Program Directed by
John Ralston
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
MIT Campus
Engineering & Robotics Workshop
This summer, join top experts and researchers on the campus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to examine the many intersections of technology and exploration, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics. Attend seminars on a range of topics—from remote exploration of space and sea to engineering microscopic robots—and participate in related experiments. Weave your experiences together by creating a capstone project proposal that uses cutting-edge science to help address an important issue in your own community.
Note: Specific activities and workshops depend on the current work of labs and researchers. This description is representative of last year’s experiences and will be updated closer to the summer. Please call with any questions!
- Highlights
• Meet with researchers at MIT who are using technology to rebuild coastlines
• Harness 3D printers to reimagine the future of technology and print your own design
• Collect and analyze big data to assess and problem solve a real-world issue
• Learn about innovative work being done by scientists and storytellers at MIT
• Harness 3D printers to reimagine the future of technology and print your own design
• Collect and analyze big data to assess and problem solve a real-world issue
• Learn about innovative work being done by scientists and storytellers at MIT
“This program helped me discover my interest in engineering and has influenced the path I want to take in my academic journey.”
—Blessing G., Horizon Science Academy High School, Columbus, OH
Featured
Expert
An Expert joins each Career program for a portion of the itinerary, lending their insights and perspectives to the experience.
Our 2025 Expert will be announced soon!
Our 2025 Expert will be announced soon!
Skylar Tibbits is the founder and co-director of the Self-Assembly Lab housed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) International Design Center. The Self-Assembly Lab focuses on self-assembly and programmable material technologies for novel...
Skylar Tibbits is the founder and co-director of the Self-Assembly Lab housed at the Massachusetts Institute...
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers in Boston, Massachusetts, either at the MIT campus or Boston Logan International Airport. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Cambridge, Massaschusetts — 8 days
Arrive at the MIT campus, join your group for an orientation and campus tour, and get acclimated to university life in Cambridge. Each day features a hands-on workshop or field study followed by a discussion-based seminar or group meeting to further examine and apply what you’ve learned. Program leaders guide the group through each activity and facilitate workshops and discussions with program experts. State-of-the-art research labs and applied technology centers in the local area serve as your classrooms as you explore scientific solutions to some of the most critical and compelling issues facing the modern world.
Visit the Self-Assembly lab at MIT and learn about how researchers are using wave energy and underwater structures to promote sand accumulation as part of a project to rebuild coastlines and "build" islands. Work with tanks designed to mimic the ocean experience, manipulating water and sand to see a small scale of this action. Next, visit the newly revamped Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel and learn about researchers' thoughts on how to build better and more efficient planes. In the late afternoon head out to explore some of Boston's "green roofs" and learn about these and other innovative and accessible urban farming solutions.
Join National Geographic Explorer Skylar Tibbits at his lab, where he’ll provide an overview of how 3D printing is being used to improve our lives—from creating more comfortable human prosthetics to building flexible structures that adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Take breaks from seminars to explore the vibrant cities of Cambridge and Boston. Peruse the shelves at bookstores in Harvard Square, kayak along the Charles River, meet culinary entrepreneurs at the Boston Public Market, or visit one of the area’s world-famous museums. Wander the cobbled streets winding through some of our country’s oldest neighborhoods, and delve into Revolutionary War history during a walk along the Freedom Trail. Each evening, gather on campus for a group activity, such as a presentation by one of our program experts, a panel discussion with current MIT students and researchers, a film screening, or a concert.
Engage in a friendly multi-day hack-a-thon competition directed by your expert, a specialist in finding applications for new technologies in the service of environmental conservation and protection. Finish the competition with your own AI-powered prototype and design in hand. Design and hone a final project that focuses on an issue important to you and your home community.
Return — Travel Day
Depart from the MIT campus or Boston Logan International Airport. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers in Boston, Massachusetts, either at the MIT campus or Boston Logan International Airport. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Cambridge, Massaschusetts — 8 days
Arrive at the MIT campus, join your group for an orientation and campus tour, and get acclimated to university life in Cambridge. Each day features a hands-on workshop or field study followed by a discussion-based seminar or group meeting to further examine and apply what you’ve learned. Program leaders guide the group through each activity and facilitate workshops and discussions with program experts. State-of-the-art research labs and applied technology centers in the local area serve as your classrooms as you explore scientific solutions to some of the most critical and compelling issues facing the modern world.
Visit the Self-Assembly lab at MIT and learn about how researchers are using wave energy and underwater structures to promote sand accumulation as part of a project to rebuild coastlines and "build" islands. Work with tanks designed to mimic the ocean experience, manipulating water and sand to see a small scale of this action. Next, visit the newly revamped Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel and learn about researchers' thoughts on how to build better and more efficient planes. In the late afternoon head out to explore some of Boston's "green roofs" and learn about these and other innovative and accessible urban farming solutions.
Join National Geographic Explorer Skylar Tibbits at his lab, where he’ll provide an overview of how 3D printing is being used to improve our lives—from creating more comfortable human prosthetics to building flexible structures that adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Take breaks from seminars to explore the vibrant cities of Cambridge and Boston. Peruse the shelves at bookstores in Harvard Square, kayak along the Charles River, meet culinary entrepreneurs at the Boston Public Market, or visit one of the area’s world-famous museums. Wander the cobbled streets winding through some of our country’s oldest neighborhoods, and delve into Revolutionary War history during a walk along the Freedom Trail. Each evening, gather on campus for a group activity, such as a presentation by one of our program experts, a panel discussion with current MIT students and researchers, a film screening, or a concert.
Engage in a friendly multi-day hack-a-thon competition directed by your expert, a specialist in finding applications for new technologies in the service of environmental conservation and protection. Finish the competition with your own AI-powered prototype and design in hand. Design and hone a final project that focuses on an issue important to you and your home community.
Return — Travel Day
Depart from the MIT campus or Boston Logan International Airport. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Program Themes
Engineering the Future
Get a firsthand look at new technologies that are being used to address challenges facing the modern world. Experiment in robotics and engineering activities, and understand the future applications of the latest innovations. Then, develop a proposal for a project that you would implement in your home community, and pitch your idea to your peers, your program expert, and trip leaders.
Technology for Remote Exploration
Investigate how advances in technology are enabling scientists to probe areas previously considered “too remote” to access.
Innovations in Robotics & Artificial Intelligence
Hear how engineers are developing a new class of robots and discuss the ethical questions surrounding the future of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Independent Project
Weave your experiences together to design and hone a final project that uses technology to address an important issues in your home community.
Physical Activity
This is an active summer travel program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you are interested in trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in a dormitory on campus with single or double rooms and shared bathrooms. We will host seminars and expert talks in classrooms, labs, or conference rooms primarily at the university.
Meals
We eat breakfast and dinner at our accommodation. Lunches are a combination of the campus dining hall and out on the town.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Program Themes
Engineering the Future
Get a firsthand look at new technologies that are being used to address challenges facing the modern world. Experiment in robotics and engineering activities, and understand the future applications of the latest innovations. Then, develop a proposal for a project that you would implement in your home community, and pitch your idea to your peers, your program expert, and trip leaders.
Technology for Remote Exploration
Investigate how advances in technology are enabling scientists to probe areas previously considered “too remote” to access.
Innovations in Robotics & Artificial Intelligence
Hear how engineers are developing a new class of robots and discuss the ethical questions surrounding the future of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Independent Project
Weave your experiences together to design and hone a final project that uses technology to address an important issues in your home community.
Physical Activity
This is an active summer travel program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you are interested in trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in a dormitory on campus with single or double rooms and shared bathrooms. We will host seminars and expert talks in classrooms, labs, or conference rooms primarily at the university.
Meals
We eat breakfast and dinner at our accommodation. Lunches are a combination of the campus dining hall and out on the town.
A Day in the Life: MIT Campus
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day on the MIT campus.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast together with your group at our accommodations
9:00am
Participate in a seminar focused on technological innovations for mitigating climate change
11:00am
Meet in small groups to discuss and debate what you just learned
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Break for lunch and downtime before heading to the lab with your group
2:00pm
Visit the Self-Assembly lab with Expert Skylar Tibbits and learn about his current work looking at ways to rebuild coastlines and “build” islands
4:00pm
Participate in small group workshops, getting hands-on with what you have just learned
- Evening
6:00pm
Head out for a stroll on the streets of Harvard Square or play frisbee on the quad
7:00pm
Eat dinner together as a group back at or near our accommodations
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and learn about the next day’s activities
9:00pm
Regroup with your discussion group and leader to workshop your final projects
A Day in the Life:
MIT Campus
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day on the MIT campus.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast together with your group at our accommodations
9:00am
Participate in a seminar focused on technological innovations for mitigating climate change
11:00am
Meet in small groups to discuss and debate what you just learned
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Break for lunch and downtime before heading to the lab with your group
2:00pm
Visit the Self-Assembly lab with Expert Skylar Tibbits and learn about his current work looking at ways to rebuild coastlines and “build” islands
4:00pm
Participate in small group workshops, getting hands-on with what you have just learned
- Evening
6:00pm
Head out for a stroll on the streets of Harvard Square or play frisbee on the quad
7:00pm
Eat dinner together as a group back at or near our accommodations
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and learn about the next day’s activities
9:00pm
Regroup with your discussion group and leader to workshop your final projects
“I didn’t have experience with machine learning before I came, but now I am super interested. By the end I knew so much more and made great friends in the process.”
—Sara W., Astra Nova School, Henderson, NV
Program Directed by
John Ralston
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
