A Guide to Inspire: Choosing the Right Summer Course for YOU!

Parents, do you have a high school student that is already ‘bored’? Or perhaps your summer plans have changed and you need to fill a week or two with academic enrichment to boost knowledge and build a resume? We have you covered! The UVA Inspire summer program offers over 10 classes specifically designed for high schoolers who want to explore exciting topics that introduce new concepts and build on existing knowledge! These classes give high school students a taste of what a college class will be like, and it will give them the opportunity to dive deeper into their passions. 

Starting your Inspire journey can seem overwhelming, from deciding which classes to take to which dates work best around your summer plans, but it doesn’t have to be! We’ve compiled a handy guide for prospective students to decide which courses fit their interests best, and what works with your schedule (save our graphic at the end of this article as a calendar reference!) to make it the best Inspire Summer yet!

Do you…

Love true crime and mystery novels?

• We think our Forensic Science course would be a perfect fit for you!
• This is a one-week, in-person class from June 22 – 26.
• What you will learn: how the fields of science, criminal investigation, and law come together to solve real-life mysteries.

Find the brain and our behavior fascinating?

• You should try our Science of the Brain course to start your dive into neuroscience!
• This course is two weeks long and in-person from July 6 – 17.
• This course includes interactive lessons, hands-on dissections, EEG recordings, and asking and testing questions about the mind. 

Enjoy writing and storytelling?

• Our creative writing class will perfectly mesh with your interests!
• Creative writing is ONLINE from July 6 – 10.
• Students will develop a deeper understanding of how writers craft language, structure ideas, and revise their work, emerging with a polished piece of writing.

Want to learn more about engineering?

• All four of our E4: Exploring Exciting Engineering Essentials classes are perfect for you!
• Each course is one week long, in-person, and designed with future engineers in mind.
• The UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science has created a series of classes that can be taken individually or together to help aspiring engineers learn more about the foundations of engineering and what is possible when you apply the same framework to different topics. They are all taught by first-year UVA engineering faculty.

Have a knack for graphic design and projects?

• Our Digital Marketing class might be the perfect fit for those interested in the multidimensional field of marketing!
• This class will be in-person from June 22 – July 2.
• Students will learn the essentials of creating effective digital campaigns, optimizing landing pages for conversions, and tracking performance.

Want to know how companies and teams, both big and small, operate?

• You should apply for the McIntire Business Institute taught by UVA McIntire faculty!
• The first session of the class is FULL, but we still have limited space in our second in-person session of the class from July 13 – 24!
• Students will learn how to pitch their ideas, showcase their progress, and walk away with hands-on experience that sets this summer experience apart from any others.

Find healthcare interesting and like taking care of people?

• Try our nursing course: From Curiosity to Care: Inside Nursing and Healthcare Professions!
• This course will run in-person for one week from July 6 – 10.
• Students will learn many concepts in this course, such as exploring diverse healthcare roles, learning about educational and training pathways, and gaining insight into clinical environments.

Like building things and coming up with new ideas:?

• You should explore these ideas in our Real Estate, Design, and Construction class!
• This is a one-week, in-person course from July 6 to 10.
• Students will have the opportunity to design, budget, and schedule a project, applying real-world problem-solving and collaboration skills. The week will end with a presentation to a panel of professionals who will provide feedback and inspiration for your next steps.

Want to improve your formal writing process?:

• Take our online Professional Writing for High School and Beyond class!
• Professional Writing is ONLINE from June 22 – 26.
• Students will leave with a broad exploration of practical writing, and a writing portfolio with templates and examples which they can refer to and utilize as they embark on their journey through and beyond high school.

Hopefully this guide has made it easier to decide which courses are the best fit for you, and we have also included an easy-to-read guide for everyone to reference with their calendars (shout-out parents!). Happy Inspire-ing!