Explore Creativity, Culture and Careers in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Pre-College Summer Programs
April 28, 2023
Drexel’s research-rich summer institutes offer dynamic learning experiences that help high schoolers develop real-world skills. In addition to the Drexel Environmental Science Leadership Academy, the College of Arts and Sciences is home to several other programs spanning our scholarship and research in the humanities, social sciences and STEM fields.
Working side-by-side with our faculty experts, high school students gain valuable experience that will support their academic and professional futures. These summer institutes, which each run for one full week in July, offer students the opportunity to explore new ideas or further their passions. Read on to learn more about the programs and don’t forget to complete your application by June 1.
Global Philadelphia
July 10–14, 2023
Did you know that you can experience cultures from around the world without leaving Philadelphia? During this weeklong camp, faculty from the Department of Global Studies and Modern Languages will lead excursions and guide students through other hands-on activities that demonstrate Philadelphia's global diversity.
“The Global Philadelphia summer program is ideal for high school students who love languages, are curious about other cultures, and want to learn more about global studies,” said Brenda Dyer, associate teaching professor of French and director of Drexel’s modern languages program.
“They will visit French-inspired architecture, taste food from China, Korea and West Africa, and try their hand at Japanese calligraphy and Latin American dance. Each day will focus on a different language and culture, helping students to develop a global perspective.”
Students will document their activities during the week through photography and video and use them to create and design cartoneras, a handmade style of book that originated in Argentina.
Math, Music and Coding Camp
July 10–14, 2023
Math can help us make sense of different aspects of sound and music. In this program hosted by the Department of Mathematics, students will explore creativity through math and coding—using the same tools as the professionals.
“In this one-week program, we are going to explore the mathematics behind music theory and music production,” explained Assistant Teaching Professor of Mathematics Dimitrios Papadopoulos, EdD. “We’ll take advantage of the universality of math to compare music from around the world and apply this multicultural perspective to our creations.”
Students will apply musical and mathematical concepts using Sonic Pi, an open-source live coding language for music creation and performance used by professional musicians, VR developers, and programmers. Watch a demo here.
This program is open to all students regardless of their musical experience. “There’s no need to play an instrument or have any musical background, as we’ll learn to apply these ideas through the use of coding,” said Papadopoulos. “All you need is curiosity and enthusiasm for working across disciplines.”
Big City Journalist Boot Camp
July 17–21, 2023
News media is an exciting—and rapidly changing—field. The Department of Politics and Department of Communication have partnered with working journalists for this intensive, hands-on bootcamp that shows students the ins and outs of being a journalist in a digital world.
“If you are dreaming of a career in journalism or just keen to learn how (well-researched and well-written) news is made, this boot camp is for you,” said Professor of Communication Hilde Van den Bulck, PhD. “Come with enthusiasm for news and a great idea for a journalistic piece and leave with the skills to become a top journalist!”
Students will learn about the theory and history of media and journalism in Philadelphia, shadow local journalists at outlets ranging from Bloomberg to The Philadelphia Citizen and pitch and produce stories for various local media outlets, including radio stations, newspapers, podcasts and blogs. This is a great opportunity for aspiring journalists to hone their skills.
Click here to apply to a College of Arts and Sciences Summer Institute.