PUMA offers high school students a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on, research-based materials science projects under the guidance of Princeton University faculty and researchers.
The Princeton University Materials Academy (PUMA) is a three-week in-person summer program for high school students, focusing on materials science and engineering. The curriculum is project-based and hands-on, supported by lectures and interactions with Princeton University faculty, postdocs, and graduate students. Students engage in inquiry-based lab activities and explore current research projects, with the theme changing annually. For example, the 2026 program focuses on how light interacts with materials to produce color, while past themes have included the mechanics of hair and materials that move and play. Participants gain skills in scientific experimentation, problem-solving, and science communication, culminating in presentations of their research. The program also includes tours of campus facilities like the Princeton University Art Museum, Imaging and Analysis Center, and Micro/Nanofabrication Center, providing insight into world-class instrumentation and research environments.
A typical day involves a mix of classroom learning, hands-on lab activities, and project-based work, with opportunities to interact with Princeton faculty and researchers.
This program is ideal for high school students passionate about science and engineering, eager to explore materials science through hands-on research and learn about potential career paths.
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
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