COSMOS offers a unique opportunity for high school students to engage in college-level STEM research and coursework, working directly with UC faculty in a residential university setting.
COSMOS at UC San Diego is a rigorous four-week residential summer program designed for talented and motivated California high school students with a demonstrated interest and achievement in math and science. Administered through the Jacobs School of Engineering, the program emphasizes technology and engineering alongside mathematics and science. Students engage in challenging, hands-on, lab-intensive curricula within a chosen 'cluster' or area of focus. These clusters introduce students to advanced STEM subjects not typically offered in high school, providing an unparalleled opportunity to work side-by-side with distinguished university faculty and researchers. The program aims to foster analytical thinking, experimentation, and connect students to higher learning institutions and research facilities. Participants gain skills in various areas, depending on their chosen cluster, such as CAD proficiency, Python programming, 3D modeling, laser cutting, and teamwork, often culminating in a group project presentation. The program also includes academic enrichment sessions, guest speakers, and field trips to regional resources utilized by UCSD researchers.
A typical day involves morning lectures and discussions, followed by afternoon lab sessions or fieldwork, with evenings dedicated to study time, recreational activities, and special events.
This program is best for California residents with strong academic records (3.5+ GPA) who are looking for an authentic university research experience and want to explore specific STEM fields before committing to a college major.
UC San Diego Campus
San Diego STEM Summer Camps is a free directory service that aggregates publicly available information about STEM programs, summer camps, and educational opportunities. We do not operate, sponsor, endorse, accredit, certify, or have any affiliation with the camps and programs listed here unless explicitly stated.
All program details — including pricing, session dates, instructor credentials, curriculum, safety policies, refund terms, transportation, meal arrangements, and admission requirements — are sourced from publicly available information and may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Listings are partially generated and updated using automated AI-assisted research, which can occasionally produce inaccurate details. Parents and guardians are solely responsible for independently verifying every detail directly with the camp before enrolling, paying, or relying on any information shown here.
We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the accuracy, completeness, suitability, safety, quality, availability, or fitness for any particular purpose of any camp, program, or information shown on this site. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages of any kind — including but not limited to financial loss, missed sessions, refund disputes, injury, child safety incidents, transportation issues, dissatisfaction with educational outcomes, or any other harm — arising from your use of this directory or your decision to enroll a child in any listed program. Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of these terms.
If you are a camp operator and notice any inaccurate information about your program, please contact us and we will review and update it. By submitting an inquiry via this site, you consent to the camp contacting you with information about their program.
