Summer Programs

Energy of STEM
During the virtual camps, students will have the opportunity to explore concepts around Green Energy (elementary) and Electronics (high school). The camps will include demonstrations and lessons, hands-on projects and group-work, and time for connecting and sharing with peers in a fun, engaging environment. All materials needed for the camp will be provided and mailed to students' homes prior to the start of the camp, along with a camp schedule. Activities will be led by USC Viterbi Center staff and USC students.
- Dates: TBD
- Application deadline: TBD
- Age group: Grades 3-5
- Schedule: 5 days
- Cost: Free
- Program Website
CS @ SC Summer Camps
The CS@SC Summer Camps provide K12 students with an opportunity to explore topics that are not typically covered in traditional curricula, specifically topics in computer science including stand-alone programming, web development, mobile app creation, and robotics. Students will learn how to program various languages designed for K12 students and we offer both virtual and in-person courses.
- Dates: Courses are offered during the summer. Please see our website for the exact dates.
- Application Deadline: 4 weeks before the start of the first session.
- Age group: Grades K - 5
- Virtual Schedule: Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 1:30 AM PT or 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM PT (2 week class with 5 sessions covered each week)
- In-Person Schedule: Monday-Friday from 8 AM - 3 PM PT at USC (5 week class with 2 sessions covered each day)
- Cost: $200 for Virtual classes and $575 for In-Person classes.
- Program Website
Summer Engineering Camp
During the two week camp, students will explore aerospace, electrical, civil and mechanical engineering with hands-on activities such as rockets, circuits, bridges, and robots. Students will also explore computer science by learning to code and write apps.
- Dates: TBD
- Application deadline: TBD
- Age group: Currently enrolled in 5th, 6th or 7th grade
- Schedule: Mon-Fri
- Cost: Free
- Scholarships: FULL scholarship for all low-income students
- Requirements: B average in Science and Math classes
- Program Website
Project Payload
During this two week summer camp, middle school students will design, build and launch their rockets and high-altitude balloon sensor device at STARBASE in Los Alamitos. Students will use the scientific method and engineering design process to experiment and gather data on their launches.
- Dates: TBD
- Application deadline: TBD
- Age group: Currently enrolled in 5th, 6th or 7th grade
- Schedule: Mon-Fri
- Cost: Free
- Scholarships: FULL scholarship for all low-income students
- Requirements: B average in Science and Math classes
- Program Website
CS @ SC Summer Camps
The CS@SC Summer Camps provide K12 students with an opportunity to explore topics that are not typically covered in traditional curricula, specifically topics in computer science including stand-alone programming, web development, mobile app creation, and robotics. Students will learn how to program various languages designed for K12 students and we offer both virtual and in-person courses.
- Dates: Courses are offered during the summer. Please see our website for the exact dates.
- Application Deadline: 4 weeks before the start of the first session.
- Age group: Grades 6 - 8
- Virtual Schedule: Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 1:30 AM PT or 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM PT (2 week class with 5 sessions covered each week)
- In-Person Schedule: Monday-Friday from 8 AM - 3 PM PT at USC (5 week class with 2 sessions covered each day)
- Cost: $200 for Virtual classes and $575 for In-Person classes.
- Program Website
Zero Robotics
This six-week camp introduces students to computer programming, robotics, & space engineering. Students will compete against teams across the country, while astronauts referee the final competition live from space.
- Dates: TBD
- Age group: Currently enrolled in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade
- Schedule: M & F in person at USC campus, T-Th virtually on Zoom
- Cost: FREE
- Requirements: B average in Science and Math classes
- Program Website
SHINE (Summer High School Intensive in Next-Generation Engineering)
The Summer High School Intensive in Next-Generation Engineering (SHINE) offers a seven-week immersion in a professor’s lab, with close mentoring by the research team plus SHINE cohort activities.
- Dates: June 10, 2024-July 28, 2024
- Age group: Rising 9-11th graders
- Schedule: 20 hours/week, usually Mon, Wed, Friday
- SHINE Application Fee: $50
- Cost: $6,330
- Application Fee waivers: students who apply on time, are income eligible and send us an email with proof by 2
- Scholarships: Students who demonstrate both income eligibility and academic merit.
- Requirements:Strong track record of independence and STEM engagement (unweighted GPA > 3.4)
- Program Website
Discover Engineering
In this college course, students will explore various disciplines of engineering through academic lectures and classroom discussions. Students will gain practical experience through hands-on projects which involve designing, building and testing and will learn how to conduct research using design thinking and the engineering design process. Students receive 3 units of USC elective credit upon successful course completion.
- Dates: TBD
- Application deadline: TBD
- Age group: Completed at least 9th grade by June 19, 2022
- Cost: $6,105
- Scholarships: Not available
- Housing: None
- Requirements: Students who will not have completed Pre-Calc/Trig before June 19, 2022 but who wish to be considered for this course must submit the Pre-Calc/Trig Waiver with their application
- Program Website
Energy of STEM
During the virtual camps, students will have the opportunity to explore concepts around Green Energy (elementary) and Electronics (high school). The camps will include demonstrations and lessons, hands-on projects and group-work, and time for connecting and sharing with peers in a fun, engaging environment. All materials needed for the camp will be provided and mailed to students' homes prior to the start of the camp, along with a camp schedule. Activities will be led by USC Viterbi Center staff and USC students.
- Dates: TBD
- Application deadline: TBD
- Age group: Grades 9-12
- Schedule: 5 days
- Cost: Free
- Program Website
CS @ SC Summer Camps
The CS@SC Summer Camps provide K12 students with an opportunity to explore topics that are not typically covered in traditional curricula, specifically topics in computer science including stand-alone programming, web development, mobile app creation, and robotics. Students will learn how to program various languages designed for K12 students and we offer both virtual and in-person courses.
- Dates: Courses are offered during the summer. Please see our website for the exact dates.
- Application Deadline: 4 weeks before the start of the first session.
- Age group: Grades 9 - 12
- Virtual Schedule: Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 1:30 AM PT or 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM PT (2 week class with 5 sessions covered each week)
- In-Person Schedule: Monday-Friday from 8 AM - 3 PM PT at USC (5 week class with 2 sessions covered each day)
- Cost: $200 for Virtual classes and $575 for In-Person classes.
- Program Website
Code.org
Code.org partners with U.S.-based organizations such as regional education units, nonprofits, and universities who serve as K-12 computer science hubs in each region. As a Code.org regional partner, the USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Center offers training for teachers interested in using the standards-aligned Code.org curriculum with their students.
- Dates: Summer 2024
- Applications Open: January 2024
- Age group: Elementary, Middle, and High School Teachers
- Program Website
Energy Transitions
The Virtual Colloquium on Energy Transition sponsored by Chevron will be held during July 24-25 2023 at USC. A maximum of 20 science teachers will be selected from the applicant list to participate. The colloquium will include a total of three sessions each lasting three hours plus a final three hours for feedback from the participating teachers. Selected teachers who participate and complete the two-day program will receive a stipend, and CE credit.
To apply please visit Workshops - Ershaghi Center for Energy Transition or Center for Interactive Smart Oilfield Technologies – Viterbi School of Engineering
The colloquium is intended to provide the participating high school science teachers an opportunity to become acquainted with educational aspects of Energy Transition for the benefit of their students before the start of the new school year.
- Dates: TBD
- Age group: All Teachers
- Program Website
Published on March 7th, 2018
Last updated on November 17th, 2023