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.

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 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

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 

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

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 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

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 involved with biomedical research and medicine.

Through a mix of hands-on lab sessions, seminars, and site visits, participants will explore topics such as cell biology, genetics, and neuroscience. An emphasis will be placed on the steps that lead from discoveries made in a laboratory setting (“bench”) into practical, clinical applications for patient care (“bedside”). This “pipeline” typically progresses from basic science research to preclinical testing in model organisms, drug and medical device trials in humans, FDA approval, and clinical implementation. Students will also learn about the pathways to careers in medicine and biomedical research, from undergraduate studies to medical school and beyond. This class culminates in a final small group presentation where students incorporate the concepts they have learned in the course into a didactic presentation about a cutting-edge area in medicine.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate fundamental laboratory techniques (e.g., pipetting, microscopy, data recording).
• Explain how biomedical research contributes to advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
• Discuss the ethical issues and regulations surrounding human and animal research in medicine.
• Collaborate with peers to independently research a topic in biomedicine.
• Obtain diverse information about a novel topic, including searches of web resources (secondary sources) and academic journal articles (primary sources).
• Synthesize this information into a set of core findings and communicate those findings logically in visual and oral formats.
• 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.

Hands-On Activities 
 

Week 1: Foundations of Medical Research

• Lab Orientation & Safety: Proper use of lab equipment, PPE, and following a protocol.
• Core Techniques Training: Microscopy, pipetting, preparing slides, culturing bacteria, DNA extraction.
• Brain Dissection: dissect a sheep brain and learn how structures in a different mammal’s brain are similar (“homologous”) to our own brain
• 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, equity and healthcare access).
• Begin Group Projects: Teams form around research questions (generated by students and refined by professor) and start planning independent research strategy.

Week 2: From Experiments to Applications

• Advanced Lab Skills: Evaluating prepared slides, gel electrophoresis, and data analysis demonstrations (adapted for precollege level).
• Research in Action: Learn how modern laboratory tools can be used to investigate disease processes and diagnose disease.
• Field Visits: Tours of research labs at Dartmouth College and a comprehensive tour of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center campus.
• Project Work Time: Students carry out their group research and meet daily with the professor to find sources, choose readings, distill information, and create graphics and text for their presentation. 

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.