Entering Grades 7-9

Body Systems and Biomedical Innovations

What tools and techniques do doctors use to diagnose and treat illnesses? Scientists have developed all sorts of innovations to help people with chronic diseases and other conditions. In this program, you will deepen your knowledge of body systems, investigate how some of these systems may break down, and explore how scientists and engineers are working to solve these problems. Together we will use actual diagnostic techniques to solve medical mysteries for fictitious patients. We will dissect a sheep heart, journey inside blood vessels and cells in our Planetarium, and interview practicing doctors to learn more about the field.

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

Program Info

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $1,550
Food: Lunch is provided. Students bring a water bottle and snacks from home.

Dates

Session 2: 06/22/2026 – 06/26/2026
Location: UC Berkeley Campus
Optional Residential Add-on runs Sunday, June 21, 4:00 p.m. to Friday, June 26, 5:00 p.m.
Residential add-on includes additional programming, on-campus housing, breakfast, and dinner.
Residential Tuition: $1,350, Limited spots available!
Optional residential add-on

Session 3: 07/06/2026 – 07/10/2026
Location: UC Berkeley Campus
Optional Residential Add-on runs Sunday, July 5, 4:00 p.m. to Friday, July 9, 5:00 p.m.
Residential add-on includes additional programming, on-campus housing, breakfast, and dinner.
Residential Tuition: $1,350, Limited spots available!
Optional residential add-on

Session 5: 07/20/2026 – 07/24/2026
Location: UC Berkeley Campus
Residential add-on NOT AVAILABLE

Session 6: 07/27/2026 – 07/31/2026
Location: UC Berkeley Campus
Residential add-on NOT AVAILABLE

Sample Day

7:30 a.m.

Last wake-up call for residential teens!

7:55 a.m.

Residential teens walk to dining room and enjoy breakfast

8:45 a.m.

Teens walk together to campus

9:00 a.m.

Residential and commuter teens sign in with STEM 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 continued

11:45 a.m.

All teens enjoy lunch break in campus dining room

1:00 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 and preview of what’s ahead

4:00 p.m.

Pathways Program — Campus or other lab tours / Meet and talk to current college students / Meet and talk to professionals from a range of STEM career fields

5:00 p.m.

Residential and commuter teens sign out with STEM Instructors

5:15 p.m.

Residential teens sign in with RAs and walk to dorms

5:30 p.m.

Residential teens enjoy some well deserved downtime or socialize in lounge

6:30 p.m.

Residential teens walk to dining room and enjoy dinner

7:30 p.m.

Evening Program — full group or small group choice activities: exploring downtown Berkeley, board games, or dorm trivia/olympics

8:45 p.m.

Free social time in the lounge, fitness center, music room, or in dorm rooms

9:50 p.m.

Clean up

10:00 p.m.

End of programming for residential teens

Activity Highlights

  • Dissect a sheep heart
  • Observe human brains, hearts, and lungs
  • Investigate and build models of human organs like the lungs
  • Conduct brain science investigations
  • Experiment with DNA extraction
  • Run fictitious patient diagnostics and design a treatment plan
  • Field trip to the Lawrence (transportation provided)
  • Q&A with a doctor
  • Tour a research lab
  • Meet and mix with teens across other STEM tracks
  • Meet and talk to students and STEM career professionals
  • Project presentations and The Lawrence Hall of Science UC Berkeley certificate