COSMOS offers a unique opportunity for high school students to engage in college-level STEM research and coursework with UC faculty in a residential setting, culminating in a scientific/engineering project and poster presentation.
The COSMOS program at UCLA offers high school students an intensive four-week residential experience focused on advanced STEM topics. Students engage with UCLA faculty, scientists, and graduate students through a specialized curriculum that includes lectures, hands-on labs, and field days. A core component of the program is the development of a scientific/engineering research project, often based on field study, culminating in a poster presentation. This project work emphasizes technical writing and communication, teamwork, and data interpretation using fundamental engineering principles and statistical analysis. The program aims to challenge students beyond typical high school coursework, fostering their interests, skills, and awareness of STEM career paths. Students gain practical experience with computational engineering design and analysis tools, as well as common manufacturing and testing methods, such as using a wind tunnel and measuring rocket engine thrust profiles.
A typical weekday includes breakfast at 7:00 AM, morning announcements at 8:00 AM, followed by morning class and lab time from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. After lunch at 12:00 PM, students have afternoon class and lab time from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, followed by dinner, nightly activities, study time, and free time until quiet hours begin at 10:30 PM.
This program is best for talented and motivated California high school students with a strong aptitude for STEM subjects and an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher, who are looking for a rigorous, college-level academic and residential experience.
UCLA Campus
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