Course Offerings for DEEP Summer Academy
Please note:
- DEEP Summer Academy is an application-based program so students will need to apply and be accepted in order to register for courses.
Course descriptions for 2026 have not yet been confirmed. Listed below are courses that were offered in 2025. Course information for 2026 will be confirmed in early 2026.
Examples of previously offered courses
Grade 9/10
This is an example of a course offered for Grade 9/10 in 2025. Please note course offerings in 2026 will be different than those offered in 2025.
Maintaining privacy in today's digital world is more challenging than ever. For thousands of years, cryptography has played a crucial role in securing information, from the ancient Caesar cipher to modern cryptocurrencies.
This course introduces the fundamentals of cryptography, providing hands-on experience with various ciphers and secure messaging techniques. Students will explore best practices for encryption, learn common pitfalls to avoid, and gain an understanding of how cryptocurrencies work. As part of the course, students will create and mine their own blockchains. Additionally, the course will cover the importance of online privacy and practical methods for protecting personal information in the digital age.
This is an example of a course offered for Grade 9/10 in 2025. Please note course offerings in 2026 will be different than those offered in 2025.
Enzymes catalyze reactions under physiological conditions which require extreme temperatures, pressures, or chemical conditions when performed abiotically. This means that enzymatic reactions can be cost-effective and energy-efficient, not to mention producing fewer and less harmful byproducts than chemical alternatives. Advances in DNA sequencing and synthesis have bridged the gap between genetic data and molecular material, enabling the production and study of enzymes outside their native hosts.
In this course, students will extract DNA information from one bacterial strain and transfer it to another strain to express the enzyme. They will then recover and evaluate the enzyme to test its activity. Students will tour research labs and interact with graduate students who apply the same pipeline for environmental science.
Join us to explore the fascinating world of enzymes and their pivotal role in advancing science and engineering!
This is an example of a course offered for Grade 9/10 in 2025. Please note course offerings in 2026 will be different than those offered in 2025.
From the ancient explorations of light by Aristocles, through Newton’s foundational work in optics, to ground-breaking contributions by Einstein, Born, Wolf, and other pioneers, the study of optics has progressed far beyond simple lenses. Today, optical fibers power high-speed internet, holography enhances entertainment and secures banknotes against counterfeiting, and lasers play critical roles in supermarket scanners, military technology, and medical procedures.
This course will delve into the essentials of optics while highlighting cutting-edge advancements in this dynamic field. Students will explore the mechanics of telescopes and microscopes, learn to measure the refractive indices of various materials, and examine how polarization enhances everyday technologies like sunglasses and 3D films, as well as fascinating examples of how nature uses polarization.
The course will conclude with an introduction to lasers and the latest innovations shaping the future of modern optics.
This is an example of a course offered for Grade 9/10 in 2025. Please note course offerings in 2026 will be different than those offered in 2025.
Ever wondered how smartwatches can tell that you’re exercising? How about how non-invasive sensors at the hospital can measure oxygen in your blood? These questions and others will be explored in this course, which provides an introduction to different sensing modalities and how we can design new devices for health monitoring.
Students will work through hands-on activities using a variety of sensors, in addition to gaining experience processing data and applying machine learning. Both the principles behind these concepts and their practical applications will be explored. More importantly, the course will emphasize on principles of human-centered design and equity to further understand the impact of the technology we are using today.
After this course, you will know how your health and the future can fit in your palms.
This is an example of a course offered for Grade 9/10 in 2025. Please note course offerings in 2026 will be different than those offered in 2025.
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning through interactive programming, engaging discussions, and hands-on activities.
Students will explore core concepts within the framework of Python programming, image processing, neural networks, deep learning, and ethical considerations in AI.
The course is an exciting combination of theoretical knowledge with practical coding exercises in Python using NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, TensorFlow as well as text and image datasets. Students will develop a machine learning model and a strong foundation for future exploration in AI and machine learning.
Grade 11/12
This is an example of a course offered for Grade 11/12 in 2025. Please note course offerings in 2026 will be different than those offered in 2025.
A crash course in robotics for the next generation of Doc Ocks and tech inventors. Students will explore the world of continuum and soft robots, which are differentiated from traditional robots by their flexible, conformable nature.
Through this interactive course, students will gain practical engineering experience in the design, modeling and control of continuum robots. Learn the basics of controlling these innovative machines using Python programming, applying mathematical concepts like trigonometry to model their flexible forms. Discover how these flexible machines can be applied to solve critical challenges in healthcare, aerospace, and beyond. Finally, you'll apply the iterative design process to tackle real-world challenges, developing teamwork and problem-solving skills while envisioning the future of robotics in diverse applications.
This is an example of a course offered for Grade 11/12 in 2025. Please note course offerings in 2026 will be different than those offered in 2025.
Uncover the hidden potential of porous materials, from the microscale intricacies of aerogels to the macro-scale applications in advanced engineering. This course explores the characterization, synthesis, and manipulation of these fascinating materials, and why they are critical in the fields of sustainable energy, advanced filtration, and biomedical engineering.
Engage in hands-on laboratory experiments, including permeability testing and thermal insulation challenges, to understand the structure-property relationships that drive their performance. Discover how researchers pioneer innovations by addressing real-world problems in water purification.
By the end of the course, you will engineer a solution utilizing the unique attributes of porous materials. This is your chance to explore a cutting-edge area of materials science and engineering with significant implications for the future.
This is an example of a course offered for Grade 11/12 in 2025. Please note course offerings in 2026 will be different than those offered in 2025.
This course will explore the impact that microbes have in their natural environment, and the diverse applications in biotechnology.
Students will delve into the roles of microbes in water treatment, agriculture, food production, medicine, air quality, and toxic waste remediation. The course includes hands-on activities such as investigating microbial fermenters, examining plant-microbe interactions, and will also explore the concepts behind cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR and synthetic biology.
By the end of the course, students will appreciate the essential role of microbial biochemistry in natural systems and its potential to address real-world challenges. Join us on this microscopic adventure and discover how mighty microbes can change the world!
This is an example of a course offered for Grade 11/12 in 2025. Please note course offerings in 2026 will be different than those offered in 2025.
Ever wonder how we'll solve the world's biggest challenges, like access to clean water? This course introduces students to the role of polymer science in water treatment and separation technologies.
Explore the amazing science behind materials that can purify water on a microscopic level, and discover how researchers are engineering solutions to some of our most pressing environmental issues. The program also covers membrane characterization techniques and future advancements, including AI-driven research.
Get ready for hands-on experiences that will let you experiment with these powerful materials and see firsthand how they work. Students will gain hands-on experience in polymer synthesis, membrane fabrication, and characterization while interacting with leading researchers.
From designing new ways to filter water to understanding the role of smart materials in a sustainable future, this course offers a glimpse into a field where your creativity and problem-solving skills can make a real difference.
This is an example of a course offered for Grade 11/12 in 2025. Please note course offerings in 2026 will be different than those offered in 2025.
Self-driving cars are one of the most significant technological advances in recent years. In this course students will be provided with premade robots for which they will explore programming techniques to integrate sensors and autonomously navigate through their environment. They will also learn about the basics of linear algebra, image recognition and the engineering design cycle.
The course will conclude with a final competition where students will design, build, and implement a self-driving algorithm for autonomous maze navigation.