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Applied Physics & Engineering

Three-Week Summer Engineering Program

• BioSTEM Award, 2018, J&J • Top Summer Science Program, 2011-Present, NY Times/ThoughtCo.com • Top Robotics Program, 2017, RoboLoco • Best Medicine Program, 2018, ParentMap • Top Biomedical Engineering, StockTalk.com • Top 101 Summer Camps & Programs, How-To-Learn.com • #1 Marine Bio, 2022, ThomasNet, Xometry • Top Summer Programs, 2023, collegematchpoint.com  •  Best Computer Science, 2023, collegetransitions.com

This hands-on program, designed for high school students who are preparing to take high school Physics or have already completed it, covers critical laws of flight, gravity, and motion, as well as broader topics within aeronautics and aerospace technologies.

Students construct and test model airplanes while examining thrust, lift, drag, and weight under varying conditions. During their experiments, they will also explore the ways in which ailerons, elevators, rudders, and flaps affect an aircraft’s aerodynamics and stability.

Many lectures and exercises will center around acceleration, centripetal force, and g-force.

This program provides a great pre-college experience for teens considering an engineering or computer science major.

This program sells out every year – don’t lose your chance to join us by waiting too long. Apply now. Want a reminder? Join the mailing list.

This is a competitive admissions summer research program designed for teens.

Student tests out airplane built in the Applied Physics and Engineering three-week summer program

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Applications are open for Summer 2023:

July 3-21, 2023  | Olin/Wellesley, MA

More About: Awards – Research Programs – Sample Week 

Research, Labs, & Presentations

Students’ own descriptions appear below.

“We learned about planes and how part of them function.  Our teacher did a great job explaining the different variables that influence planes.  We learned about certain laws that are important in the world of physics.  I like how we got our own chance to build a basic plane and got to really fly it.”

“I liked that we covered the mathematical part of physics that tied into our projects.  Our teacher let us test our ideas as to what engineers do.  I’m glad that we were able to design things from scratch and not do set projects.”

“I enjoyed that we were allowed to work through problems on our own, and revise our design using what we learned.”

“We learned about aerodynamics and physics along with building planes.  I really liked building and flying planes.”

“I enjoyed learning about the physics and equations for how a plane flies.  It was very interesting and engaging.  Building the foam planes was also very cool.”

Laurence Lovett

Laurence "Larry" Lovett

Laurence Lovett earned his Master’s degree in Experimental Physics after earning his undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Laurence currently teaches Physics, Engineering, and Robotics at Wellesley High School, one of the top public schools in Massachusetts.

Student Comments

Our program consists of learning about the physics of aerodynamics, which gives us students insight to the life of an aerospace engineer. I loved that while we learned a lot, we also have had a lot of time in making rockets and planes. Mr. Lovett made the class interesting while educational and fun. Overall, I have loved this course and I have learned a lot.’

‘On the whole, the program was fantastic. We made, tested and flew planes and learned the physics behind how they fly and using that knowledge to improve on the designs. I liked how the teachers challenged us and the way we think, enabling us to think outside the box!’

‘I liked that I got the chance to build an airplane because I had never done that before. It was a really great first-time experience. It was as challenging as advertised on the website.’

‘We progressed from building paper airplanes to making gliders to finally constructing our own airplanes. I liked that we got to make remote control airplanes and the field trips were very interesting.’

Our Programs are Featured on the National Association for Gifted Children Website

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