The pandemic brought about many changes to how students learn, including having more access to digital learning platforms. Virtual summer programs have continued to be popular amongst busy high school students as a way to engage in enriching experiences, even if they don’t have time to attend in person.
Virtual summer programs can be a good compromise for students—they typically require a few hours of commitment per day, meaning students can juggle multiple activities and still build their resumes. However, while these programs do have their advantages, they also have some drawbacks.
Pros Of Attending A Virtual Summer Program
- More flexible. Attending a virtual summer program often requires less time commitment on the student's part. Many in-person summer programs have the entire day planned out, from waking up at 8 am to lights out at 10 pm. Conversely, most virtual programs typically have a few hours of class time each day, but then require participants to do homework on their schedule. That means students can also be volunteering, working a summer job or other activities while also attending the virtual summer program. Since the programs are virtual, students can also participate all over the country, giving them greater freedom in choosing a program that truly interests them, and not just picking from the ones that are offered close by. International students might also be able to attend virtual programs.
- Diverse course offerings. Virtual programs will cover a variety of different topics from business to research to writing. Students can explore areas potentially not covered in their high school curriculum. Even though the programs are virtual, it is still possible for students to get practical experiences in a subject area they are interested in.
- Lower costs. Without the cost of room and board, many virtual programs are less expensive than in-person programs. In addition, students will also save on travel, meals, and other fees associated with in-person programs.
Cons Of Attending A Virtual Summer Program
- Fewer interactions with peers and instructors. Compared to in-person programs, virtual programs offer fewer opportunities for networking due to the lack of face-to-face interactions. While some virtual programs emphasize group work or discussions, it might not feel the same compared to students who attended an in-person camp.
- Technology Issues. With anything related to online learning, there might be technology challenges that occur. Fast internet is essential when joining a virtual program.
- Student accountability. Because there is less interaction between the instructor and the participants, the students will need to hold themselves accountable to complete the homework assignments. They also will need to prioritize learning in a distraction-free environment so they can remain focused on the coursework.
Virtual summer programs can be a good alternative for students who already have a packed summer schedule, but still want to get a learning experience beyond what their typical high school curriculum might offer. However, before committing to a virtual summer program, make sure to take into account the students' learning style, preferences and overall goals. While there are some potential drawbacks to virtual programs, in many cases, the pros outweigh the cons, leading to a productive summer at a virtual summer program.
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Research-Focused Virtual Summer Programs
The Virtual Waksman Institute Summer Experience (vWise)
Location: Virtual
Dates: 8/12-8/23/2024; Monday through Friday from 9-10:30 am and 1-3 pm ET.
Cost: $500
Age requirements: Students must have completed a high school-level biology course
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The $500 non-transferable and non-refundable fee is due two weeks after your application is acknowledged. The program is expected to reach capacity.
Overview: While this is a virtual program, it still allows students to complete a research project in molecular biology and bioinformatics. Students will participate in online seminars conducted by Rutgers faculty, analyze gene sequences using bioinformatic tools, and submit DNA sequence analyses for publication.
Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research
Location: Virtual
Dates: 6/10-6/21/24 (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Medicine), (7/8-7/19) (Medicinal Chemistry) and 6/24-7/6 and 7/22-8/2 (Medical Bioinformatics)
Cost: Prices range from $430-$1050
Age requirements: 12-18 (Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Medicine), 14-18 (Medicinal Chemistry) and 14-18 (Medical Bioinformatics)
Deadline: Rolling
Overview: Three virtual online workshops are offered. For students who want an introduction to research and how to use online tools to analyze biochemical data, these virtual classes could be a great option.
Young Scholars Program-REACH
Location: Virtual
Dates: 7/15-7/19/24
Cost: $100
Age requirements: High school student (graduating seniors are also eligible)
Deadline: 3/15/2024
Overview: At the Center for Neurotechnology (CNT) at the University of Washington, students will get early exposure to neural engineering and neuroscience which can help them begin basic preparation for a college major in a STEM field. Students will also receive an introduction to neuroethics, scientific communication and the latest developments in brain-computer interfaces.
INSIGHT High School Program
Location: Virtual
Dates: 7/1-7/26/2024
Cost: $2,200
Age requirements: Rising 10-12th grade, including graduating seniors
Deadline: 5/20/2024 (application opens 2/26)
Overview: Students will be introduced to medical and public health fields, with an emphasis on social justice and health disparities. Students will focus specifically on injury and violence prevention research. Some of the activities they will participate in include a public health research project, attending skill-building workshops and virtual injury and violence prevention seminars.
Rising Researchers
Location: Virtual
Dates: 3 summer sessions are available: 5/21-6/20/24, 6/18-7/25, 6/26-7/27
Cost: $3,500, early registration discounts are available
Age requirements: Rising 8th-grade through high school
Deadline: Rolling
Overview: In this summer program, a sister company of Moon Prep, students have the option to explore a variety of research subjects. These include studying human diseases or microbiology through Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms and investigating social determinants of health in cardiovascular disease. Within a small class group, students collaborate with a seasoned research mentor to write and publish a research paper. At the end of the program, participants showcase their research findings in a poster symposium attended by their peers and invited guests.
Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Dates: 7/8-7/26/24
Cost: Varies
Age requirements: Rising 10-12th grade
Deadline: 2/20/24
Overview: Stanford AI4ALL’s goal is to increase diversity in the field of artificial intelligence. This program allows students to gain hands-on experience while learning from research mentors and participating in group research projects. Students will learn how AI can be used in a variety of different fields, including medicine, combating poverty, and disaster response.
Research Service-Learning Project: Self-Healing as a Health Right for All
Location: Virtual
Dates: 7/8-8/15/24
Cost: $1,995
Age requirements: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Deadline: Rolling
Overview: This live synchronous online course will teach students about research, including how to read and understand scholarly articles, educational research, and quantitative and qualitative research. Students will work with a nonprofit, Yoga 4 Philly, to design research metrics to help underserved children in Philadelphia receive benefits from local yoga teachers.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Based on the information provided in the article, here is a breakdown of the concepts mentioned:
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Virtual summer programs: These are programs that allow students to engage in enriching experiences during the summer through online platforms. They provide a flexible alternative to in-person programs, allowing students to participate from anywhere and at their own pace [[1]].
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Pros of attending a virtual summer program:
- More flexible: Virtual summer programs require less time commitment compared to in-person programs, allowing students to juggle multiple activities and still build their resumes [[1]].
- Diverse course offerings: Virtual programs cover a variety of different topics, giving students the opportunity to explore areas not covered in their high school curriculum [[1]].
- Lower costs: Virtual programs are generally less expensive than in-person programs since there is no need for room and board, travel, meals, and other associated fees [[1]].
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Cons of attending a virtual summer program:
- Fewer interactions with peers and instructors: Virtual programs offer fewer opportunities for networking and face-to-face interactions compared to in-person programs [[1]].
- Technology issues: Online learning may come with technology challenges, such as the need for a fast internet connection [[1]].
- Student accountability: With less interaction between instructors and participants, students need to hold themselves accountable for completing homework assignments and prioritize learning in a distraction-free environment [[1]].
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Examples of virtual summer programs mentioned in the article:
- The Virtual Waksman Institute Summer Experience (vWise): This program allows students to complete a research project in molecular biology and bioinformatics. It includes online seminars, gene sequence analysis, and the opportunity to submit DNA sequence analyses for publication [[1]].
- Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research: This institute offers virtual workshops on topics such as cellular and molecular medicine, medicinal chemistry, and medical bioinformatics. These workshops provide an introduction to research and the use of online tools to analyze biochemical data [[1]].
- Young Scholars Program-REACH: This program, offered by the Center for Neurotechnology at the University of Washington, provides early exposure to neural engineering and neuroscience. Students also learn about neuroethics, scientific communication, and the latest developments in brain-computer interfaces [[1]].
- INSIGHT High School Program: This program introduces students to medical and public health fields, with a focus on social justice and health disparities. Activities include a public health research project, skill-building workshops, and virtual injury and violence prevention seminars [[1]].
- Rising Researchers: This summer program allows students to explore various research subjects, such as studying human diseases or investigating social determinants of health. Students collaborate with research mentors to write and publish a research paper and showcase their findings in a poster symposium [[1]].
- Stanford AI4ALL: This program aims to increase diversity in the field of artificial intelligence. Students gain hands-on experience, learn from research mentors, and participate in group research projects focused on the applications of AI in different fields [[1]].
- Research Service-Learning Project: Self-Healing as a Health Right for All: This online course teaches students about research methodologies and involves working with a nonprofit organization to design research metrics for underserved children to benefit from local yoga teachers [[1]].
Please note that the information provided is based on the content of the article and the search results provided.
