Summer 2023 Pre-College Programs

Biology: Genetics & Medicine

Program Length: One Week 

For millions of years, nature has shaped life on our planet by generating incredibly diverse genetic codes and specific information encoded in each species’ genomes. CRISPR/Cas9 - short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 - is the latest emerging revolutionizing gene-editing technology. It also has the potential to transform medicine, allowing it to correct genetically inherited defects that result in diseases such as sickle cell, hemophilia, and muscular dystrophy and develop more effective cancer treatments. In this program, students will learn how CRISPR works and use it for editing a gene in E. coli bacteria. Discussions will center on CRISPR-based applications and the ethics of using this dynamic tool. Modules may include virtual reality for gene editing, bioinformatics to design target sequences and the modeling of the CRISPR system.

Business Explorer

Program Length: One Week 

The Business Explorer is a one-week summer program that exposes students to business in a setting just minutes away from one of the business capitals of the world – New York City (NYC). During the week, professors from the School of Business provide students an overview of all the major business disciplines through interactive modules involving real business cases, integrative exercises, and the use of technologies in state-of-the-art business labs. Modules may include Marketing, Finance, Management, Ethics, Economics, Entrepreneurship and more.

Civil Engineering Design & Architecture

Program Length: One Week

With the passing of the bi-partisan infrastructure bill, the nation's transportation, energy, communications, and other infrastructure sectors are likely to see a boom in the coming years. The development of these systems is becoming more challenging because of increased population and urbanization, as well as the need to deliver them more safely and sustainably. This program provides and overview on the evaluation, design and construction phases of a project. Outputs will be designs drawings, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) credit scorecards, project cash flows and construction schedules.

Cybersecurity (Beginner)

Program Length: One Week 

As society becomes more digital, hacks and data breaches are becoming more prevalent. The need for data security has increased in all industries including medicine, banking, and homeland security. The demand for professionals with knowledge in the areas of information assurance and computer security continues to grow. Which means that the need for more professionally trained individuals to fight cybercrime, is essential. In this one-week introductory program, you will gain a basic understanding and knowledge of cybersecurity fundamentals and system security principles.

Cybersecurity (Advanced)

Program Length: One Week 

Cybersecurity is a high-growth field currently experiencing a demand far greater than the supply of trained professionals available. The evolution of cybersecurity is a continuous race between intruders and defenders. Both use the same programming methods, tools and resources either to create a smart malware or to develop intelligent protection mechanisms. Join us this summer and learn how to Hack and Secure a system!

A background in AP Computer Science or similar course work is required.

Data Science for Social Policy

Program Length: One Week

The emergence of digital technology has presented unique challenges to policymakers, courts, and citizens alike. The ever increasing threats to personal privacy, the economy, and even international relations require a new generation of leaders equipped to understand and respond to them in order to ensure the preservation of the core values of a democratic society. From cyberwarfare to addressing concerns about online racism and fake news, the need for timely and decisive action requires the collaboration of leaders in government, business, and technology. This course will explore these issues through a variety of hands-on activities, and will encourage students to think about how law, government, and technology affect their daily lives.

Exploring Career Options in Engineering and Science (ECOES)

Program Length: Two Weeks

So you've decided that you may want to study engineering and science when you enroll in college. The next step is determining which discipline you'd like to specialize in. The Stevens ECOES (Exploring Career Options in Engineering and Science) program is designed for students looking to explore a variety of options available to them in engineering and science. Modules may include: Biomedical engineering, Chemical engineering, Civil engineering, Computer engineering, Electrical engineering, Engineering management. Robotics, Mechanical engineering, Naval engineering, & Physics and optics.

Engineering Bootcamp

Program Length: One Week

This one-week crash course into various engineering disciplines will surely help you decide which option is a perfect fit for you. You will work closely with Stevens' expert faculty and collaborate with a group of peers to create your very own research project.  Modules may include: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Engineering Management, & Industrial & Systems Engineering.

Electronic Music Production

Program Length: One Week

This course is designed to teach the building blocks of contemporary music production. Classes will focus on working with Ableton, an industry standard Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), as well as Max/MSP, VCV Rack, and similar software. Students will learn foundational concepts and approaches to MIDI sequencing, sampling, synthesis and sound design, as well historic and creative context for these skills. Electronic Music Production will also cover the design of surround sound for 3D or virtual environments using WebVR, as well as the creation and presentation of electronic compositions using immersive online platforms. 

Foundations of Media Design

Program Length: One Week

Whether you dream of a creative career or not, in the information age, visual literacy is power. Through crafting a self-portrait in text and image, you’ll learn the design process, principles and elements of visual communication and the rudiments of digital production that will be useful throughout life. Modules include: composition, typography, illustration (drawing and photography), layout, and digital production. Participants will leave with a printed zine

Intermediate Computer Science

Program Length: Two Weeks 

If you are not new to computer science and are looking to expand upon pre-existing knowledge to better prepare you for college-level courses, look no further. This 2-week program and fresh series is jam-packed with accelerated modules such as algorithms, programming language design, scientific computing and much more to put you ahead of your peers.

A background in AP Computer Science or similar course work is required.

Introduction to Coding

Program Length: One Week 

Facebook, SnapChat, and Uber started with a great idea and someone with a knack for coding and design. If you have never coded before, our expert faculty members will help you gain an understanding of the basics needed to bring your ideas to life with the Python programming language. In this introductory course, you will get the chance to work both individually and in teams to solve problems and create a small project based off your ideas. Modules may include Installing and configuring Python, variables, operators, control structures, functions, built-in data structures, and more!

Introduction to Game Design

Program Length: Two Weeks 

Develop an original video game from start to finish in just two weeks! This interdisciplinary program allows you to merge art, design, play, storytelling and computer science. You will start by designing simple card and board games to understand how games work, then quickly progress to the Unity game engine where you will develop and program 2D games. You’ll also learn Javascript, some Photoshop and other additional software to develop games on your own.

Pre-Med Biomedical Engineering

Program Length: One Week

Biomedical engineering is the application of the principles and problem-solving techniques of engineering to biology and medicine. This is evident throughout healthcare, from diagnosis and analysis to treatment and recovery, and has entered the public conscience though the development of implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers and artificial hips, to more futuristic technologies such as stem cell engineering and the 3-D printing of biological organs. Over the course of the week students will have the opportunity to learn about career options available within the field of biomedical engineering, speak with industry professionals, use carious medical devices and learn how to analyze physiology data during labs, and learn about applying engineering principles to better healthcare and society.