Berkeley Summer Academy of Science (BSAS) program 2026

Closing ceremony during Berkeley Summer Academy of Science (BSAS) program, hosted by GLOBE, at UC Berkeley’s Hearst Memorial Mining Building in Berkeley, Calif. on Friday, July 17, 2026. (Photo by Adam Lau/UC Berkeley Engineering)

Berkeley Summer Academy of Science (previously known as the “Berkeley Summer Academy of Sustainability”) is an intensive 2-week 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.

The 2-week program is divided into two parts — class lectures and hands-on experimental lab opportunities. The 2026 theme is: “Foundations of Modern Science” and the course curriculum will focus on:

1. Quantum: explore the history of this revolutionary principle as well as quantum materials, superconductivity and resistance.
2. Optics & Lasers: learn about electromagnetic spectrum, optical fibers, and metamaterials.
3. Semiconductors: dive into phases of matter, band theory, and optoelectronics.
4. Quantum Tech: understand quantum building blocks, quantum computing, and applications in sensing and communication.

In addition to academic classes, students will be provided lunch and can 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.