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Learning: Pre-college Summer Program Offerings

Students in the Pacific High School Summer Institute will learn from college faculty in small, personalized learning environments that are the hallmark of a Pacific education. The non-credit programs emphasize hands-on, real-world learning and team-oriented collaborations, taught in Pacific’s labs, studios, fields and makerspaces. Graduates will receive a certificate from California’s first and oldest university.

In the summer of 2023, the Pacific Summer High School Institute will run for two program sessions. The first session will run from June 5 - 17, 2023 and the second session will run from June 20 - July 1, 2023.

Institute participants will select one of the following precollege summer program offerings. Each will run on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will conclude with presentations on the last day (the second Saturday).

2D Art Studio

Session 1

Work with faculty from the Department of Art, Media, Performance, and Design to learn how to create artwork using across multiple mediums such as painting, illustration, and printmaking. Partake in a hands-on tactile creative studio experience in the most inspirational art facility in the region. The projects will be showcased in the Reynolds Gallery at the end of the institute.

Band

Session 2

Come join other woodwind, brass, and percussion students on the beautiful Pacific campus for an immersive program that includes concert band, instrument specific masterclasses, and possible electives such as chamber music, composition, improvisation, and conducting.

Ceramics Studio

Session 2

Work with faculty from the Department of Art, Media, Performance, and Design to create pottery and sculptures out of clay. Students will learn wheel throwing, hand building, and other techniques. They will also take part in a kiln firing. This will be a hands-on tactile creative studio experience in the most inspirational art facility in the region.

Choir

Session 2

We invite singing high school students to cultivate your musicianship and ensemble skills through daily choral rehearsals and workshops. Friends and family are invited to join us for a final performance at the end of the two-week session.

Creating Media

Session 1, Session 2

Work with faculty from the Innovative Media X program to learn how to make movies, and podcasts and more in our studios and digital media labs. The projects will be showcased in the X-Space at the end of the Summer Institute.

Jazz

Session 2

The purpose of this program is to give high school musicians the opportunity to develop skills in the area of jazz through big band and small group performance as well instrument specific masterclasses. Friends and family are invited to join us for a final performance at the end of the two-week session.

Music Industry

Session 1

Explore the world of sound design, recording, publishing, licensing and other dimensions that drive America's $900 billion creative sector economy. The music industry program is based at Pacific's recording studios and taught by the University's renowned Conservatory of Music faculty.

Musical Theatre Workshop & Showcase

Session 2

The Musical Theatre Workshop is an intensive program that focuses on training for the singer-actor. Participants will work with Pacific's Conservatory faculty, integrating musical, dramatic and dance techniques. The workshop will culminate with a showcase-style performance for friends, family and the entire institute community.

Orchestra

Session 2

We invite high school violinists, violists, cellists and double bass players the opportunity to play as an ensemble, and to develop their individual skills through lessons and masterclasses with Pacific's Conservatory faculty.

Piano

Session 2

Intermediate and advanced pianists are invited to work in a master class setting with Pacific professors Sonia Leong and Natsuki Fukasawa. In working with each pianist, we'll cover musicianship, technique, healthy approaches to playing, practice habits, memorizing, nerves, and ensemble playing.

Experiments in Urban Ecology

Session 2

Conduct science in urban environments, which are expanding rapidly—nearly 5 billion people worldwide and over 80% of Americans now live in cities. Students will get hands-on experience designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting their findings using the Stockton campus as a petri dish for urban ecology.

Exploring the Human Body

Session 2

Integrate the structure and mechanisms of the body to see how it works and how health problems arise. Conduct dissections, use digital 3D models, physical models and run physiological experiments to answer questions such as what happens when one kicks a ball or when one has a heart attack.

Finding a Cure for Cancer

Session 1

Join our biochemists in their labs as you work alongside them to find a cure for cancer. Learn how to design and perform experiments that will create new drugs and delivery systems to combat disease.

Frontiers in Modern Astronomy

Session 1

Join the Pacific Department of Physics to experience exciting frontiers in modern astronomy. Learn how world-class telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope are being used to investigate the most distant galaxies in the Universe and discover exoplanets that might harbor alien life. With interactive activities and nighttime stargazing with our faculty, it's sure to be an excellent experience for all.

Future Dentists

Session 2

Gain insight and explore a rewarding career in dentistry. Learn from dentists, alumni, and staff from the world-renowned Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. During your Stockton residency and excursions to the Dugoni School on the San Francisco Campus, you'll participate in team-building exercises, clinical shadowing experiences, hands-on clinical simulations and more to gain confidence and tools to prepare for college and apply to dental school.

Future Pharmacists

Session 1

Work side-by-side with research scientists, professors and pharmacists from the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy to design research experiments, learn vaccination techniques, participate in a pharmacy-themed escape room and respond to a simulated cardiac code blue.

Healthcare Professions

Session 1

The health care industry is the fastest growing employment sector. Explore the many options available in this dynamic field through hands-on experiences that will introduce students to careers in Nursing, Audiology, Physical Therapy, and more.

Medical Microbiology Experience

Session 2

Look to the soil around us for antibiotic producing microbes. Get your hands dirty with sterile technique, growth inhibition, and understand where our most important medicines come from.

Advanced Coding

Session 2

Learn to write advanced computer code in the Python programming language, building on your previous coding experience or the Coding program of the Summer High School Institute. Topics include functions and parameter passing, arrays and object-oriented programming.

Coding

Session 1

Learn to write computer code in the Python programming language. Topics include variables and expressions, branches, and loops.  Students develop algorithmic and computational thinking and the skills to design a solution to a proposed problem and write a code to solve that problem.

Cyberethics

Session 1, Session 2

Learn specific tricks on how to determine what is right and wrong and then use them in engaging debates—traveling through recent history to see atrocities such as the Kansas City Hyatt Regency collapse, the conflict in society of whether Snowden was a hero or a traitor, and how so many people lost millions of dollars to Theranos.

Data Science

Session 2

Explore the Artificial Intelligence revolution and learn the foundations of this incredible technology. Students will learn programming skills in Python and create computer systems that can recognize complex patterns in different types of data.

Drone Flying

Session 1, Session 2

Drones have exploded in popularity in the past few years, as they are rapidly becoming a valuable tool in a variety of industries such as journalism, agriculture, entertainment, construction, mapping, delivery, security and surveillance. In this course, students will learn how to build and fly a drone. Students will learn about Federal Aviation Authority regulations and take The Recreation UAS Safety Test.

Entrepreneurship & Technology Design

Session 1, Session 2

Learn practical techniques for conceptualizing, articulating and assessing innovative and entrepreneurial solutions and apply these techniques to your own ideas to create the pitch and business plan.

eSports

Session 1, Session 2

Follow your passion for competitive gaming to learn more about the $160 billion eSport industry. Participants will improve gameplay by focusing on individual and teamwork skills, while also learning about various careers and business models in this exciting field.

Innovating with Purpose

Session 1, Session 2

Integrate digital and physical innovation by using new technologies. Learn the basics of 3D printing, virtual reality, graphic design, drone piloting, animation with AI and motion capture suits, media content creation, and product development.

Smartphone and Web Interface Design

Session 1

In this course, students will learn about how to use a user-centered design process to conduct user research (to identify what to build) and to effectively design interfaces (for example through low-fidelity prototypes). They will also be exposed to different techniques to assess usability and have the opportunity to design their own interfaces.

Wearable Technology and Bio-Signals

Session 1, Session 2

Wearable devices are very popular and recently they were used widely to continuously collect bio-signals. Explore the technology behind this exploding field, which can potentially provide advanced diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities such as cardiovascular disease detection and fitness monitoring.

Be an Influencer

Session 1

Learn what it really takes to become a successful social media influencer or content creator. Topics will include finding a niche, building an audience, and maintaining consistency. Students will learn the ins and outs of various online platforms and experiment with content creation tools.

Become the Best Teacher Ever

Session 1

What makes a great teacher or coach? It starts with passion. If you can bring the passion, we'll bring the rest. Join us for two weeks of interactive skill development that will combine your passion with real-world strategies to hone leadership, build motivation, and foster creativity to build an inclusive culture amongst students, athletes, and the community.

Business Skills Bootcamp

Session 2

Learn the main skills you need to start a business. Students will be exposed to the basics of a market economy, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance and managing resources. Activities involve students in writing, investigating, problem-solving, demonstrating, and presenting in the context of starting a business.

Competitive Debate

Session 1, Session 2

Learn to execute the skills and strategies of competitive debate from coaches and college students who lead Pacific’s speech and debate team, which has finished in the Top 10 nationally for seven consecutive years.

Engaging Democracy

Session 2

Experience democracy across the ages with Pacific’s Political Science Department. Immersive historical role-playing games explore the philosophical and political challenges democratic governments have faced at two key moments: the birth of democracy in ancient Greece and the 1970s Watergate Crisis in the United States.

Investing in Stocks

Session 1, Session 2

Discover how to make smart investment decisions. This program will take students from investment fundamentals to actual investment trades on the stock exchanges through the Eberhardt Student Investment Fund, a signature program of Pacific's Eberhardt School of Business.

Lawyers and the Rule of Law

Session 2

In this unique, immersive two-week program, students will learn about the law, and legal careers guided by experienced faculty and aided by JD and other students from the McGeorge School of Law.

Leadership for Women

Session 1

Explore how to be an effective leader through workshops and one-on-one sessions with top professors from the Eberhardt School of Business, alumni and community leaders to build leadership and communication skills. Participants will prepare business case projects and design and run a conference to share they have learned.

Mission Possible: Design Your Perfect School

Session 1, Session 2

Your mission, should you choose to accept it; design the perfect school. We'll unleash our creativity and use Design Thinking—just like the most innovative companies—to reimagine, innovate and design your perfect school.

Police Cadet Academy

Session 1

Learn about working in the Criminal Justice Field through this Police Academy course. Participants will learn about criminal laws, vehicle codes, radio codes, safe driving, and Procedural Justice while actively participating in self-defense and physical training (PT). Actual police officers and academy trainers will teach these learn-by-doing courses.

Sports Analytics

Session 2

Explore the fast-growing world of sports analytics. Learn how data is changing the landscape of athletics by learning about this $300 billion industry. Topics include individual and team performance analytics, sports management and contract negotiations.

Taking Control of Your Financial Future

Session 1

Budget your money, build your wealth, learn to invest, understand life insurance, navigate retirement savings and more. You will learn how to budget and plan your expenses and begin saving thousands of dollars every year by cutting out certain expenses.

Trial Advocacy

Session 1

In this unique, immersive two-week program, students will learn about case analysis, direct and cross examination, admitting and using exhibits, and delivering opening statements and closing arguments guided by Annie Deets, Director of Trial Advocacy, and aided by members of the nationally ranked McGeorge Mock Trial Team from the McGeorge School of Law.

Baseball Skills and Tactics

Session 1

Lace up your spikes and learn elite baseball skills with nationally known baseball coaches. Take your game to the next level and learn about pitching, hitting, fielding and baserunning.

Basketball Skills Academy

Session 2

Join our Pacific basketball coaches this summer to improve your fundamental skill set, and develop new skills to progress your game to the next level. In this program we offer position specific and general skill instruction, as well as developing the triple threat of performance mindset, leadership and understanding of the game.

Chess Strategy and Tactics

Session 1

Playing chess enhances memory, numerical and problem-solving skills and improves logical thinking. Learn from international masters and the best chess coaches in Northern California about the hottest openings, must-know endgames and improve your strategic and tactics chess skills.

Golf Swing Analysis and Course Management

Session 1

Come hit the links and learn how to put your golf game on par. Our expert coaches will focus on swing mechanics, short-game skills and course management.

Indoor/Beach Volleyball Skills and Tactics

Session 1

Bump, Set, Spike! Hit the courts and the sand to develop and improve your indoor and beach volleyball skills. Join our highly decorated coaches and win the next point by focusing on serving, passing, and attacking.

Soccer Skills and Tactics

Session 2

Join our nationally recognized soccer coaches to gain insights on how to maximize your skills on the pitch. Raise your game and learn about position-specific skills, tactical formations and strategies.

Swim Camp

Session 1

Stroke technique and conditioning for competitive to elite swimmers looking to improve their stroke technique, starts and turns, and overall performance. Coached by passionate and educated staff to elevate your love for swimming in a supportive environment.

Tennis Skills and Tactics

Session 2

Grab your racket and join our elite level tennis coaches at the beautiful Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center. Improve your forehand, backhand, serve and volley in this program.

Water Polo Skills and Tactics

Session 2

Hop in the pool and learn from some of the most influential water polo coaches in the world. Improve your skills with a focus on shooting and passing, and increase your overall knowledge of water polo tactics.

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