Entering 7 – 9

Coding and Engineering Nano-Satellites for Space Exploration

Have you ever wondered how scientists use programming to explore the deepest reaches of space? In this program, you will discover an exciting real-world application of computer programming. Learn block-based coding, and use it to overcome engineering challenges as you build and program your own model satellite for deep space exploration. You will engage in the iterative design process and deepen your knowledge of both our solar system and computer programming. For teens who are already experienced with block-based coding and are already experienced with Python and/or Javascript, coding challenges can be conducted in Python or Javascript. Teens end the week coding and building a model satellite of their own imaginative creation. 

Parents are invited at 4 p.m. on the last day for teens to share their projects.

Program Info

Food: Lunch is provided. Teens bring a water bottle and snacks from home.
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
Location: UC Berkeley
Tuition: $1,465.00
Seeking Financial Aid? Learn More >

Session 1: 06/23/2025 – 06/27/2025
Optional Residential Add-on runs Sunday, June 22, 5:00 p.m. to Friday, June 27, 5:00 p.m. Residential add-on includes additional programming, on-campus housing, breakfast, and dinner. Limited spots available!
Residential Tuition: $1,255

Session 2: 07/07/2025 – 07/11/2025
No Residential Option

Session 4: 07/21/2025 – 07/25/2025
No Residential Option

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

  • Learn to code in Scratch
  • Daily puzzles and design challenges
  • Planetarium satellite show
  • Craft and engineer a model nanosatellite
  • Daily design challenges
  • Meet and mix with teens across other STEM tracks
  • Meet and talk to students and STEM career professionals
  • Project presentations and certificates

Unveil the Cosmos through Code: Explore Space Engineering with Nano-Satellites!

Staff Bios

Rozzie Rivoli

Rozzie Rivoli (she/her) is a current undergraduate student at UCLA studying math, astrophysics, and economics. She is interested in dark matter and the study of galaxy formations. Rozzie is currently learning applications of python specific to astronomy research. 

In her free time, Rozzie is an avid dancer interested in all styles of dance. This year she has also started learning wushu and competed beginner changquan and straight sword in the 26th Annual Collegiate Tournament this spring. 

Adithi Kona

Adithi Kona is a first year undergraduate at UC Riverside, pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Earth & Planetary Sciences. She helped identify cellulase-producing bacteria for potential biofuels at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Adithi hopes to pursue astrobiology and aerospace medicine in the future. 

Currently, she is working on linking Hippo signaling to the cell cycle and performing computational modeling to identify and characterize habitable exoplanets.