For-Credit Fun-Sized Courses

The application for Summer 2024 closes May 15, 2024 - Apply Now! 

Purdue University is excited to offer intensive short-term opportunities for high school students during June and July. Move-in and orientation for each experience will occur on Sunday and class sessions begin on Monday.

When you submit an application for Summer College for High School Students, you will indicate up to three preferences for short-term courses. While you may only select up to three preferences, you may be considered for any program under Summer College for High School Students. Submitting an application for a single program does not guarantee admission into that program.

To view programs available for Summer 2024, click the weeks listed below to view what courses are being offered each week. 


Our programs are open to students from all backgrounds and we welcome all students.

Atoms at Work: Explore Nuclear Energy with the Purdue Nuclear Reactor - First Session - This course is currently full for Summer 2024. 

College of Engineering | Nuclear Engineering

June 16 - June 21, 2024

Credit hours: 2

During the Atoms at Work program, rising high school seniors will undergo a crash course on all things nuclear. Each day of the one-week course will be a combination of interactive lectures and hands on experiments at Purdue’s Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Laboratory (NERL). Students will have demonstrated to them concepts ranging from radiation detection to reactor physics and will be exposed to the topics and materials they will likely study in nuclear engineering in a fun and interactive manner. The experience will culminate, at the end of the week, with a hands-on lab where students will get to use the PUR-1 reactor for their final experiment along with a tour of a commercial nuclear power plant.


Building the Next Generation of Engineering Leaders in Construction Engineering - This course is currently full for Summer 2024. 

College of Engineering | Construction Engineering and Management

June 16 - June 21, 2024

Credit hours: 1

The Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) Summer College for High School Students 2024 Program, hosted at Purdue University, promises to be an enriching and transformative experience for young minds aspiring to explore the world of construction engineering. This program is designed to provide high school students with a captivating and comprehensive introduction to the dynamic field of Construction Engineering. Over the course of this summer program, students will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in various facets of construction, professionalism, applied engineering, experiential learning, and real-world job site visits.

Through a blend of interactive classroom sessions and hands-on experiences, students will gain invaluable insights into the construction industry, learning from accomplished industry professionals and Purdue's esteemed faculty. What sets this program apart is its emphasis on experiential learning; students will acquire theoretical knowledge and witness the practical application of their learning by visiting active job sites. Industry representatives will actively engage with students, offering a unique perspective on discipline-specific knowledge, making the program a dynamic and well-rounded educational experience. By participating in the CEM Summer College, high school students will lay the foundation for a promising future in the exciting and vital field of construction engineering, while forging meaningful connections and gaining a deeper appreciation for the complexities and innovations within this industry.

In this one-week course, students should expect:
1. Learn what it means to be a construction engineer
2. Interact with industry leaders and learn professional skills that will set the student up for success
3. Engage in the application of technical theories in applied engineering with faculty and students
4. Experience real-world job sites by visiting active construction projects

Students selected to participate in the 2024 “Building the Next Generation of Engineering Leaders in Construction Engineering” program will be supported by the generosity of The Walsh Group and Construction Engineering & Management with funding to cover 50% of the cost of tuition and fees. Students will be responsible for room and board, travel to and from Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, and the $60 application fee or must qualify for an application fee waiver.


CyberSafe Heroes - This course is currently full for Summer 2024. 

Rosen Center for Advanced Computing

June 16 - June 21, 2024

Credit hours: 1

CyberSafe Heroes is a one-week cybersecurity camp for high school students. Through interactive lessons and simulated ethical hacking activities, students will learn how to protect their digital privacy, promote online safety, and explore careers in this critical field.

The cost of tuition, fees, room, and board will be reduced to $100 for students selected to participate in the Summer 2024 CyberSafe Heroes course. Students will be responsible for the $60 application fee, travel to and from Purdue University's West Lafayette campus, and final payment of $100. 


Game On! Philosophical Investigation through Video Games - First Session

College of Liberal Arts | Philosophy

June 16 - June 21, 2024

Credit hours: 1

Do you replay open world video games repeatedly just to see what the possible outcomes are for your character if you make different choices throughout the game? Have you ever felt distressed by the constraints placed on your character while playing a game, and wondered if you face those same constraints in your life? As you play your favorite video games, do you notice how often you are challenged to determine what the “right” thing to do is? Do you follow the scripted path or go on off on your own, perhaps exploiting glitches and bugs in the game to come to unexpected situations?

In this program you will explore prominent questions in philosophy, from the fundamental i.e. do we have free will? What makes something, like a game, what it is? To those that tug at the deepest concepts of ourselves and our place in the world: for instance, how do we know if we are doing the right thing? What is it that makes us human? Is it language or consciousness or reasoning or something else entirely? Can we—or should we—develop artificial agents that have these human-like qualities? Could such agents be the kinds of things that feel pain, or that possess rights and deserve our respect?  All seen through the lens of video games to help inform and prompt discussion and reflection.


Introduction to Academic Programs at Purdue: GS 11900 - This course is nearing capacity for Summer 2024.

Office of Summer and Winter Sessions

June 16 - June 21, 2024

Credit hours: 1

Not sure what you want to major in when you go to college? Want to learn more about all the exciting opportunities that await you at Purdue University? Introduction to Academic Programs at Purdue is a one-week course designed to help you learn all about Purdue and what it has to offer. In this course, students can expect to: 

  • Conduct activities with instructors from various majors
  • Speak with representatives about their programs and majors
  • Explore Purdue’s campus, make friends, and enjoy fun activities
  • Speak with current Purdue students about their experiences at Purdue
  • Live in one of our residence halls and eat at our award winning dining courts

TEAM: Technology Expanding All Minds

Purdue Polytechnic Institute

June 16 - June 21, 2024

Credit hours:1

Here’s your chance to get an in-person, hands-on look at the amazing academic programs - and their exciting potential careers - from Purdue Polytechnic, one of the 10 academic colleges at Purdue University!

Our in-person, five-day residential program is called TEAM: “Technology Expanding All Minds.” TEAM is offered as a one-week, one-credit course experience for high school Students. With a focus on high school female 9th,10th, and 11th-grade students. All are welcome to attend. This engaging and informative summer camp is programmed with you in mind and will allow you to experience how technology is changing the world in large and small ways.


TOTAL: Turned Onto Technology and Leadership - This course is currently full for Summer 2024. 

Purdue Polytechnic Institute

June 16 - June 21, 2024

Credit hours: 1

TOTAL introduces high school students to the various fields of technology that are offered as Bachelor of Science degree programs in the college. Students participating in the program will dive into the six different academic departments of the Polytechnic. Students will earn one college credit during the program by working on a week-long project with faculty members in the Polytechnic Institute. Throughout the one-week program, students will also take part in activities with each of the six departments to gain a better understanding of technology fields, participate in the hands-on learning environment that the Polytechnic utilizes, and learn how in-demand technology careers are made possible through the Polytechnic Institute’s degree programs. This program will have an enhanced focus on the importance of diversity and inclusion for underrepresented students during college.


You Can't Make It Without Materials This course is currently full for Summer 2024.

College of Engineering | Materials Engineering

June 16 - June 21, 2024

Credit hours: 1

Everything we use is made of materials. From the simplest tools to complicated systems like aircraft and semiconductor chips, the products and devices you use are all made of materials. But why are your car keys made out of brass, pop cans made of aluminum, and insulation made out of glass? This one week survey course will bring high school students into contact with all classes of materials, from metals and polymers to electronic materials and composites. Students will experience a combination of hands on materials processing, characterization of material properties, and get a chance to explore computational tools that let engineers select the right material for a job and design new materials for applications of the future. Our materials world isn’t static, and we advance society when you apply new materials in new applications. 

A.I. and You! Philosophy of A.I. and What It Means to be Human

College of Liberal Arts | Philosophy

June 23 - 28, 2024

Credit hours: 1

Artificial intelligence (A.I.) is becoming more pervasive in our daily lives, as you likely have realized after having your own experiences with some form of A.I. (ChatGPT, Siri/Alexa, Spotify “Smart Lists”, etc.) However, the origins of artificial intelligence can be found in the works of not only science fiction, but more often in the writings of philosophers, decades (even centuries) before the current programs and systems that we have experiences with were in development. The questions that were proposed about whether a mind needs a body, what it means for something to be “conscious,” what “intelligence” is and how we prove that something has it, are now more complex and more meaningful. In this course, we will tackle some of the underlying philosophical questions and issues that arise when we think carefully about the nature of machines that are meant to model our own minds, and perhaps even replicate intelligence.


Agricultural Science Research Institute This course is nearing capacity for Summer 2024.

College of Agriculture | Office of Academic Programs

June 23 - 28, 2024

Credit hours: 1

Agriculture Science Research Institute (ASRI) is a one-week residential program that allows students to grow their interests in STEM areas and experience Purdue’s campus life. To demonstrate research, innovation and discovery in agriculture and science; Purdue Agriculture faculty, graduate students, and staff serve as research mentors of hands-on experiments and projects in their facilities throughout the week. Previously, students were hosted in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Biochemistry, Food Science, Agronomy, Botany and Plant Pathology, and Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Departments.  Students will spend their days conducting various research projects and connecting with college leadership throughout the week. Students will present their findings and learning outcomes to their student peers, faculty and staff, and any guests during a culminating event at the end of the week.

Scholarships will be awarded to seven students in the amount of $500 each to go towards tuition and room and board for the students enrolled in the ASRI course. Scholarships will be awarded based on the following criteria.

  • Grades in core academic coursework and strength of your school curriculum (in the context of courses available at your school). This information will be gathered from your Purdue Summer College application and transcripts.
  • Answers to the scholarship application questions. (click here to get a list of the questions)

It is preferred for the application to be completed in one attempt. Incomplete applications will not be considered for scholarship awarding.    

The scholarship application is due by May 1st at 11:59 pm EST. 

Scholarship recipients will be notified by May 15th via email.  

The link to the scholarship application will be made available to admitted ASRI students via a separate emailed link.

For questions regarding the ASRI program or this scholarship application please contact Anna Egan at williaak@purdue.edu


Atoms at Work: Explore Nuclear Energy with the Purdue Nuclear Reactor - Second Session This course is currently full for Summer 2024.

College of Engineering | Nuclear Engineering

June 23 - June 28, 2024

Credit hours: 2

During the Atoms at Work program, rising high school seniors will undergo a crash course on all things nuclear. Each day of the one-week course will be a combination of interactive lectures and hands on experiments at Purdue’s Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Laboratory (NERL). Students will have demonstrated to them concepts ranging from radiation detection to reactor physics and will be exposed to the topics and materials they will likely study in nuclear engineering in a fun and interactive manner. The experience will culminate, at the end of the week, with a hands-on lab where students will get to use the PUR-1 reactor for their final experiment along with a tour of a commercial nuclear power plant.


Code Explorers This course is currently full for Summer 2024. 

Rosen Center for Advanced Computing

June 23 - June 28, 2024

Credit hours: 1

Code Explorers is a week camp that teaches coding and data skills through an environmental lens. Students will collect real-world data using sensors, analyze and visualize their findings with Python, and create digital stories highlighting environmental issues.

The cost of tuition, fees, room, and board will be reduced to $100 for students selected to participate in the Summer 2024 Code Explorers course. Students will be responsible for the $60 application fee, travel to and from Purdue University's West Lafayette campus, and final payment of $100. 


Developing Tomorrow's Infrastructure: An Introduction to Civil Engineering - First Session - This course is currently full for Summer 2024. 

College of Engineering | Civil Engineering

June 23 - June 28, 2024

Credit hours: 1

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain our infrastructure in a way that accommodates the needs of generations to come. From roadways, tunnels, bridges, and sewers to public transit, power grids, coastline protection, and the next city skyline, civil engineers design the world of the future. This course is built around projects designed to introduce you to the principles and practices of a wide range of disciplines within civil engineering, build skills in working with teams during the design process, and develop a broad picture of how this profession impacts your community today and shapes the possibilities of the future.

In this one-week course, students will:
- Learn how civil engineers are preparing for the future
- Participate in civil engineering learning activities
- Learn and employ mathematical and scientific principles used in civil engineering design
- Interact with faculty and student researchers at Purdue
- Experience life as a college student, make friends, and enjoy fun activities

Due to the generosity of the Lyles School of Civil Engineering, students selected to participate in the 2024 Developing Tomorrow’s Infrastructure: An Introduction to Civil Engineering course will receive funding to cover ½ the cost of tuition and fees. Students will still be responsible for room and board, travel to and from Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, and the $60.00 application fee or must qualify for an application fee waiver. 


Exploring Human Disease Detection and Prevention

College of Health and Human Sciences | Health Sciences

June 23 - June 28, 2024

Credit hours: 1

Have you ever wondered how we establish connections between the appearance of a disease and exposure to things in our environment, not only the outdoors, but in our homes and workplaces.  How about our ability to not only diagnose such diseases but formulate tailored treatments and innovative therapies as well as devise recommendations to prevent such aliments.  If yes, then this course might be the one for you.  Through engagement in this course, students will experience a variety of techniques used to support the detection, treatment, and prevention of human disease.

Students will engage in interactive class sessions involving lessons across varied disciplines in the fields of disease detection and prevention (Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science, & Radiological Health Sciences).  Following each lesson, students will put this knowledge into practice with some hands-on application activities.  In addition, daily lunch and learn sessions with professional panelists across these disciplines will offer students first-hand stories and exposure to the diverse composite of roles and professions that impact disease detection and prevention.  Reflective journaling will be required daily, throughout the week.  This assessment will be capped off by a cumulative class reflection linked to collective gains about the broad nature of careers that impact health and wellness.  Finally, students will work in groups on an exploration topic of their choosing and present it to the class, podcast style enriching everyone’s learning and take-a-ways.    


PREFACE: Pre-Freshmen and Cooperative Education

College of Engineering | Minority Engineering Programs

June 23 - June 28, 2024

Credit hours: 1

If you would like to be considered for the PREFACE program, you must first submit a separate, primary application through Minority Engineering Programs (MEP) for consideration. MEP will launch their application for 2024 programs on December 1, 2023. The application link will be included on this web page

 

Cargill-Purdue Agribusiness Science Academy (C-PASA) and AgDiscovery

C-PASA is nearing capacity for Summer 2024.

College of Agriculture | Office of Multicultural Programs

July 7 - July 19, 2024

Credit hours: 1

The Cargill-Purdue Agribusiness Science Academy High School Camp (C-PASA) and AgDiscovery Camp are free summer residential experiences hosted by Purdue Agriculture’s Office of Multicultural Programs. The programs focus on providing rising 10th through 12th graders with an overview of agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. Dependent on their program, participants engage in academic sessions with Purdue Agriculture's academic and administrative departments, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the U.S.D.A. Agricultural Research Service. They will also visit industry partners, farms, and other agriculture-related spaces. The programs focus on ensuring participants understand the breadth of agriculture and the wonderful potential for college majors and lifelong careers.

Students apply to C-PASA through Summer College for High School Students.

Students apply to AgDiscovery through the USDA, and will later submit an application to Summer College for High School Students if selected to participate.

High school students selected to participate in either program will receive a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, fees, room, and board for the duration of the two-week program. Students will be responsible for the $60 application fee (unless eligible for a fee waiver) and their travel to and from Purdue University's West Lafayette campus.

Developing Tomorrow's Infrastructure: An Introduction to Civil Engineering - Second Session This course is currently full for Summer 2024. 

College of Engineering | Civil Engineering

July 7 - July 12, 2024

Credit hours: 1

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain our infrastructure in a way that accommodates the needs of generations to come. From roadways, tunnels, bridges, and sewers to public transit, power grids, coastline protection, and the next city skyline, civil engineers design the world of the future. This course is built around projects designed to introduce you to the principles and practices of a wide range of disciplines within civil engineering, build skills in working with teams during the design process, and develop a broad picture of how this profession impacts your community today and shapes the possibilities of the future.

In this one-week course, students will:
- Learn how civil engineers are preparing for the future
- Participate in civil engineering learning activities
- Learn and employ mathematical and scientific principles used in civil engineering design
- Interact with faculty and student researchers at Purdue
- Experience life as a college student, make friends, and enjoy fun activities

Due to the generosity of the Lyles School of Civil Engineering, students selected to participate in the 2024 Developing Tomorrow’s Infrastructure: An Introduction to Civil Engineering course will receive funding to cover ½ the cost of tuition and fees. Students will still be responsible for room and board, travel to and from Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, and the $60.00 application fee or must qualify for an application fee waiver. 


Game On! Philosophical Investigation through Video Games - Second Session

College of Liberal Arts | Philosophy

July 7 - July 12, 2024

The second session of Game On! Philosophical Investigation through Video Games is cancelled for Summer 2024. 

 


Planning for Research in College: What You Can Do Now

Office of Undergraduate Research

July 7 - July 12, 2024

Credit hours: 1

This course focuses on helping high school students prepare for research experiences they may pursue while in college. Conducting innovative research is a great addition to a college career. College students who engage in research are more likely to graduate, more likely to go on to graduate school, and have more successful careers after graduation. Undergraduate research in any discipline is a first-hand experience with discovering how experts advance knowledge. As undergraduates, students develop valuable skills by engaging in cutting-edge research where they apply classroom knowledge to real-world problems under the guidance of Purdue mentors. Taking the time to prepare for research, before you begin your undergraduate career, can help maximize your Purdue experience.

In this one-week residential course, high school students will:

  • Learn how to prepare for undergraduate research before beginning their college career
  • Develop a list of potential research interests
  • Create a list of potential research mentors utilizing a variety of techniques in locating on- and off-campus opportunities
  • Tour a few of Purdue’s research spaces from various disciplines
  • Explore Purdue’s campus, make friends, and enjoy fun activities

Vfor Aviation

Purdue Polytechnic Institute | School of Aviation and Transportation Technology

V1 for Aviation is cancelled for Summer 2024. 

 

Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering Experience - This course is currently full for Summer 2024. 

College of Engineering | Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering

July 14 - July 19, 2024

Credit hours: 1

Aeronautical and astronautical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They work in all technical areas to develop new technologies, whether it be safe, efficient and sustainable air transportation; exploration of and access to space; maintaining defense and security; or using aerospace to facilitate new opportunities.  This course will focus on projects to introduce you to the disciplines of aerodynamics, aerospace systems, astrodynamics and space applications, autonomy and control, propulsion, and structures and materials. 

In this one-week course, students will: 

  • Learn how aeronautical and astronautical engineers are preparing for the future. 
  • Participate in learning activities related to aerodynamics, aerospace systems, astrodynamics and space applications, autonomy and control, propulsion, and structures and materials.
  • Learn about the physical phenomena and mathematical principles used by aeronautical and astronautical engineers within their technical areas. 
  • Interact with faculty and student researchers at Purdue.

Data Science and STEM - First Session

The Data Mine

July 14 - July 19, 2024

Credit hours: 1

From tracking activity on a wearable device to ensuring the accuracy of sports statistics, data is everywhere. The world is in need of scientists to help analyze, manipulate and act on this data. This course provides students with a unique combination of statistical analysis and computing experience as well as the chance to gain deep critical thinking skills. From healthcare to cybersecurity students will explore the impact of data and how to join one of the fastest growing career fields in the country.

*Students enrolled in this course will be required to bring a personal laptop (minimum of 8GB RAM). A limited number of computers are available for rental, students may also share.


Empowering Women in Business - First Session This course is nearing capacity for Summer 2024.

Daniels School of Business | Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Business

July 14 - July 19, 2024

Credit hours: 1

The Daniels School of Business Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Business, in partnership with the Purdue University Summer College for High School Students, offers an annual exciting summer program for college credit. The Empowering Women in Business Fun Sized Course is designed for young women who are incoming juniors or seniors in high school. During the five-day experience on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus students live on campus while participating in full days that include hands-on activities designed to expose students to the array of opportunities in business while also developing team building and leadership skills, personal confidence, and key negotiation understanding. The program will introduce students to the business principles of economics, strategy, marketing, supply chain and finance, while other fun and engaging activities provide a glimpse of life as a Purdue Boilermaker. During the week you will:

  • Explore potential careers in business and entrepreneurship through hands-on learning experiences building to a Shark Tank like pitch competition
  • Develop a toolkit to navigate your way through everyday life with confidence
  • Apply your new skills and imagination to design a business and pitch it to potential investors
  • Interact with Purdue students, faculty and alumni
  • Experience life as a college student

REVIEWS FROM PAST ATTENDEES:

It opened my eyes to how many ways you can put your passion into business.

It was a neat opportunity to learn more about business with women’s empowerment mixed in.

I had a fun experience at this retreat, both with campers, counselors and activities. I also learned a lot about business and business careers."

Due to the generosity of our donors, the cost of tuition, fees, and room and board will be reduced to $200 for students selected to participate in the summer 2024 Empowering Women in Business Course.

Students will be responsible for the application fee of $60, travel to and from Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, and final payment of $200.


Fantastic Plastic: Designing a Product Using a 3-D Printer - First Session - This course is currently full for Summer 2024. 

College of Engineering | Mechanical Engineering

July 14 - July 19, 2024

Credit hours: 1

So many of the products that we use every day are made of plastic. Spanning topics in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, and sustainability, this course will explore questions such as: What methods can be used to form plastics into different shapes? What properties of plastics make them suitable for different products? Where do plastics come from? Where do they go when we dispose of them?

Students will work in teams to choose a product to design and bring that product to life using 3D printing. Hands-on activities give a practical perspective on the properties of plastics that are needed for different manufacturing methods. Students will tour state-of-the-art facilities at Purdue that fabricate prototypes such as plastic electronics. This course will provide a glimpse into the future of product prototyping and manufacturing.

Data Science and STEM - Second Session

The Data Mine

July 21 - July 26, 2024

Credit hours: 1

From tracking activity on a wearable device to ensuring the accuracy of sports statistics, data is everywhere. The world is in need of scientists to help analyze, manipulate and act on this data. This course provides students with a unique combination of statistical analysis and computing experience as well as the chance to gain deep critical thinking skills. From healthcare to cybersecurity students will explore the impact of data and how to join one of the fastest growing career fields in the country.

*Students enrolled in this course will be required to bring a personal laptop (minimum of 8GB RAM). A limited number of computers are available for rental, students may also share.


Empowering Women in Business - Second Session This course is nearing capacity for Summer 2024.

Daniels School of Business | Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Business

July 21 - July 26, 2024

Credit hours: 1

The Daniels School of Business Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Business, in partnership with the Purdue University Summer College for High School Students, offers an annual exciting summer program for college credit. The Empowering Women in Business Fun Sized Course is designed for young women who are incoming juniors or seniors in high school. During the five-day experience on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus students live on campus while participating in full days that include hands-on activities designed to expose students to the array of opportunities in business while also developing team building and leadership skills, personal confidence, and key negotiation understanding. The program will introduce students to the business principles of economics, strategy, marketing, supply chain and finance, while other fun and engaging activities provide a glimpse of life as a Purdue Boilermaker. During the week you will:

  • Explore potential careers in business and entrepreneurship through hands-on learning experiences building to a Shark Tank like pitch competition
  • Develop a toolkit to navigate your way through everyday life with confidence
  • Apply your new skills and imagination to design a business and pitch it to potential investors
  • Interact with Purdue students, faculty and alumni
  • Experience life as a college student

REVIEWS FROM PAST ATTENDEES:

It opened my eyes to how many ways you can put your passion into business.

It was a neat opportunity to learn more about business with women’s empowerment mixed in.

I had a fun experience at this retreat, both with campers, counselors and activities. I also learned a lot about business and business careers."

Due to the generosity of our donors, the cost of tuition, fees, and room and board will be reduced to $200 for students selected to participate in the summer 2024 Empowering Women in Business Course.

Students will be responsible for the application fee of $60, travel to and from Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, and final payment of $200.


Entertainment Machine Design Challenge

Fusion Studio for Entertainment and Engineering | Construction Engineering and Management

July 21 - July 26, 2024

Credit hours: 2

Are you intrigued by the mesmerizing moments in your favorite romantic comedies, the surprise elements in theatrical productions, or the hidden wonders waiting to be uncovered at amusement parks? If so, the Summer 2024 Fusion Studio High School Course is designed just for you. This innovative program aims to introduce students to the fascinating intersection of entertainment and engineering by immersing them in a dynamic and hands-on experiential learning environment.
Throughout the course, students will explore the behind-the-scenes magic that brings these captivating moments to life. Have you ever wondered how flower petals gracefully fall from the sky over a newly married couple in a rom-com movie? Or how seemingly ordinary doors on a stage can close and then reveal something unexpected behind them during a play? And what about those thrilling moments at amusement parks when panels flip up to reveal hidden characters? In this course, students will unravel these mysteries and discover the intricate engineering mechanisms that make it all possible.

Over the span of a week, participants will work collaboratively in teams to tackle a unique entertainment problem. Guided by experienced instructors, students will delve into the engineering design and prototyping process, gaining hands-on experience in creatiing their own innovative solutions. The culmination of this journey will be a thrilling competition where teams will showcase their prototype machines, vying to demonstrate the most creative and effective solutions to the entertainment challenges presented. This course promises to be an unforgetable adventure into the world of entertainment engineering, where creativity, teamwork, and innovation are the keys to making magic happen.

In this one-week course, students should expect:
1. Engage in the application of technical theories in applied entertainment engineering
2. Experience real-world challenges and learn how to solve them in an experiential learning setting
3. Engage with faculty and students from the College of Liberal Arts and College of Engineering


Fantastic Plastic: Designing a Product Using a 3-D Printer - Second Session This course is currently full for Summer 2024. 

College of Engineering | Mechanical Engineering

July 21 - July 26, 2024

Credit hours: 1

So many of the products that we use every day are made of plastic. Spanning topics in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, and sustainability, this course will explore questions such as: What methods can be used to form plastics into different shapes? What properties of plastics make them suitable for different products? Where do plastics come from? Where do they go when we dispose of them?

Students will work in teams to choose a product to design and bring that product to life using 3D printing. Hands-on activities give a practical perspective on the properties of plastics that are needed for different manufacturing methods. Students will tour state-of-the-art facilities at Purdue that fabricate prototypes such as plastic electronics. This course will provide a glimpse into the future of product prototyping and manufacturing.


Fleischer Scholars -

Office of Summer and Winter Sessions

July 21 - July 26, 2024

Credit hours: 1

In America, you can create your own destiny! The Fleischer Scholars Program teaches Indiana 21st Century Scholars how to think, learn, write, solve problems, be adaptable, and get out of their comfort zone en route to becoming Master Adaptive Learners. Students will also discover career paths in business, financial planning, and entrepreneurship.  Successful completion of the program will result in a college credit from Purdue University and a free laptop.

Thanks to the generous support of Morton and Donna Fleischer, the Fleischer Scholars Program is offered to Indiana 21st Century Scholars at no cost. Students from the Purdue Polytechnic High School system receive preference.

Who is Morton Fleischer? Morton Fleischer is a successful financier, entrepreneur and real estate investor. From his beginnings as a janitor in the local dime store to now, he has formed more than twenty real estate companies, taking three of them public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

With the Fleischer Scholars Program, his goal is to help more economically disadvantaged students graduate from college and to encourage them to invest their talent back into their hometown communities. He calls this the “multiplier effect” and hopes that these future leaders will serve as role models in their communities. 

Students admitted to Fleischer Scholars must accept their admission offer by May 10. 


MicroArtistry: Compassionate Arts and Engineering

College of Engineering | Engineering Education

July 21 - July 26, 2024

Credit hours: 2

MicroArtistry: Compassion, Arts, and Engineering is an immersive summer engineering course that blends the worlds of microelectronics, artistry, and social consciousness. Students will delve into the intricacies of microelectronics and gain insights into the semiconductor industry while channeling their creativity to make art using what they learn about microelectronic technology. Beyond the classroom, they will explore cutting-edge laboratories and galleries on campus, including the Birck Nanotechnology Center. The overarching objective of this course is to empower students to leverage technology and artistic expression to communicate community/global issues and foster compassion and understanding in our interconnected world.

Students enrolled in a SCALE K-12 school may qualify for a scholarship to participate in the MicroArtistry course. Students will be contacted after they've applied.