University of Washington

Seattle is a wonderful place to launch into the field of Aerospace Engineering due to the Boeing presence in the city, the city’s vast research and innovation, and aerospace manufacturing being the state’s largest export. Join Summer Springboard at University of Washington to learn about the growing field which welcomes numerous academic paths and job opportunities. Throughout the course, students will explore and unpack various aspects of aerospace engineering, including the history of flight, flights mechanics, system engineering, principles of effective design for aircraft and spacecraft, propulsions systems, aircraft performance, and more. Students will understand the key differences between aeronautical and astronautical engineering and use basic orbital mechanics. Students will participate in hands-on practical activities based on the topics they are learning, including designing and manipulating their own basic glider airplane or rocket to test certain flight maneuvers/concepts, and perform within certain parameters.

Previous foundational knowledge in the following classes is either recommended (R) or strongly recommended (SR), but not required: algebra (R), geometry (R), trigonometry (SR), calculus (SR), and physics 1 and 2 (SR).

Guest Speakers and Excursions: Students will have the chance to visit companies or organizations in the aerospace engineering industry, as well as hear from experienced professionals in the field. Although this is a first year program, previous students in the course have heard from guest speakers affiliated with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, The Aerospace Corporation, and more.

The UW Foster School of Business High School Program is a two-week immersive experience designed for rising high school juniors and seniors. Taught by UW Foster Faculty, the program topics are carefully designed to provide essential critical thinking skills in a short amount of time, culminating in a team-based case competition. Through this systematic approach, students will learn important written, oral, interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills that could be applied to various challenges in their college lives and future careers.

This program offers:

•Academic Rigor: Classroom learning led by Foster faculty, culminating in a case competition.
•College Preparation: Workshops, activities, and excursions focused on critical thinking, collaboration, and readiness for college life.
•Collaborative Partnership: Combining the academic excellence of UW Foster with the operational expertise of Summer Springboard (SSB).

More on the Case Competition:

At the end of the two weeks, students will apply concepts learned throughout the program by participating in a case competition, just like our undergrad and MBA students at UW Foster do.

During this team-based project, students will tackle a real-world business problem from an iconic global coffee company headquartered in Seattle. They will learn to ideate multiple solutions as a group, weigh the pros and cons of each idea collaboratively and constructively, use critical thinking to select the best option, and make a persuasive presentation to a panel of experts. Students will also watch their peers’ presentations to learn how different teams approach the same situation, expanding their perspectives on problem-solving strategies.

Students will develop leadership skills as they examine business problems, share their ideas with peers, work effectively in teams, propose well-reasoned solutions, and deliver presentations with confidence—all skills that will help them in their future endeavors. As a bonus, students will go behind the scenes of the featured company during one of the included excursions!

Upon completion, students will receive a Letter of Participation from their instructor and a completion certificate.

Seattle’s economic and cultural ties to global initiatives make it the perfect setting to explore foreign affairs. Through interactive discussions and a group project, students will develop key skills in public speaking, decision-making, and negotiation. In Summer Springboard’s first year of the Foreign Affairs course, students tackled complex topics like NATO, the refugee crisis, and geopolitical tensions in a simulated negotiation.

This course provides a broad perspective on international relations, global challenges, and career paths in diplomacy, policy, and global governance. Students will engage with real-world scenarios, gain a foundational understanding of international relations and key stakeholders, and explore pressing issues like human rights and climate change. Students are guided through a dynamic curriculum led by Gael Tarleton, a foreign affairs expert and public servant. By the end, students will be equipped with the skills and confidence to analyze, negotiate, and address complex global issues.

There are no prerequisites required for this course.

Guest Speakers and Excursions: Students will have the chance to visit companies or organizations in the Foreign Affairs industry, as well as hear from experienced professionals in the field.

Seattle is a vibrant hub for creativity and innovation, making it an ideal place to launch into the field of Graphic Design. Join Summer Springboard at the University of Washington to explore this dynamic discipline, which is needed in any field. Design plays an integral part of many aspects of modern life including business, marketing, communication, and user experience.

Students will leave the course with new hard skills, knowing how to use different applications and create designs, and with new soft skills, including creativity, adaptability, and attention to detail. Students will explore concepts such as color theory, typography, and visual storytelling. The combined skills and foundations learned will make students stronger designers and be able to apply their skills in personal and school projects.

There are no prerequisites or required portfolios for this course.

Guest Speakers and Excursions: Students will have the chance to visit companies or organizations in the graphic design industry, as well as hear from experienced professionals in the field.

Seattle is a hub for pharmaceutical innovation, home to cutting-edge research and groundbreaking advancements in drug development. This pilot Summer Springboard course is perfect for students passionate about the future of medicine and fascinated by the science behind it. Have you ever wondered how the medications we take are developed and what processes ensure their safety and effectiveness? Our Pharmaceutical Sciences course offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the most dynamic and impactful fields in healthcare.

Throughout the session, students will dive into the fascinating world of pharmaceutical sciences, building a strong foundation in key concepts, engaging in hands-on projects, and discovering the endless academic and professional paths within the field. This course covers essential aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. Students will participate in group work, case studies, and discussions with industry professionals, gaining real-world insights into the challenges and innovations shaping modern medicine. Whether you aspire to a career in research, clinical practice, or pharmaceutical development, this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in the field.

There are no prerequisites required for this course.

Guest Speakers and Excursions: Students will have the chance to visit companies, labs, or departments in the Pharmaceutical Sciences industry, as well as hear from experienced professionals in the field.

Studying Psychology and Neuroscience in Seattle offers a unique opportunity to explore the complexities of human behavior in a city at the forefront of psychological and neurological research. Nothing is more intriguing than understanding ourselves and each other. How do people work? How do I work? In this immersive course, students will explore these fundamental questions through the lens of psychological science.

Students will gain hands-on experience in understanding social dynamics, emotions, personality, mental illness, beliefs, neuroscience, and the relationship between the mind, brain, and body. Students will develop their own psychological theory, design and run an experiment, and present their findings. Engaging in psychology simulations, brain dissections, and workshops, students will actively investigate how the brain shapes behavior. With guidance from instructor Dr. Kevan Kidder, student will uncover the mysteries of the mind.

There are no prerequisites required for this course.

Guest Speakers and Excursions: Students will have the opportunity to visit the Allen Institute in Seattle, a world-renowned research center, as well as the labs at the University of Washington, where they will learn about the brain and cutting-edge neuroscience technologies.