The science lessons you've been learning through textbooks and tablets are about to come alive in an extraordinary hands-on experience that you're not going to want to miss!

Seton Hall is once again looking for science-loving high school students for its Giant Leap Summer Science Workshops. Now in its fourth year, the program is designed for students ages 14-18 to learn about science through fun and educational week-long workshops that will prepare them for advanced science research. Working in small groups of two or three, students will take on different projects working closely with Seton Hall faculty, graduate students and other researchers.

"I had a great experience. I enjoyed every minute, and I learned new things such as hydraulics and aerodynamics, and how cars, planes and trucks work," says Joshua, a former Giant Leap student. "I think that anyone who is interested in mechanical engineering would benefit from spending a week with these brilliant students and professors."

Each workshop will focus on one of six areas: astronomy, mechanics, electronics, robotics, and – new this year – forensics and urban farming. Workshops will run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Astronomy, which requires students to stay on campus overnight. The schedule is as follows:

July 9-13: Astronomy
July 16-20: Electronics
July 23-27: Mechanics
July 30-Aug. 3: Robotics
Aug. 6-10: Urban Farming
Aug. 13-17: Forensics

Alfred Freilich, Ph.D. and Jose Lopez, Ph.D. founded and spearhead the Giant Leap program. Freilich is an adjunct professor at Seton Hall and a full professor at the University of Puerto Rico. He is also a graduate of Columbia University and Stevens Institute of Technology. He has many years of experience in teaching at the university level and working in industry. Lopez is an associate professor of physics who is considered an international expert in the field of microplasmas. He served as the principal investigator on grants from a variety of organizations, including the National Science Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, involving plasma research and science education outreach. In total, his grants have been valued at more than $3 million.

Joining Freilich and Lopez this year is Mary Berger, Ph.D. She is an alumna as well as a biological life science professor at Seton Hall. Her areas of expertise are in molecular biology and evolutionary, biochemical pathways such as photosynthesis; her most recent research interests are in the use of PLASMA and its effect on the plant growth and how it can assist in the future global agricultural needs.

The Giant Leap program is being supported by the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute, a sponsor of the program since 2015. The Institute's financial contributions will help offset the cost of registration for Latina high school students and be put towards the overall success of the program.  

The registration deadline for the workshops is June 30. Students who register and pay in full by June 15 will receive a 20% discount!

Ready to take the leap? Click here for more information and to register.