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AI & Machine Learning · 🏫 California Institute of Technology

Caltech SPARK Program

The program offers a rare opportunity for high school students to collaborate directly with Caltech faculty on research projects, fostering a deep understanding of scientific inquiry and discovery.

🔥 High School 🕒 1-week Pre-College Program In-person
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About this camp

The Caltech SPARK Program offers high school students a unique opportunity to engage in genuine research experiences alongside Caltech researchers. While the initial prompt mentions AI tracks, the primary Caltech sources describe the "Sparks Short Courses" as small-group, pass/fail courses primarily for first-year undergraduates, designed to ignite creativity, insight, and inspiration through hands-on experiences with faculty. These courses aim to provide undergraduates with early, direct interaction with faculty and the thrill of discovery that drew faculty to their own fields. Activities can include replicating classic science experiments using everyday materials, exploring complex scientific questions, and engaging in field trips. The program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, preparing students for advanced scientific inquiry and potential future research careers.

What a typical day looks like

A typical day might involve hands-on experimentation, working in small groups with faculty on a specific research topic, and engaging in discussions designed to spark insight and creativity.

Best suited for

This program is best for highly curious and motivated high school students interested in gaining authentic, hands-on research experience in STEM fields and connecting directly with university faculty.

What you'll learn

Scientific research Experimental design Critical thinking Problem-solving Data analysis Collaboration Scientific communication

Location

1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125

Sponsored · Research Ignited

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