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Frontiers & Launch

The Real Thing. On Campus. This Summer.

Frontiers is an on-campus, residen-tial, research, and learning experiencethat challenges soon-to-be high

school juniors and seniors to explorethe outer limits of knowledge in science,mathematics, and engineering. Now inits 26th year of operation, it continuesto be enthusi astically received by its par-ticipants.

You will learn from outstanding profes-sors and use state-of-the-art experimen-tal, ana lytical, and computer technologyand facilities. WPI students majoring inyour area of study will assist you in thelab and in study groups.

Frontiers focuses on current laboratorytechniques and unsolved problems inaerospace engineering, biology, chem-istry/biochemistry, civil and environmen-tal engineering, computer science,electrical and computer engineering, in-teractive media and game development,mathematics, and physics (Session I);and robotics (Session II).

Rounding out the academic experienceare communications workshops in areassuch as writing, art, music, speech, his-tory, law, and theatre. A full schedule ofactivities includes evening workshops,field trips, movies, live performances,and tournaments.

During scheduled hours, you are encour-aged to use the campus athletic andrecreational facilities. Also available foryour use is Gordon Library, which sup-ports study and research with its collec-tion of more than 298,000 books,90,000 audio and videocassettes, films,music recordings, and microforms. Youwill have accounts on WPI's computersystem and access to PCs and UNIXworkstations.

A detailed schedule of activities will beprovided upon your arrival. We thinkyou’ll find this summer enrichment expe-rience challenging, well-balanced, andloads of fun!

Session IJuly 12–24, 2009(Session I particpants enroll in a science, technology, or engineeringprogram and a communication work-shop.)

Science, Technology, andEngineeringAerospace EngineeringExplore the science of flight to learnhow wings and aircraft create lift to fly. Basic concepts in aerodynamics—including drag, streamlining, airfoil stalland aircraft design—will be studied.You'll conduct wind- and water-tunnelexperiments to visualize the flow overaircraft, and run computer simulationsfor different airfoil shapes. Using whatyou have learned, you'll design andbuild a simple model aircraft, test it in the wind tunnel, and see it soar infree-flight.

Frontiers: A summer residential program for soon-to-be high school juniors andseniors interested in science, mathematics, and engineering. Session I: July 12–24,2009; Session II (robotics only): July 25–August 1, 2009.

Frontiers

Biology and BiotechnologyExplore this science from molecules andcells to ecology and evolution. You willcut, splice, and insert DNA to engineernew bacteria; eavesdrop on your ownnerves and muscles using computer-based technology; prepare and viewcells in an electron microscope; extractand test hormones that make crabschange color; meet a tiny roundwormthat is the new favorite of geneticists; useDNA fingerprinting and antibodies totrack genes and the proteins they codefor; and study reproduction, ecology,anatomy, and scientific contributions (in-cluding a Nobel Prize!) of the ancienthorseshoe crab.

Chemistry and BiochemistryShrink down to the world of moleculesand explore how life functions at one of its most fundamental levels. Combinethe newest technologies in the fields ofchemistry and biochemistry to explorewhat happens when molecules collide;peel apart proteins and DNA; discoverhow enzymes work; and use computermodeling to see what biomolecules looklike in 3-D. You’ll see how chemistry canmake color, fire, light, and electricity;you’ll use the latest genetic and biochem-ical techniques to create organisms thatglow.

Civil and Environmental Engi-neeringThe field of civil and environmental engi-neering is essential for improving thequality of life in our society and protect-ing the environment. This discipline in-cludes sustainable design andconstruction of roads, bridges, tunnels,dams, tall buildings, and water andwastewater treatment plants, among oth-ers. You will learn about different areasof civil and environmental engineering,and you will also complete hands-onprojects involving laboratory testing ofmaterials and structures, computer analy-

sis and design of structures, water qual-ity sampling and testing, and computeranalysis to understand how human activ-ities affect water quality in the environ-ment.

Computer ScienceIn this self-paced program, you'll havethe opportunity to explore the world ofprogramming as it is used in the WorldWide Web and object-oriented lan-guages such as Java. You'll also exploregraphical and distributed programmingenvironments. You'll have the chance toincorporate the work as part of effectivemultimedia interfaces for content of inter-est to you. In addition, special topics incomputer science will be discussed ac-cording to student interest.

Electrical and Computer Engi-neeringDiscover the fascinating world of analogand digital electronics through classroomexercises and laboratory hands-on activi-ties. Learn to use lab equipment such aspower supplies, function generators, andoscilloscopes to test circuits that youbuild. Apply this knowledge to a designproject that you'll be working onthroughout the course. Topics includeaudio amplification, infrared opticaltransmission, analog signal processing,and digital logic.

Interactive Media and GameDevelopmentCombine technology with art to createan interactive experience. Take on therole of programmer and artist, and workon a team to bring a game to life. Drawand model your environment, add yourcharacters and sound effects, programyour behaviors, and tell your story.Break down your idea into simple rules,write your algorithm, use powerful script-ing languages, and publish your gameon the Web.

MathematicsLearn how a mix of classical mathemat-ics and modern technology can be usedto solve current problems and open upnew areas. Use this background to ex-amine encryption of numbers on the In-ternet via the RSA algorithm, andanalysis of human voice patterns andmusical instruments through Fourier meth-ods. Specific problems of current infor-mation technology that these addressinclude the need for secure transmissionof data, such as credit card numbersover the Internet, voice-print technology, and storage and use ofmusic in digital format (WAV vs. MP3files, for example).

Mechanical EngineeringThis broad discipline includes manyareas of interest: energy productionand transfer, mechanical design, materi-als science, biomechanics, andfluid flow, among others. Explore thebreadth of mechanical engineeringthrough a mixture of fundamental con-cepts and experimentation. Theprogram emphasis will be on energytransfer, starting from human powerto an understanding of steam power totoday's ensemble of conventionaland alternative energy sources.

PhysicsInvestigate selected fields or applicationsof modern physics—such as interplane-tary travel, atomic spectroscopy, MRI(magnetic resonance imaging), quantumcomputing and black holes—through acombination of lectures, audio-visual pre-sentations, hands-on laboratory experiments, and visits to re-search facilities.

wpi.edu/+frontiers

Communications Work-shops American History throughFilm and the InternetThis course combines film sources, classdiscussion, and internet research. Mate-rial covered will focus on four centralthemes: Work; Leisure/Recreation; theUrban Environment; American Politics.For each of the four modules you’ll viewfilms on the central theme, research thetheme using Internet sources, and discusstheir findings and conclusions with theclass.

Creative WritingConduct a series of experiments withwords, imagination, and ideas: fiction ornonfiction prose, poetry, or playscript.What you create will depend on yourgroup members, the Frontiers experence,and what you've been writing along theway.

Elements of WritingInvestigate what happens when an au-thor chooses certain vocabulary, sen-tence structure, and overall organization.This approach will help you improve theexpository writing you will have to do incollege. You’ll also be given an opportu-nity to write college application essays inwhich you may reveal your individuality.You are encouraged to bring with youtopics that appear on admission formsfor colleges where you intend to apply.

Law on FilmWe live in a world where legal mattershave become part of the popular culture.“Judge Judy” is a ratings-winner, "Lawand Order" is in its second decade ofpopularity, and celebrity legal battles,such as the trials of Michael Jackson andRobert Blake, are fodder for late-nighttelevision hosts. However, the entertain-ment value of law and justice has a longpedigree in film. Stories of law elicitdrama, emotion, suspense, and some-times humor. Central to these sto-

ries are images of lawyers who mightpersonify good, evil, or a gray area inbetween. In this course, you’ll exploreselected films that present interestingconcepts of law and lawyering—anddiscuss the themes the films address,how the lawyers are portrayed, andwhat the films tell us about the views ofsociety (and perhaps what effect, if any,the films have on society).

MusicParticipate in music activities and re-hearse daily in an instrumental ensembleappropriate for your instrument. Performin a concert at the conclusion of the pro-gram, presented in conjunction with thedrama activities. Music selected willvary in style from jazz to pop to classi-cal. Any student interested will also havethe opportunity to improvise in a jazzsetting.

SpeechDiscover how to present your ideas in anorganized format for optimal impact andunderstanding. Learn specific ap-proaches and implement them throughplanned presentations that will be video-taped and analyzed. Explore the tech-niques that minimize the threat ofnervous reactions and learn to utilizenervous energy for peak performance.The primary focus of the workshop willbe on individual presentations, but someattention will be given to interactive com-munications (e.g., the campus interviewfor prospective college students).

The Art of ScienceWhat are the boundaries between artand science? Does it matter? This coursewill explore the impact of science andtechnology throughout art history. Topicsto be considered include the painter's in-terest in light and optics; the influence ofinvention, exploration, and scientific dis-covery on techniques and materials; thescience of conservation; controversialmaterials; art and astronomy; natureand the environment, and more. You will

look at artists who have advanced scien-tific technique, and attempt simple exper-iments used by artists, such as thefunction of pinhole cameras and cameraobscura. Time will be left to discuss sub-jects of particular interest to the students.

TheatreProduce a show from soup to nuts inunder two weeks. Create a character,make a costume, hang the lights, recordthe sound, and build a set. Explore awide variety of theatrical exercises andtechniques, including warm-ups, expres-sive movement exercises, collective im-provisation, and interpretive reading.Become familiar with essential elementsof traditional comedy and tragedy, aswell as contemporary experimental the-atre. Put theory into practice by makingan audience laugh, cry, and maybeeven think.

Session II (robotics only)July 25–August 1, 2009Robotics Immerse yourself in robotics and discoverthe science and technology behind robotdesign and operations. Learn sensor op-erations, programming, pneumatics, andmanufacturing techniques and use this in-formation to solve a challenging roboticsproblem. Each subgroup in the sessionwill brainstorm, design, build, and test itsown creation. During the week you'llspend time outside of the lab exploringimportant business aspects of robotics in-cluding marketing, entrepreneurship,management, and teamwork skills. Thechance to show your team's design supe-riority will come when robots meet for theclimactic end-of-session tournament! Thissession is particularly useful in preparingparticipants for entry or leadership withinthe FIRST robotics team in their highschools.

Frontiers

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TuitionTuition for session I only is $1,950.Tuition for session II only is $1,500.Tuition for session I & II is $3,300.

Your tuition payment covers academicprogramming, room, board, and activi-ties. Personal expenses vary, but shouldnot exceed $100. A $500 nonrefund-able deposit, which is applied to the tu-ition, is due upon acceptance into theprogram with the enrollment forms. Theprogram balance is due June 15, 2009.

Room and BoardFrontiers participants will be accommo-dated in one of WPI's residence halls,supervised by current students and ad-ministrative staff. Rooms are double ortriple occupancy; private rooms are notavailable.

Meals will be served in one of WPI's on-campus dining facilities, or at an appro-priate off-campus location during fieldtrips. With advance notice, we arehappy to accommodate participantswho may have dietary restrictions withspecially prepared meals.

To ApplyThis program is offered to soon-to-behigh school juniors and seniors only.Complete the application form or applyonline by visiting wpi.edu/+frontiers.Applications are due by May 31, andcompleted applications are re viewed ona rolling basis.

Applications submitted after the deadlinewill be considered on a space-availablebasis. If selected, every effort will bemade to place you in your first-choicearea of study or workshop. However, wewill enroll you in your second or thirdchoice if your first choice program hasbeen filled.

Application Requirements• A completed Frontiers 2009 applica-tion form with $50 application fee.

• Recommendation from your mathemat-ics teacher, science teacher, or guid-ance counselor.

• Your official high school transcript sub-mitted by your guidance counselor.

Standardized test scores are not re -quired. However, if you have taken standardized tests (PSATs, SATs, ACTs),feel free to send them with your appli -cation.

Strong consideration is given to studentsmaintaining a “B” average or better in arigorous academic program, and havetaken or are on track to complete precal-culus before graduating high school.

Application Instructions

Please review the following informationcarefully to ensure that your applicationis received on time for full consideration.

1. Please print legibly in blue or black ink, or complete your application online at wpi.edu/+frontiers.

2. For Session I, you must select a science, technology, or engineering program and communications work- shop. Session II is centered on robot- ics only.

3. Print the recommendation form and have your math teacher, science teacher (computer science is accept- able), or guidance counselor submit it with the completed application.

4. Please arrange to have your high school forward an official transcript of your courses and grades (includ-ing your most recent report card) directly to WPI Frontiers Program,

Bartlett Center, 100 Institute

Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280.

5. The application is due May 31, 2009.

The application review process will

begin on March 1 and decisions will

be made on a rolling basis from that

point forward. Admitted students will

receive priority placement in their

program of choice based on the date

the application was received. Please

note: Your application will not be re-

viewed until we have received your

reference and transcript(s). Late ap-

plications will be reviewed on a

space-available basis.

Send the application, along with

your $50 application fee, to

WPI Frontiers Program

Bartlett Center

100 Institute Road

Worcester, MA 01609-2280

wpi.edu/+frontiers

For over 25 years, our summer pro-grams have been enthusiastically at-tended by hundreds of young people.

WPI Launch is a learning andresearch opportunity for students

entering freshman and sopho-

more years of high school. You'llspend your days working with fac-ulty focusing on current problemsand challenges in the fields of biol-ogy, chemistry/biochemistry, inter-active media and gamedevelopment, or robotics.

At Launch you will attend workshopsand perform lab work in your cho-

sen field of study. With faculty, cur-rent WPI students, and classmates,you will use state-of-the-art experi-mental, analytical, and computertechnology to complete projects andassemble your findings.

Program hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30p.m., Monday through Friday.Launch staff and other WPI commu-nity members will be available eachday at 8 a.m. for early arrival andwill provide late-afternoon super-vised activities until 5 p.m.; lunchwill be included every day. At thestart of the program, a one-hour ori-entation program will welcome par-ticipants and parents (Monday,

8 a.m.) and a closing luncheon cer-emony will be held on Friday.

We think you’ll find this summer en-richment experience challenging,creative, and lots of fun!

August 3–7, 2009: A five-day program for soon-to-be freshmen and sophomores in-

terested in biology, chemistry/biochemistry, interactive media and game development, or ro-

botics.

NOTE: Participants focus on one area of study.

Launch

Areas of Study

BiologyHomegrown Biotech: Biotechnologyin Everyday Life Explore the ways inwhich the field of biotechnology af-fects our everyday life. Working inour biotech lab, you’ll have achance to isolate your own DNA,conduct a molecular medical investi-gation, create root beer using fer-mentation, or analyze the foods weeat to see if they have been geneti-cally modified. You’ll have a chanceto carry out your own scientific in-vestigations and share your findingswith your family at the end of theweek—along with some homemadeliquid nitrogen ice cream!

Chemistry/BiochemistryChem/Biochem Magic Have youever wanted to work with bubblingflasks of colored concoctions? Everthink about engineering DNA orproteins? In our chemistry and bio-chemistry lab, you’ll alter liquids atthe flick of a wrist, wield light andelectricity, and cut and splice genesto create creatures that glow. Byweek’s end you’ll be dazzling yourfriends and family with your new-found talents!

Interactive Media and Game DevelopmentComputer Games Want to knowhow computer games are made?You'll learn how to use a 3-D videogame engine to create a game withgraphics, sound, and animation.You'll work in teams to undertakehands-on lab exercises to under-stand important computer scienceand artistic design concepts relatedto interactive media. By the end of

the week, you will have created aproject demonstrating your new-found skills with cool graphics andamazing animation, complete withaudio and interactivity.

RoboticsRobot Design and Operation Dis-cover the science and technology ofthis exciting field. You'll learn aboutmechanical design, sensors, andprogramming. You'll build designsusing Vex robots and programthem using EasyC. Challenging ro-botics problems will culminate in acompetition between student groupsat the end of the week.

To RegisterWPI’s Launch program is offered tosoon-to-be high school freshmenand sophomores only. Register on-line at wpi.edu/+launch and submita $50 nonrefundable* registrationfee, by July 15. The registration

fee is applied to tuition.

*Each area of study is limited to 20registered participants. Should yourselected area of study be closed,we will contact you to see whetheryou'd like to select another area ofstudy. If this is not an option, your$50 registration fee will be re-turned to you.

Upon receipt of your registrationand $50 registration fee, we willsend you a packet including facultyand staff contact information, pro-gram policies, schedule, directions,and a what-to-bring list.

TuitionCost of the 2009 Launch program is$495. This covers tuition, lunches,snacks, activities, and equipment.(Although participants needn't worryabout personal expenses, the WPIfood court and bookstore are acces-sible to Launch students.) Total tu-ition is due by July 27. If sendingpayment by check, please make itpayable to WPI. If paying by creditcard (MasterCard, Visa, AmEx, Dis-cover, or wire transfer), please callus at 508-831-5286.

wpi.edu/+launch

NOTE: Participants focus on one area of study.

WPI Frontiers ProgramBartlett Center100 Institute RoadWorcester, MA 01609-2280

frontiers@wpi.edu phone 508-831-5286fax 508-831-5875

wpi.edu/+frontiers

2008-317

WPI Launch ProgramBartlett Center

100 Institute RoadWorcester, MA 01609-2280

launch@wpi.edu phone 508-831-5286

fax 508-831-5875

wpi.edu/+launch