Discover the exciting field of nanoscience through hands-on experiments
Explore cutting-edge research in nanoscience and nanotechnology
The Nanoscience Lab Summer Institute is an exclusive summer workshop for high school students with a background in chemistry who are interested in advanced science and technology.
During this five-day program, students have the unique opportunity to explore technologies similar to those currently investigated by the scientific community through hands-on experiments that give students a survey of diverse topics, including bio-toxicity, supercapacitors, and photolithography. These experiments, designed by UCLA researchers, teach students the key concepts of nanoscale phenomena that make nanoscience and nanotechnology one of the most exciting fields of research today.
Nanoscience Lab Summer Institute Program
At the Nanoscience Lab, students will learn some of the key concepts of nanoscience and nanotechnology through seminars, hands-on experiments, analyzing collected data, and seeing the instruments that enable this science.
Students will be introduced to both pervading approaches in nanofabrication: Bottom-up and Top-Down, and will fabricate nanostructures and devices using these approaches. The properties of materials and devices will be evaluated with nanoscale components by performing hands-on experiments. Students will learn to analyze their experimental results with scientific vigor. They will learn how research from nanoscience is already being used and what other applications are possible in the near future. They will also practice presenting what they have learned to others, including non-experts.
Application deadline: June 1, 2024 | Enrollment deadline: June 15, 2024
Applications are reviewed and admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis starting February 15th. Applying at your earliest convenience, prior to June 1st, is highly recommended.
The program has application requirements for admission. Eligible applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within 3 weeks.
Applicants are required to provide the following during the online registration process:
- An unofficial transcript from grade 9 to present reflecting a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
- If your school transcript utilizes a different grading system, please submit your transcript as is. If available, please attach a translation/equivalency guide.
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: If you are an international student, a transcript refers to your complete secondary academic record. To learn more about converting your grades into a US-based GPA, please click here.
- If your school has a translation/equivalency guide, please also include it with your transcript. If you do not have a translation/equivalency guide, please still submit your most up-to-date transcript as is for staff to review.
- Value statement: At the time of registration, ALL applicants will be prompted to submit a few short sentences reflecting on their pursuit of participation in a UCLA Precollege Summer Institute. Please note that students are strongly discouraged from relying on ChatGpt/AI tools for their application responses and are encouraged to submit original and authentic answers.
- Short essay responses to the following prompts:
- In no more than 250 words: What interests you in science or technology and how will participation in this program help you achieve your academic and personal goals?
- In no more than 125 words: How did you hear about nanoscience and nanotechnology and what is your current understanding of these topics?
Due to the intense nature of the Nanoscience Lab Summer Institute and the time commitment involved, a mandatory housing track is available.
For more information on UCLA housing precollege programs, please see the Housing for Minors page.
All precollege programs with mandatory housing also feature scheduled non-curricular evening and weekend activities that all students are expected to participate in. The nature of these scheduled activities is at the sole discretion of the individual academic department offering the program, and are not operated by UCLA Summer Sessions. To learn more about when your selected program will host such activities, please consult the schedules for each program, or contact the department in question directly: rita@cnsi.ucla.edu
Most of our precollege programs with mandatory housing will hold check-in on the Sunday before the start of the program between 4-6pm, and hold check-out the Saturday after the final day of class at 11am. Please contact the department in question directly to confirm check-in and check-out times: rita@cnsi.ucla.edu
As an alternative to the mandatory housing track of the Nanoscience Lab Summer Institute, UCLA is also offering a commuter-only program option. There is NO on-campus housing available for the commuter program through the summer institute or UCLA Summer Sessions. Additionally, please note that only students aged 17 and older as of June 24th, 2024 are eligible to sign a housing contract, and not all program dates correspond to when contracts are available. Students interested in exploring this option should review information at UCLA Summer Housing.
Participants of the Nanoscience Lab – commuter track must commute to the UCLA campus each day of the program. Specific location information (e.g. classroom) will be provided to enrolled students closer to the start of the program.
Parking
Summer Sessions parking permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students have the option to purchase a summer term permit or a daily permit.
Coursework
Chemistry and Biochemistry (CHEM) 7; 2 units
Grading
Students will be graded on a Pass/No Pass basis upon completion. See University Credit, Grades and Transcripts for more information about academic credit.
In order to successfully complete the program, students are not allowed any excused or unexcused absences.
UCLA Summer Sessions Summer Scholars Support
Qualified students attending grades 9th – 11th in Spring 2024 in the state of California may be eligible for Summer Scholars Support, a need- and merit-based scholarship offered by the UCLA Summer Sessions Office. Students must be 15 years old by the first day of Summer Sessions 2024 on June 24th in order to participate in a Precollege Summer Institute and/or apply for Summer Scholars Support. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to support enrollment in SCIP/eSCIP, one Summer Course, or a Precollege Summer Institute.
Summer 2024 deadline to apply: March 15.
Session A:
Mandatory Housing: July 21 – July 27, 2024
Commuter: July 22 – July 26, 2024
Admission based / In-person
Session B:
Mandatory Housing: July 28 – August 3, 2024
Commuter: July 29 – August 2, 2024
Admission based / In-person
Program Eligibility: 10th-12th grade in Spring 2024* & strong science background
Application deadline: June 1, 2024
Enrollment deadline: June 15, 2024
*All participants must be at least 15 years of age by the first day of Summer Sessions 2024 on June 24th, no exceptions allowed.
Program schedule and syllabus are subject to change.
Fees and Payment Info
The program fee includes the unit fees for the UCLA coursework offered as part of the program and thus varies by UC student status. The program fee also includes the cost of UCLA Housing (for mandatory housing programs). In addition to the program fee, students are assessed other campus and administrative fees during the summer. This is a summary of fees that commonly apply to the selected student type.
Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California. Visit the fees, payment, and financial aid section for important disclaimer, as well as more details on fees, payment instructions, and information on delinquency, refunds, and financial aid.
COMMUTER PROGRAM FEES:
The program fees listed in the selection are for the Mandatory Housing version only. The following are the program fees for the Commuter version.
- High School Student = $1,358
- Incoming UCLA Student = $1,146
- Incoming UC Student = $1,146
All other fees listed will remain the same for the Commuter version.
Meet your instructors
Sarah Tolbert
ProfessorSarah Tolbert is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA. Research in her group focuses on self-organized nanoscale materials and includes both organic templated inorganic phases and colloidal materials. Current work in her group is aimed at understanding and controlling structure and periodicity in complex nanostructured composite materials, and in exploiting that periodicity for a range of structural, optical, and electronic materials applications.
Projects in Prof. Tolbert’s group range from examination of nanoscale phase transitions in surfactant templated inorganic solids to the designed assembly of electro-active composite materials.
Professor Tolbert’s honors include a National Science Foundation Early CAREER Development Award, the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, a Beckman Young Investigator Award, and an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship.
Nanoscience Lab Summer Institute FAQ
This is a one-week program in which students participate in labs every day. Each day involves a different experiment while other nanoscience programs may include labs that are spaced out.
We expect students to have a strong background in chemistry and biology (honors/AP chemistry experience preferred).
Yes, students should bring laptops.
Still have questions? Check out the general Summer Institutes FAQ.