Chess teaches critical thinking and problem solving, giving students the mental discipline needed to succeed in school and in life. Studies have shown that chess helps kids to improve their math and reading skills. Spend a week learning chess from instructors who are seasoned tournament competitors. The summer Chess Academy teaches students of all different skill levels. If you are new to the game, you will learn the rules, but players of all levels will learn new openings, strategy, tactics, and endgames; study master chess champions' games; and play many games against students of similar ability. This course is open to beginner, intermediate, and advanced players wanting to take their game to the next level. Instruction will be differentiated for the different levels as needed, and there will be two instructional staff members in the classroom to make sure that all players receive the attention they need.
- Complete Chess Academy - Attend at least 3 workshops
Information technology security is a constantly evolving field that most people do not fully understand. Since networked technologies have become integral to our lives, we all need to know how to protect our devices and networks. It is common to read about cybersecurity and data breaches almost every day. Google, Uber, Target, and government agencies are constantly under threat. Students in Introduction to Cybersecurity 1 participate in exciting hands-on activities in ethical hacking, digital forensics, and open-source investigation led by top industry experts. In addition to gaining an understanding of industry requirements, students explore the variety of career options available in cybersecurity.
- Complete Cybersecurity 1. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
A website's main elements, such as text and images, are structured using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). CSS is used for styling, and JavaScript is used for interactive features. With this course, students will learn to build a mobile-friendly, responsive website from scratch, an essential skill for any aspiring developer. This course will cover HTML, CSS, and Javascript for developing website front- and backends. By the end of the week, students will have the tools necessary to build their own websites and be competitive in their field!
- Complete HTML Web Development. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Exploring the challenges of modern cybersecurity builds on what students learn in Cyber 1. This course explores the challenges that programmers are faced with in a rapidly changing, highly volatile environment. This hands-on course challenges students to apply what they have learned into practical applications.
- Complete Cybersecurity 1. - Complete Cybersecurity 2. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Deepen your understanding, competencies, and skills with this weeklong course in cybersecurity. Advanced Cybersecurity students will have a command of web application security, exploitation, and cryptography. Completion of Cyber 1 or 2 is required, and programming experience in C++, Java, Javascript, Python and/or PHP is highly recommended as prerequisites to this next-level course.
- Complete Cybersecurity 1. - Complete Cybersecurity 2. - Complete Cybersecurity 3. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
What comes to your mind when you hear Japanese culture? Origami? Tea ceremony? Kendo? Anime? Manga? J-pop? Whatever came to your mind, you are in the right place! Japanese culture is mixed with long lasting traditions and new concepts. This course introduces the students to both traditional culture and pop-culture in one week. We plan to cover the following topics, 1) origami, 2) calligraphy, #) flower arrangement, 4) manga, anime and game and 5) pop music. A class structure consists of lectures and hands-on activities for each topic.
- Complete The Japanese Cultural Experience. - Attend at least 3 workshops
Data Science is currently one of the fastest growing fields in the world. Employers want to make evidence based decisions which requires data manipulation and analysis. Many high schools have not made or are not equipped to handle this transition towards data science. UMBC's Data Science Academy curriculum was created to spark an interest in high school students who want to learn more about this expanding field. The data science program is an overview to topics discussed in introductory data science and statistics courses. This program was designed to provide students with exposure to a wide variety of topics that will prepare them for AP Statistics course, elements of a high school programming course and a college level data science course. This program gives students an edge with critical skills that colleges and employers see as essential in almost every math, science, computer and engineering field. In Data Science I students develop the ability to mine, manipulate and visualize data. Learn how to extract data from websites such as Wikipedia, GitHub and other data science websites. Data Science I is the corner stone of the Data Science Academy program because it gives students the ability to not only acquire the basics within R but also have the skills to advance to the subsequent courses in the program. Student will be able to see more connections to the real world through the lens of data science and statistics skills. Learn the foundational concepts and principles of statistics and data science: Extracting data from various websites and sources - Manipulating data in multiple formats - Visualizing data - Have fun learning to use R the premier statistical programming language used in many industries such as finance, healthcare, and social media. - Learn different ways of data management within R using top tier techniques. Explore high interest, youth centric, data sets to answer any number of questions. Who is the greatest basketball player of all time? How many gamers are there in the US and what are the most popular games? What impacts do social media have on culture? What factors influence the miles per gallon (fuel efficiency) of a car? Which aspects influence students to attend one college over another? The class will be able to access countless data sets based on what the students themselves deem interesting when in the class. Past classes have used data sets that include: - Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant (GOAT) - Gaming in US - Social Media - Fuel Economy - College Admissions - Many more program is especially important for students that need to see application in order for them to comprehend the concept. There are many hands on examples i.e. from building a web application to visualize complex datasets to web scraping data from Wikipedia. These courses will help students that find math or programming intimidating or difficult because data science is a gateway to these subjects. With everyone playing catch-up, students will be more competitive for college and advance high school courses than their peers with this data science program. Data science connects to any field (i.e. biology, journalism, economics) which make it a practical skill for any student to acquire while in high school.
- Complete Data Science I. - Attend at least 3 workshops
As we move into the twenty-first century, the need for workers with advanced understanding, experience, and communication in data science is vital. In the second course of data science, you will acquire many relevant data science skills by creating an elaborate data story. Through this process you will learn to create and interpret advanced visualizations as well as understand the importance of color schemas and develop the ability to recognize misleading graphics. This course will also provide you with the basics of database management skills, more specifically, the capacity to join, concatenate, and query data established on SQL functions that were developed in R. You will also have the opportunity to create many R-Shinys (an interactive web application within R) to tell a story by constructing various dynamic visualizations that are controlled by widgets and toggles. The ability to inform an audience the ins and outs of a dataset through tables and visualizations in a story-like manner is an invaluable skill regardless of anticipated major or discipline. This ability will allow you to explain your completed work in this course as well as future projects in an eloquent but straight-forward way on college applications and to future employers. What will be covered? - Manipulation - SQL within R functionalities - Develop R-Shiny (Web Applications) - Story Telling with Visualizations and more variables Program Design: Students must have taken Data Science I before progressing to Data Science II. Data Science I is the corner stone of the Data Science Academy program because it gives students the ability to not only acquire the basics within R and R Studio, but also have the skills to advance to the subsequent courses in the program. Student will be able to see more connections to the real world through the lens of data science and statistics skills."
- Complete Data Science I. - Complete Data Science II. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Electrical Engineering: Optical Effects Around Us
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Optics in engineering are used every day in grocery stores, airports, cameras, wearable tech, cars, and homes. How does light interact with matter? What is the source of color? What is the difference between coherent and incoherent light? This course will answer these questions and many more. Optical effects from the electrical engineering perspective are rooted in physics, and this class will spark your curiosity and appetite to learn more about the concepts of Optics. The course will be an experiential learning platform, provide insight and offer a practical introduction of how to appreciate the numerous applications of optics around you. Students will learn and appreciate: - Some of the optical effects applications around us, like scanners at the shopping mall, airports, homes, and cars - The difference between coherent and incoherent lights - Components used in optical experiments, like Laser, amplifiers, mirrors, beam splitters, photodetectors, half-wave plates, Optical spectrum analyzers, IRIS, and many more. - Day visit to a real optical training lab and observe essential safety measures in operating a laser system - Hands-on demonstration of some cool optical experiments, e.g. nanostructure behaviors under laser lights - Opportunity to meet an expert and a legend in optics
- Complete Electrical Engineering: Optical Effects Around Us. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Entrepreneurship: Financial Literacy badge image
This financial literacy class focused on personal finance and entrepreneurship. This class will examine the basics of financial literacy and each student will create their own personal budget, a critical skill for teens earning their first paychecks. They will also get to learn about entrepreneurship as they create and present their own business plans. Students taking this course will further their knowledge of financial literacy, explore and grow their mathematical and critical-thinking skills, while having fun. Students enrolled in this class will leave with valuable skills they'll directly be able to apply to their lives.
- Complete Entrepreneurship: Financial Literacy. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Want to become an Ethical Hacker? Learn to hack like a black hat and secure like a white hat hacker. Ethical hacking is a practice of detecting vulnerabilities in an application, system, or organization's infrastructure and bypassing system security to identify potential data breaches and threats in a network. This beginner-friendly course acts as a launch pad for your cybersecurity career and aims to walk you through the basic concepts of ethical hacking.This 15hr course is specially curated for students to enhance their knowledge of real cyber threats and other vital aspects of hacking, defending themselves in today's advanced Digital World. This course comprises the latest methodologies of ethical hacking and system penetration, giving a hands-on experience to the students on the latest hacking tools, techniques, and real-time case studies, which makes the student feel like a cyber ninja. Topics covered during this course are: - Linux fundamentals - Information gathering and footprinting - Email Attacks, Phishing, and how to protect yourself - Basics of Network Security - Web Application Security - Wireless Attacks and Security - Mobile Attacks and Security Students are encouraged to bring a personal laptop or Chromebook to build their own "ethical hacking machine". If this is not possible, UMBC will have devices for you to use during class.
- Complete Ethical Hacking. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
What do barking dogs, biological weapons, experimental surgeries, and access ramps all have in common? They all present moral difficulties of just the sort that people have been trying to solve for thousands of years. Ethics Bowl is a type of value-driven debate that is meant to provide practice wrestling with just such questions. In this session, students will learn (1) How to think about morals in the abstract, (2) how to apply moral reasoning to particular cases, and (3) how to present conclusions effectively. Students will do drills and play games designed to build confidence in the basics of public speaking. They will work with members of the Ethics Bowl team to develop an understanding of and appreciation for moral theory. They will work with each other in small groups to apply these larger principles to specific cases. Finally, on the last day of class, there will be a formal, judged debate that parents can come watch.
- Complete Ethics Bowl. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Transform your passion for art and gaming into new tech skills while you create your own video game. Building new computer games takes cooperation between lots of different people with different skills. In this week-long course, you'll find out what it's like working as an artist in a game development team together with programmers to build your own game. Experience the process of building a game from a design thinking perspective. Using digital art, students will bring to life their game characters, background and story. This truly unique course, brings together the artist in collaboration with a group of game programmers working concurrently in the GAMING DESIGN FOR PROGRAMMERS course.
- Complete Gaming Design For Artist. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Stock Market: Financial Literacy And Investment Strategy
Stock Market: Financial Literacy And Investment Strategy badge image
Students get a chance to try their own hand at what it's like investing money. Students will increase their knowledge of financial literacy by examining investment strategies and advanced stock market topics such as option trading. Students role up their sleeves and jump right in, as they take part in a stock market game competition. To make the competition even more fun, the winners of the stock market game will earn Amazon gift cards! Students taking this course will further their knowledge of financial literacy, explore and grow their mathematical and critical-thinking skills, while having fun. If you are interested in learning how the stock market works, how to develop a sound budget, and how to make your money grow, this course is for you.
- Complete Stock Market: Financial Literacy And Investment Strategy. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Mechanical Engineering: The Magic Of Fluids
The Magic of Fluids is a unique one-week academic summer program on fluid mechanics for junior and senior high school students who have a thirst for knowledge and love to learn by doing. Not only will you be exposed to state-of-the-art research and facilities in the Computational Mechanics Laboratory, but you will also learn foundational science of fluid mechanics, and gain hands-on experience with computational and experimental fluid dynamics. By the end of the week, students will understand how fluid science and technology is being used for the betterment of humankind on a variety of platforms and applications. This workshop will broaden understanding, spark new interest in STEM fields and equip you with critical skills for success in your future studies. Students should have a fundamental knowledge of calculus and physics.
- Complete Mechanical Engineering: The Magic Of Fluids. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Metaverse, Wearable Tech & Entrepreneurship
Metaverse, Wearable Tech & Entrepreneurship badge
What do the human body, music, and video games have in common? Wearable Technology. Students will have the opportunity to explore innovations from the realm of virtual reality and haptics while developing innovative ideas of their own. The world is constantly changing, especially in the midst of a pandemic, yet those influencing it the most are tech innovators of the world. Students will not only redefine themselves as innovators but future entrepreneurs with a plan. Each day, students will be exposed to the world of entrepreneurship, meet real innovators who have created businesses, and participate in hands-on lessons where they develop a wearable tech product, business plan, and report their learnings. A class kit will assist students with developing a prototype that will be shared at the end of the week. Skills and knowledge gained: - The power of wearable technology and how it's redefining the tech field with the onset of Web 3 - Hands on development activities for gaming, Metaverse world building and wearables hardware - How to turn a simple idea in to a prototype - How to identify target customers in a global marketplace - The power of a business plan - How to pitch an innovative idea - How to partner successfully with students from different backgrounds - An understanding of why tech entrepreneurs and wearable technology is critical to solving the world's problems.
- Complete Metaverse, Wearable Tech & Entrepreneurship. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Mock Trial is a collaborative activity where students portray the attorneys and witnesses in a real court case. Participants will step into the shoes of real attorneys by learning how to present speeches to a jury, examine witnesses, and argue rules to a judge. If you love to debate or argue, if you think you want to go to law school, or if you're looking to grow your public speaking skills, Mock Trial is the perfect activity for you. This course will focus on teaching the basics of Mock Trial, and then will cover more advanced skills. At the end of the week, students will participate in a real Mock Trial round judged by lawyers and college Mock Trial competitors. The course will be led by students and coaches of UMBC Mock Trial, the 2021 College Mock Trial National Champions. The course instructors will teach skills like how to present a persuasive argument, how to read and analyze a case, and how to examine witnesses. This course will be hands-on and will involve speaking in front of the class and presenting your examinations and arguments in front of others. Current MYLAW members are encouraged to apply, and high school students of all experience levels are welcome.
- Complete Mock Trial. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
This class focuses on the fundamentals of vocal instruction and technique. Whether you are an aspiring virtuoso or a novice trying to find your singing voice, this program provides an engaging and rewarding musical experience that will expand student's horizons. Students will receive group voice work in a master repertoire class with students of similar experience and skill, individualized coaching, music theory and sight reading instruction. Course Objectives: - Become familiar with your vocal instrument - Develop practice skills for the development of a proper singing technique - Develop an appreciation of your own performing as well as others - Exposure to various vocal styles through open recitals and recordings Course Goals: Students to acquire and assimilate a singing technique through developing: - Correct posture and breathing - Healthy tone production - Correct diction and articulation - Rudimentary musicianship skills including melodic notation and its application to the keyboard - Expressive interpretation of folk songs, arts songs, and musical theatre songs - Stage presence, poise and personal motivation Students receive their tutelage from UMBC music faculty member Janice Jackson, Director of the Jubilee Singers, and UMBC Choir. Singers of all proficiency levels are invited to join us for this fun weeklong summer experience dedicated to their musical enrichment and growth.
- Complete Vocals I Beginners/Intermediate. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
This class focuses on the maturing vocal students interested in the honing and strengthening of their vocal instrument through an intensive week long program of instruction. This program provides an engaging and rewarding musical experience that will push students and help them reach their full potential. Students will receive group voice work in a master repertoire class with students of similar experience and skill, individualized coaching, music theory and sight reading instruction. Course Objectives: - Become familiar with the full range of your vocal instrument - Acquire advanced practice skills for the development of a proper singing technique - Develop an appreciation of your performing strengths - Learn to critically listen to other distinguished voices - Exposure to various vocal styles through open recitals and recordings Course Goals: Students to acquire and assimilate a singing technique through developing: - Correct posture and breathing - Healthy tone production - Correct diction and articulation - Musicianship skills including melodic notation and its application to the keyboard - Expressive interpretation of folk songs, arts songs, and musical theatre songs - Stage presence, poise and personal motivation Students receive their tutelage from UMBC music faculty member Janice Jackson, Director of the Jubilee Singers, and UMBC Choir. Singers of all proficiency levels are invited to join us for this fun weeklong summer experience dedicated to their musical enrichment and growth. Daily practice of 30 minutes or more outside of the class is critical to ensure success.
- Complete Vocals II Intermediate/Advanced. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
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Did you know that UMBC has one of the top 5 debate teams in the country? Learn the art of persuasion and how to craft a winning argument. This session will explore debate strategies and techniques. Have a fantastic time arguing, discussing current events and engaging in spirited debates over all kinds of topics. Through preparation of arguments, learn the art of persuasion, practice research skills and develop the ability to think like a historian. Students will explore topics of debate including gun control, immigration, limits to the freedom of speech, American foreign relations, and other topics related to political current events. There will also be a student-choice debate which is a lot of fun. Get ready to take a side, build your argument and persuade everyone why they should agree with your position. Open to all levels of skill and experience.
- Complete Political Debate & Current Events. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
UMBC SAT Prep Class offers serious preparation for these high-stakes undergraduate admissions tests. All of our SAT Prep Class options include expert instruction, a proven format, all required course materials, access to diagnostic exams, and online support resources in one convenient, affordable package. SAT Prep Classes Offer: Expert Instructors: Our test-preparation instructors are highly trained professionals. Our experienced instructors know the SAT and care about helping you achieve your goal. Proven Strategies: The UMBC curriculum was developed by test-prep experts, who have years of experience writing exam questions and preparing students for success. Superior Materials: The SAT Prep Course includes the official preparation guide with practice tests from The College Board and a course workbook.* This class includes: - 15 hours of expert classroom instruction - Experienced, dedicated instructors - Official preparation guide including practice tests from The College Board - Thorough presentations and explanations - Review of frequently tested topics - Access to online support resources All SAT Prep Classes cover: - Test Taking Strategies - Introduction to the SAT - Question formats - Time management - Process of elimination - Informed guessing Quantitative Subjects - Solution strategies - Equations and inequalities - Exponents - Fractions, percentages, and averages - Rates, ratios, and proportions - Polynomials - Analytic and coordinate geometry - Euclidean geometry and trigonometry - Word problems Verbal Subjects - Punctuation and grammar - Writing structure and organization - Critical reading - Reading comprehension - Graphical interpretation
- Complete SAT Test Prep. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
How can young people have their voices heard and make a difference in such complex times? The pervasive Covid-19 pandemic, world-wide racial uprisings, accelerated climate change, increased food and housing insecurity and attacks on human rights laws are just some of the issues students must confront. The need for people first, "walk the talk" bravery and bold action is never more apparent than in this collective present moment of our global history. There is new thinking and right action that honors and expands the lessons from all of our national and global historical truths. Join us in this week long exploration that invites you to discover: What does it mean to be a young, social justice activist today? How do you begin to create space for and with people of all backgrounds and lived experiences in your activism efforts - with your voice or with your actions? How do you begin to walk the talk of diversity and inclusion as you work toward equity and social justice? Each of us has the capacity to make a positive impact on our communities once we start to learn and understand the difference between our individual and shared identities, privileges and access to power. This dynamic, multi-media infused dialogue and workshop course will help students identify their unique identities, stories and lived experiences as youth activists while learning about and from, past and present, social justice-based activism. Learn how you can be the change you want to see in the world! This course will be fun, highly engaging, inspiring, and reflective. Learn how you can be the change you want to see in the world! This course will be fun, highly engaging, inspiring, and reflective. Learn how you can be the change you want to see in the world!
- Complete Social Justice Student Activism. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
"Boo-yah!" "Let's get readyyyyyy to rumbllllllle!" "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!" "Juuuuuust a bit outside." We have all heard these famous lines from broadcasters. One day, this could be you commenting on a sports event!Students will learn the basics of broadcasting sporting events by speaking and learning from leaders in the industry. Students will explore all the ins-and-outs of sports broadcasting and all the different equipment and positions that are used. They will learn about working in the production truck, camera operations, graphics engines and how to make highlight packages, among other tasks.
- Complete Sports Broadcasting. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Sustainable Design And Engineering: How To Build And Race A Kinetic Sculpture
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How do a group of students design, build and race a bicycle powered work of art that can float, go through sand and mud, and survive 15 miles of Baltimore roads? It all starts with the plan and a great design. This workshop will engage creative students in building the model prototype and challenge them to work as a group to propose the kinetic sculpture design for UMBC students to build during the Fall 2022 semester. The UMBC Kinetic Sculpture Team led by professor Steve McAlpine, has won a grand prize and two design awards over the past five years, participating in races in Baltimore, Maryland and Lowell, Massachusetts. Students will be invited on the final day to inspect and test drive both UMBC kinetic sculptures, as well as, to share, test and race the models they have built. In this course students will learn about: - Sustainable Design: Upcycling and why it's important; finding and joining recycled materials that will survive the rigors of the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture race. - Building Prototypes: The difference between prototypes and models; the importance of testing and learning from a trial and error process. - Engineering Kinetic Sculptures: Structural stability, impact of vibration, efficiency, steering, and water displacement. - Environmental Science: Ecosystems, "waste=food", biosphere meets techno-sphere. - Group Design Process: Generating ideas, sorting out disagreements, and working towards innovative solutions. This class will also share videos and photos from the race and design process in previous years to help students understand the limitless scope of what is possible from a design perspective.
- Complete Sustainable Design And Engineering: How To Build And Race A Kinetic Sculpture. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Wearable Tech Ventures (WTV)- Global Youth Hackathon
Wearable Tech Ventures (WTV)- Global Youth Hackathon badge
Over the course of a week, middle and high school students will be immersed in Wearable Tech culture and encouraged to exercise their imagination to create interesting and innovative hacks and product ideas. WTV Global Youth Hackathon is not a typical hackathon: it's a registered 501c3 nonprofit providing a welcoming, engaging, and creative environment to support all students, girls, minorities and abilities alike. This annual gathering allows everyone ranging from beginners to seasoned hackers to explore technology and develop their skills as engineers, designers, and creators. Registered students will receive hands on instruction and mentoring in closed sessions from industry experts, access to complimentary workshops such as app and chat and chatbot development. During the first two days, students will engage in workshops led by tech experts, college professors, coaches and startup founders to understand the world of wearables; opportunities for solution development; collaboration tips in a virtual/hybrid environment; patents and trademarks; and the process for working with a team to pitch a solution for funding. During days 3 and 4, students will form teams to develop wearable tech solutions to everyday problems with assistance from the Wearable Tech Ventures ecosystem of experts. On day 5, students will pitch their solutions and idea prototypes. The top ideas will be vetted by a panel of judges and student choice, leading to potential investment and mentorship from Wearable Tech Ventures and partners.
- Complete Wearable Tech Ventures (WTV)- Global Youth Hackathon. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Bioterrorism and biowarfare's potential impacts on human health and the environment are cause for concern. This course will provide students with an overview of bioterrorism, including its history, potential biological agents that could be used, and methods for detecting and responding to bioterrorism incidents. Students will be involved in hands-on activities, including mimicking the disease transmission, using simulation to solve the cause of an outbreak, making biological models of agents of BT, compiling an emergency kit!
- Complete Bioterrorism, Biowarfare. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
This unique course is a fun and fascinating look at the world of chemical engineering. Chemical engineering has a wide range of applications outside of conventional petroleum refining. Breakthroughs in pharmaceutical drug delivery, chemical production, water treatment, and air pollution are some of the cutting-edge applications being developed every day. Students will spend the week conducting hands-on experiments and demonstrations highlighting the field's versatility. Students will learn about materials and energy balance fundamentals, chemical reactions, and the numerous areas in which they are used. The course will also examine how these concepts apply to environmental and biochemical engineering. Students will learn about: - Energy dynamics, solar stills - Drug Delivery systems, transportation/diffusion - Chemical reactions - Adsorption and filtration - Bacteria cultures and bio-reactions - Emissions and more!
- Complete Chemical Engineering. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Don’t be a victim. Protect your information! This course focuses on techniques for securing data and communication from adversaries. The course covers cryptography foundations and provides opportunities to create and break codes. Students will be introduced to security trends, organizational security, encryption, network security, and system security. They will also have the chance to explore the critical applications of this technology.
- Complete Cryptography And Systems Security. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Exploring The Principles Of Science badge
Learning is exciting and fun during the summer thanks to STEM summer courses. This exciting and fun STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) provides students with the chance to further their learning and explore STEM concepts they might not otherwise learn about in their classrooms. Students will investigate scientific concepts such as force and laws of motion, atoms and molecules, matter, cells and tissues, work and energy, natural resources and more. The class will explore the application and theory that underpin them in practical activities and real-life circumstances. This program teaches students about the practical implications of science. Students can explore their love of school and possibly their future professional path, adopting hands-on lessons and activities crucial to delivering the greatest quality STEM education to our future innovators. Experiential learning allows students to gain knowledge from first-hand experiences in the lab and outside of the traditional classroom.
- Complete Exploring The Principles Of Science. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
This course serves as an introduction to learning how to program using the Python programming language: one of the most popular programming languages used in real-world projects. What better way to make programming exciting for young learners than by building a game? In this course, we will build a simple game in one week breaking it down to learn how the components of the game all come together starting with the basics. Students will learn concepts that will be very useful for high-school level (and higher) computer science courses. They will learn concepts such as algorithms (not logarithms, so do not worry if they're not fond of math), functions, loops, lists, dictionaries (not the word/meaning kind), conditionals, and libraries (not the physical kind). This course is designed for students without any programming experience.
- Complete Game Building With Python. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Transform your passion for gaming into new tech skills and create your own video game. Building new computer games takes cooperation between lots of different people with different skills. In this week-long course, you'll find out what it's like working as a programmer in a game development team together with artists to build your own game. Experience the process of building a game from a design thinking perspective. Using code, students will bring to life their game characters, background, and story. This truly unique course brings together the programming class in collaboration with a group of artist working concurrently in the GAMING DESIGN FOR ARTIST course.
- Complete Gaming Design For Programmers. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Ever wonder what's behind your favorite video game? It's CODE! This course is designed with the aspiring programmer in mind! Have fun coding with the Code for Life open-source game as it starts from the introduction of programming concepts and slowly moves up into advanced skills and techniques. This course is designed for beginners of any age. As students progress, they will learn about Python and how the games they have been playing for years translate to coding in the real world. This course uses gamification as a platform for learning. Come play the coding games for a week while you learn and grow your skills.
- Complete Intro To The World Of Programming. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Introduction To Python Programming badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Want to learn about machine learning, data science, web development, web scraping, or gaming? This introductory course will help you get your basics strong in Python programming and equip you with fundamental knowledge. In this hands-on course, you will learn and understand the concepts of Python by doing in-class exercises and mini-projects. We will explore using practical applications, the conditionals, and looping concepts by solving several hurdles of the 'Reeborg's world', the working of functions and much more.
- Complete Introduction To Python Programming. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Materials Engineering: Unveiling the Power of Energy
Materials Engineering: Unveiling the Power of Energy badge
One of the most common forms of energy we see around us is electrical energy. It powers up numerous applications like E-gadgets, medical appliances, E-vehicles, light up our home and what not. In this electronic world, isn't it interesting to know how we generate this energy to satisfy our daily requirements? This one week unique program will help students to know the concept of different energies, their form, uses and conversion. Making it more practical and useful, the course is narrowed down to the conversion of chemical and thermal energy into electrical energy. Students will be prepared to apply this learning to practical applications like working of batteries, and Peltier cells. DIY activities will broaden their energy concept and ignite scientific minds to come up with solutions for various current issues in the energy sector. DYI activities may involve the arrangement of battery components, developing circuits and measuring the battery output, working model to generate electricity from thermal energy, factors which affect battery performance and how to improve efficiency etc.
- Complete Materials Engineering: Unveiling the Power of Energy. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Nanomaterials: The Tiny Giants and the Future of Technology
Nanomaterials: The Tiny Giants and the Future of Technology badge
Picture a world where materials at the tiniest scale hold the might to revolutionize our gadgets - smartphones, supercomputers, or healthcare - cancer treatment, disease detection, and how we harness energy - solar cells, batteries. In this project, you'll step into the shoes of a future scientist or engineer to unlock the secrets of these tiny giants through captivating learning sessions, critical thinking and exhilarating demonstrations of the unique optical properties of nanomaterials. In addition students will get hands-on experience on the synthesis of several colorful nanoparticles.
- Complete Nanomaterials: The Tiny Giants and the Future of Technology. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Skylab: Exploring the Physics of Light and its Interaction Through Atmospheric Phenomena
Skylab: Exploring the Physics of Light and its Interaction Through Atmospheric Phenomena badge
Have you ever asked... Why is the sky blue? ...But at sunset it's red, orange and pink? How are rainbows formed? What about double rainbows? Do triple rainbows exist? Why do stars twinkle? Why is the Moon sometimes red? How are mirages formed? Discover the answers in this course.
- Complete Skylab: Exploring the Physics of Light and its Interaction Through Atmospheric Phenomena. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
A laboratory hands-on, case scenario-based course that will help students understand the science behind forensics. In this course, students will use the scientific approach to observe and analyze forensic data derived from drugs, DNA, hair, blood, fingerprints, and forgery and apply critical thinking skills to arrive at conclusions in solving a crime.
- Complete The Science of Forensics. - Attend at least 3 workshops
Do you want to create your own AI Assistant like Alexa, Jarvis, or Siri? Designed for beginners with no prior tech or coding experience, this offers step-by-step guides and interactive tutorials that break down complex AI concepts into easy-to-understand modules. Students will learn to code to create their own Virtual Desktop Assistant and witness the enchantment as it effortlessly plays music, launches applications, and responds to your every request. But that's not all! Students will also elevate their creativity by personalizing the features as they learn how to enable it to send and schedule emails and WhatsApp messages, all controlled by the power of voice. Over five action-packed days, students will: - Delve into the captivating world of Artificial Intelligence. Discover its real-world applications and how AI can transform daily tasks and improve user experiences. - Explore essential libraries that enable virtual assistants to understand and respond to voice commands. Design a project blueprint and craft basic functionalities that lay the foundation for your virtual assistant. - Learn to code a virtual assistant from scratch, infusing it with interactive responses and a personalized touch. - Integrate all the designed features, debug, and test your virtual assistant, eliminating any glitches and ensuring a smooth user experience.
- Complete Build Your Virtual Assistant. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
This course serves as an introduction to learning how to program using the Python programming language: one of the easiest and most popular programming languages used in real-world projects. What better way to make programming exciting for young learners than by building a simple video game? In this course, we will build a simple keyboard-based 2-dimensional "Feed The Monster" game in one week breaking it down to learn how the components of the game all come together starting with the basics. If the students are feeling more adventurous, we could also build a second game: "Catch Me If You Can", similar to the first game, but different in the sense that it incorporates the use of a computer mouse to play it. Students will learn concepts that will be very useful for high-school level (and higher) computer science courses. They will learn concepts such as algorithms (not logarithms, so do not worry if they're not fond of math), functions, objects, loops, lists, dictionaries (not the word/meaning kind), conditionals, events, and libraries (not the physical kind). This course is designed for students without any programming experience and designed to be fun!
- Complete Learn Python by Game Building. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
This course takes a dive into the world of tiny organisms that live in, on, and around us. Microbiology is the study of these organisms (called microbes) that can't be seen with the naked eye. Many people associate microbes with disease; however, these little critters benefit human health and have a wide range of industrial applications! Students will spend the week engaging in hands-on activities, addressing some of the misconceptions surrounding the field of microbiology, and gaining a holistic understanding of microorganismal importance. Students will learn to view and stain (their own!) collected samples under the microscope, culture (grow) different types of microorganisms in the laboratory, test water supplies for harmful bacteria and protists, and analyze microbial growth using computational methods. These concepts and procedures are practical for high school-level (and higher) biology courses. Additionally, we will explore how biotech companies engineer microorganisms to our advantage (for example, producing biofuels and manufacturing human insulin) and potential careers in different fields of microbiology. Concepts covered during this course include: This course is designed for students without any prior experience. Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Microorganisms Microscope Techniques Bacterial Morphological Staining Environmental Sample Collection and Testing (AN OUTDOOR LAB DAY!) Microorganismal Growth Measurements and Curves Mechanisms in which Microbes Spread Societal Impacts of Industrializing Yeast and Bacteria Students are encouraged to bring their curiosity and excitement!
- Complete The Secret Life of Microbes. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Exploring The Future: Robotics And AI Adventure
Exploring The Future: Robotics And AI Adventure badge
Robotics and AI Adventure is an educational program that introduces high school students to the fascinating fields of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). This course provides a comprehensive understanding of robotics and AI technologies, covering fundamental principles and real-world applications. Students will engage in hands-on activities throughout the course, including building and programming robots, understanding AI concepts, and working with various sensors and actuators. They will develop essential problem-solving skills, explore the ethical considerations surrounding AI, and participate in collaborative projects that promote teamwork and communication. The program also offers a glimpse into the emerging trends in robotics and AI. Our advanced learning resources ensure a supportive learning environment where safety is a top priority. By enrolling in this course, students could lay a solid foundation in STEM education and prepare for future endeavors in robotics and AI.
- Complete Exploring The Future: Robotics And AI Adventure. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Lights, Camera, Action Potentials! An Introduction To Brain Anatomy And Physiology
Lights, Camera, Action Potentials! An Introduction To Brain Anatomy And Physiology badge
Have you ever wondered how the brain works? This exciting, hands-on course will take an interdisciplinary approach to teach students about brain anatomy and physiology. Students will design and carry out experiments, learn basic programming skills, and present their results to gain confidence in science communication. The course will also examine how factors like temperature or neurodegenerative diseases impact brain function. Throughout the week, students will have the opportunity to work with graduate students and faculty members who specialize in neuroscience.
- Complete Lights, Camera, Action Potentials! An Introduction To Brain Anatomy And Physiology. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
This course is an immersive experience in international diplomacy, designed to replicate the functions of the United Nations. Students will assume the roles of delegates representing different countries and engage in simulated diplomatic negotiations, debates, and discussions. The course aims to develop a deep understanding of global issues, enhance research and public speaking skills, and foster the ability to collaborate on complex international challenges.
- Complete Model UN. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
From Dungeons and Dragons to a new role-playing game developed at UMBC called Organic Panic!, Professor Steven McAlpine has played and developed role-playing games for the past three decades. In this summer session, students will also learn the foundations of game theory, techniques for developing RPGs, and technologies and apps that have helped us to create immersive experiences for players. Students will learn about the development of our latest science-based RPG entitled 'Mission to Europa' and will compete in teams to play the Organic Panic! game on the final day of our session.
- Complete Role Player Game Exploration. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Wearable Tech, AI, VR & Entrepreneurship
Wearable Tech, AI, VR & Entrepreneurship badge
What do the human body, music, video games and artificial intelligence have in common? Wearable Technology. Students will have the opportunity to explore innovations from the realm of AI, virtual reality, med tech and haptics while developing innovative ideas of their own. The world is constantly changing and the tech innovators of the world will know how to develop AI models and use data to create products we need everyday. Students will not only redefine themselves as innovators but future entrepreneurs with a plan. Students who complete the course will earn an ethical AI product development certificate from Wearable Tech Ventures and have the opportunity to pitch future wearable products to leading tech corporations. Each day, students will be exposed to the world of entrepreneurship, intellectual property, evaluate the validity of potential product ideas using AI and data, meet real innovators who have created businesses, and participate in hands-on lessons where they develop a wearable tech product, business plan, and report their learnings. A class kit will assist students with developing a prototype that will be shared at the end of the week. Skills and knowledge gained: The power of wearable technology and how it's redefining the tech field Hands on development activities for AI, data and decision making, gaming, 3D Metaverse world building used in VR and wearables hardware How to turn a simple idea in to a prototype How to identify target customers in a global marketplace The power of a business plan How to pitch an innovative idea How to partner successfully with students from different backgrounds An understanding of why tech entrepreneurs and wearable technology with AI are critical to solving the world's problems Middle and High School In Person & Virtual July 22-26, 2024 Wearable Tech Ventures (WTV)- Global Youth Innovation Tournament featuring Wearables and AI: Over the course of a week, middle and high school students will be immersed in Wearable Tech culture and encouraged to exercise their imagination to create interesting and innovative hacks and product ideas. WTV Global Youth Innovation Tournament is not a typical hackathon: it's a registered 501c3 nonprofit advancing access and equity in STEM through transformative, pre-college experiences. This annual gathering allows everyone ranging from beginners to seasoned hackers to explore technology and develop their skills as engineers, designers, and creators. Registered students will receive hands-on instruction and mentoring in closed sessions from industry experts, access to complimentary workshops such as AI and data modeling, technical skills and software/hardware insights. During the first two days, students will engage in workshops led by tech experts, college professors, coaches and startup founders to understand the world of wearables and AI; opportunities for solution development; collaboration tips in a virtual/hybrid environment; patents and trademarks; and the process for working with a team to pitch a solution for funding. During days 3 and 4, students will form teams to develop wearable tech solutions using AI to everyday problems with assistance from the Wearable Tech Ventures ecosystem of experts. Multiple tracks will be offered. On day 5, students will pitch their solutions and idea prototypes. The top ideas will be vetted by a panel of corporate judges and student choice, leading to potential investment and mentorship from Wearable Tech Ventures and partners.
- Complete Wearable Tech, AI, VR & Entrepreneurship. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Our genome is the code within each of our cells that make us who we are by coding for traits such as height and eye color. Are you aware that the technology is available to edit the genome of living organisms? The CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionized the way researchers study life and is allowing us to create new solutions to genetic disease or even manipulate bacteria to create useful chemicals. In this course, student will experience the power of CRISPR-Cas9 firsthand in a laboratory environment. This course will provide students with a background in genetics and molecular biology, the tools associated with the CRISPR-Cas9 toolkit, and be put to the test through designing their own application of the tool to help all of humankind. Students will learn key scientific skills including experimental design, aseptic technique, bacterial propagation and data analysis. These skills will prepare students for a future in scientific research and teach them the skills to apply new technologies in the lab.
- Complete (Bio)engineering the Future. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Cellular Powerhouse: It's all about ATP Energy
Ever wonder how DNA is used to find out someone's lineage? Does testing DNA follow your mother's or father's lineage or does it follow both? What is the science behind it all? In this class, students will isolate their DNA, use PCR to amplify a highly conserved region of mitochondrial DNA, send it out for sequencing, and then do analysis with regards to the most likely region(s) of the world from where they came.
- Cellular Powerhouse: It's all about ATP Energy. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
This course is designed to help your child understand and successfully manage the college application process in their freshman, sophomore and junior years. Through this course, students will come to understand what it takes to build a powerful college application package. Students will also see what they should be doing at each step of their high school journey in order to prepare to apply. During this group experience, participants will examine what college admissions officials consider when reading an application. Further, students will work to build college application packages that will serve to provide themselves the optimal shot at getting into their first choice college. This course will focus on: - Essay Coaching: Students will work, in groups, to examine and draft powerful college essays. - College List Refinement: In small groups, students will work to identify the schools that best fit and match their needs. - Scholarship Search Support: Participants will identify and apply for all sources of financial aid. - Application Optimization: Students will come to understand the factors that make a college application stand out from the rest. Throughout meetings, students will work with Dr. Chris Vick, Asst. Director of UMBC's Sherman STEM Teachers Scholars Program and Founder of A2Z College Consulting, to better understand the elements of the college application process (i.e. essay drafting, college list generation, and identifying sources of financial aid). Students will receive the support and attention they need to feel comfortable and confident applying to college.
- Complete College Application Bootcamp. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
If you look around a crowded room, you'll notice many differences from person-to-person. The key to understanding these differences lies in our genes. Discoveries surrounding genetics have allowed scientists to solve problems ranging from plant breeding to human disease. In this week-long summer course, students will gain an understanding of how differences in our genes can affect how our bodies work. Specifically, students will develop familiarity with the structure and function of the DNA molecule as they build simplified models of double stranded DNA. Students will identify genetic traits using a traits bingo activity and demonstrate how they are passed from parents to their offspring using an alien genetics activity. Students will master the scientific method by tackling real-life scenarios to obtain and analyze data. In this course, students will gain hands-on experience handling a live model organism (the fruit fly) and sorting flies under the microscope based on gender and mutation status. Students will also conduct the following physical performance test using normal and mutant fruit flies: climbing speed, endurance test, and strength test. The course will culminate with a video documentary where students will share how much they learned about how differences in our DNA can affect how our bodies work.
- Complete Genetics and Genomics. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Mastering AI/ML Pipelines for Hackathons: Craft & Deploy Your AI-Powered Nutritionist
Mastering AI/ML Pipelines for Hackathons: Craft & Deploy Your AI-Powered Nutritionist badge image
Venture into the thrilling realm of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)with a twist! In this immersive course, you won't just dabble in theoretical AI; you will embark on an end-to-end journey to build an Artificial Intelligence Pipeline that transforms your bright ideas into tangible, usable solutions. Our mission is to mold you into an AI architect equipped with the blueprint to bring AI projects to life. Using the knowledge of building an AI-powered nutritionist, we unveil the secrets of AI's potential. But this isn't a mere exploration; it's a mission to empower. By the end of this dynamic course, you will have crafted a functioning AI tool and be ready to deploy it to the real world, giving you the skills and knowledge to win any AI hackathons and make AI projects yourself.
- Complete Mastering AI/ML Pipelines for Hackathons: Craft & Deploy Your AI-Powered Nutritionist. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Data Science: A Beginner's Guide for High School Students
Data Science: A Beginner's Guide for High School Students badge
Are you intrigued by the power of data and technology? Do you want to explore the world of data science and discover how it shapes our lives? If you're a high school student with a curious mind and a passion for learning, this course is perfect for you! "Data Science: A Beginner's Guide" is an exciting educational initiative created just for high school students. Data science is a dynamic field that merges computer science, mathematics, and domain expertise to unravel the mysteries hidden in data. In this project, you'll embark on a journey to unlock the secrets of data science What You'll Learn: Data Science Fundamentals: Delve into the core concepts of data science, covering aspects such as data collection, analysis, and visualization. Gain a strong foundation in this dynamic field and understand its real-world applications. Data Visualization: Explore the art of presenting data in a visual and compelling way. Learn how to create charts, graphs, and interactive visualizations, enhancing your ability to communicate findings effectively. Hands-On Learning: Get ready to roll up your sleeves! You'll have the opportunity to work on engaging activities and projects that bring data science to life. You'll see how data science is used in the real world. Develop Critical Skills: Beyond acquiring knowledge, this project focuses on developing essential skills. Enhance your critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, data literacy, and data visualization skills-skills that are valuable in various academic and professional pursuits. Projects: Students will work on diverse projects, such as analyzing trends in social media data, predicting outcomes based on historical data, and exploring datasets related to topics of interest. These projects will not only reinforce theoretical concepts but also allow students to apply their skills in practical scenarios.
- Complete Data Science: A Beginner's Guide for High School Students. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Intro to Cybersecurity: Web Penetration Testing from First Principles
Intro to Cybersecurity: Web Penetration Testing from First Principles badge image
In this dynamic and engaging course designed especially for high school students, we will take students on an interactive adventure into the realm of web penetration testing, where they will learn to think and act like cybersecurity professionals. This course will open and expand on students' knowledge from Web development and Python programming courses. Students will engage in an interactive Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge that specifically focuses on web penetration testing. This game-based approach to learning makes the process more enjoyable and engaging for students. Using Web Emperor CTF, students will take on the role of ethical hackers tasked with securing a vulnerable web application. Students will be tasked with protecting "Kova Bank" (not a real bank) which has several vulnerabilities typical of real-world web applications. The objective is to discover, exploit, and secure vulnerabilities within Kova Bank while following ethical hacking principles. Students will earn points for each successful exploitation and patching of vulnerabilities. Students will learn about: Web Application: Critical components like login pages, user profiles, and a simulated online banking system. Vulnerabilities: Explore vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), cross-site request forgery (CSRF), and insecure authentication mechanisms. Scoreboard: Track your progress, showcasing individual or team scores based on the number of vulnerabilities successfully exploited and patched. Reporting: Students will submit simple reports explaining the vulnerabilities they found, how they were exploited, and the recommended fixes to fosters documentation and communication skills.
- Complete Intro to Cybersecurity: Web Penetration Testing from First Principles. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
From Data to Decisions: Building and Deploying a Data Science Model
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Building and Deploying a Data Science Model is an exciting and immersive course designed to inspire middle and high school students. Over four Saturdays, students will explore the fascinating world of data science, transforming raw data into actionable insights while building skills that are in high demand in today’s world. This course isn’t just about learning—it’s about doing. Students will dive into real-world datasets, uncover patterns, and create models to make data-driven decisions. By the end, they’ll present their findings in an engaging and shareable data application, showcasing their unique solutions to problems they care about.
- Complete From Data to Decisions: Building and Deploying a Data Science Model activities - Attend at least 3 workshops
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities-all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won't find anywhere else. Gain hands-on experience in data analysis and quick decision-making as you navigate drone obstacle courses using the Python 3 programming language. Participants will delve into the mechanics of drones, applying coding principles to maneuver through courses, complete missions, and perform aerial maneuvers. This interactive experience highlights the connection between software and hardware, as you code solutions to overcome environmental and toolset limitations. With a strong foundation in Python 3, you'll learn to plot courses and take flight.
- Complete iCode Drone Programming with Python activities - Attend at least 3 workshops
Exploring Careers The Career of Sonography
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Sonography, commonly known as ultrasound imaging, is a versatile medical field that goes beyond visualizing unborn babies. It is used to capture detailed images of various organs throughout the body, from head to toe. This field appeals to individuals who value precision, excellence, and a commitment to helping others, offering a unique blend of creativity and responsibility within the medical profession. This course provides an introduction to Sonography, one of the most operator-dependent imaging modalities. In this role, the knowledge and skill of the sonographer are critical to ensuring accurate and meaningful results.
- Complete Exploring Careers The Career of Sonography activities - Attend at least 3 workshops
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and the Power of Storytelling
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. This course offers high school students an exciting opportunity to explore cutting-edge AI applications in medicine- from diagnosing diseases to personalizing treatments while developing crucial skills in data analysis and storytelling. In this course, you'll dive into the exciting intersection of artificial intelligence, healthcare, and data communication. Learn how AI is revolutionizing medical diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient care. Develop the skills to analyze complex healthcare data and transform it into impactful stories that drive change.
- Complete Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and the Power of Storytelling activities - Attend at least 3 workshops
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. "Codelab" is your chance to dive into the exciting world of programming, where creativity meets technology. This course is designed especially for middle school students who love solving puzzles, experimenting with ideas, and making things that work. Starting from the basics, you’ll learn how to use code to build projects you can actually use, making technology feel approachable and exciting. Imagine showing off your own mini-programs to friends and family, knowing you created them from scratch!
- Complete Codelab: Build, Learn, Create activities - Attend at least 3 workshops
Cyber Crash Course: Unleash Your Tech Skills
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. This experience provides an introduction to the fundamentals of networking, exploring how devices connect and transfer files across systems. Participants will also gain an understanding of cybersecurity essentials, including Offensive and Defensive Security techniques used to intercept and secure devices. Additionally, the course covers key concepts in Cyber Operations, such as incident planning, data backup, and recovery from attacks.
- Complete Cyber Crash Course: Unleash Your Tech Skills activities - Attend at least 3 workshops
Earth Science with Satellite Imagery badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Satellite images of the Earth from space are some of our best tools to study our weather, oceans, pollution, and changes to our cities, rainforests, and polar caps over time. In this class, you will learn why scientists care so much about measuring the entire Earth from space daily. We’ll also talk about the different kinds of signals we measure from space – specifically, how to identify liquid water from ice clouds, algae blooms from sediment in the ocean, desert dust from wildfire smoke – and all from satellite imagery. You’ll also get hands-on experience with satellite data from an exciting new NASA climate mission called PACE (which stands for Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, ocean Ecosystem). PACE has a special camera on the spacecraft called HARP2, which was built right here at UMBC! This class will culminate in a laboratory tour of the Earth and Space Institute, research labs in the UMBC Physics building where we build and calibrate new satellite instruments, like HARP2 – and a discussion on how to join this rapidly-growing field.
- Complete Earth Science with Satellite Imagery activities - Attend at least 3 workshops
Food Deserts vs. Food Swamps: Tackling America's Hidden Crisis
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In this class, learners will dive into some of the toughest issues facing our communities today: Why do food deserts and food swamps exist? How do they contribute to health problems? And what can we do about it? Learners will go beyond the textbook and roll up their sleeves with hands-on projects. They will build models of their school or home to see how close (or far) they are to healthy food options, and they will research how food scarcity affects everyone—from individuals to entire neighborhoods. But that’s just the start! Learners will have the chance to write to local officials, push for change, and explore career opportunities in the agriculture world that help fight food insecurity. Throughout the course, learners will also learn how growing their own food can make a difference and will meet a modern farmer (in person or via Zoom) to talk about how we can all help tackle food insecurity. By the end, learners will be ready to become Food Ambassadors, advocating for solutions to the food crisis and leading the charge for healthier, more equitable communities.
- Complete Food Deserts vs. Food Swamps: Tackling America's Hidden Crisis activities - Attend at least 3 workshops
Guitar Fundamentals: A Hands-on Workshop For Aspiring Players
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In this experience, learners will explore philosophy in depth, using comic books as a unique and powerful lens. They will ask questions such as why the world is the way it is, what the role of power is in morality, and how to know if the world is strange. They will also consider what a person is and why we should care about what that means. Finally, they will consider what duties they owe to others. Unleash your child’s musical potential with this engaged, hands-on workshop tailored for aspiring guitarists! Perfect for beginners and those building their skills, this course blends active learning with a collaborative approach to help students develop essential techniques and confidence. From rock classics to fingerstyle and blues, students will explore diverse genres and practice playing in groups under the guidance of an experienced instructor. Upon completion, participants will have made meaningful strides toward mastery and will perform a song they’ve learned during a special presentation for family and friends on the final day.
- Complete Guitar Fundamentals: A Hands-on Workshop For Aspiring Players activities - Attend at least 3 workshops
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Life Skills for Success helps youth develop essential life skills for success in personal, academic, and professional settings. Participants will improve their decision-making, financial literacy, time management, emotional intelligence, resilience, and relationship-building skills through activities and exercises. By the end of the course, they will gain the confidence and skills to navigate challenges, build strong relationships, and set a foundation for future growth and success.
- Complete Life Skills for Success activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Introduction to AI Pipelines: Build & Deploy Your First AI Project
Introduction to AI Pipelines: Build & Deploy Your First AI Project badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Step into the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with this beginner-friendly course designed for high school students. In this hands-on program, students will learn the foundational concepts of AI pipelines and create their own AI-powered chatbots from scratch. Whether you're curious about AI or interested in building real-world applications, this course offers the perfect introduction to the limitless possibilities of AI.
- Complete Introduction to AI Pipelines: Build & Deploy Your First AI Project activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
iCODE Web Developer: Website Coding & Design
iCODE Web Developer: Website Coding & Design badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Web development, also known as website development, refers to the tasks associated with creating, building, and maintaining websites and web applications. During this course, students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of web development associated with HTML and CSS.
- Complete iCODE Web Developer: Website Coding & Design activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
AI Innovations In Sales And Marketing: An Introduction To AI-Powered Business Strategies
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Students will get an interactive introduction to AI’s role in modern business—learning key skills to analyze data, create targeted marketing plans, and understand customer behavior. Led by experienced instructors, they’ll engage with AI techniques that bring customer data to life. By the end of the week, students will work together to create a marketing campaign for a fictional product using AI insights—an exciting capstone project to apply everything they’ve learned.
- Complete AI Innovations In Sales And Marketing: An Introduction To AI-Powered Business Strategies Activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Students will compete in a challenge where they will learn how to design, build and program a VEX Robot. The competition will be centered on the Engineering Grand Challenges which aim to solve some of the world’s biggest issues. This program is designed for all levels of experience; ranging from beginner to expert programmer.
- Complete Build a VEX Robot activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Cosmic Distances: Measuring The Universe
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. This experience delves into the methods used to measure the vast distances to stars, galaxies, and beyond. Participants will explore astrophysical theories and fundamental mathematical concepts to understand how scientists estimate the size and scale of the universe. The course offers hands-on experience with real astronomical data collected at the UMBC Observatory, as well as a guided tour of the observatory to learn about professional-grade telescopes and tools used for cosmic exploration. This program provides a unique opportunity to engage with the science of the cosmos and its measurement techniques.
- Complete Cosmic Distances: Measuring The Universe activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In this course, students will explore how to use Python to analyze and visualize data, creating interactive and visually engaging digital projects. The course introduces essential coding skills, focusing on practical applications of data analysis and visualization. Students will work with Python libraries like Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Numpy to manipulate and present data in meaningful ways. By the end of the course, students will have completed their own data-driven visualization projects.
- Complete Creative Coding For Data Visualization activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Digital Music Production Techniques And Songwriting
Digital Music Production Techniques And Songwriting badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. For students looking to expand their musical skills, learn how to write songs and create beats using software, this course offers an introduction to creating music digitally. Using Ableton live and chrome music lab, students will create beats and instrumental music, explore audio engineering, recording and songwriting in a collaborative setting. Students will learn how to create, release, perform and present their original music.
- Complete Digital Music Production Techniques And Songwriting activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Explorations in Extraordinary Geometry badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. The most interesting geometric objects are often the most difficult to visualize, but they don't have to live only in the pages of textbooks. Throughout the week, we will explore topics ranging from topology to solid and differential geometry through a variety of hands-on projects. Using materials such as paper, fabric, and yarn you will bring to life spiky "stellated" polyhedra, surfaces from the 4th dimension, the opposite of a sphere, and much more! Along the way we will also discuss the mathematics behind these objects so you may gain an even deeper understanding than can come from holding them in your hands.
- Complete Explorations in Extraordinary Geometry activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
The Microbial Frontier: Exploring Tiny Life with Big Impacts
The Microbial Frontier: Exploring Tiny Life with Big Impacts badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Students will spend the week engaging in hands-on activities, addressing some of the misconceptions surrounding the field of microbiology, and gaining a holistic understanding of microorganismal importance. Students will learn to view and stain samples under the microscope, culture (grow) different types of microorganisms in the laboratory, test water supplies for harmful bacteria and protists, and analyze microbial growth. These concepts and procedures are practical for high school-level and higher biology courses.
- Complete The Microbial Frontier: Exploring Tiny Life with Big Impacts activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
The Ethical Hacker's Quest: Building Cyber Skills Step-By-Step
The Ethical Hacker's Quest: Building Cyber Skills Step-By-Step badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Students will explore the organized stages of ethical hacking and learn how to conduct web application and network security assessments using industry-standard tools. Through dynamic Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, they will gain practical skills essential for securing real-world applications and networks. At the conclusion of each session, students will participate in a mini CTF competition, submitting their answers to security tasks to earn points for successful completion. This task-oriented, rewarding method will motivate students to responsibly disclose vulnerabilities and investigate bug bounty platforms like Bugcrowd and HackerOne. By the course's end, students will possess a comprehensive understanding of ethical hacking and the requisite skills for a career in cybersecurity. The blend of structured instruction, CTF competitions, and hands-on activities offers a distinct and fulfilling learning experience.
- Complete The Ethical Hacker's Quest: Building Cyber Skills Step-By-Step activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Graphic Minds: Using Comics To Unpack Philosophical Ideas
Graphic Minds: Using Comics To Unpack Philosophical Ideas badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In this experience, learners will explore philosophy in depth, using comic books as a unique and powerful lens. They will ask questions such as why the world is the way it is, what the role of power is in morality, and how to know if the world is strange. They will also consider what a person is and why we should care about what that means. Finally, they will consider what duties they owe to others. Learners will explore these timeless questions through engaging discussions and activities designed to connect philosophical ideas to iconic comic stories and characters. They will develop critical thinking skills, analyze media with a philosophical eye, and learn to uncover deeper meanings beneath the surface. Along the way, learners will interpret hero narratives philosophically, examining how these stories reflect and challenge real-world concepts of identity, morality, and justice.
- Complete Graphic Minds: Using Comics To Unpack Philosophical Ideas activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Through interactive lessons, practical experiments, and demonstrations, students will explore how these materials are ushering in the next generation of technological innovations. They will learn to synthesize gold nanoparticles, quantum dots, and perovskites and understand their applications in various fields.
- Complete Quantum Bridge activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
The Era of Quantum Science and Technology at UMBC
The Era of Quantum Science and Technology at UMBC badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Students will get an interactive exploration of the fundamental physics behind advancements in quantum science and discover the fascinating world of quantum mechanics. By the end of the week, still will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for quantum science, skills that will help them pursue advanced studies in science, technology, and engineering, inspiration to pursue careers in physics, quantum computing, AI, and beyond.
- Complete The Era of Quantum Science and Technology at UMBC activities - Attend at least 3 workshops
Earning this microcredential gives learners a sense of accomplishment and formal recognition for participating in SEA experiences. For high school students, this microcredential serves as a tangible validation of their efforts, showcasing their engagement in meaningful educational activities that go beyond traditional classroom learning. Additionally, this microcredential connects learners to UMBC’s broader community, offering earners a glimpse into collegiate opportunities and fostering a sense of belonging.
Microcredentials can serve as a vital stepping stone in fostering lifelong learning, enabling participants to engage with new knowledge, skills, and experiences in meaningful ways. This microcredential will target high school students participating in SEA experiences, helping them feel connected to the UMBC community. By earning this microcredential, participants will have their engagement formally recognized, motivating them to continue their learning journey through additional UMBC programming or becoming future prospective students. Adding this microcredential to UMBC’s portfolio of digital badges highlights the institution’s commitment to recognizing early educational experiences and inspiring long-term educational pathways. This microcredential serves as a marker of achievement for participants and strengthens UMBC’s visibility as a leader in innovative, student-centered learning initiatives, cultivating a pipeline of future learners and community members.
Laboratory Optics: The Science of Light badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In this experience, learners will explore philosophy in depth, using comic books as a unique and powerful lens. They will ask questions such as why the world is the way it is, what the role of power is in morality, and how to know if the world is strange. They will also consider what a person is and why we should care about what that means. Finally, they will consider what duties they owe to others. Explore the captivating world of light in this interactive, week-long course where you'll delve into the branch of physics that sheds light on both the ordinary and the extraordinary. Discover how light acts as both a wave and a particle and understand why it’s essential for comprehending everything from distant galaxies to tiny microbes. You’ll conduct experiments with lasers and investigate phenomena such as diffraction, interference, refraction, and polarization. Additionally, eexaminescutting-edge applications of optics in modern fiber communication and quantum technologies.
- Complete Laboratory Optics: The Science of Light activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Hero to Superhero: Design the Ultimate Level-Up Device
Hero to Superhero: Design the Ultimate Level-Up Device badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In this experience, learners will explore philosophy in depth, using comic books as a unique and powerful lens. They will ask questions such as why the world is the way it is, what the role of power is in morality, and how to know if the world is strange. They will also consider what a person is and why we should care about what that means. Finally, they will consider what duties they owe to others. In this engaging and hands-on course, students will explore the world of user experience (UX) design by creating and prototyping the ultimate device for their chosen hero. Through the lens of human-computer interaction (HCI), students will explore how technology can be personalized to meet unique needs, abilities, and challenges. Guided by the principles of UX design, students will tackle the creative process, from idea generation to prototype development and final presentation, while solving real-world problems along the way.
- Complete Hero to Superhero: Design the Ultimate Level-Up Device activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Map Madness: Intro to Geospatial Software and Geography
Map Madness: Intro to Geospatial Software and Geography badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In this experience, learners will explore philosophy in depth, using comic books as a unique and powerful lens. They will ask questions such as why the world is the way it is, what the role of power is in morality, and how to know if the world is strange. They will also consider what a person is and why we should care about what that means. Finally, they will consider what duties they owe to others. The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Map Madness: Intro to Geospatial Software and Geography helps participants learn how to effectively use geospatial mapping software such as ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online. Many environmental scientists and geographers use these programs for applications in physical geography and human geography. Students will work in groups to gather information about environmental concerns on the UMBC campus, then transform their collected data into visual representations or maps. Students will learn the importance of spatial data and how it is used to make inferences and projections about a range of things—from wildlife distribution in local forests and inclement weather to population density trends and even their location.
- Complete Map Madness: Intro to Geospatial Software and Geography activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.
Parallel Programming: Making Large Computations Even Faster
Parallel Programming: Making Large Computations Even Faster badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In Parallel Programming: Making Larger Computations Ever Faster, students will learn about the basic purpose of using several cores is to speed up the computations, and the purpose of connecting several processors is to solve larger problems by pooling their memory. This course will demonstrate the parallel programming using MPI (Message Passing Interface), the most common library of parallel communication commands for distributed-memory clusters. Registered students will gain access to a cluster in the UMBC High Performance Computing Facility (hpcf.umbc.edu) consisting of more than 50 compute nodes with two 18-core processors each.
- Attend at least 4 out of the 5 classes
Physics of the Atmosphere: Wonders of the Sky
Physics of the Atmosphere: Wonders of the Sky badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In Physics of the Atmosphere Wonders of the Sky, students will discover the science behind the breathtaking phenomena of our atmosphere. Participants will explore how clouds form, why rainbows appear, and what makes sunsets so colorful. THey will learn about the physics of light, weather, and optical illusions in the sky through engaging activities and demonstrations. This course offers a captivating look at the forces and principles shaping the skies above us, perfect for curious high school students eager to understand the world around them. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In this experience, learners will explore philosophy in depth, using comic books as a unique and powerful lens. They will ask questions such as why the world is the way it is, what the role of power is in morality, and how to know if the world is strange. They will also consider what a person is and why we should care about what that means. Finally, they will consider what duties they owe to others. The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Map Madness: Intro to Geospatial Software and Geography helps participants learn how to effectively use geospatial mapping software such as ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online. Many environmental scientists and geographers use these programs for applications in physical geography and human geography. Students will work in groups to gather information about environmental concerns on the UMBC campus, then transform their collected data into visual representations or maps. Students will learn the importance of spatial data and how it is used to make inferences and projections about a range of things—from wildlife distribution in local forests and inclement weather to population density trends and even their location.
- Attend at least 4 out of the 5 classes.
Pigments of Life: From Photosynthesis to Cancer Therapy
Pigments of Life: From Photosynthesis to Cancer Therapy badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In Pigments of Life: From Photosynthesis to Cancer Therapy, students will be introduced the principles of light-matter interaction, role of pigments in biological processes fundamental for life (such as respiration and photosynthesis), and how photosynthesis inspires numerous applications of natural and synthetic pigments in areas such as solar energy conversion and medicine. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In Physics of the Atmosphere Wonders of the Sky, students will discover the science behind the breathtaking phenomena of our atmosphere. Participants will explore how clouds form, why rainbows appear, and what makes sunsets so colorful. THey will learn about the physics of light, weather, and optical illusions in the sky through engaging activities and demonstrations. This course offers a captivating look at the forces and principles shaping the skies above us, perfect for curious high school students eager to understand the world around them. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In this experience, learners will explore philosophy in depth, using comic books as a unique and powerful lens. They will ask questions such as why the world is the way it is, what the role of power is in morality, and how to know if the world is strange. They will also consider what a person is and why we should care about what that means. Finally, they will consider what duties they owe to others. The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Map Madness: Intro to Geospatial Software and Geography helps participants learn how to effectively use geospatial mapping software such as ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online. Many environmental scientists and geographers use these programs for applications in physical geography and human geography. Students will work in groups to gather information about environmental concerns on the UMBC campus, then transform their collected data into visual representations or maps. Students will learn the importance of spatial data and how it is used to make inferences and projections about a range of things—from wildlife distribution in local forests and inclement weather to population density trends and even their location.
Prepared and Protected: CPR, First Aid, and Disaster Readiness
Prepared and Protected: CPR, First Aid, and Disaster Readiness badge
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Prepared and Protected: CPR, First Aid, and Disaster Readiness will help youth develop life-saving skills and learn how to respond effectively in emergencies. Participants will complete the American Heart Association (AHA) Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Certification, receive Stop the Bleed training, and explore the fundamentals of disaster preparedness. Through hands-on activities and expert instruction, students will gain the confidence to act in critical situations and make a positive impact in their communities. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In Pigments of Life: From Photosynthesis to Cancer Therapy, students will be introduced the principles of light-matter interaction, role of pigments in biological processes fundamental for life (such as respiration and photosynthesis), and how photosynthesis inspires numerous applications of natural and synthetic pigments in areas such as solar energy conversion and medicine. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In Physics of the Atmosphere Wonders of the Sky, students will discover the science behind the breathtaking phenomena of our atmosphere. Participants will explore how clouds form, why rainbows appear, and what makes sunsets so colorful. THey will learn about the physics of light, weather, and optical illusions in the sky through engaging activities and demonstrations. This course offers a captivating look at the forces and principles shaping the skies above us, perfect for curious high school students eager to understand the world around them. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. In this experience, learners will explore philosophy in depth, using comic books as a unique and powerful lens. They will ask questions such as why the world is the way it is, what the role of power is in morality, and how to know if the world is strange. They will also consider what a person is and why we should care about what that means. Finally, they will consider what duties they owe to others. The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at UMBC offers middle and high school students a unique, engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience. With a diverse range of one-week workshops and courses, SEA immerses students in the world of science, engineering, technology, the arts, and humanities—all led by UMBC faculty, industry professionals, and graduate students. SEA's college-style experiences are designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves in ways they won’t find anywhere else. Map Madness: Intro to Geospatial Software and Geography helps participants learn how to effectively use geospatial mapping software such as ArcGIS and ArcGIS Online. Many environmental scientists and geographers use these programs for applications in physical geography and human geography. Students will work in groups to gather information about environmental concerns on the UMBC campus, then transform their collected data into visual representations or maps. Students will learn the importance of spatial data and how it is used to make inferences and projections about a range of things—from wildlife distribution in local forests and inclement weather to population density trends and even their location.
- Complete Prepared and Protected: CPR, First Aid, and Disaster Readiness activities. - Attend at least 3 workshops.