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Data Science to solve real world problems

Summer Camp for rising 11th through 12th graders

female student looks closely at catapult
Photo by Luke Hayes/Virginia Tech

July 6-12, 2025 (rising 11th-12th grade)

Our world generates and captures a huge amount of data. Computer scientists and statisticians help us understand what the data means so we can make good decisions about the future. 

In this weeklong camp, campers will build a small computer cluster to learn about the hardware that runs the software. Campers will also work in small teams to collect, analyze and use data to solve problems of interest to them, e.g., public health, the environment, or the worth attending elite versus regular types of colleges. Campers will present their findings at an end-of-camp showcase--family is welcome! 

This camp is for students who want to explore data science! No previous programming or statistical background is needed. Campers should have completed Algebra I and one other math class. 

Cost: $1400  
Camp fees cover faculty instructional time, equipment, supplies, room and board, resident assistants and program assistants. If your child will need a scholarship to participate, please apply for one in the camp application form.  Families are responsible for transportation to/from the Virginia Tech campus. 

Sign up to get notified when registration opens.

tentative Schedule

Day 1

  • Check in 3:00 
  • Orientation  
  • Dinner  
  • Group games
  • Start computer builds
  • Team meetings
  • Lights out by 10:30 pm

Day 2

  • Breakfast    
  • Finish computer builds
  • Lecture: Design of Experiments
  • Lunch
  • Statapults
  • Lecture: Intro to Statistical Analysis, part 1 
  • Dinner
  • Group games
  • Team meetings
  • Lights out by 10:30 pm

Day 3

  • Breakfast    
  • Lecture: Statistical Analysis, part 2
  • Statapults
  • Statapult Awards
  • Lunch
  • Overview of projects
  • Pick projects and start working on them
  • Dinner
  • Group games
  • Team meetings
  • Lights out by 10:30 pm

Day 4

  • Breakfast    
  • Work on projects 
  • Lecture
  • Lunch
  • Work on projects
  • Workshop: Data visualization 
  • Dinner
  • Career Networking
  • Group games
  • Team meetings
  • Lights out by 10:30 pm

Day 5

  • Breakfast    
  • Work on projects 
  • Workshop: presentation skills 
  • Lunch
  • Work on projects
  • How to apply to and prosper in college
  • Dinner
  • Group games
  • Team meetings
  • Lights out by 10:30 pm

Day 6

  • Breakfast    
  • Work on projects 
  • How to write a great college essay
  • Lunch
  • Finalize presentations, practice
  • Dinner
  • Group games
  • Team meetings
  • Lights out by 10:30 pm

Day 7

  • Showcase projects to parents and family 10:30-noon
  • Check out of dorm 1:00 pm