Summer Programs

Make This Summer All About STEM

Through the summer programs offered by Illinois Tech’s Elevate College Prep, middle school and high school students are exposed to STEM-driven programs that cover topics such as coding and programming, robotics, sustainability, science and research, the human sciences, and many more—all at Chicago’s leading tech-focused university.

Not only will middle school and high school students broaden their knowledge and enhance their skills while being exposed to highly relevant, tech-driven topics, but they’ll get a taste of college life and all that an Illinois Tech education offers.

Elevate College Prep offers three types of summer programs:

Overnight: Students stay on Illinois Tech’s Mies Campus in Chicago’s Bronzeville campus and are fully immersed in the college experience while taking part in hands-on experiences, collaborative projects, and engaging campus activities
- Please note: Overnight programs are only open to high school students
Daytime: Students enjoy the full experience of our summer programs—with the convenience of returning home at the end of each day
Virtual: Students take part in online programs tailored to their interests no matter where they are in the world

Ready to make this summer about STEM?

Note: The summer 2025 application will open on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Summer 2025 Programs

Program	Dates	Format	Cost
Chemistry Scholars	July 7–August 1	Overnight	$6,500/$4,500
Experiment in Architecture	July 7–18	Overnight	$2,500
Biomedical Engineering: Drug Delivery Innovations	July 7–18	Overnight	$3,000/$2,000
From Lab to Life: A Chemistry Career Exploration	July 7–18	Overnight	$3,000/$2,000
Pre-Health Academy: Discover Your Path in Health Care	July 7–18	Overnight	$3,000/$2,000
Game Design from the Ground Up	July 21–25	Overnight	$1,500/$650
Understanding the Human Mind	July 21–25	Overnight	$1,500/$650
Build Your Own Robot	July 21–25	Overnight	$1,500/$650
Summer Legal Academy	July 21–25	Overnight	$1,500/$650
Renewable Energy: Powering the Future	July 28–August 1	Overnight	$1,500/$650
Influencing the Digital World: Social Media 101	July 28–August 1	Overnight	$1,500/$650
Cybersecurity Bootcamp	July 28–August 1	Overnight	$1,500/$650
Rocket Engineering 101: Design, Build, Launch	July 28–August 1	Overnight	$1,500/$650
Coding Bootcamp: Introduction to Python (Beginner)	June 16–20	Daytime	$500
Coding Bootcamp: Introduction to Python (Advanced)	June 23–27	Daytime	$650
Code Creators Camp: App Building (Daniel F. and Ada L. Campus)	July 28–August 1	Daytime	$550
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (Middle School)	June 16–20	Daytime	$500
Robotics and Beyond: A STEM Adventure (Middle School)	June 23–27	Daytime	$600
Code Masters: Programming Bootcamp (Middle School)	June 30–July 3	Daytime	$500
Math in Action: Real-World Problem Solving	June 16–20	Virtual	$300
Data Science Basics: Exploring Big Data	June 16–20	Virtual	$300
AI Explorers	June 23–27	Virtual	$375
CyberDefenders	June 23–27	Virtual	$375
The Science of Emotions	June 30–July 3	Virtual	$300

Please note: All overnight programs (other than Experiment in Architecture) are also offered as a daytime program.

Program Descriptions

Chemistry Scholars

This program offers high school students an opportunity to dive deeper into chemistry research in a lab setting. It will cover research topics ranging from bioanalytical and environmental chemistry to forensic and materials chemistry, with real-world applications explored in areas such as energy, sustainability, health, and technology.

Please note: This is a selective program. Students interested must include a school transcript that shows a C or above in a chemistry course, resume, cover letter, and recommendation letter when they register.

Experiment in Architecture (Overnight Only)

A two-week studio, this program is designed to introduce high school students to the architectural profession. Through exercises and informed seminars, students will be immersed in design-oriented thinking that introduces them to architectural terms, concepts, and forms of visual representation—all while building toward a final project.

Biomedical Engineering: Drug Delivery Innovations

This two-week biomedical engineering program offers high school students an introduction to the innovative field of biomedical engineering through lectures and hands-on experiences. With access to our world-class lab equipment, students will gain practical experience and a deeper knowledge of biomedical engineering tools that will prepare them for future studies in this impactful field.

From Lab to Life: A Chemistry Career Exploration

This program immerses high school students in the field of chemical sciences, providing hands-on lab experience and guidance on various career pathways. Students will gain practical lab skills, from conducting chemical reactions and applying scientific methods to working with chemoinformatics, analytical devices, and computational tools. They will also see how chemistry connects with biology, physics, and medicine by analyzing environmental and biological chemicals.

Pre-Health Academy: Discover Your Path in Health Care

This program offers high school students the opportunity to explore a variety of careers in the health professions—including medicine, dentistry, and optometry—through hands-on experiments, presentations, discussions, problem-solving activities, interaction with health care professionals, and visits to medical and other health professions schools.

Game Design from the Ground Up

This program provides high school students with a foundation in game development—and no coding experience is required. Participants will learn about various coding languages and frameworks, tools that they will use to design and create their own video games. As the program progresses, students will explore key aspects of game development, such as graphics, sound, player interactions, and structuring games around a theme or objective.

Understanding the Human Mind

This program invites high school students to explore the fascinating field of psychology and the intricacies of human behavior. Over the course of this program, students will delve into various psychological concepts, including cognition, emotion, perception, and social influences. Through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and real-world applications, students will gain insights into how the mind works and how psychological principles can be applied in everyday life.

Build Your Own Robot

In this interactive program, high school students can explore robotics by working directly with robotic kits and the Arduino platform. Students will design automated systems and tackle real-world design challenges as part of collaborative teams. Through these projects, students will build practical engineering skills and experience the dynamic campus environment at Illinois Tech, gaining insight into college-level learning and teamwork.

Summer Legal Academy

A dynamic five-day program, Summer Legal Academy is designed for high school students interested in exploring the legal system and civic engagement. This immersive experience will help students develop essential skills for academic and professional success while fostering a deeper understanding of governance, rights, and justice.

Renewable Energy: Powering the Future

High school students will explore the exciting world of renewable energy and its critical role in creating a sustainable future in this program. Students will learn about the most common types of renewable energy—solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal—and how each technology works to harness the power of nature to generate clean, sustainable energy.

Influencing the Digital World: Social Media 101

This program is designed to equip high school students with essential knowledge and skills in social media marketing, preparing them for the digital world of business. Students will collaborate on hands-on projects, such as creating their own social media campaigns, designing advertisements, and developing crisis response strategies.

Cybersecurity Bootcamp

This program will introduce high school students to fundamental cybersecurity principles including network security, ethical hacking, threat analysis, and incident response. Students will engage in simulated real-world scenarios to gain practical experience in vulnerability assessment and defensive techniques to safeguard digital systems.

Rocket Engineering 101: Design, Build, Launch

This program is designed for high school students who are passionate about aerospace and engineering. Through hands-on construction, design challenges, and guided experimentation, students will explore the fundamentals of rocket science and engineering principles. This program combines theoretical knowledge with practical application to provide an engaging introduction to aerospace engineering.

Coding Bootcamp: Introduction to Python (Beginner)

This program is an ideal introduction to computer programming for high school students with little to no prior coding experience. It focuses on teaching the fundamentals of programming using Python, a versatile and beginner-friendly language, through hands-on coding sessions and interactive projects. Students will learn about the core programming concepts such as variables, data types, control structures, functions, and basic algorithms.

Coding Bootcamp: Introduction to Python (Advanced)

This program is designed for high school students with prior coding experience who are ready to take their programming skills to the next level. It will focus on building complex applications using Python, a powerful and versatile programming language. It will delve deeper into topics such as object-oriented programming, data structures, algorithms, and software design patterns. Students will work on more challenging projects that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration to create real-world applications.

Code Creators Camp: App Building (Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus)

This program is designed for high school students who are eager to learn the fundamentals of creating real-life applications. Students will use a user-friendly app development tool to design, develop, and test their own applications, gaining valuable experience in software development processes. Students will also explore how to create effective user interfaces that enhance usability, ensuring their apps are both functional and appealing.

Note: This program takes place at the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus in Wheaton, Illinois.

Young Entrepreneurs Academy

This program is for middle school students who have an interest in business and innovation. Students will participate in brainstorming sessions, develop business plans, and work on interactive team projects to explore the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. This program encourages creative thinking while building practical business skills, helping to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in young learners.

Robotics and Beyond: A STEM Adventure

This program is designed for middle school students who are fascinated by robots and technology. Through hands-on building sessions, coding activities, and team challenges, students will explore robotics and engineering. It combines creative building with basic programming to make STEM learning engaging and accessible for young innovators.

Code Masters: Programming Bootcamp

This program is designed for middle school students who are eager to dive into the world of programming. It will introduce students to essential coding concepts, problem-solving techniques, and creative thinking skills. Through engaging activities and collaborative projects, students will learn the fundamentals of programming languages such as Scratch, enabling them to create their own games, apps, and interactive stories.

Math in Action: Real-World Problem Solving

This online program is designed for high school students who are eager to explore practical applications of mathematics. Through virtual problem-solving sessions, interactive demonstrations, and real-world scenarios, students will discover how mathematical concepts directly apply to everyday challenges. This program connects abstract mathematical thinking with concrete applications to show the power of mathematics in solving real-world problems.