The programming is usually weeklong sessions designed to increase participants’ STEAM knowledge while fortifying their efficacy through various experiential activities.
Rising second through twelfth graders will have no problem staying busy this summer, engaging in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through the unique programs offered at Georgia Tech’s Atlanta and Savannah campuses. Registration is currently open for these immersive experiences through the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC).
CEISMC’s summer programming is usually weeklong sessions designed to increase participants’ STEAM knowledge while fortifying their efficacy through various experiential activities that emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and innovation. More than 70 programs, a combined total of both campuses, are uniquely themed and differentiated by grade bands. Georgia Tech faculty, staff, and students, as well as K-12 educators and industry professionals, will serve as instructors.
CEISMC is also continuing its longtime partnership with Horizons National and Horizons Atlanta for the thirteenth summer through Horizons at Georgia Tech, hosting more than 200 scholars on campus for six weeks, focusing on math, reading, swimming, and extracurricular enrichment.
CEISMC ATLANTA
The Atlanta programming, dubbed Summer PEAKS (Programs for Enrichment and Accelerated Knowledge in STEAM), will include an emphasis on engineering and art in the lower elementary STEAM programs. Middle and high school students will experience new programs that will focus on chemical engineering and design, facilitated by Georgia Tech chemistry doctoral students. Arts integration, in which students build and demonstrate mastery of a concept through art, will continue to be a staple. Two sessions on wearable electronics and technology-inspired abstract art will be held with long-time partner nonprofit ArtsNOW. Another program developed at CEISMC will have students blending music, coding, and interactive technology to create a one-of-a-kind audiovisual experience.
“This summer, our STEAM programs will spark curiosity, ignite innovation, and empower the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, artists, and engineers,” said Program Director Eric Koonce. “I am excited to be leading STEAM Programs for the second summer with the CEISMC Expanded Learning Programs team. It’s a fantastic opportunity to create spaces that encourage inquiry, foster innovation, and make STEAM more accessible to young learners.”
CAMPUS PARTNERSHIPS
For the second year, CEISMC will continue its partnership with the College of Computing in delivering innovative programming to show how computer science plays a pivotal role in everyday life. New programs this year include:
- Sports Science: Play, Track, and Optimize: Students will become both athletes and analysts, exploring how data is used in sports science to improve performance and strategy.
- Hack-a-Drone: Students will learn to fly and program drones to complete real-world tasks.
- AI in Action: Training Robots & Exploring the Future: Students will discover how machines learn to recognize and classify objects and train a robotic arm to respond to different objects.
“One of CEISMC’s goals is to partner with members of the Georgia Tech community to offer dynamic opportunities in which they can engage with K-12 students,” said Sirocus Barnes, who oversees Expanded Learning Programs. “From the new Co-Sense Summer Program to returning GT PRIME and Seth Bonder Programs, we are thrilled to see how these collaborations not only enrich the experiences of the students but also provide invaluable support and resources to our faculty and CEISMC as a whole.”
The CoSense Summer Program is a new weeklong session for high school students to engage in hands-on activities and simulations focused on sensor design, signal processing, machine learning, and AI collaboration. Taking place in early June, Tech faculty will provide instruction, and undergraduates will serve as mentors for participants. CEISMC is hosting this program in partnership with the Center for Cognitive Multispectral Sensors (CogniSense) and the Center for Co-Design of Cognitive Systems (CoCoSys), both of which are Joint University Microelectronics Program (JUMP) 2.0 academic research centers co-sponsored by the Semiconductor Research Corporation and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
CEISMC will again partner with the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering to host GT PRIME for the second year. Middle school students will engage in activities to help them build their engineering identity and social-emotional learning skills in the three-week program.
CEISMC will continue its long-time partnership with the National Science Foundation AI Research Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT) to host the Seth Bonder Programs, giving high school students a better understanding of the careers and opportunities available in industrial engineering and operations research.
CEISMC SAVANNAH
In Savannah, CEISMC extends its commitment to STEAM education with a host of engaging activities for students. New programs launching this summer include:
- How does it work? Second and third graders will explore the world of transportation, learning the science behind movement, building their own mini-transportation models, and brainstorming ideas for the future of travel.
- Puppetry and Animatronics: Middle schoolers will learn how to design and build various unique puppets and explore how technology can bring puppets to life.
- Entertainment Engineering: Middle and high school students will explore the logistics of production, including lights, audio, fashion, structures, and filming.
“The 2025 summer lineup is full of unique and high-quality programs that are sure to inspire the next generation,” said Director Tim Cone. “From hands-on STEM workshops to creative arts and leadership development sessions, these programs offer something for every young mind eager to explore and grow. In fact, new programs from last year, including Drone Racing, Murder Mystery, and Interactive Sequential Art, are back by popular demand.”
There are also a few sessions focusing on musical arts for middle schoolers and post-secondary pathways for high school students. Participants in Science of Sound investigate how music is made and performed from a scientific and creative standpoint by building unique instruments and digital tracks. Freshmen through seniors can learn about college, trade work options, and apprenticeships through Story of You: Life After High School. They will build the related skillsets for college and job applications, and current college students will be on hand for interactive discussions.
CEISMC Atlanta Summer Programs
- June 2–July 25, 2025, usually from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily (unless otherwise stated) with lunch provided.
- Weekly extended care is available from 3:15 to 6 p.m. for an additional fee.
- Cost: SUMMER PEAKS (in person): $440 - $550 for each program, depending on topic and length of program.
- Register: https://expandedlearning.ceismc.gatech.edu/summer-peaks-registration
- Questions: summerpeaks@gatech.edu
CEISMC Savannah Summer Programs
- June 2–July 25, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily with lunch provided.
- After-program care provided for an extra $10 daily.
- Cost: $325 - $350 per week.
- Register: https://savannah.ceismc.gatech.edu/summer-campus-programs
- Questions: gtsoutreach@gatech.edu
—Joëlle Walls, CEISMC Communications