Engineering & Science Track

Throughout the course, students will work on hands-on projects designed to reinforce their understanding of advanced topics. Whether it’s building encryption tools, experimenting with machine learning algorithms, or designing logical circuits, each project will give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge to practical tasks. In addition, the course will feature challenges that encourage collaboration, creative thinking, and problem-solving in real-world scenarios.

Our Aerospace Engineering program offers students the chance to understand the physics and dynamics of air and spacecraft using basic orbital mechanics. Students will participate in hands-on design challenges, ultimately building and launching their own glider or rocket.

"Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are hot topics in the world of computing 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.

Some Knowledge of Python or Java needed."

Do you have a passion for artificial intelligence, technology, and problem-solving? Are you curious about how AI can be used to improve communication, creativity, and productivity? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming our digital interactions. AI prompts, which generate written text, images, and videos, are powerful tools for content creation. This course equips students with the knowledge and expertise to craft and refine AI prompts. They’ll learn how to harness these prompts to produce creative and captivating content. Hands-on experience with AI tools and team collaboration will enable students to develop their own AI prompt projects. The course also explores the diverse applications of AI prompt engineering in digital media, marketing, entertainment, and education.

Do you have a strong curiosity about how the universe was
formed and what secrets it holds? Our Astrophysics
program offers you the opportunity to explore one of the
most intriguing and expansive fields of science. Over two
weeks, you'll dive into the fascinating world of astrophysics, gaining a strong foundation in key concepts, participating in hands-on projects, and discovering the limitless wonders of the universe. The course aims to foster a deep understanding of our universe and encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Have you ever wondered why people behave and act the way they do? Does the nature vs nurture conversation intrigue you? Are you fascinated by a person who can be highly detailed and organized in work but struggles to clean their personal space? Or perhaps wonder why some excel at test taking without trying or others lack discipline despite their best efforts? Are you curious about your physical reaction to a smell or taste?

Welcome to the world of behavioral neuroscience, or biological psychology; the study of the various ways the brain and neural pathways impact behavior as well as how behavior impacts the brain.

Do you love engineering, computers and also life sciences? Are you interested in diagnosing and designing devices to diagnose and treat diseases? The Summer Springboard Biomedical Engineering course exposes students to the basics of a career in one of the hottest engineering fields today.

This is a unique opportunity for high school students to gain real exposure and hands-on experience working in a biotechnology lab utilizing state-of-the-art equipment. The goal of this program is to provide students intensive laboratory skills experience, 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.

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.

Spend most of the first week learning the fundamentals of Python programming, control flow, loops, functions, basic data structures, and get an introduction to libraries. The exercises and tutorials quickly help students build capacity with coding, abstraction, algorithms and data management within a program.

The second week dives into a little more advanced Python concepts including, object-oriented programming and the use of libraries, such as pandas and NumPy. Throughout the course, students will be working on a final project that allows them to apply their skills and knowledge in a hands-on and experiential manner.

Whether students are curious about doing crime scene investigations or want to be a forensic pathologist, this course will help them sharpen their investigative and observational skills and review a range of scientific concepts.

Do you wonder how computer hackers gain access to your bank accounts and personal information? Students are introduced to various concepts in security, including malware, Internet security, cyber terrorism and fraud, firewalls, privacy, policies/procedures, and legal and regulatory aspects of cybersecurity. Students learn about the various paths to a cyber security career – engineering vs. policy and learn to become “ethical hackers” in this exciting field.

This course will introduce students to 3D CAD design and fast prototyping using a 3D printer. 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.

Did you know that data scientists hold some of the highest-paying jobs for students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in the United States? With the booming influence of data science and machine learning more job roles and opportunities are available in this industry than ever before. From improving decision making processes to releasing innovations, data has become essential to the success of nearly every industry.

In this program, students will cover a wide range of topics from Python basics to advanced concepts like neural networks and deep learning. Students will also have an opportunity to practice their learning by applying their knowledge through projects and exercises using real-world datasets. They will gain experience with popular data science and machine learning libraries such as pandas, scikit-learn, and TensorFlow. Students will also have discussions on the ethical implications of data science and artificial intelligence to prepare them to be responsible practitioners in the field.

Our program in Environmental Studies offers an interdisciplinary look at issues pertaining to ecology and sustainability, without focusing on the scientific side. The focus is on the impact of humans on environmental issues and encourages students to gain a broader understanding of how the multitude of issues that affect our environment.

This course, held on the MIT campus, with Prof. Dan Frey, an MIT professor of Mechanical Engineering. This program is tailored for high school students eager to explore multiple aspects of engineering. This engaging experience has no prerequisites, making it accessible for freshmen while still offering valuable challenges for seniors, as project decisions will influence task complexity. The teaching philosophy encourages students to independently build on their understanding of physics and mathematics through the creation of practical artifacts. There will be an integrated project that weaves together many smaller projects to ultimately build and fly a radio-controlled model aircraft. This will link physics, structures, fluid dynamics, controls, and electrical power systems This course promises to ignite students' passion for engineering and equip them with essential skills for their future academic pursuits.

This engineering summer program for high school students doesn’t just tackle engineering and science fundamentals, it also challenges students to think critically and creatively about how to design innovative solutions to complex problems. We will explore facets of mechanical, structural, civil, and biomedical engineering in a hands-on, minds-on approach.

This course, held on the MIT campus, allows students hands-on learning opportunites with one of MIT's top engineering instructors. The course offers our students visits to some of the most important engineering labs and research centers in the world!

Learn about Fundamentals of Engineering through hands-on projects and simulations in various engineering fields (mechanical, electrical, computer/programing, aero-astro, civil) from seasoned Instructors

Technology is highly integrated in our daily lives that learning to code can benefit for college, a future career, and beyond. It's a great time to begin learning and building coding skills. Whether students are interested in 3D modeling, gameplay programming or level design, they can expand their project's portfolio, gain exposure to critical game industry insights, and connect with talented peers and mentors. Coding plays a fundamental role in our daily lives and allows for incredible advancements in medicine, exploring space, environmental conservation, and much more! What more fun way than applying this knowledge towards the process of creating a video game?

Roughly 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by our oceans, of which more than 80% remain unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored. There is a vast and diverse amount of marine life and ecosystems found in our oceans – those both discovered and researched, and those still wading in the depths. Summer Springboard’s course in Marine Science and Ecology will offer students the opportunity to explore these various marine life and ecosystems. Students will explore select marine life, learn about the different habitats they live in and the ways their ecosystems interact, study various threats facing our oceans and marine life today, and hear from leading experts in the field.

Study the ocean environment including the various types of marine ecosystems and diverse marine life found within.
• Develop skills to monitor and assess the health and biodiversity of marine ecosystems, including sampling methods, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Learn about various human and natural factors threatening our oceans and marine life today, as well as current and prospective conservation efforts.
"
"Roughly 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by our oceans, of which more than 80% remain unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored. There is a vast and diverse amount of marine life and ecosystems found in our oceans – those both discovered and researched, and those still wading in the depths. Summer Springboard’s course in Marine Science and Ecology will offer students the opportunity to explore these various marine life and ecosystems. Students will explore select marine life, learn about the different habitats they live in and the ways their ecosystems interact, study various threats facing our oceans and marine life today, and hear from leading experts in the field.

Explore the dynamic and versatile field of Mechanical Engineering in the heart of Michigan, a state renowned for its auto manufacturing industry, heavily reliant on mechanical engineers for the design and production of automobiles and auto parts. Join our two-week program at The University of Michigan, renowned for hosting one of the world's top mechanical engineering programs, and immerse yourself in the realm of engineering, innovation, and problem-solving.

Are you wondering what it takes to become a software engineer? This long standing career path has not only been considered a top career for the past 20 years, but it continues to grow, adapt, and refine itself to our ever changing world. You can explore your options and sharpen your skills in this Open Source Software Engineering course that is derived from an onboarding session for
entry-level collegiate new hires.

Have you ever wondered how the medications we take are developed and what processes ensure their safety and effectiveness? Our Pharmaceutical Sciences course offers you the opportunity to explore one of the most dynamic and impactful fields in healthcare. Over the session, students will dive into the fascinating world of pharmaceutical sciences, gaining a strong foundation in key concepts, participating in hands-on projects, and discovering the limitless potential of this vital discipline.

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.

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.

Extended Reality (XR) is no longer science fiction - it’s quickly becoming part of our modern day reality, with diverse applications across an array of industries. An umbrella term, Extended Reality (XR) encapsulates Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and everything in between. Extended Reality (XR) technology creates an immersive experience that can be used to explore an environment that helps to educate and entertain the end user. While its applications in the gaming industry may primarily come to mind when people think about XR, its applications have been expanding in recent years to the healthcare, education, entertainment, and automotive industries - among many others - with more to come. As XR is continuing to become more present in our daily and professional lives, the job market is only increasing its demand for its varied development and design skills. There's no better time to start preparing for this inflection point than with Summer Springboard’s Extended Reality (XR) course on the campus of UCSD.

Step into the shoes of UX designers to solve a challenge in just five days! Using the design sprint framework, students will explore the fundamentals of creating digital experiences and learn about the foundation of UX principles, gaining practical skills in prototyping, and conduct user research. By the end of the two weeks, you will have a solution suitable for your design portfolio.

This course explores the development of websites in a client-based scenario. Students will use a variety of web development production tools and processes, following the best practices in the industry, to build websites that are accessible, user-friendly, and responsive for usability on different devices. Group and individual activities will guide the exploration process, and students will exhibit learned skills through developing their own basic
website in which they will upload files and generate a URL for sharing with others."