Launch

Launch is a five-day non-residential program for soon-to-be freshmen and sophomores interested in biology, chemistry/biochemistry, computer science, interactive media and game development, or robotics.

Launch 2012 will be held Monday, August 6–Friday, August 10.

WPI Launch is a learning and research opportunity for students entering freshman and sophomore years of high school. You'll spend your days working with faculty focusing on current problems and challenges in the fields of biology, chemistry/biochemistry, computer science, interactive media and game development, or robotics. At Launch, you will attend workshops and perform lab work in your chosen field of study. With faculty, current WPI students, and classmates, you will use state-of-the-art experimental, analytical, and computer technology to complete projects and assemble your findings.

Program hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Launch staff and other WPI community members will be available each day at 8 a.m. for early arrival and will provide late-afternoon supervised activities until 5 p.m.; lunch will be included every day. At the start of the program, a one-hour orientation program will welcome participants and parents and a closing luncheon ceremony will be held on Friday, August 10, 2012.

Areas of Study:

Biology

Explore the ways in which the field of biotechnology affects our everyday life. Working in our biotech lab, you'll have a chance to isolate your own DNA, conduct a molecular medical investigation, create root beer using fermentation, or analyze the foods we eat to see if they have been genetically modified. You'll have a chance to carry out your own scientific investigations and share your findings with your family at the end of the week—along with some homemade liquid nitrogen ice cream!

Chemistry/Biochemistry

Have you ever wanted to work with bubbling flasks of colored concoctions? Ever think about engineering DNA or proteins? In our chemistry and biochemistry lab, you'll alter liquids at the flick of a wrist, wield light and electricity, and cut and splice genes to create creatures that glow. By week's end you'll be dazzling your friends and family with your newfound talents!

Computer Science

In this program you will explore some of the diverse areas of computer science. You will learn some programming basics and apply them to a project such as creating a personal Web page on a cloud platform. You will be able to select a path that best matches your own interests by completing several self-paced tutorial modules under the supervision of the course staff.

Interactive Media and Game Development

Want to know how computer games are made? You'll learn how to use a 3-D video game engine to create a game with graphics, sound, and animation. You'll work in teams to undertake hands-on lab exercises to understand important computer science and artistic design concepts related to interactive media. By the end of the week, you will have created a project demonstrating your newfound skills with cool graphics and amazing animation, complete with audio and interactivity.

Robotics

Discover the science and technology of this exciting field. You'll learn about mechanical design, sensors, and programming. You'll build designs using Vex robots and program them using easyC. Challenging robotics problems will culminate in a competition between student groups at the end of the week.

We think you'll find this summer enrichment experience challenging, creative, and lots of fun! For information on how to register for Launch, please visit Application and Registration.