Session 2: July 6-10, 2026   

Arduino Robotics Bootcamp: In this hands-on course, your child will be introduced to the Arduino robotics platform and gain practical experience assembling the key components needed to build a basic robot. They will get first-hand experience working with wiring, motors, servos, LEDs, and programming. The class will be highly interactive, with participants working in groups and lab settings to physically construct the robotics platform and bring it to life through coding.

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Build Your Own AI-Powered Virtual Assistant | AI Hackathon: Step into the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence and create your very own virtual assistant using the latest technology! This hands-on course is designed for middle school students curious about AI, providing step-by-step guidance to build a custom chatbot that can understand and respond to human commands.

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Chess Academy: 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. This course is open to beginner, intermediate, and advanced players wanting to take their game to the next level.

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Computational Materials Chemistry: This course presents modern computational methods in materials chemistry that include density functional theory, cloud computing, and machine learning. Students will receive an introduction to electronic structure methods through calculations of mineral oxides and semiconductors and understand how this knowledge is transferred to create new materials to improve human health, energy, and the environment.

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Digital Storytelling: What’s your personal story? During our week together, you will learn how to create your own multimedia digital story using WeVideo. We will: Write a creative and effective script Capture photos and video footage Record clear and expressive audio Make thoughtful editing choices And finally, upload your finished story to YouTube to share with others Through this process, you will be working in small groups to develop and refine a personal story that you can include in your future college, trade school, or internship application, or share with close family and friends. By the end of the week, you’ll have a completed digital story that reflects your voice, ideas, and creativity! 

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Drone Programming With Python: 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

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Ethics Bowl: 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. 

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Generative AI in Action: Creativity, Responsibility, and the Future of STEAM: Do you want to explore the world of generative AI?  Ever wondered how generative AI can write music, paint pictures, design inventions, or even be a thought partner for you? In this hands-on one-week course, you’ll see where art, science, and technology come together through generative AI.

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Intro to Acting: This course is designed to provide a beginning working knowledge of the acting process and is intended for the beginning actor with little to no experience. Through exercises, theatre games, analysis, self-exploration, and improvisation, the student will build a foundational understanding of basic acting tools. As acting is a process that requires a thorough knowledge of the actor's instrument, we will explore both the inner and outer terrain of the actor (physical, mental, and emotional).

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Introduction to AI Pipelines: Build & Deploy Your First AI Project | AI Hackathon: 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.

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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.

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Just Wing It: An Introduction to Aerodynamics introduces students to the world of fluid mechanics. Students will be taught the fundamentals of aerodynamics on miniature airplane wings or airfoils. Once students have spent a day learning about the basics, they will be provided the opportunity to apply their new knowledge. Students will be divided into teams to design and create their own miniature airfoil surface modifications.

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Morality in Media: Comic Books: In ancient times, stories of gods and heroes helped people understand the world around them. While modern society may no longer believe in these myths, we still crave stories that make sense of our lives. Today, those stories are told through superheroes in capes and masks. This course is a deep dive into philosophy, using comic books as a powerful lens to explore timeless questions. We will discuss a range of traditional philosophical questions such as: Why is the world the way it is? What is the role of power in morality? If the world is strange, then how can it be known? What is a person? Why should we care what a person is? What duties do we owe to others?

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For students looking to take their music performance skills to the next level, we will workshop how to craft a performance, where and how to get involved with performing arts, stagecraft, arranging music, and songwriting. For budding songwriters, we will explore lyric writing, collaborative skills, and how to release music and find the right engineer or record your own music.

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Pharmacy, Healthcare, & Technology: Improving Patient Saftey & Quality: introduces students to the intersection of pharmacy, healthcare, and technology in advancing patient safety, healthcare quality, and policy. Students will explore the continuum from drug development and dispensing to the integration of health information systems and quality improvement strategies within healthcare settings. Through discussions, case studies, and a mini project, participants will gain foundational knowledge of how innovation and informatics shape modern healthcare delivery.

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Prepared & Protected: CPR, First Aid, and Disaster Readiness: This session is designed exclusively for high school students eager to 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. Students will also get a glimpse of the opportunities available through UMBC’s Emergency and Disaster Health Systems (EDHS) department, which offers pathways to expand this foundational knowledge into advanced studies and career preparation.

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Solar Powered: Harnessing the Power of the Sun!: In this course students will get an introduction into the Grand Challenges program offered at UMBC and many other universities around the world. The Grand Challenges focus on some of the biggest problems our world is facing today. During the week students will complete some hands on challenges, learn about solar and other energy sources/systems, and learn what it takes to design and install a solar system.

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The Biotech Leader Simulation Program: This hands-on summer course gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how life-saving medicines are developed, from the research lab to patients who need them.Over 5 days, you will step into the role of a biotech company leader using an engaging strategy game created by PhD scientists.

Working in teams, you will make real decisions about drug discovery, running clinical trials, scaling up manufacturing, and launching products to fight diseases.Through interactive workshops and daily gaming challenges based on actual industry scenarios, you will explore exciting STEM careers while building valuable skills like strategic thinking, project management, teamwork, and innovation.

Expert mentors guide you through the world of immunology, drug development, AI in healthcare, and public health, all while having fun competing and collaborating with fellow students.

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