Campus Overview
As one of America’s oldest cities, Boston is home to the most prestigious universities—Harvard, MIT, Simmons and more! We leverage resources from top institutions to create an elite learning experience at multiple locations. Students will also hear from guest speakers and industry experts from Harvard. Boston is an idyllic place for Summer Springboard students to experience college life.
Early July: July 5–July 17, 2020
Late July: July 19–July 31, 2020
Residential Tuition: $4,998 USD
Extended Commuter Tuition: $3,398 USD
Commuter Tuition: $2,798 USD
-Ashley M.
-Avani P.
-Amy F.
Academic Courses
At Summer Springboard we believe learning should be inspiring and interactive. We have worked hard to design courses, field trips and guest lectures that reflect the resources of the Boston area. Whenever possible, classes are held outdoors, on-site or in a lab-type setting to allow students as many ’hands on’ opportunities as possible.
Each afternoon we break out into small groups based on your academic program. During this time, students will dive deep into a specific subject area with creative, dynamic instructors, engaging professors and professional experts. Field trips and guest speakers take the learning experience beyond the classroom and leverage all that Boston has to offer.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are hot topics in the world of cybersecurity today. A report from World Economic Forum (WEF) states that the growth of artificial intelligence could create 58 million net new jobs in the next few years!
Meet with experts in the artificial intelligence industry to learn more about majors and careers. Learn firsthand what it’s like to work in a world where machines can become reality. Excursions may include visits to companies utilizing AI for real world applications or research facilities pioneering undiscovered innovations in the Boston area.
Business & Entrepreneurship
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 at Boston (MIT) – Students will hear from Boston entrepreneurs working on their latest startup business. We will visit dynamic business incubators such as the MIT Delta V Accelerator where student entrepreneurs incubate before launching businesses in the real world. In addition, students tour the Cambridge Innovation Center, a center that fosters collaborative communities of entrepreneurs. Some of these entrepreneurs and business leaders will judge the students’ business plan pitches at the end of the program.
Genetics
Genetics – the study of genes, their functions, and their effects – is at the center of scientific advancement with exciting science, technology, and medical breakthroughs happening every day.
In this summer genetics course held at MIT, students will introduced to the fundamentals of genetics through a hands-on, integrated approach. From its origins to its modern day applications, genetics is a way to solve some of biology’s most complicated problems. Students will work together through a series of problem-based learning exercises to understand what genes are and how genetic information is translated into observed characteristics and traits in every life form, from bacteria to humans. Throughout the two week session, students will also work on a laboratory-based project to investigate genes of unknown function in budding yeast.
Laboratory modules will include in silico (computer simulation) and in vivo (in the organism) experimental techniques, providing a genuine research experience. Students will also visit a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company where career scientists share what they do and reflect upon their successes, failures and learnings.
Medicine
Our summer medical program for high school students in Boston will be taught by Dr. Enrique Valdespino, a Harvard trained instructor and Doctors Without Borders provider.
This program gives you a 360 degree view of the medical and healthcare field through immersive learning and hands-on projects. Excursions include the medical simulation center at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, a teaching hospital for Harvard University, as well as a visit Harvard Medical School.
Brigham & Women’s Hospital is a nationally-recognized teaching hospital, and has the charitable missions of furthering and improving patient care, undertaking biomedical research, and engaging in educational activities benefiting medical students, interns, residents, and other medical personnel. BWH, through its STRATUS Center for Medical Simulation conducts educational activities intended to improve the quality and delivery of healthcare utilizing simulation technology.
Psychology & Neuroscience
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 may include visits to local medical and research facilities in Boston.
Robotics
Throughout the two-week summer robotics program, students will work on several laboratory-based projects that focus on each subsection of the broad field of robotics. These projects will provide experience with system modeling, real-time control, embedded software, and more. At the end of the course, students will design and fabricate a working robotics system in a group-based course project which will combine all elements of the lab projects.
With the close proximity of MIT, Boston has become a hot spot for robot tech. There are numerous robotics companies in Boston that have a hand in innovating everything from agriculture to surgery. Excursions may include research facilities on the forefront of the latest technology innovations in Boston.
Activities & Trips
There is so much to do in Boston! The city is full of history, charm and endless attractions. Additional highlights include shopping at Quincy Market, walking the Freedom Trail, and exploring the interactive exhibits at top museums.
Boston, MA
There are over 50,000 students at the nearly 120 college and university campuses located within 25 miles of Boston. With it's rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and legacy of arts, culture, and education, Boston has something for everyone and you'll get a true sense of a college town.
Freedom Trail / Harvard Yard
Preserved and dedicated by the citizens of Boston in 1951, the Freedom Trail (a 2.5 mile long path through downtown Boston) is a unique collection of museums, churches, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond.
Six Flags New England
Six Flags New England has over 100 rides, shows, attractions and is home to New England’s largest water park, Hurricane Harbor. New in 2019, the park launched CYBORG™ a new indoor spinning dark ride!
Track-Specific Excursions
Each academic course may also take subject matter specific excursions to help round out the student experience. Excursions may include: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Partners In Health, Museum of Science in Boston, Suffolk County Superior Court, and more.
Student Life
8:00am
Breakfast
9:00am
Academic Course
12:30pm
Lunch
1:30pm
Recreational Activity or Academic Excursion
3:00pm
Enrichment Elective
5:00pm
Commuter Students Depart
6:00pm
Dinner
7:00pm
Evening Activities
8:00pm
Extended Commuter Students Depart
10:30pm
Check-In
Boston is known as a center of education and culture with a multitude of educational resources at your fingertips. No matter the course, you’ll experience a buzzing campus filled with fellow bright, ambitious, energetic students.
Housing
Students live at Simmons University. Students share a dorm room in Morse Hall with roommates and use a common bathroom. Floors are gender-segregated and rooms contain an extra-long twin size bed, desks, drawers, mirror and a closet.
Your Resident Advisor (RA) will live on your hall to create a community, provide support, plan activities and help you get the most out of your stay in Boston. Other members of the Summer Springboard staff also live on campus and are available to support students and tackle emergencies, 24 hours a day.
Security
All dormitories have 24-hour security and uses electronic keys to enter each building and dorm room. University security is on 24-hour patrol and available to any student that may need assistance during the Boston summer program for high school students.
Campus Director, Jake Friedman
Jake Friedman is a mathematics and economics teacher as well as the athletic director at Community Charter School of Cambridge in Massachusetts. Jake holds a Masters in Effective Teaching from Charles Sposato Graduate School of Education and a BA from Duke University.
Facilities
Your dormitory is part of a complex of buildings around a courtyard. Each building has laundry facilities, lounges and high speed wireless internet throughout.
The university is committed to providing a healthy, smoke-free environment for students, faculty and staff. Accordingly, no smoking is permitted in student rooms or inside buildings, including lounges and balconies.
Dining
Most meals on campus will be at the local dining hall, conveniently located near our dormitory. We can accommodate diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal, or specific food allergies.
Note: Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners. Universities and their affiliated departments are not responsible for the Summer Springboard program in any way.
