy to young adulthood. While they perform many similar tasks to that of a general physician, pediatricians are specially trained in diagnosing and treating problems specific to young patients. In this program, students will explore the specialty field of pediatric medicine. They will practice conducting patient physcial examinations, triaging pediatric emergency and hospital medicine cases, taking patient histories, and get infant and adolescent CPR/AED certified.

Quantum computing is going to revolutionize the field of technology over the next decade. What is quantum computing? It is a rapidly-emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that are too complex for classical computers. The tools being used in this field were just imagination three decades ago. Superconducting quantum processors are being designed by companies like IBM to build superconducting quantum processors that will supply quantum computing speed and capacity that will change the world. This course will help prepare the next generation of students with the quantum knowledge and skills. This course will introduce key quantum computing concepts, like superposition and entanglement. Students will also explore quantum phenomena and applications. They will learn from curriculum designed by leading experts in academia and the quantum computing industry.

Are you considering a future in medicine, but unsure about your specific path? Dive into an engaging program designed to help you explore the diverse options within the medical field. Throughout this course, students will gain firsthand exposure to a range of medical specialties, including cardiology, radiology, orthopedics, and more. You’ll also hear about the intricacies of entering medical school, preparing for entrance exams, planning your medical residency, and the vital role of scientific inquiry and curiosity in your journey to becoming a medical professional. Interact with experienced doctors, medical students, and residents while immersing yourself in the multifaceted world of medicine.

Through psychology simulations and hands-on neurology workshops, you will explore the relationships between the brain and human behavior. Whether you are interested in the physical aspect of the brain and central nervous system or more intrigued by human behavior and thought processes, connect with professionals that have a background in both psychology and neuroscience. 

Excursions – students will visit the Coginitive Psychophysiology Lab at SFSU, and hear from a distinguished guest speaker in the psychology profession.

This intensive robotics program offers students a well-rounded introduction to robotics, covering everything from basic electronics and programming to advanced topics like computer vision and artificial intelligence. The program will also include meeting with professionals in the robust robotics industry in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, giving students real-world exposure to robotics applications. Each day of the program builds upon the previous one, starting with foundational concepts and progressing to more complex topics. Students will have a series of hands on projects that are integrated throughout the course to reinforce learning and further develop practical skills.

Students in this program will be introduced to the creative world of architecture through the lens of Berkeley’s rich architectural tapestry, where every building students may visit tells a story. Your budding architect will explore fundamental design principles, sustainability concepts, and the interplay between buildings and community. Armed with sketchpad and pencil, students will be challenged with a design project of their own creation while spending time in the field learning basic field drawing and quick sketching. Students will develop their spatial thinking, creative problem-solving skills, and their understanding of the built environment around them. This program caters to students with varying design abilities, fostering a supportive environment where each student can grow and express their unique architectural vision.

Student tuition supplement will cover the cost of learning materials that include drafting equipment, sketchbooks, and sketching supplies (for them to keep).

Students in this program will become part of a new company they devise and will work in teams on various aspects of the new business. The program culminates in a Shark Tank-style pitch presentation with industry veterans as their potential mock investors.

Journey through the cosmos in this program that explores the wonders of astronomy and develops an understanding of our solar system. The program integrates mathematics, physics, and planetary geology while students learn about orbital mechanics, study astronomical distances, and investigate the conditions necessary for extraterrestrial life. Young astronomers will strengthen their scientific reasoning through studies of plantary atmospheres, meteor composition, and the effects of solar wind on our planet’s magnetic field. Come learn about space exploration and astronomical phenomena through curated activities and a visit to the local planetarium and NASA Ames Visitor Center.

This program provides middle school students interested in pursuing medicine with real hands-on experience where they can build a set of medical skills at an early age.

Imagine being able to set a splint, stop a bleed, and perform CPR as a middle school student! Students will learn medical techniques through age-appropriate simulations and guided lessons. In addition, they’ll work with small groups to research a patient’s history and symptoms, create a diagnosis based on findings, and develop a treatment plan.

Excursions – All students visit the UCSF KANBAR simulation center for hands-on practice in stitching, suturing, intubation, and BLS skills led by leading medical trainers. In addition to being CPR certified, students in this program have also had either the opportunity to meet the Emergency Response team at Berkeley Fire Dept #3 for an ambulance tour or have access to an Anatomage Table, the most technologically advanced 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tool for anatomy and physiology education.

This program is a jam-packed week for middle school students interested in being introduced to the field of psychology. This program offers students who are interested in pursuing a career in psychology and neuroscience an exploration of how psychologists study and understand how people work. Students will explore social dynamics, emotions, personality, the nature of beliefs and the relationship between the mind, brain and body.