Program Overview

Program Overview

The Berkeley Summer Academy of Sustainability is an intensive 2-week hybrid high school program designed to give a limited number of students a STEM field college experience. This project-based program combines lectures and laboratory sessions to give students practical experience in science and engineering. Students will learn scientific foundations of engineering, develop and transform their ideas into executable designs, and eventually build their own prototypes, which they will showcase during the Completion Ceremony.

Program Details

• The 2-week program is divided into two parts — class lectures and hands-on experimental lab opportunities.
• The course curriculum will focus on the following topics:
  • Quantum: Superconductivity levitation in liquid nitrogen temperature
  • Solar: Solar cells – make a very basic Schottky-junction cell
  • Metamaterials: 3D printing of mechanically functional structures
  • Water: Membrane for water purification
  • AI/ML: Data science for materials – the materials project
  • Failure: Structural materials failure test and analysis with microscopes

Program Experience

In addition to academic classes, students will experience college life, eating at Berkeley cafeterias, and interacting with UC Berkeley undergrad and graduate students. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit places such as Berkeley student labs and Silicon Valley companies.

Program Objectives

The program allows students to meet new friends from around the world and build important life skills that can make their future college experience a success — all while strengthening their college application.

Program Capacity

The program is limited to 40 students.

Program Dates

• 2026 Dates: July 20 – July 31 (subject to change)
• Class schedule example:
  • 9am-12pm: Lecture
  • 12-1pm: Lunch break
  • 1-4pm: Lab
  • 4pm: End of daily programming

Program Price

• Regular price: $5,000
• The program price covers the cost of faculty, lab space, equipment/supplies, industry visits, administrative fees, and daily lunches.
• Scholarships may be available to select individuals. Separate application required.

Faculty

• Dr. Junqiao Wu: Currently teaching: Properties of Electronic Materials, Individual Study or Research
• Dr. Rayne Zheng: Currently Teaching: Additive Fabrication Processes and Systems for Advanced Materials
• Dr. Jie Yao: Currently Teaching: Optical Materials and Devices
• Dr. Zakaria Al Balushi: Currently Teaching: Electronic Materials Characterization
• Dr. Baoxia Mi: Currently Teaching: Individual Research

Program Eligibility

• High School students (ages 15+ by start of the program) with a basic understanding of STEM and an interest in exploring prototypes and design.
• Ideally, students should have taken calculus and physics, but we welcome students who have taken algebra and one science class to apply.

Program Application

• Check back in January 2026 for updates on BSAS applications.

Program Housing

• No, housing is NOT provided.
• Students should live in the area and commute to campus for the program. If needed, program staff can connect you with our trusted partner for lodging options.

Program Refund Policy

• If, after being admitted to the program, a student needs to cancel and withdraws from the program more than 2 months from the official start date, $2,000 will be refunded.
• Withdrawal requests received less than 2 months from the program start are nonrefundable.