Organizer
Penn Arts and Sciences High School Programs; Summer Discovery provides residential and extracurricular supervision
2027 Summer Camps / Camp directory / Penn Experimental Physics Research Academy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Penn Experimental Physics Research Academy
Understand physics through experiments, discussion, and team projects
Spend three weeks at Penn connecting mechanics, electromagnetism, and modern physics. Lectures, laboratory activities, research discussions, and team presentations develop physical intuition and scientific communication. This is a fully residential, noncredit program.
University academic summer school
CAMP-PA-006
Program organizer & learning outcomes
University / venue relationship
Penn controls and delivers the campus academic program, beyond providing the venue
Credit / certificate
Completion certificate through Penn Arts and Sciences High School Programs; noncredit, with no official university transcript
Courses & activities
Mechanics, optics, and electricity
Build a foundation in motion and physical phenomena through demonstrations, laboratory activities, and explanatory models.
Modern physics and quantum concepts
Explore relativity, modern physics, quantum mechanics, and astrophysics, connecting familiar models with newer theories.
Experimental design and modeling
Use laboratory activities to frame questions, design tests, and interpret observations with mathematical models.
Week-long team project
In the final week, work on a selected physics topic with graduate teaching assistants and faculty in a focused team project.
Presentations and scientific ethics
Collaborate in changing lab groups and practice oral reporting, alongside discussions of scientific philosophy, ethics, and educational paths.
Camp features & life
Research conversations
Hear Penn faculty discuss their active research and ask questions about how scientific questions develop.
Academic and residential support
Penn manages academics, applications, and advising; Summer Discovery provides residential supervision and evening and weekend activities.
Noncredit completion certificate
Summer Academy participants earn a completion certificate available through the Penn Arts and Sciences High School Programs office. The academy does not award college credit or an official university transcript.
Who might enjoy this camp?
- Students who enjoy explaining physical phenomena beyond applying formulas
- Students ready for experiments, discussion, and collaborative projects
- High school students seeking three weeks of English-language academic and residential life
Prior physics study is encouraged but is not required. Grade, English-language, and academic criteria apply, including a minimum high school GPA of 3.5. Bring a laptop or tablet with permission to install software.
2027 dates & tuition
2027 dates & tuition
Contact an advisorCurrent grades 9–11 when applying; residential students must be at least 13
3 weeks
Contact an advisor
Residential fees cover academics, campus housing, a meal plan, supervision, and scheduled activities; travel, transfers, off-campus meals, and personal expenses are extra.
Residential students with a non-US permanent address must pay an additional nonrefundable international registration fee, including medical insurance with a deductible. Contact an advisor for the 2027 amount.
Application fees and enrollment deposits are nonrefundable; the deposit cannot transfer to another Penn program. Contact an advisor for 2027 payment and withdrawal deadlines.
Summer Academy materials are generally included and need not be purchased in advance; confirm any exceptional material charges when enrolling.
Current scholarships are restricted to selected Philadelphia public or charter high school students and are not available to international students.
Travel & participation
Arrival: plan around the admitted-student move-in, orientation, and move-out instructions. Travel and airport transfers are not included in the program fee.
Housing and care: fully residential, with no commuter or online option. Residents must be at least 13; gym access starts at 15. Complete Summer Discovery residential and health onboarding.
International applicants are welcome. Penn describes this noncredit academy as requiring tourist or B-2 status and does not sponsor student visas for it. Confirm the appropriate arrangements with Penn and the relevant consulate before travel.
English: non-native speakers need test evidence or an approved waiver based on at least two years at an English-medium school. Current guidance includes IELTS 7, DET 130, and TOEFL 5 on the new scale or 100 on the old scale. Contact an advisor for 2027 criteria.
Application: students must submit their own applications; parents and agents may not submit for them. Prepare transcripts, essays, and a recommendation, with official translations for non-English documents. Enrollment confirmation and a deposit are required to reserve a place.
Study arrangements: bring a laptop or tablet with administrator access. Residential participants may not simultaneously join another summer program, internship, outside research placement, or summer job.
Campus, venue & activity photos
Enquiries & Applications
Discuss this camp and participation arrangements with an ASCWORLD education adviser.
Enquiries & Applications