High School   

Welcome to Introduction to AP Computer Science! This course is designed to give you a head start on the skills and concepts you’ll encounter in your upcoming AP Computer Science class. Together, we’ll build a strong foundation in problem-solving, programming, and computational thinking, so that when the school year begins, you’ll feel confident and prepared. By previewing key topics, practicing coding techniques, and exploring real-world applications, you’ll not only gain an academic advantage but also develop the habits of mind that lead to long-term success in computer science.

Learn more.

Welcome to Introduction to AP Computer Science! This course is designed to give you a head start on the skills and concepts you’ll encounter in your upcoming AP Computer Science class. Together, we’ll build a strong foundation in problem-solving, programming, and computational thinking, so that when the school year begins, you’ll feel confident and prepared. By previewing key topics, practicing coding techniques, and exploring real-world applications, you’ll not only gain an academic advantage but also develop the habits of mind that lead to long-term success in computer science.

Learn more.

Earth Science with Satellite Imagery: 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.

LUNCH: Students staying for full day or for both morning and afternoon sessions can bring or buy their lunch. All students will eat lunch on Campus in The Commons, a small food court.

Learn more.

Entrepreneurship: Financial Literacy: Back by popular demand to the SEA lineup of programming is this new 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 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.

LUNCH: Students staying for full day or for both morning and afternoon sessions can bring or buy their lunch.  All students will eat lunch on campus in The Commons, a small food court.

Learn more.

"ICN2U': Exploring Careers The Career of Sonography: Most people are intrigued that an ultrasound can visualize a baby before birth. Are you aware that Sonography – or ultrasound – is used to image a multitude of organs from head to toe? If you have a passion for precision and excellence, a desire to help people, and a hope for a creative and responsible medical profession, consider a career in Sonography! This course will introduce you to Sonography: the most operator-dependent of all imaging modalities. As a sonographer, your knowledge and skill matters.

This course will:

• Introduce you to Sonography fundamentals: the profession of Sonography, patient care basics, medical ethics, the physical science of ultrasound.
• Teach basic abdominal anatomy with examples of pathology (abnormal findings). Demonstrate and narrate an abdominal ultrasound study.
• Teach basic cardiac anatomy with examples of pathology. Demonstrate and narrate a cardiac ultrasound study (an echocardiogram).  Provide hands-on scanning with our ultrasound machines, where you may scan each other’s aortic arches.
• Teach basic vascular anatomy with examples of pathology. Provide hands-on scanning with our ultrasound machines, where you may scan each other’s carotid arteries and lower leg vessels.
• Provide hands-on scanning of a second trimester “fetus” – scanning our phantom is (almost) like scanning a real pregnancy!

LUNCH: Students staying for full day or for both morning and afternoon sessions can bring or buy their lunch.  All students will eat lunch on Campus in The Commons, a small food court. 

Learn more.

GUITAR FUNDAMENTALS: A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP FOR ASPIRING PLAYERS- 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.

Students must bring their own guitar to participate in this course.

LUNCH: Students staying for full day or for both morning and afternoon sessions can bring or buy their lunch.  All students will eat lunch on Campus in The Commons, a small food court.

Learn more.

"Mapping the Cosmos: From Kilometer to Megaparsec": Ever wondered how we measure the vast distances to stars, galaxies, and beyond? In this exciting one-week course, you'll uncover the secrets of cosmic distances using astrophysical theories and essential math concepts. Learn how scientists estimate the size and scale of our universe, and get hands-on experience with real astronomical data collected at the UMBC Observatory. You'll even tour the observatory and see how professional-grade telescopes and tools are used to explore the cosmos. Join us for an unforgettable journey through space and science!

Learn more.

Mock Trial: Are you interested in debate, and want to experience what happens in a courtroom first hand? Do you think you have a future in law? Mock Trial is a simulation of a courtroom trial with, judge jury, prosecution and defense! This interactive course is designed to introduce high school students to the concepts of legal reasoning and argument in a fun and engaging platform.

Learn the basics of law. Examine legal procedures and explore the court system by taking part in a Mock Trial. The class becomes the courtroom and students take on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, judge and jury.  Trials will involve mock criminal cases as well as historical cases in American and World History. By weaving in historical cases, students will gain a deeper understanding of social studies while having fun. This hands on, fun, participatory learning experience gives students an opportunity to delve into simulated cases and reach a verdict.
Open to all levels of skill and experience.

"Your Honor, court is in session"!

LUNCH: Students staying for full day or for both morning and afternoon sessions can bring or buy their lunch.  All students will eat lunch on Campus in The Commons, a small food court.

Learn more.

MODEL UN: 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.

LUNCH: Students staying for full day or for both morning and afternoon sessions can bring or buy their lunch.  All students will eat lunch on Campus in The Commons, a small food court.

Learn more.

Political Debate & Current Events: 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.

Lunch: Students staying for full day or for both morning and afternoon sessions can bring or buy their lunch.  All students will eat lunch on Campus in The Commons, a small food court.

Learn more.