On-Campus Courses by Session
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Session 1 Courses (June 28 - July 10, 2026)
Courses are subject to a minimum enrollment of 10 students each, and will be confirmed by March 1, 2026
Course Description
The two-week Business Foundations course is designed to provide you with exposure to some areas of what we call “business.” We start by discussing (and practicing) foundational concepts – in areas such as finance, accounting, and spreadsheet modeling. From there, we embark on a public company valuation project while, in parallel, discussing and applying ideas, frameworks, and methodologies from areas such as economics, marketing, strategy, and (more) finance and accounting.Through the valuation project, we will explore how companies think about clients and customers, how they make money and finance themselves, how they think about competition, innovation, and new projects, and how those decisions affect their value. In addition, we will examine some best practices about corporate and personal communication. The project will culminate with a presentation of project findings and analyses. Finally, we will seek to explore how some of the concepts we cover can be applied to our daily lives and decision-making.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this course, participants will:
- Have a solid grasp of concepts in areas such as accounting, finance, economics, and
strategy. - Be conversant in the ways businesses evaluate and make decisions about undertaking
new projects – and how to finance them. - Understand the effects of compounding, (financial) leverage, and risk on expected
returns. - Be able to apply financial analysis methodologies on issues of personal finance.
- Be able to discuss where business ideas come from, and the differences between
breakthrough and disruptive innovation. - Have experience practicing teamwork and collaboration on a real-life problem.
- Feel more confident about creating and delivering persuasive presentations.
- Have a view of potential career areas in business.
Course Dates: June 28 - July 10
Course Description
Data Science is a multidisciplinary field that blends data inference, algorithm development, and technology, transforming raw data into meaningful insights and innovations. This course introduces high school students to this critical and burgeoning field. Emphasizing both quantitative analysis and qualitative interpretation, the program begins with Python programming fundamentals and advances through key concepts like data structures, manipulation, and exploratory data analysis (EDA). A special focus on Natural Language Processing (NLP) highlights the interdisciplinary nature of data science, integrating computational methods with linguistic insights. Students will engage in hands-on projects, delve into real-world datasets, and acquire skills to convert data into compelling stories and actionable intelligence. This course is a gateway into the expansive world of data science, where machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data are pivotal tools in shaping our future.
Learning Outcomes
- Python for Data Science: Gain hands-on experience in Python, focusing on its application in data science, including understanding data structures, and libraries like Pandas and NumPy.
- Fundamentals of Data Analysis and Visualization: Perform exploratory data analysis (EDA), interpret data through statistical methods, and create meaningful visualizations using tools like Matplotlib and Seaborn.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): Learn to process and analyze text data, including text manipulation, sentiment analysis, and creating visual representations like word clouds.
- Execution of Data Science: Work on exercises aligned with each day's topic, culminating in a project where students reflect on their discoveries.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving in Data Science: Develop critical thinking skills specific to data science, learning to approach problems analytically, question assumptions, and interpret results within context.
Tangible Outcomes
Students have the option of downloading all coding notebooks and programs for future use
Hands-On Activities
- Data science project on Spotify data including interactive data visualizations
- Coding a simple python game
- Robotics competition
- Murder mystery exercise using python,
- Experience with motion capture
- Building an AI chatbot
Guest Speakers
- DREAM Studio, AR/VR, Motion Capture: Claire Preston, John Bell
- Robotics: Simon Stone, Jonathan Crossett
- Databases: Elijah Gagne, Simon Stone
- Spatial Data: Stephen Gaughan
- Artificial Intelligence: Jonathan Crossett Simon Stone
Benefits for Future Study
This course exposes students to work in data science, computer science, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robotics. Many possible academic paths are possible, and it broadly exposes students to future careers in data and technology.
Course Description
How do stories shape the way we understand the world? In this intensive two-week course, students will explore the intersection of journalism and documentary film as powerful tools for truth-telling and social impact.Participants will learn the essentials of reporting, interviewing, and narrative construction while also developing technical skills in filming, sound, and editing.
Students will work in small teams to conceive, research, and produce their own short documentary projects focused on issues that matter to them. Along the way, they’ll analyze exemplary works of nonfiction storytelling, engage with guest speakers from the field, and workshop their projects with faculty and peers. The course culminates in a public screening and discussion, giving students the opportunity to share their films and reflect on the ethical responsibilities of telling others’ stories.
Learning Outcomes
- Media Literacy Skills - Understanding of what it takes to create media compositions and not just consume them.
- Basic understanding of video production skills - story development, digital cinematography and post-production
- Project management skills in the context of film and media.
- Working collaboratively and participating in a successful team.
Tangible Outcomes
Media Projects, Podcasts
Hands-On Activities
The course is designed to be very hands on, creative, with a focus on practical skills.
Benefits for Future Study
- Students will learn media literacy skills through hands on practice.
- Students will produce media compositions and/or podcast in which they can potentially include in their portfolio.
Course Description
This course is an opportunity to reflect on and develop who you are (and who you might become) in the context of three modes of thinking and behavior, each of which inform college pursuits, life and work after college, and each other.
Students will learn some basic underpinnings of how democratic systems work (and fail to work), a few core principles many leaders use to be more effective at their job, and the first few steps in design thinking, including how to recruit people to your enterprise.
Projects based on decision making, experiments with “who is in charge,” and blue printing the business you might start will be our focus. But to help with process, reflection and skill building, we will dip into a few pages of foundational writing about and justice, the work of The Conscious Leadership group, Design Thinking and Effectuation, and even the first five lines of Hamlet.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
Apply entrepreneurial methods to feel more confident in highly ambiguous contexts
Speak with others more effectively and with less anxiety
Solve problems more readily, joyfully, collaboratively and productively.
Guest Speakers
- Lori Taylor--Cofounder/Principal BroadBand Collab
Field Trips
The course includes two labs and one field trip, all focused on entrepreneurship. The field trip is an experience designed for business school students and adapted for a high school audience called “Cooking up Partnerships: A cooking competition-style introduction to entrepreneurial thinking and action.”
How students might use this course material in the future
- A more practiced sense of being a good boss the person a boss will appreciate.
- To distinguish areas of interest, one from another, and take a step or two toward wherever they land in thinking about that.
- Reflection about, and tools for, navigating the future especially in terms of the near future and the year or two after college.
Course Description
Artificial Intelligence is a rapidly evolving field that integrates mathematics, computer science, and engineering to create systems capable of learning, reasoning, and decision-making. This course introduces high school students to the foundations, implementation and applications of AI, from the algorithms behind TikTok recommendations and ChatGPT to innovations in self-driving cars, finance, robotics, and healthcare. Emphasizing both conceptual understanding and practical experimentation, the program covers supervised and unsupervised learning, natural language processing, deep learning and large Language models (ChatGPT). Students will engage in guided assignments, Hackathons, interactive demonstrations, and project-based learning, gaining the skills to design creative AI solutions while critically examining the ethical questions surrounding this transformative technology.
Learning Outcomes
- Proficiency in Python for AI: Gain hands-on experience in Python programming with a focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning, including practice with core libraries such as Pandas, PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Hugging Face.
- Foundations of Artificial Intelligence: Understand key AI concepts including supervised and unsupervised learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and deep learning.
- Hands-On AI Applications: Build and deploy AI-driven web applications such as object detection tools, financial prediction models, and AI agents (like ChatGPT5 Agent mode) for tasks like email automation.
- AI Across Industries: Explore real-world case studies highlighting how AI transforms healthcare, finance, robotics, and social media, and connect theory with practice through interactive examples.
- Experiential Learning and Collaboration: Participate in an ethics-focused hackathon, engage in case study challenges, and learn from guest lectures by industry experts (e.g., Google, Toast, Amazon). Work in teams to design, present, and defend an innovative AI project that demonstrates technical understanding and creativity.
Tangible Outcomes
- Team Project Demo: A fully functional AI web-based application, such as an object detection tool, financial prediction dashboard, or chatbot/AI agent.
- Coding Portfolio: Python notebooks and scripts showcasing proficiency with libraries such as Pandas, PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Hugging Face, organized and shared through GitHub and Kaggle.
- Case Study Competition: Written analyses and presentations on real-world AI applications in healthcare, finance, robotics, and social media.
- Hackathon Prototype: A rapid AI prototype designed and presented during the in-class hackathon, emphasizing creativity and teamwork.
- Certificates & Badges: Official recognition of course completion, along with optional digital badges such as GitHub project contributions, Kaggle profiles, and IBM Data Science certification.
Hands-on Activities
- Hands-On Labs: Guided coding sessions where students build AI models and Deploy them on Kaggle platform
- Simulations & Demos: Live demonstrations of AI in action (e.g., self-driving car simulations, financial prediction models, and real-time image recognition).
- Case Study Challenges: Team-based analysis of AI applications in healthcare, finance, robotics, and social media, culminating in short presentations.
- AI Hackathon: A fast-paced group challenge where students prototype an AI solution to a real-world problem.
- Guest Lectures: Talks from industry professionals and researchers (e.g., experts from Google, Toast, and Dartmouth CPHAI)
Guest Speakers
- Hareeshwar Karthikeyan, AI Engineer at Toast
- Ganesh Rohit N. , Software Engineer at Google
- Ansh Gupta , Founding AI Engineer at Anything
Field Trip
DALI Lab at Dartmouth College
Benefits for Future Study
Students will leave this course with a strong foundation in artificial intelligence that can be applied to future academic and career pursuits. The skills gained—ranging from Python programming and machine learning fundamentals to hands-on experience with real-world AI applications—will prepare them for advanced coursework in computer science, engineering, quant finance, and related STEM fields. Beyond academics, students will understand how AI is shaping industries such as healthcare, finance, and robotics, giving them a competitive edge in research opportunities. This course also encourages critical thinking and innovation, empowering students to become future leaders in technology.
Course Description
Neuroscience, as a field of study, emerged much later than conventional scientific disciplines, such as chemistry and biology. In recent years, a new area of specialization has come into focus: environmental neuroscience. This topic focuses on the many ways in which the brain is tightly linked to the environment. The most direct example of this is our diurnal rhythms that synchronize with the sun. Unlike nocturnal animals, humans are awake when the sun is out and for the most part, sleep when the sun is no longer visible. The suprachiasmatic nucleus, a subcortical brain region that is positioned above the optic chiasm, is instrumental in this intricate coordination. Other examples of the brain’s interdependence on the environment are observed in diseased states. When pollutants infiltrate the water supply, devastating neurological impairments are observed; air pollution correlates with the incidence of Alzheimer’s related dementias. Space travel opens up exciting new insights into how the brain interacts with the environment. Astronauts often report spatial disorientation after returning from space. This highlights the role of the hippocampus in navigating space. This course explores this exciting new frontier and highlights that being environmentally conscious is about much more than saving the planet, it is about healthy brains and minds for future generations.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the foundational principles of environmental neuroscience and how brain function is influenced by natural and built environments.
- Analyze case studies that link environmental conditions (light, air, water, pollution, and space) to neurological processes and disorders.
- Identify and describe key brain structures (e.g., suprachiasmatic nucleus, hippocampus) and their role in environmental adaptation and health.
- Evaluate scientific research on environmental impacts on cognition, mood, and neurological disease.
Apply neuroscience concepts to real-world environmental challenges, considering both individual well-being and societal health. - Reflect on how sustainability and environmental consciousness directly shape human brain health across generations.
- Design and conduct observational or experiential exercises using natural settings to investigate relationships between environment and mental states.
Hands-On Activities
To achieve these outcomes, students will engage in:
- Field Observations: Exploring diurnal rhythms by tracking sleep/wake cycles in relation to sunlight exposure, and documenting changes in alertness, mood, or focus.
- Nature as a Lab Activities: Outdoor exercises such as mindfulness walks, forest bathing, or environmental soundscapes, followed by reflection on neurological and psychological responses.
- Case Study Workshops: Examining links between pollution and neurological disorders, including review of primary scientific literature and group analysis.
- Data Collection Projects: Students measure environmental variables (e.g., air quality, noise, light levels) and connect them to self-reported or observed cognitive/behavioral outcomes.
- Simulation Experiences: Using VR or thought experiments to simulate space travel and disorientation, followed by discussions on hippocampal function and spatial navigation.
- Interdisciplinary Discussions: Conversations that bridge neuroscience with sustainability, urban planning, and public health.
Course Description
How do societies decide who gets healthcare, what treatments are available, and at what cost? In this immersive course, students will explore the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare through the lenses of policy, ethics, and innovation. We’ll examine pressing issues such as health equity, the impact of new technologies like AI and genetic engineering, and the balance between personal rights and public good. Students will engage in case studies, debates, and simulations that place them in the role of policymakers, physicians, and patient advocates. Beyond the classroom, this course includes field trips to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and local community health organizations, where students will see policy in action and learn from professionals on the frontlines of care. Guest speakers—including public health leaders, medical ethicists, and innovators in healthcare technology—will bring real-world perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that define the future of medicine. By the end of the course, students will not only understand the forces shaping healthcare today but also envision their own role in creating a healthier and more just tomorrow.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain key concepts in healthcare policy, ethics, and innovation, and how they shape medical decision-making.
- Analyze the ethical dilemmas posed by new medical technologies, such as artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and digital health tools.
- Evaluate the role of equity, cost, and access in determining how healthcare is delivered across different populations.
- Debate issues of personal rights versus public good in healthcare, drawing on real-world case studies and ethical frameworks.
- Engage with professionals in medicine, public health, and technology to connect theory with practice.
- Reflect on their own perspectives and values regarding healthcare systems, and envision their potential role in shaping future innovations.
- Synthesize insights from course discussions, field visits, and guest lectures into a final project that proposes a solution or framework for a pressing healthcare challenge.
Tangible Outcomes
Capstone Project: Present a policy proposal, ethical framework, or innovation plan that addresses a future healthcare challenge, integrating course learning and field experiences.
Hands-On Activities
To achieve these outcomes, students will:
- Case Study Analysis: Examine real-world healthcare dilemmas (e.g., organ allocation, vaccine mandates, AI in diagnostics) and propose solutions.
- Simulations & Role-Play: Take on the perspectives of policymakers, physicians, patients, and advocates in debates over resource allocation, access, and ethics.
- Field Trips: Visit Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and local community health organizations to observe how healthcare policy and ethics play out in practice.
- Guest Speaker Sessions: Engage with leaders in public health, medical ethics, and healthcare technology to gain insider perspectives on the field.
- Policy Debate Workshops: Participate in structured debates on issues such as universal healthcare, genetic editing, and healthcare costs.
- Innovation Lab: Brainstorm and design conceptual healthcare solutions that address challenges of access, equity, or technology integration.
- Reflective Writing: Keep a journal tracking evolving views on the ethics of healthcare, personal rights, and social responsibility.
Session 2 Courses (July 5 - 17, 2026)
All courses are subject to change.
Course Description
Civil wars are the most common form of conflict across the world, causing death, destruction, and humanitarian crises. Their impact on politics, economics, and international stability can extend far after the war ends. How can the international community address this pernicious problem? What determines whether interventions to stop the fighting are successful?
In this course, students will learn about the tools the global community uses to solve disputes and debate potential solutions to ongoing conflicts. We’ll start by looking at the intersection of foreign policy, strategy, and negotiation—what do countries want and how do they get it? Then we’ll dive into theories of conflict resolution and how the United Nations plays a role as a peacemaker across the world. The course culminates with an exciting, hands-on UN Security Council simulation, where students will tackle issues related to real-world conflicts, develop informed solutions, and put their negotiation skills to the test.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this course, students will:
- Understand important concepts related to negotiation and how they are applied both in instances of civil war and within international organizations like the UN
- Learn about the causes of civil war onset and termination, and the effectiveness of conflict resolution strategies
- Apply their knowledge of conflict resolution identify potential solutions to three conflicts covered in our simulation
- Apply their knowledge of negotiation to identify ideal scenarios, trade-offs, coalition-building opportunities in our simulation
- Have facility with finding and evaluating a variety of sources for research in international affairs
- Develop written communication skill from drafting resolutions and oral communication skills by presenting and debating during our simulation.
Tangible Outcomes
The tangible outputs are mostly group-based and most have an (non-material) experiential component. Students put together briefings (slide deck, 2-page policy memo) in teams on an ongoing civil war in Africa. Students also write draft resolutions in their UN Security Council simulation.
Hands-On Activities
In the first week, each afternoon is a structured research session in which the instructor demonstrated useful research skills/tools alongside our subject librarian. This provided an opportunity for students to dig into meaningful research, both individually and in groups, while also having access to support from the instructor and Dartmouth's History and Social Sciences librarian.
Guest Speakers
- Wendel Cox, History Librarian.
- Victoria Holt, Director of Dickey Center, former State Department official in Office of International Organizations and Peacekeeping.
- Elizabeth Shackleford, Dickey Policy Director, former State Department official with experience in Somalia and South Sudan.
- Peter Jenkins, Dickey Center Internship Coordinator.
Field Trips
Students will spend time in the library and visit the Dickey Center for International Understanding.
Benefits for Future Study
Understanding negotiation is important for everyone. It's perspective-taking. It's thinking about trade-offs. It's identifying opportunities for constructive compromise. The substance of the negotiations are some of the deadliest conflicts and largest humanitarian challenges happening today. About a third of the students go on to major in Political Science or International Relations, and some have shared that they are joining the Model UN Team at their school.
Course Description
In this course, you will learn more about how DNA can influence traits - including ones that can lead to serious health issues. From sickle cell anemia to schizophrenia, we’ll study how human diseases can be caused by variation in our genetic makeup and how our genes and our environment can interact to influence our traits. In this course, we’ll discuss what we do and don’t know about the relationship between genetics and disease and think about the possibilities of personalized medicine, with treatments tailored to your specific genetic profile. We’ll also cover the social and ethical implications of genetic research and talk about the risks and benefits of genetic testing and genomics.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify and explain different types of inheritance patterns for genetic diseases.
- Describe how genes and the environment can interact to influence a person’s traits.
- Explain the concept of personalized medicine and how genetic information can be used to tailor medical treatments to an individual’s specific needs.
- Read and understand primary research literature in the field of human genetics.
- Discuss potential benefits and risks of genetic research and its impact on society.
Tangible Outcomes
Students do a final presentation on a disease of their choice in a themed symposium.
Hands-on Activities
- Visit to the Genomics Shared Resource Lab at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
- Lab simulations
Guest Speakers
Guest speakers from past iterations of this course have included: Prof Charleston Chiang, Associate Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences and Quantitative and Computational Biology, Keck School of Medicine at USC
Benefits for Future Study
This could be useful for students going into biology or genetics research, into a variety of medical careers, or into science policy work.
Course Description
What does it take to build a future in STEM? This two-week precollege program, led by Dr. Ansley Booker of Dartmouth NEXT, invites students to explore the wide range of careers and pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through engaging seminars, hands-on workshops, and behind-the-scenes field trips, students will experience Dartmouth’s cutting-edge labs, medical centers, sustainability initiatives, and makerspaces. Along the way, they’ll learn from Dartmouth faculty, researchers, and alumni who are pushing the boundaries of innovation in medicine, engineering, data science, and beyond.
The program goes beyond exposure—it provides a roadmap. Students will gain practical tools for career readiness, from understanding the steps toward graduate school or research opportunities to connecting with mentors and building a professional network. The experience culminates in a closing symposium where each student presents a personalized “STEM Futures Pathway Plan,” reflecting the insights and inspiration gathered throughout the program. By the end of the two weeks, participants will not only discover what’s possible in STEM but also envision their own next steps with clarity and confidence.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify a wide range of STEM disciplines and career pathways through exposure to Dartmouth faculty, researchers, and alumni.
- Explain the steps involved in pursuing STEM careers, including higher education pathways, research opportunities, and professional development strategies.
- Engage with cutting-edge STEM research and innovation in fields such as medicine, engineering, sustainability, and data science.
- Develop foundational skills for career readiness, including networking, mentorship-seeking, and effective communication of personal goals.
- Reflect on their own interests and strengths to envision a personalized trajectory within STEM fields.
- Create a “STEM Futures Pathway Plan” that integrates academic exploration, career goals, and actionable next steps.
Tangible Outcomes
- Reflective Journaling: Capture daily insights and track evolving career interests, forming the foundation for the final project.
- Closing Symposium: Present a personalized “STEM Futures Pathway Plan” to peers and faculty, articulating both inspiration gained and concrete next steps.
Hands-On Activities
To achieve these outcomes, students will:
- Seminar Sessions: Participate in interactive talks led by Dartmouth faculty, alumni, and guest experts on STEM careers, innovations, and emerging fields.
- Hands-On Workshops: Experiment in makerspaces, medical labs, and sustainability centers, engaging directly with tools and techniques used by STEM professionals.
- Field Trips & Site Visits: Go behind the scenes at Dartmouth labs, research centers, and innovation hubs to observe cutting-edge science in action.
- Career Pathway Panels: Hear from alumni and professionals who represent diverse trajectories in STEM, followed by Q&A networking opportunities.
- Mentorship Activities: Pair with Dartmouth graduate students or researchers for guided conversations about academic and career journeys.
- Skill-Building Sessions: Learn practical skills in resume building, science communication, and how to prepare for college-level research.
Course Description
Unlock your full potential in the arena of life! This dynamic pre-college program is designed for high school students passionate about human health, performance excellence, mental fitness, and leadership. Whether or not you engage in organized athletics, we believe everyone should know how to optimize themselves in the pursuit of their dreams. To that end, "Peak Performance" incorporates the fundamentals of human health with modern research in sports psychology, performance training, and team building to prepare student-athletes for success on and off the field.
This course reveals the wealth of collegiate services and resources that help students maximize their education potential. You’ll receive invaluable experiential learning with your instructors and guest speakers as you examine how elite athletes train their minds and bodies, guide you to find your own leadership style, and offer a comprehensive basis for building the skills, habits, values and relationships that give you a competitive edge in learning to last a lifetime.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop protocols to optimize their personal performance, in the classroom and on the field.
- Lead a group activity related to peak performance.
- Understand how and why habits either enhance or inhibit personal growth.
- Appreciate how the biology of human performance plays just as significant a role in academics as it does in collegiate athletics – and its relationship to lifelong health.
Tangible Outcomes
Final project in which each student will lead a small group in a team building or sport performance activity.
Hands-On Activities
Team Discussions on most class days to include team building activities as well as experiential aspects on field trips.
Field Trips
- Weight Room
- Athletic Training Room
- Competition Spaces
- Locker Rooms (Softball, Basketball)
- Visual Performance Lab
- Team building activities (kayaking, ropes course, etc.)
- Pickleball (or some other entry level sport) to talk through mental performance techniques and engage in experiential learning
- Nature walks in Pine Park
Benefits for Future Study
Students will use the material in this course every single day for the rest of their lives. This course will explore how humans work – biologically, psychologically, socially – in order to help students perform at their best when it means the most: the present moment. By understanding the fundamentals of human health and high performance as well as the resources available to them on a college campus, our students will have a headstart toward maximizing their collegiate experience, whether or not they choose to participate in athletics.
- Helpful for students hoping to participate in athletics in college (Intramural, Club, or Varsity) as an athlete or in a support capacity.
- Creates a well-rounded perspective for peak performance across life stages (i.e life during and after college)
- Provides perspective for students hoping to pursue careers in health and wellness, psychology, college or professional sports.
Course Description
What happens when writing leaves the classroom and enters the wilderness? Creative Writing in the Great Outdoors invites students to use the natural environment of Dartmouth’s Moosilauke Ravine Lodge as both inspiration and classroom. Across meadows, forests, rivers, and mountain trails, students will explore how place shapes imagination, storytelling, and voice. Through daily writing exercises, group workshops, and guided explorations, participants will practice poetry, narrative nonfiction, and short fiction while connecting with the rhythms of the natural world. The course emphasizes reflection, experimentation, and the development of a sustainable creative practice—one that integrates observation of the self, the group, and the environment. By the end of the course, students will leave with a portfolio of original work and a deeper appreciation for the intersection of creativity, community, and wilderness.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Generate original creative writing inspired by the natural environment.
- Apply literary techniques (imagery, metaphor, narrative structure, voice) to poetry, nonfiction, and fiction.
- Demonstrate skills of observation, reflection, and sensory detail in their writing.
- Engage in peer workshops, providing and receiving constructive feedback on creative work.
- Reflect on the relationship between environment and creativity, including how natural settings influence human expression.
- Assemble a small portfolio of revised creative pieces that represent growth over the course.
Tangible Outcome
Final Showcase: Present selected works in a closing reading at the Lodge, highlighting the integration of nature and creative voice.
Hands-On Activites
To achieve these outcomes, students will:
- Outdoor Writing Sessions: Write daily in natural settings around Moosilauke Lodge (by rivers, in meadows, along trails), guided by prompts that emphasize sensory detail and reflection.
- Genre Exploration Workshops: Experiment with poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction through structured exercises.
- Hiking & Reflection: Participate in guided hikes, using physical movement and immersion in nature as a spark for creative thought.
- Peer Workshops: Share drafts in small groups and practice the craft of giving and receiving feedback.
- Reading Circles: Engage with selected works of nature-inspired writers (e.g., Mary Oliver, Barry Lopez, Robin Wall Kimmerer) to connect contemporary voices to their own practice.
Course Description
The world is changing faster than ever, and the next generation of leaders will need more than ideas to make a difference. Future Builders: Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Impact invites high school students to step into the role of visionary problem-solver and change-maker.
In this immersive course, students will explore what it really means to think like an entrepreneur: spotting opportunities where others see obstacles, designing creative solutions to pressing challenges, and building ventures that balance innovation with impact. Through a mix of interactive discussions, real-world case studies, team projects, and a final venture showcase, students will learn how to turn passion into action.
Together, we’ll look at how entrepreneurs around the world are tackling issues such as climate change, healthcare access, education, and the rise of artificial intelligence, and how students can begin charting their own path in this dynamic landscape.
By the end of the course, each student will have developed a venture concept, practiced communicating their ideas with confidence, and gained a toolkit of entrepreneurial skills they can carry into college, careers, and beyond.
This isn’t just a class about starting companies, it’s about building the future.
Learning Outcomes
- Adopt the Entrepreneurial Mindset – Develop curiosity, creativity, and resilience to identify opportunities and approach challenges with confidence.
- Design Purpose-Driven Solutions – Use innovation tools such as design thinking and lean startup methods to turn ideas into meaningful ventures.
- Apply Global Awareness to Entrepreneurship – Understand how emerging technologies, climate change, and social issues create both challenges and opportunities for future ventures.
- Collaborate and Lead Effectively – Build teamwork, communication, and leadership skills through group projects and peer-to-peer feedback.
- Pitch with Impact – Craft and deliver a clear, compelling venture presentation that communicates both vision and value to an audience.
Tangible Outcomes
- A Mini Venture Concept – a clearly defined idea (product, service, or initiative) developed through research, ideation, and testing.
- A Pitch Deck or Showcase Presentation – slides, storyboard, or prototype summary they can use to present their venture idea to peers, mentors, or even future competitions.
- An Entrepreneurial Toolkit – practical methods like design thinking, lean startup canvases, customer discovery templates, and storytelling frameworks.
- A Personalized Action Plan – a roadmap outlining next steps for pursuing their idea beyond the course, including resources, networks, and milestones.
Hands-on Activities
- Hands-On Venture Design Labs – Interactive workshops where students move from brainstorming to prototyping ideas using design thinking and lean startup tools.
- Case Study Deep Dives – Analysis of real-world ventures (from startups to social enterprises) that connect global challenges like climate change, AI, and healthcare to entrepreneurial solutions.
- Team Collaboration Projects – Small-group work where students co-create a venture concept, practicing leadership, negotiation, and teamwork.
- Pitch Rehearsals & Showcase – Guided sessions to practice storytelling and presentation skills, culminating in a final showcase where students present their ideas.
- Personal Purpose Mapping – Guided reflection exercises to help students connect their personal passions and values to the problems they choose to solve.
- Place-Based Learning – Visit to the Magnuson Venture Studio to see entrepreneurship in action.
Guest Speakers
Roy Schmidt - Program Manager, Startup Support at Magnuson Center
Paula Olson - Senior Program Manager, Design Initiative at Dartmouth
Field Trips
Magnuson Venture Studio
Benefits for Future Study
This course gives students more than just a venture idea; it equips them with the mindset, skills, and confidence to turn passions into action. From building a pitch they can showcase on college applications to practicing teamwork, problem-solving, and storytelling, students leave prepared to navigate college, careers, and the challenges of a changing world.
Course Description
Food Systems: Sustainability and Economics in Practice is an experiential, interdisciplinary course that investigates the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of food systems through hands-on engagement at the Dartmouth Organic Farm. Students explore sustainable agriculture principles, food justice, supply chain dynamics, and climate impacts while connecting theory with practical skills in organic farming and food system design. Through critical reflection, fieldwork, and collaborative projects, learners develop holistic understanding and actionable strategies to promote resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems locally and globally.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain key components and interconnections within local and global food systems, highlighting social, environmental, and economic dimensions.
- Demonstrate sustainable agricultural practices through active participation in organic farming tasks at the Dartmouth Organic Farm.
- Analyze food system challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, food insecurity, and social inequities.
- Evaluate policies and initiatives that promote sustainable and just food systems, integrating diverse stakeholder perspectives.
- Conduct critical reflections on personal food choices and their impacts within the broader food system context.
- Design collaborative projects or proposals aimed at improving sustainability and equity in food production, distribution, or consumption.
- Communicate effectively about food system issues across audiences using scientific, social, and cultural understanding.
Tangible Outcomes
- Group Projects: Collaborative development of interventions, education campaigns, or research proposals addressing identified food system challenges.
- Reflection Journals: Written and oral reflective practices to connect personal experiences with course concepts and sustainability values.
- Workshops on Food Policy & Ethics: Discussions on food sovereignty, labor rights, nutrition disparities, and climate resilience in food systems.
- Data Analysis and Visualization: Using real farm or regional food system data to explore trends, impacts, and solutions, integrating quantitative and qualitative insights.
Hands-on Activities
- Hands-on Farming Practicum: Regular work sessions on organic farming practices including soil health management, planting, pest control, and harvesting that foster embodied learning.
- Field Visits & Guest Speakers: Engagements with local farmers, food justice advocates, policy makers, and sustainability experts to provide diverse perspectives.
- Systems Mapping & Analysis: Interactive exercises mapping food supply chains and analyzing resource flows and environmental footprints.
Section 3 Courses (July 12-July 24th, 2026)
All courses are subject to change.
Course Description
This course offers a thorough introduction to core machine learning methods and techniques, with a focus on applications in the healthcare and biomedical domains. Students will explore foundational concepts in computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), and deep learning, and learn how these tools are used to analyze and interpret complex medical data. The primary objective of the course is to equip students with the theoretical background and practical skills necessary to apply machine learning techniques to real-world problems. Through guided assignments and project-based learning, students will gain hands-on experience developing models for tasks such as medical image classification and clinical text analysis. The course will also address key ethical considerations in the use of AI in medicine, including fairness, transparency, and data privacy.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a foundational understanding of core machine learning frameworks and methodologies, including supervised and unsupervised learning.
- Apply practical knowledge of key machine learning techniques such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Transformer models, and object detection algorithms.
- Analyze real-world biomedical data using AI tools for both image-based and text-based tasks (e.g., X-rays, clinical notes, MRI).
- Develop and evaluate machine learning models using Python libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit learn
- Identify and address key ethical considerations in AI development, including bias, data privacy, and model transparency.
- Work collaboratively on a team-based project that applies AI to a real-world healthcare problem.
Tangible Outcomes
- A working CNN-powered web app for pneumonia classification from chest X-rays.
- Case study-style class projects solving real-world healthcare AI problems.
- Ethics in AI debate competition exploring controversial medical AI scenarios.
- IBM Z Certification in AI, recognized by industry employers.
- Kaggle platform experience with completed datasets and competition submissions.
- A GitHub portfolio containing code from all hands-on projects.
- Mini hackathon prototype built with a team to address a medical challenge.
- An “Ethical AI Checklist” co-created with peers, usable in real hospital settings.
- Project presentations to peers and guest speakers from academia and industry.
- Practical experience with AI tools such as Google Colab, PyTorch, TensorFlow, and 3D Slicer
Hands-on Activities
- Hands-on coding labs using Google Colab, PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Scikit-learn.
- Medical image analysis simulations, including X-ray, MRI, and skin cancer classification.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) labs analyzing real clinical text datasets.
- Mini hackathon where teams build and pitch an AI healthcare solution under time constraints.
- Case study discussions on real-world AI in medicine challenges and successes.
- Ethics in AI debate competition to explore dilemmas like “Should AI make treatment decisions?”
- Team-based projects with collaborative coding, data analysis, and presentations.
Guest Speakers
- Guest Lecture 1: Ayon Roy, HP Z Global Data Science Ambassador
Ayon Roy, a leading data scientist and HP Z Ambassador, joined us to discuss real-world applications of AI across healthcare, finance, and industry. He shared insights into how HP leverages high-performance computing for AI development, and demonstrated how professionals implement machine learning at scale using HP Z workstations. - Guest Lecture 2: Dr. Manu Goyal, Research Scientist at CPHAI
Dr. Manu Goyal shared firsthand insights into the deployment of AI in clinical settings, focusing on radiology workflows and AI-driven skin cancer detection. Drawing from his research at Dartmouth’s CPHAI and clinical collaborations, he demonstrated how AI models are transforming real-world diagnostics and improving healthcare delivery.
Field Trips
- Trip to DALI Lab
- Trip to the Mechanical Workshop
Benefits for Future Study
- Explore STEM careers in AI, data science, biomedical engineering, healthcare technology, and computational biology.
- Pursue academic research in fields like computer vision, natural language processing, bioinformatics, and medical imaging.
- Strengthen college applications by showcasing AI projects, hackathon experiences, and certifications.
- Compete in AI and coding competitions (e.g., Kaggle, hackathons, science fairs) with real healthcare datasets.
- For aspiring medical students – apply AI concepts to clinical workflows, diagnostics, and research, giving them an edge in technology-driven medicine.
Course Description
Offering students an intellectual, ethical, and practical grounding in how to reduce their carbon emissions to contribute to global sustainability goals. In an action -based transformative way this course is designed to empower students with a comprehensive understanding of the imperative and practice of individual level decarbonization. Grounded in an interdisciplinary approach, the course integrates insights from philosophy, critical social science, climate science, engineering, economics, medicine and public policy. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with enough knowledge and tools to critically analyze their carbon footprints and develop actionable informed strategies to reduce their personal environmental impact where they live, now.
Learning Outcomes
- Calculate and interpret your own carbon footprint and compare it with global averages.
- Record and analyze air quality and emissions data.
- Debate ethical dilemmas (individual vs. systemic responsibility) using philosophical and psychological arguments.
- Summarize case studies on climate ethics and inequality.
- Global and national policy frameworks for decarbonization, including major climate agreements.
- Barriers to effective climate action and strategies for resilience and accountability.
- Pathways for linking personal choices with systemic change.
And you will be able to…
- Design and present a decarbonization strategy (individually or in groups) that integrates science, ethics, economics, and policy.
- Develop and advocate for a policy proposal addressing a local or global decarbonization challenge.
- Critically evaluate media and policy narratives about climate change using course concepts.
- Reflect on your personal growth in applying decarbonization strategies and propose next steps for long-term action.
Tangible Outcomes
Design and present an individual or group decarbonization strategy that integrates scientific, ethical, economic, and policy insights.
- Written plan (5 pages) with data, analysis, and reflection.
- Oral or visual presentation (poster, slideshow, or short video).
- Data Analysis charts
Hands-On Activities
- Lab work - two afternoons a week and lab reports in teams
- Team collaboration in actionable plans for local and regional sustainability
Guest Speakers
- Dr Justin Mankin: Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Dartmouth College
Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, Ecosystems, & Society (EEES)
Adjunct Associate Research Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory - Dr. Maron Greenleaf; Assistant Professor, Anthropology Dartmouth College
Affiliate of Ecology, Evolution, Environment & Society (EEES) PhD Program; Environmental Law
and others TBA
Field Trips
- Looking at glacial sinks and movement in Upper Valley
- Cold Regions Research Engineering Laboratory
Benefits for Future Study
Corporate careers in renewable energy; environmental policy; conservation or climate science; in business, prioritizing sustainable supply chains, corporate social responsibility; in engineering, sustainable design and green buildings, infrastructure, low emission transit. AI driven climate solutions, public policy and law, urban planning, public health and policy, to name a few.
Course Description
This nine-day seminar introduces high school students to the world of finance, investment, and alternative asset management, blending foundational concepts, interdisciplinary perspectives, and real-world career exposure. Students begin with the core building blocks — savings, investment, compounding, diversification, risk and return — before exploring how markets function, why they may or may not be efficient, and where opportunities arise for alternative investments such as private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds. Through case studies, interactive group exercises, and guest speakers, students will see how allocators like endowments and pensions decide where to put capital, how asset managers develop and employ their investment strategies, and how various disciplines such as economics, statistics, psychology, history, and government play an important role in markets and the day-to-day activities of those who work in the finance industry. The course will conclude with frank career reflections, preparing students to think critically about their own interests and the attractions and considerations of the various potential career paths they may choose to pursue.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Define the core concepts of hedge funds and private equity, including their purposes, structures, and strategies.
- Differentiate between hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and other investment vehicles.
- Explain how hedge funds and private equity influence companies, industries, and the global economy.
- Analyze simplified case studies of investment decisions and their outcomes.
- Evaluate the ethical and social implications of private investment, including risk, regulation, and impact on communities.
- Reflect on personal interest in finance and identify pathways for pursuing business or economics in college.
Hands-On Activities
Possible hands on activities include:
- Investment Simulation (Paper Portfolio): Students are given “virtual” capital to allocate between hedge fund strategies (e.g., long/short equity, global macro) or private equity deals, then track outcomes using simplified models.
- Case Study Discussions: Analyze famous examples (e.g., a turnaround via private equity, a hedge fund shorting a stock) through guided readings and group debate.
- Role-Play Activity: Students take on the roles of fund managers, investors, regulators, and company executives to negotiate a simplified buyout or investment decision.
- Concept Mapping Workshop: Build a visual map that links hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and public markets to illustrate the broader financial ecosystem.
- Capstone Mini-Project: In small groups, design a pitch for a mock private equity or hedge fund strategy, summarizing goals, risks, and potential impacts.
Guest Speakers
Guest Speaker Q&A: Hear from Dartmouth alumni, Tuck Business School Faculty or local professionals in finance who can demystify the industry and share career pathways.
Course Description
This course invites students to take a closer look at how the art world really works. Together, we’ll explore institutions that shape the value of art: auction houses, commercial galleries, and art fairs. Why do some artworks sell for millions while others go unnoticed? Who decides what art is worth, and what does that say about our society? We’ll explore big questions like: How is commercial value produced in the art market, and what relation does it have to the symbolic value assigned to works of art? How does social capital (connections) influence what kind of art gets seen or celebrated? Over the course of this class, students will explore how art is bought, sold, and valued—from the relationship between artists and galleries to high-stakes auction sales and the rise of NFTs. We will learn how prices are set in the primary and secondary art markets, the role of art dealers and collectors, and how laws around taxation and copyright affect the art world. Case studies will also include discussions of street art, art forgery cases, the impact of social media on the art world and the future of NFTs and digital art. No prior experience with contemporary art is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to ask questions.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify and explain how artworks are bought and sold through primary (galleries) and secondary (auctions) markets, and describe the typical roles of artists, dealers, collectors, and auction houses.
- Analyze the factors that influence how prices are set for contemporary artworks, including reputation, rarity, market trends, and symbolic value.
- Understand the legal and financial frameworks that shape the sale and resale of art, such as artist-dealer agreements, resale royalties, and tax considerations.
- Discuss how art is collected and valued by individuals, corporations, and museums, and reflect on the motivations—economic, cultural, and personal—that shape collecting practices.
- Critically assess how power, profit, and prestige influence the circulation of artworks, and consider how artists can respond to or resist these forces through their practice.
Tangible Outcomes
- Short Analytical Response Papers: Students will complete a series of short, focused essays that develop their ability to critically assess case studies, art market structures, and the interplay between symbolic and commercial value.
- Final Creative Project or Critical Essay: Students may choose to either write a longer-form critical essay (e.g., a mock art market report, curatorial proposal, or collection strategy) or develop a creative project that responds to themes of marketization in art (e.g., designing an artist’s pricing strategy, an auction catalog, or a speculative NFT concept).
- In-Class Presentations: Students will present on selected topics (e.g., mega-collectors, museum branding, or art fairs), helping them develop public speaking and synthesis skills.
- Curated Portfolio of Works and Commentary: A small portfolio may be developed in which students select 3–5 artworks and offer critical commentary on their market performance, institutional recognition, and projected future value.
Guest Speakers
To be confirmed: Dr. Elizabeth Mattison, Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Academic Programming and Curator of European Art at the Hood Museum. With her expertise in authenticating centuries-old works on paper and canvas, Dr. Mattison will guide students through the complexities of attribution, forgery detection, and historical documentation.
Field Trips
- Hood Museum of Visual Arts
- Hopkins Center for the Arts Studios
Benefits for Future Study
Students can apply the material from this course in a variety of future academic and professional contexts. Some potential pathways include: Art History and Visual Culture: Students planning to major in or continue with art history will benefit from critical perspectives on how value is constructed, enabling a more nuanced understanding of the historical and contemporary art world.
Course Description
How do our brains shape the way we think, feel, and behave? In this two-week precollege course, students will explore the fascinating fields of psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Through interactive lectures, lab demonstrations, and hands-on activities, students will investigate topics such as memory, learning, decision-making, and emotion. They will also examine how researchers use cutting-edge tools—like brain imaging, cognitive testing, and behavioral experiments—to understand the mind.
Alongside faculty and graduate student mentors, participants will gain insight into the scientific process, from forming research questions to interpreting data. The course will also connect theory to everyday life: How does attention influence performance in school or sports? Why do we sometimes make irrational decisions? What does brain science tell us about mental health? By the end of the program, students will have a deeper understanding of both the brain’s complexity and the methods used to study it—and will leave with skills and perspectives useful for any future path in science, medicine, or the humanities.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain core concepts in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, including memory, attention, perception, and emotion.
- Describe the scientific methods used to study the brain and behavior, including experiments and neuroimaging techniques.
- Analyze real or simulated data to draw conclusions about psychological phenomena.
- Apply psychological and neuroscience concepts to everyday situations, from decision-making to stress management.
- Evaluate ethical considerations in brain and behavior research.
- Reflect on their personal interest in psychology, neuroscience, or related fields as potential college and career pathways.
Tangible Outcomes
Capstone Project: In groups, design and present a mini research proposal on a question of their choice in psychology or cognitive neuroscience.
Hands-on Activities
- Lab Demonstrations: Observe how EEG (brainwave recording) or fMRI (through case studies and datasets) are used to study the brain in action.
- Memory & Attention Experiments: Participate in simple experiments (e.g., Stroop test, working memory tasks) to experience psychological research firsthand.
- Case Studies: Examine real-world examples where brain science intersects with mental health, education, or law.
- Small-Group Data Analysis: Work with sample neuroscience data sets to practice drawing scientific conclusions.
- Guest Lectures: Hear from Dartmouth researchers studying topics like decision-making, child development, or neural disorders.
- Field Trip / Lab Tour: Visit Dartmouth’s neuroscience labs and psychology research centers for behind-the-scenes exposure.
Course Description
What makes great business leaders effective problem-solvers? In this two-week course, students will step into the world of business consulting and decision-making. Guided by Dartmouth faculty and industry practitioners, participants will learn how to analyze complex challenges, generate creative solutions, and communicate recommendations persuasively.
Through case studies, simulations, and team projects, students will gain hands-on experience with frameworks used by top consulting firms and business leaders. Along the way, they’ll explore critical skills like critical thinking, collaboration, persuasive communication, and ethical reasoning. From diagnosing why a company is losing market share to designing a sustainability strategy, students will practice applying structured approaches to real-world problems.
By the end of the course, participants will not only better understand how businesses make decisions but also develop tools they can use in school, leadership roles, and future careers.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain key frameworks and strategies for business problem-solving and decision-making.
- Analyze case studies to identify challenges, root causes, and possible solutions.
- Apply structured frameworks (e.g., SWOT, cost-benefit analysis, decision trees) to real or simulated business problems.
- Collaborate effectively in teams to brainstorm, evaluate, and present solutions.
- Communicate findings and recommendations persuasively through written, oral, and visual formats.
- Evaluate the ethical and social dimensions of business decisions.
Tangible Outcomes
Capstone Presentation: Deliver a team presentation showcasing problem-solving and decision-making skills, with feedback from instructors and peers.
Hands-on Activities
Students will learn through a mix of interactive classroom sessions, group work, and experiential projects, including:
- Business Case Studies: Work through famous consulting cases and real-world examples to practice diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
- Framework Workshops: Learn and apply tools like root cause analysis, decision matrices, and design thinking.
- Decision-Making Simulations: Participate in role-play activities where students act as consultants advising a company, nonprofit, or startup.
- Team Consulting Project: Work in small groups to tackle a current business challenge, then present recommendations in a mock “boardroom pitch.”
Guest Speakers
Hear from Dartmouth alumni and local business leaders on how they make decisions in fast-paced industries.
Field Trips
Site Visit: Explore a local business, startup incubator, or Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business to see decision-making in action.
Course Description
From bridges and airplanes to medical devices and renewable energy systems, the world runs on engineered materials—and the ability to shape them. This two-week immersive course, taught by the Dartmouth Machine Shop staff, introduces students to the fundamentals of fabrication and materials engineering. Students will gain hands-on experience with machining, welding, 3D printing, and computer-aided design (CAD), while also exploring how these skills translate into careers in materials science and engineering.
Alongside technical training, the course emphasizes problem-solving, safety, and creativity in design. Students will visit Dartmouth engineering labs and learn how materials engineering intersects with innovation in fields such as sustainability, medicine, and aerospace. By the end of the program, participants will not only build their own projects but also develop a deeper understanding of how fabrication skills lay the groundwork for future careers in engineering and technology.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate safe practices when working with machining, welding, and fabrication equipment.
- Use basic fabrication tools and techniques, including milling, turning, welding, and additive manufacturing.
- Apply computer-aided design (CAD) software to develop and prototype simple projects.
- Identify key properties of common engineering materials (metals, polymers, composites) and explain their applications.
- Understand how fabrication skills connect to broader areas of materials engineering and real-world innovation.
- Collaborate effectively on design-build challenges, applying creativity and engineering problem-solving.
- Produce a final project that demonstrates learned fabrication techniques and reflects engineering design principles.
Hands-on Activities
Week 1: Foundations of Fabrication
- Safety & Orientation: Machine shop protocols, PPE, and safe tool use.
- Fabrication Basics: Introduction to milling, lathes, and welding through guided demonstrations and practice.
- CAD & Prototyping: Hands-on sessions with CAD software and 3D printing for rapid prototyping.
- Materials Overview: Mini-seminar on metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites—properties and uses.
- Mini-Project #1: Design and fabricate a simple mechanical component (e.g., a custom tool or small device).
Week 2: From Materials to Engineering Applications
- Advanced Fabrication Techniques: Students rotate through stations (precision machining, welding, 3D printing, laser cutting).
- Engineering in Action: Visits to Dartmouth labs (e.g., Thayer School of Engineering) to see materials research in medicine, aerospace, and sustainability.
- Innovation & Careers in Materials Engineering: Guest talks from faculty, researchers, and alumni.
- Design-Build Challenge: In small teams, students design and fabricate a functional object that addresses a real-world challenge (e.g., lightweight structure, ergonomic tool, or sustainable design).
- Final Project Showcase: Students present their prototypes and reflect on fabrication skills, materials selection, and career connections in materials engineering.
Session 4 Courses (July 26 - August 7th, 2026)
All courses are subject to change.
Course Description
The two-week Business Foundations course is designed to provide you with exposure to some areas of what we call “business.” We start by discussing (and practicing) foundational concepts – in areas such as finance, accounting, and spreadsheet modeling. From there, we embark on a public company valuation project while, in parallel, discussing and applying ideas, frameworks, and methodologies from areas such as economics, marketing, strategy, and (more) finance and accounting.Through the valuation project, we will explore how companies think about clients and customers, how they make money and finance themselves, how they think about competition, innovation, and new projects, and how those decisions affect their value. In addition, we will examine some best practices about corporate and personal communication. The project will culminate with a presentation of project findings and analyses. Finally, we will seek to explore how some of the concepts we cover can be applied to our daily lives and decision-making.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this course, participants will:
- Have a solid grasp of concepts in areas such as accounting, finance, economics, and
strategy. - Be conversant in the ways businesses evaluate and make decisions about undertaking
new projects – and how to finance them. - Understand the effects of compounding, (financial) leverage, and risk on expected
returns. - Be able to apply financial analysis methodologies on issues of personal finance.
- Be able to discuss where business ideas come from, and the differences between
breakthrough and disruptive innovation. - Have experience practicing teamwork and collaboration on a real-life problem.
- Feel more confident about creating and delivering persuasive presentations.
- Have a view of potential career areas in business.
Course Description
How does medical research move from the lab bench to life-saving treatments? This two-week precollege course immerses students in the world of biomedical science and clinical research. Guided by Dartmouth faculty, researchers, and medical professionals, students will gain firsthand experience in laboratory techniques, experimental design, and the ethical considerations of working with human health.
Through a mix of hands-on lab sessions, seminars, and site visits, participants will explore topics such as cell biology, microbiology, genetics, and clinical trial design. They’ll also learn about the pathways to careers in medicine and biomedical research, from undergraduate studies to medical school and beyond. The course culminates in a final poster session where students present findings from a small-group lab project, modeling the way real research is shared in the scientific community.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate safe and accurate use of fundamental laboratory techniques (e.g., pipetting, culturing, microscopy, data recording).
- Explain how biomedical research contributes to advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
- Analyze experimental results using appropriate methods of scientific reasoning and data interpretation.
- Discuss the ethical issues and regulations surrounding human and animal research in medicine.
- Collaborate with peers to design and carry out a small-scale research project.
- Communicate scientific findings clearly through written, oral, and visual formats, including a final poster presentation.
- Reflect on potential academic and career pathways in medicine, clinical research, and biomedical science.
Tangible Outcomes
- Career Readiness Sessions: Pathways to undergraduate research, medical school, and careers in health sciences.
- Poster Session & Closing Symposium: Students present their research projects to peers, faculty, and staff in a conference-style format.
Hands-On Activities
Week 1: Foundations of Medical Research
- Lab Orientation & Safety: Proper use of lab equipment, PPE, and sterile technique.
- Core Techniques Training: Microscopy, pipetting, preparing slides, culturing bacteria, DNA extraction.
- Mini-Experiments: Short labs on topics such as antibiotic resistance, genetics, or enzyme function.
- Seminars with Experts: Talks on clinical research, public health, and biomedical innovation.
- Ethics in Medicine: Discussion of case studies (e.g., clinical trials, informed consent, research equity).
- Begin Group Projects: Teams form around research questions (provided by instructors) and start planning experiments.
Week 2: From Experiments to Applications
- Advanced Lab Skills: PCR, gel electrophoresis, and data analysis demonstrations (adapted for precollege level).
- Field Visits: Tour of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center labs, research centers, or simulation spaces.
- Research in Action: Shadow or observe graduate students/research staff at work.
- Project Work Time: Students carry out their small-group experiments, collect data, and prepare posters.
Course Description
Learn or improve oral comprehension and speaking skills in an immersive course which encompasses Spanish language grammar contextualized for a persuasive setting, such as business, politics, law or leadership. Utilizing both general and persuasive-specific vocabulary, students will gain skills and confidence needed for interactions in Spanish in a potential career. Developed for training Peace Corps volunteers in the early 1960s and adapted to college level instruction in 1967, the Rassias Method® combines dramatic techniques, rhythmic drills, and energetic reinforcement strategies that make learning an engaging experience, while eliminating inhibitions. Dartmouth College is recognized for its leadership in language education, and the Rassias Method remains a defining pedagogical approach which continues to be used in language instruction today. The Rassias Method consistently meets the collective goal of fostering a language and cultural foundation, and builds confidence for genuine cultural and humanistic interactions in Spanish.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Communicate persuasively in spoken Spanish, using appropriate rhetorical strategies and culturally relevant expressions.
- Formulate and support arguments clearly and convincingly in a variety of settings, including debates, negotiations, and presentations.
- Demonstrate advanced fluency with rapid, spontaneous speech in thematic dialogues focused on persuasion.
- Interpret and respond effectively to counterarguments and challenges during real-time discussions.
- Apply cultural awareness to adapt persuasive techniques suitable to Spanish-speaking contexts.
- Utilize expanded vocabulary and idiomatic expressions related to persuasion, argumentation, and negotiation.
- Critically analyze persuasive texts (oral and written) and reflect on rhetorical strategies used by speakers or writers.
Tangible Outcomes
Tangible outcomes include Rassias Center Certificate of Completion for students who attend the full program of language instruction. The Rassias Center’s expectation is that students will attend class and actively participate. In addition, students will role play and interview guest speakers and classmates.
Hands-on Activities
- The Rassias Method is an experiential program. It is an immersive, interactive, participatory language learning experience. Students are expected to participate, speak the language, and try to speak as little English as possible. We will conduct a group lunch each class day so students can continue to work on their Spanish language skills in a more casual setting.
- Rassias Method Drills: Engaging, timed exercises focusing on pronunciation, intonation, and rapid response to reinforce persuasive language structures.
- Role Plays: Simulated real-life scenarios such as debates, business negotiations, political campaigns, and community organizing where students practice persuasive dialogue.
- Group Discussions and Debates: Facilitated discussions on current and culturally relevant topics, allowing students to practice constructing and defending viewpoints.
- Interactive Storytelling: Collaborative exercises where students create and present persuasive narratives to influence an audience.
- Listening and Analysis: Exposure to authentic Spanish media (e.g., speeches, advertisements, debates) with guided discussion and critique of persuasive strategies.
- Peer Feedback and Self-Reflection: Structured feedback sessions focused on delivering and receiving constructive criticism to improve persuasive communication.
- Cultural Workshops: Exploration of cultural conventions in persuasion and influence across various Spanish-speaking countries.
Course Description
Energy Implications of AI Data Centers is a multidisciplinary survey course that explores the growing energy demands driven by AI data centers and their impact on the electric grid. Students will study the fundamentals of electricity supply and demand, examine emerging technologies for meeting increased energy needs, and analyze regulatory and market mechanisms that influence power generation choices. Special focus is given to Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and their role in managing grid reliability, cost-efficiency, and environmental impact. Through case studies and comparative analyses, students will evaluate the benefits, risks, and customer perspectives of innovative energy programs supporting sustainable AI infrastructure.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this survey course, students will be able to:
- Describe electricity supply and demand on the electric grid and projected increases in demand.
- Compare technologies for meeting increased demand – for both generating electricity and managing demand – on attributes including cost, capacity, speed of deployment, and societal impacts.
- Explain essentials of the market that determines which power plants (and Virtual Power Plants) are chosen to supply the grid while minimizing cost and complying with regulations.
- Present a comparison of benefits, risks, and costs of two Virtual Power Plant programs from the customer perspective.
Tangible Outcomes
Presentation that compares benefits, risks, and costs of two Virtual Power Plant programs from the customer perspective.
Hands-on Activites
In an activity where students move around the room, the group will simulate how the wholesale market in the electric grid chooses which power plants will supply the grid for each time period.
Field Trips
Classroom learning will be brought to life on tours of power plants fueled by several of the following technologies: solar, wind, hydropower, coal, natural gas, petroleum, landfill gas, biomass, nuclear, and battery storage.
Session 5 Courses (August 2 - August 14th, 2026)
All courses are subject to change.
Course Description
The mind-body connection can be powerfully observed in sports. Humans continue to push the boundaries of what is physically possible. Endurance athletes will run 100 miles across mountain ranges simply to prove that they can. Some dedicate their entire lives to pursue the Olympic dream. This course will examine the athlete’s mind from multiple perspectives. These include: cognitive frameworks that lead to optimal performance; psychological tools for overcoming pressure and anxiety; and the group dynamics that contribute to championship teams.
Sports have also been a catalyst for social change. They serve as a vehicle for breaking racial, gender and cultural barriers. Along these lines, leadership will also be discussed. Together, we will explore the motivation behind sport participation. Some questions include: What leads to burnout? When does healthy competition become self-defeating? How can individuals cultivate healthy relationships with themselves and each other through sports?
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the psychological and cognitive factors that influence athletic performance, including focus, resilience, and motivation.
- Analyze strategies athletes use to manage pressure, anxiety, and high-stakes competition.
- Evaluate the role of team dynamics and leadership in achieving group success and fostering positive sports cultures.
- Examine how sports act as a platform for social change and for challenging racial, gender, and cultural barriers.
- Identify the signs, causes, and consequences of burnout, and propose approaches to maintain balance and well-being.
- Apply concepts of mental training, goal setting, and visualization to both athletic and non-athletic contexts.
- Reflect on the personal and societal motivations behind sports participation, and how they shape identity, relationships, and values.
Tangible Outcomes
Capstone Project: Students design a mental training plan, team culture initiative, or advocacy project that applies course ideas to real-world athletic or community contexts.
Hands-On Activities
- Performance Psychology Workshops: Guided practice in visualization, goal setting, and mindfulness techniques used by elite athletes.
- Case Studies: Analysis of iconic athletes and teams, focusing on how mental frameworks, leadership, and resilience contributed to success—or failure.
- Team Challenges: Small group activities or simulated competitions to explore collaboration, communication, and group dynamics under pressure.
- Reflective Journals: Students track their own experiences with motivation, competition, and performance (athletic, artistic, or academic) and connect them to course concepts.
- Debates & Discussions: Exploration of sports as vehicles for social change, with attention to racial justice, gender equity, and cultural representation in athletics.
Guest Speakers
Guest Speaker/Interview Project: Hearing from athletes, coaches, or sports psychologists about mental training and resilience, followed by student-led Q&A or reflection.