Discover the universe with UMass Amherst’s two-week Modern Astronomy Summer Pre-College program. Explore the life cycles of stars, galaxy evolution, and the latest discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope while gaining hands-on experience in astronomical research and Python programming—no prior coding experience required.
The UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College: Modern Astronomy program offers high school students an engaging introduction to the science of the cosmos. Over two weeks, participants explore key topics in modern astronomy and astrophysics, including the life cycles of stars, galaxy formation, and the latest research breakthroughs from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Students will also experience what it’s like to be an astronomer by completing a small-scale research project. Through guided instruction, they’ll learn to use Python programming to analyze astronomical data and extract information from real images of the sky.
By the end of the course, participants will have a foundational understanding of astrophysics concepts and hands-on experience using Python for scientific data analysis. No prior programming experience is required—just curiosity about the universe and a desire to learn.
Program fees include tuition and room & board.
