Summer Camps & Programs

Program Description

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WPI Frontiers Program
Worcester, Massachusetts

		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info See Photos

For More Information, Contact
WPI Frontiers Program
100 Institute Road
Worcester, Massachusetts 01609-2280
508-831-5286
Fax: 508-831-5875
http://www.admissions.wpi.edu/Frontiers/
E-mail: frontiers@wpi.edu

Type of Program: Academic enrichment
Participants: Coeducational, students entering grades 11 and 12
Enrollment: 125–150
Program Dates: July 2009
Head of Program: Julie Chapman, Associate Director of Admissions

Location

WPI is situated on 80 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts, New England’s second-largest city. The campus, which is surrounded by parks and residential neighborhoods, is located 1 mile from downtown. Students have full access to WPI’s facilities, including the Gordon Library, state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment, athletic facilities, and the university computer system.

Background and Philosophy

WPI Frontiers was founded twenty-six years ago to allow high school students to further explore their interests in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. WPI Frontiers exposes students to current research problems and methods and encourages pursuit of careers in science and technology.

Program Offerings

Aerospace Engineering: Students explore the science of flight to learn how wings and aircraft create lift to fly. Basic concepts in aerodynamics, including drag, streamlining, airfoil stall, and aircraft design, are studied. Students conduct wind- and water-tunnel experiments to visualize the flow over aircraft and run computer simulations for different airfoil shapes. Using what they have learned, students design and build a simple model aircraft, test it in the wind tunnel, and see it soar in free flight.
Biology and Biotechnology: This program allows students to explore this science, from molecules and cells to ecology and evolution. They cut, splice, and insert DNA to engineer new bacteria; eavesdrop on their own nerves and muscles using computer-based technology; prepare and view cells in an electron microscope; extract and test hormones that make crabs change color; meet a tiny roundworm that is the new favorite of geneticists; use DNA fingerprinting and antibodies to track genes and the proteins they code for; and study the reproduction, ecology, anatomy, and scientific contributions (including a Nobel Prize) of the ancient horseshoe crab.
Chemistry and Biochemistry: In this program, students explore how life functions at the molecular level. They combine the newest technologies in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry to explore what happens when molecules collide, peel apart proteins and DNA, discover how enzymes work, and use computer modeling to see what biomolecules look like in 3-D. Students see how chemistry can make color, fire, light, and electricity, and they use the latest genetic and biochemical techniques to create organisms that glow.
Computer Science: In this self-paced program, students have the opportunity to explore the world of programming as it is used in the World Wide Web and in object-oriented languages such as Java. They also explore graphical and distributed programming environments and have a chance to incorporate their work as part of effective multimedia interfaces for content of interest to them. In addition, special topics in computer science are discussed according to student interest.
Electrical and Computer Engineering: Students discover the fascinating world of analog and digital electronics through classroom exercises and hands-on laboratory activities. They learn to use lab equipment, including power supplies, function generators, and oscilloscopes, to test circuits that they build and then apply this knowledge to a design project that they work on throughout the course. Topics include audio amplification, infrared optical transmission, analog signal processing, and digital logic.
Interactive Media and Game Development: In this program, students combine technology with art to create an interactive experience. They take on the role of programmer or artist and work on a team to bring a game to life. Students draw and model their environment, add characters and sound effects, and tell their story. They learn to break down their idea into simple rules, write an algorithm, use powerful scripting languages, and publish their game on the Web.
Mathematics: Participants learn how a mix of classical mathematics and modern technology can be used to solve current problems and open up new areas. They use this background to examine encryption of numbers on the Internet via the RSA algorithm and to analyze human voice patterns and musical instruments through Fourier methods. Specific problems of current information technology the program addresses include the need for secure transmission of data such as credit card numbers over the Internet, voice-print technology, and storage and use of music in digital format (WAV vs. MP3 files, for example).
Mechanical Engineering: This broad discipline includes many areas of interest: energy production and transfer, mechanical design, materials science, biomechanics, and fluid flow, among others. Students explore the breadth of mechanical engineering through a mixture of fundamental concepts and experimentation. The focus is on two designs: a trebuchet and an exploration of energy transfer.
Physics: Students investigate selected fields or applications of modern physics—such as interplanetary travel, atomic spectroscopy, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and black holes—through a combination of lectures, audiovisual presentations, hands-on laboratory experiments, and visits to research facilities.
Robotics: In this program, students discover the science and technology of robot design and operation. (This session is particularly useful in preparing participants for entry or leadership in the FIRST robotics team in their high school.) They learn about sensor operations, programming, pneumatics, and manufacturing techniques and then use this information to solve a challenging robotics problem. Each subgroup in the session brainstorms, designs, builds, and tests its own creation. The chance for each subgroup to show its team’s design superiority comes when robots meet for the climactic end-of-session tournament.
    In addition to the major areas of study, students also participate in a communication workshop of their choosing. These workshops include speech, creative writing, music, theater, elements of writing, and American history through film and the Internet.

Enrollment

WPI Frontiers seeks students who have demonstrated superior ability and interest in science and mathematics. It is recommended that applicants be enrolled in a college-preparatory curriculum in which they have completed (or will complete) 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics (including trigonometry and analytical geometry), and 2 units of a lab science. A letter of recommendation from a science or mathematics teacher or guidance counselor is also required.

Daily Schedule

	7:30–8:30 8:30–10:30 10:30–12:30 12:30–1:30 1:30–4:30 5:00–6:00 6:30–10:30 11:00 12:00 Breakfast Academic program in science, math, or engineering Communication workshops Lunch Academic program in science, math, or engineering Dinner Extracurricular activities Check in Lights out

Extra Opportunities and Activities

In addition to attending the academic programs and workshops, participants enjoy a full schedule of activities. Field trips, movies, performances, and tournaments enable participants to interact with each other and help develop leadership skills and friendships.

Facilities

Students are housed in one of WPI’s supervised residence halls and attend classes in modern facilities. Students have access to the athletic facilities, including a fitness center, gymnasium, softball diamond, and tennis courts, and computer labs.

Staff

Each course and workshop is taught by a WPI faculty member. In addition, residence halls and program activities are supervised by WPI upperclass students as well as members of the WPI administrative staff. Student staff members are selected based on leadership skills, academic achievement, enthusiasm, and demonstrated responsible behavior.

Medical Care

Frontiers staff members, campus police, and EMTs, in cooperation with local hospitals, handle any medical needs or emergencies that may arise.

Costs

The tuition cost for the 2008 Frontiers program was $2100. This covered tuition, books, meals, housing, field trips, evening programs, and entrance fees to group activities.

Transportation

Worcester is centrally located in New England, with access to four airports within about an hour of the city: Logan (Boston, Massachusetts), Green (Providence, Rhode Island), Bradley International (Hartford, Connecticut), and Manchester (Manchester, New Hampshire). Worcester also has a train and bus station located within 2 miles of the campus. Students traveling from outside Worcester are provided information on traveling and transportation to the campus.

Application Timetable

The application deadline is May 31. Students are notified of acceptance on a rolling basis.