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Summer STEM

Two students work on assembling an electronics circuit for a remote control vehicle.
Students in the Rube Goldberg class prototype components with cardboard and cups before 3D printing final parts.
Summer STEM students test a gear for an elevator in the Rube Goldberg machine.
Microcontrollers and breadboards used by Summer STEM students to assemble electronics.
Students in a chemistry lab as part of the Summer STEM program. Photo by Chris Taggart/Cooper Union

Students in a chemistry lab as part of the Summer STEM program. Photo by Chris Taggart/Cooper Union
Sustainable and green energy students test prototypes to gather energy from wind.

The Cooper Union Summer STEM Program offers introductory and advanced design and engineering classes for current freshman, sophomore and junior high school students.  Summer STEM is an opportunity to try engineering for the first time or to dive deeper into engineering team work. Each 3- or 6-week class covers college-level topics and activities completed by The Cooper Union undergraduates in their first or second year. This selective program encourages all curious, compassionate, and college-interested students to apply regardless of prior experience.

    Complete the Student Interest Form to be notified when applications open for 2024.

    Learn about the Summer STEM 2023 Classes and read FAQs.

    Hear about Summer STEM from past students and staff: What is Summer STEM? Video.

    See SUMMER STEM 2021 Student Portfolios:

    Questions about SUMMER STEM?  Email stem@cooper.edu

    • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

    • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

    • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

    • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.