Program Overview

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Quantitative Evaluation for Public Policy - Session 1

Course Description

How do we know whether a policy delivers its promised results or falls short? If it delivers, how do we know whether it was by chance or a true result that would replicate in a similar setting? If it is a true result, will it scale if implemented more broadly? This course is designed for enterprising high school students who want to work at the frontiers of data analysis, using the tools that economists and other social scientists use to determine the causal effects of different actions and make more informed decisions. You will be introduced to the basic toolkit of quantitative policy analysis, which includes probability theory, sampling, hypothesis testing, regression, experiments, differences in differences, and regression discontinuity. You will also learn how to use a statistical software program to organize and analyze data. Most importantly, you will learn the principles of critical thinking essential for careful and credible policy analysis. The goals of this course will be realized through various course activities including lectures, labs, group assignments, and final presentations.

Course Criteria

This course is only open to high school students.

• Students should have completed Algebra 2 and have a strong interest in using math to determine economic patterns to be successful in this course.
• Prior coding experience is not required; having some familiarity with coding (especially in R) would be helpful.
• __Math Intensive
• Students should expect daily class and homework activities to involve coding.
• __Coding Intensive
• Students should expect daily class and homework activities to involve coding.

Academic Interest

• Technology (e.g., Computer Science, Molecular Engineering)
• Social Sciences (e.g., history, sociology)
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Math
• Statistics
• Economics and Business

Application Materials

A complete application includes a transcript, two short essays, a letter of recommendation, writing sample, application fee, and a submitted parent confirmation. If you are seeking need-based financial aid, you must indicate that in your application before it is submitted.

Instructor(s)

Sheng-Hao Lo

Course Duration

__3 Week Immersion

Session

__Session 1

Arrival & Departure Dates

__June 13th - July 3rd

Course Dates

__June 15th - July 2nd

Class Days

__ Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

Class Time

__9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Eligibility

__ 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade

Course Code

__PBPL

Modality

__Residential

Syllabus

__Preview Sample Syllabus

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