Summer Springboard
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
ON THE CAMPUS OF CAL POLY SLO
COMBINE INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS FOR A TANGIBLE IMPACT ON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship @ Cal Poly SLO
- Collaborate with the California Milk Advisory Board to create a real product innovation.
- Develop your idea from concept to consumer-ready product in a team of 3–4 students.
- Tour the Cal Poly Creamery and Dairy Innovation Center to learn about product development.
- Experience the entire innovation process—from ideation through formulation to feedback.
- Pitch a polished elevator presentation to industry judges in a Shark‑Tank style showcase.
- Earn a certificate of achievement at program completion.
Summer Springboard
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
About This Course
The Innovation & Entrepreneurship program at Cal Poly SLO offers high school students a two‑week immersive experience in creating real-world innovations for the dairy industry.
Students form small teams and work with the California Milk Advisory Board to identify challenges, conduct product research, and develop consumer-ready solutions. Along the way, participants visit the Cal Poly Creamery and Dairy Innovation Center to see how products are developed and tested.
The curriculum emphasizes an end-to-end entrepreneurial process where students iterate ideas, receive sponsor feedback, and refine their work. The experience concludes with teams pitching their final product concepts to industry professionals in a Shark‑Tank style showcase.
Students graduate with teamwork, communication, design thinking, and entrepreneurial skills plus a certificate recognizing their achievement
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Teams apply creative problem solving by designing, formulating, and iterating a dairy product in collaboration with a real-world industry sponsor.
Career Exploration
Participants meet with industry professionals from the California Milk Advisory Board and visit innovation facilities to learn about product development, careers in food science, and entrepreneurship.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“I was hesitant to come all the way from the other side of the country, but there has been absolutely no regret. I saw sights that I would not have seen without Summer Springboard and also made friends from all over California and beyond who have been amazing.”
– Jason K.| Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Schroeter is a Professor in the Agribusiness Department at Cal Poly. With a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University, her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Dissertation Award. Dr. Schroeter’s research has appeared in prestigious journals like the Journal of Health Economics, and she’s known for her inspiring teaching style. As the first Faculty Fellow at Cal Poly’s Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE), she encourages students to explore entrepreneurship.
Recognized for her excellence in teaching, she has received awards from various national and international organizations. In her class on Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Agriculture, Dr. Schroeter guides students to bridge theory and practice, emphasizing customer development and connecting them to CIE innovation programs. Beyond her academic pursuits, Dr. Schroeter enjoys quality time with her family on the Central Coast and traveling. She’s also a fitness enthusiast, teaching classes at the Cal Poly Rec Center and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
DR. CHRISTINE SCHROETER
“I really enjoyed the program! It really pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me good insight on college life. Coming here made me want to go to Cal Poly even more so I’m glad we got advice on getting in!”
– Chloe H. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 21 – July 3, 2026 |
| Session 2: July 5 – July 17, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $5,298 |
| Commuter Tuition: $2,998 |
| Course Supplement: $250 |
Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: San Luis Obispo |
| State: California |
| Campus: Cal Poly SLO |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.