Entering 10 – 12

Bioinspired Design

Can scientists and engineers adapt ideas from nature to solve real-world problems? Discover how scientists are taking inspiration from the natural world to spark innovation in biology and engineering. Together we will build nature-inspired robots, investigate the science enabling geckos to defy gravity, and even engineer our design application to address a real-life problem. You will gain skills and knowledge about bio-inspired engineering and design while adding valuable experience to your college and career pathways.

This program is in partnership with the Integrative Biology Lab and based on Dr. Robert Full’s college course.

Parents are invited at 3 p.m. on the last day for teens to share their projects.

Students are working together in small groups to build a robot.

Program Info

Session 2 and 4
Food: Lunch is provided. Teens bring a water bottle and snacks from home.
Location: UC Berkeley
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $1,465.00

Seeking Financial Aid? Learn More >

Session 2: 07/07/2025 – 07/11/2025
Optional Residential Add-on runs Sunday, July 6, 5:00 p.m. to Friday, July 11, 5:00 p.m. Residential add-on includes additional programming, on-campus housing, breakfast, and dinner. Limited spots available!
Residential Tuition: $1,255Session 3: 07/13/2025 – 07/19/2025
Food: All meals provided. Teens bring a water bottle and snacks from home.
Location: UC Santa Cruz – campus housing provided, transportation not provided.
Tuition:$2,870
Residential OnlySession 4: 07/21/2025 – 07/25/2025
Optional Residential Add-on runs Sunday, July 20, 5:00 p.m. to Friday, July 25, 5:00 p.m. Residential add-on includes additional programming, on-campus housing, breakfast, and dinner. Limited spots available!
Residential Tuition: $1,255

Sample Day

7:30 a.m.

Wake-up for residential teens!  Residential teens enjoy breakfast & walk together to campus

9:00 a.m.

All teens sign in with instructors
Welcome activities and icebreakers
Opening Circle- group check-in and framing the day
Explore STEM concepts and hands-on investigations in your track
Mid-morning break with teens from other tracks
Hands-on investigations and exploration cont.

11:45 a.m.

Lunch break in campus cafeteria Social time with teens from other tracks

12:45 p.m.

Continued investigations and explorations in your track
Various lab tours and guest speakers
Afternoon break with teens from other tracks
Closing Circle- reflection prompts and preview of what’s ahead

 4:00 p.m.

College Pathways Programming
Campus or other tours 
Meet and talk to current college students 
Meet and talk to professionals from a range of STEM career fields

 5:00 p.m.

Commuter teens sign out with instructors
Residential teens walk together to dorms and enjoy some well deserved downtime 

 6:30 p.m.

Dinner
Evening program 
Free time

10:00 p.m.

Lights Out!

Activity Highlights

  • Daily engineering design challenges
  • Build a 3D-printed prosthetic hand
  • Make and test gecko-inspired adhesive
  • Create your own bio-inspired design solution prototype
  • Meet and mix with teens across other STEM tracks
  • Meet and talk to students and STEM career professionals
  • Project presentations and certificates

Innovation Captured: A Visual Journey through the World of BioDesign Excellence.

Staff Bios

Amber Young

Amber Young is a STEM enthusiast hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. Amber has always been fascinated by animal behavior, math, and robotics, and has been on a mission to learn as much as she can about them. Her passion for these subjects led her to some amazing opportunities to research the physics of animal locomotion and bio-inspired robotics. Currently, Amber is a mechanical engineering MS/PhD student at UC Berkeley, where she conducts research with the Embodied Dexterity Group. Before that, she earned a B.S. in Physics from Yale University in May 2021. In addition to her academic pursuits, Amber is also committed to helping underrepresented students access quality education, particularly in physics. She believes that everyone should have the opportunity to learn and grow. 

When Amber isn’t busy with her studies, she loves to explore the world around her by crossing things off her bucket list.

Lucas Bear

Lucas Bear, born and raised in the Bay Area, studies Design Engineering at Brown University. He has previously served as an instructor for the Lawrence Teen Research Programs. Lucas is a graduate of Oakland Technical High School. 

Outside of engineering, Lucas is interested in education and working with kids of all ages. In his free time, he likes to play ice hockey, rock climb, and crochet.