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    Climate Change: Projections and Uncertainty
    Online Program

    Climate Change: Projections and Uncertainty

    by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies

    Study climate physics, build a Python energy-balance model and analyze climate projections through a team presentation focused on scientific uncertainty.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Climate Change at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-11; algebra and beginning Python

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-17

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $3,200

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Environmental ScienceScienceSpace & physics
    Sessions / cadence: Weekdays: 2h live + 2-3h independent work
    Assessment style: Coding, data analysis and team presentation
    Main deliverable / output: Final team climate-science presentation
    Time-zone / scheduling model: 08:00-11:00 PDT meeting window
    Latest verified cycle: 2026
    Support model: Online office hours

    Climate Change summary

    This Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes course connects greenhouse-effect physics with the models scientists use to project climate change.

    Students build an energy-balance model in Python, analyze CMIP6 output and observational data, and collaborate on a final presentation.

    It suits students who want to investigate how climate projections are made and explain their uncertainty through scientific analysis.

    What is Climate Change: Projections and Uncertainty?

    Climate Change: Projections and Uncertainty is an online course within Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, offered by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. It explores past and present climate change, the radiative physics of the greenhouse effect and the models used to project Earth's future.

    Students connect theory with practical work by coding an energy-balance model in Python. They then analyze CMIP6 climate-model output and observational datasets in teams, creating a final presentation about how climate change appears in a particular component of the Earth system.

    Why Succeed highlights Climate Change

    • Building a Python energy-balance model gives students a concrete way to test the physics behind greenhouse warming.

    • Working with CMIP6 output connects classroom study to the climate models used to inform IPCC reports.

    • The final team presentation combines data interpretation with explaining a focused scientific finding.

    • An explicit focus on uncertainty encourages careful reasoning about what climate projections can tell us.

    Who is Climate Change for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy quantitative science and want to connect climate physics, Python coding and real datasets.

    Not ideal if

    You want an introduction to programming from scratch or a light extracurricular activity alongside a full weekday schedule.

    Is Climate Change worth it?

    The course offers a focused way to move from interest in climate change to understanding its physical mechanisms and modeling methods. Its strongest feature is the combination of coding, real climate datasets and a presentation that requires students to explain their analysis.

    The substantial daily workload makes it a demanding choice for students balancing other commitments. Its value depends on what you learn and produce; participation does not guarantee admission to Stanford University.

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    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,200; includes Two-hour live classes Monday-Friday., Online office hours., Python energy-balance modeling work., Team climate-data analysis and final presentation..

    Dates and time commitment

    2 weeks; Weekdays: 2h live + 2-3h independent work.

    Provider details

    Review the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: The main output is a team presentation on how climate change affects a particular component of the Earth system.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Climate Change need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Allow four to six weeks before your intended session to prepare application materials and refresh prerequisite skills.

    Main challenge

    Interpreting climate-model uncertainty while completing coding and team work.

    Typical preparation

    • Review algebra and practice writing and debugging simple Python programs.

    • Gather recent grade reports and transcripts, and prepare the work sample required by the course application.

    • Convert the Pacific-time meeting window to your local time and reserve daily independent-work time.

    • Read about Earth's energy balance and the greenhouse effect before classes begin.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in quantitative climate science.

    What do students do on Climate Change?

    You move from the physics of greenhouse warming to coding and interpreting climate projections. A team project brings those skills together in a presentation about a specific component of the Earth system.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore past and present eras of climate change.

    2. 2

      Study the radiative physics underlying the greenhouse effect.

    3. 3

      Code a Python model of Earth's energy balance.

    4. 4

      Examine the CMIP models used to inform IPCC reports.

    5. 5

      Analyze CMIP6 output and recent observational datasets with teammates.

    6. 6

      Present how climate change affects your selected Earth-system component.

    Climate Change dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    13 March 2026

    Summer Institutes application and supplemental materials are due by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    6-17 July 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Be in Grades 9-11 at the time of application.

    • Have completed an algebra course.

    • Have beginning proficiency with Python.

    • Attend only one Summer Institutes course if admitted.

    How much does Climate Change cost?

    Program fee

    $3,200 — 2026 Summer Institutes tuition.

    Funding or discounts

    • Financial aid: Domestic and international participants may receive aid.

    What's included

    Two-hour live classes Monday-Friday., Online office hours., Python energy-balance modeling work., Team climate-data analysis and final presentation.

    How to apply to Climate Change

    1. 1

      Create or reuse an account in Stanford's application portal using the student's legal name and birthdate.

    2. 2

      Select the courses you are interested in attending and complete your own application responses.

    3. 3

      Upload recent grade reports, transcripts and the work sample required by the selected course.

    4. 4

      Have a parent or legal guardian review and sign the completed application.

    5. 5

      Review all materials, then submit the application and pay the application fee.

    Next step with Succeed

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    Learning format

    The course meets online for two hours each weekday within an 08:00-11:00 PDT window, with the third hour used for office hours. Students attend one assigned section and should plan for approximately two to three additional hours of daily assignments and projects.

    The exact class time and office-hour schedule are set closer to the start.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Online office hours use the third hour of the meeting window.

    • The exact office-hour schedule is set closer to the start.

    • Students attend one assigned course section and time.

    Time-zone considerations

    • The published meeting window is 08:00-11:00 Pacific Daylight Time.
    • Live classes meet for two hours Monday-Friday within that window.
    • The third hour is used for online office hours.
    • Allow two to three hours daily for asynchronous assignments and projects.

    Assessment style

    Course work combines coding, climate-data analysis and a final team presentation.

    • Code a Python model of Earth's energy balance.
    • Analyze CMIP6 output and recent observational datasets.
    • Investigate climate change in a particular Earth-system component.
    • Present findings as a team.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main output is a team presentation on how climate change affects a particular component of the Earth system.

    • A Python model demonstrating Earth's energy balance.

    • Analysis using CMIP6 output and recent observational datasets.

    Climate Change FAQs

    You will explore climate history, greenhouse-effect physics, Earth's energy balance and climate projections. Practical work uses Python, CMIP6 model output and recent observational datasets.

    Yes. Beginning Python proficiency and completion of an algebra course are required.

    Plan for two hours of live class Monday-Friday and approximately two to three hours of daily independent work. Online office hours use the third hour of the published meeting window.

    You will work in a team to analyze climate-model output and observational data, then present how climate change appears in a particular component of the Earth system.

    No. Standardized test scores are optional for domestic and international applicants.

    Students must complete their own responses. Parents or legal guardians review and sign the completed application.

    Yes. Financial aid can be awarded to both domestic and international participants.

    No. Stanford's undergraduate admissions process is separate and independent, and participation does not guarantee admission.

    Alternatives to Climate Change

    Compare these related programs for broader environmental study or a stronger physics focus.

    Alternatives to Climate Change

    Physics Summer Course

    Physics study through a Cambridge summer course

    Space & physics
    Deadline: Not announced
    From £5495
    13-17
    Cambridge
    In-person

    Best for

    Students drawn to the physics behind climate

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • SU26_SPCS_Flyer_TeachCoun.indd
    • Welcome
    • Questions: Application - SI | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
    • Climate Change: Projections and Uncertainty | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Course content reviewed

    • Prerequisites checked

    • Daily workload checked

    • Session dates checked

    • Tuition and aid reviewed

    • Application requirements reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.