Nanoscience Lab Summer Program

Nanoscience Lab Summer Program is sponsored by California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA. Five-day workshop for high school students to explore nanoscience through hands-on experiments.

Nanoscience Lab Summer Program - California NanoSystems Institute Discover the exciting field of nanoscience through hands-on experiment s Explore cutting-edge research in nanoscience and nanotechnology The Nanoscience Lab Summer Institute is an exclusive summer workshop for high school students with a background in chemistry who are interested in advanced science and technology.

During this five-day program, students have the unique opportunity to explore technologies similar to those currently investigated by the scientific community through hands-on experiments that give students a survey of diverse topics, including bio-toxicity, supercapacitors, and photolithography.

These experiments, designed by UCLA researchers, teach students the key concepts of nanoscale phenomena that make nanoscience and nanotechnology one of the most exciting fields of research today. Nanoscience Lab Summer Program Applications are reviewed, and admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis. Applying at your earliest convenience is highly recommended.

Note that the programs have admission requirements. An unofficial transcript from grade 9 to present reflecting a cumulative GPA of 3. 2 or higher If your school transcript utilizes a different grading system, please submit your transcript as is.

If available, please attach a translation/equivalency guide. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: If you are an international student, a transcript refers to your complete secondary academic record. To learn more about converting your grades into a US-based GPA, please click here .

If your school has a translation/equivalency guide, please also include it with your transcript. If you do not have a translation/equivalency guide, please still submit your most up-to-date transcript as is for staff to review. Value statement : At the time of registration, ALL applicants will be prompted to submit a few short sentences reflecting on their pursuit of participation in a UCLA Summer Program.

Please note that students are strongly discouraged from relying on ChatGpt/AI tools for their application responses and are encouraged to submit original and authentic answers. Students are required to have completed a high school chemistry course. An additional strong science foundation in physics and biology is highly recommended.

Please prepare two short essays with the following prompts before starting your registration form: What are your academic, career, and personal goals over the next few years? (750 characters max). How did you hear about nanoscience and nanotechnology?

What is your current understanding of this topic? (750 characters max). Letter of Recommendation: Students will be asked to provide the name and email of someone who can write a letter of recommendation on their behalf.

Students are encouraged to select someone who has direct knowledge of their work, especially in science classrooms or labs. We ask letter writers to describe how the student engages with hands-on experiments, their curiosity, persistence, or teamwork, and what motivates them. Letter writers will receive separate links to upload and submit their letters of recommendation.

Please note it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the letter writers submit their letters. Your application will not be reviewed until the letter of recommendation is submitted. The Nanoscience Lab Summer Institute is an exclusive summer workshop for high school students with a background in chemistry who are interested in advanced science and technology.

During this five-day program, students have the unique opportunity to explore technologies similar to those currently investigated by the scientific community through hands-on experiments that give students a survey of diverse topics, including bio-toxicity, supercapacitors, and photolithography.

These experiments, designed by UCLA researchers, teach students the key concepts of nanoscale phenomena that make nanoscience and nanotechnology one of the most exciting fields of research today. The Nanoscience Lab program is offered only as a commuter track. There is NO on-campus housing available for the commuter program through the summer institute or UCLA Summer Sessions.

Participants of the Applications of Nanoscience must commute to the UCLA campus each day of the program. Specific location information (e.g. classroom) will be provided to enrolled students closer to the start of the program. For more information about the commuter program, please reference this Commuter Program Info Sheet .

The CNSI Education program offers a select number of scholarships that waive program fees. You will be asked to provide a financial need statement. Please see the application page for more information.

Parking information can be found on the UCLA parking page . Structure 8 is the most convenient pay-by-space structure to the CNSI. Enrollment deadline: Enrollment is currently filled All participants must be at least 15 years of age by the first day of Summer Sessions 2026 on June 22nd, no exceptions allowed.

The schedule and syllabus are subject to change. Enrolled students will be given updated materials closer to the program start date. How does the Nanoscience Lab Summer Program differ from the other nanoscience related summer programs?

This is a one-week program in which students participate in labs every day. Each day involves a different experiment while other nanoscience programs may include labs that are spaced out. What level of science should my child have?

What science classes should they have already taken? We expect students to have a strong foundation in chemistry and biology (honors/AP chemistry is highly encouraged, but not required). Yes, students should bring laptops.

Still have questions? Contact CNSI Education via the link below: