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    In-person Program

    Environmental Science High School Course

    by Summer Springboard

    A hands-on environmental science course combining field observation, policy analysis, team investigation and a final policy brief on a local challenge.

    Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
    Environmental Science High School Course

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    Environmental Science Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Closed

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA

    Age range / Year group

    14-18

    Location / Region

    San Luis Obispo, California

    Cost

    $2,998; $5,398

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Latest deadline

    17 May 2026 · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Environmental ScienceThe planet & sustainability

    Accommodation: Private room, shared apartment

    Meals: All meals residential; commuter lunch

    Certificate / Outcome: 3 CEUs and SSB certificate

    Sessions / cadence: Nine 3-hour classes over two weeks

    Tutors / faculty: Cal Poly faculty

    Environmental Science Course summary

    This is a focused pre-college course in environmental science, natural resource management and public policy, built around Cal Poly’s hands-on learning approach.

    Students investigate a local environmental challenge in teams, using site observations and curated datasets to compare possible solutions.

    The main output is a policy brief that explains the issue, weighs evidence and recommends action to policymakers.

    It suits students who want to connect ecology and sustainability with economics, justice, resource governance and practical decision-making.

    What is Environmental Science High School Course?

    The Environmental Science High School Course is a Summer Springboard pre-college experience taught on the Cal Poly SLO campus. It introduces environmental science and natural resource management through ecology, sustainability, valuation and environmental policy.

    Students examine challenges affecting air, water, forestry, waste, biodiversity, energy and land use. Team investigation, guided observations, curated data and course-specific excursions connect classroom concepts with environmental decisions in the local area.

    Why Succeed highlights Environmental Science Course

    • The course connects environmental science with the policy and economic choices that shape real resource-management decisions.

    • Students work with observations and curated datasets rather than studying environmental problems only in the abstract.

    • A local team investigation gives the academic work a concrete question and setting.

    • The final policy brief requires students to turn evidence into a clear recommendation for policymakers.

    • Course-specific visits may show how solar, wind, agriculture and wildlife considerations interact in practice.

    Who is Environmental Science Course for?

    Best for

    Students interested in environmental science who want to combine field observation, data, policy and collaborative problem-solving in a college-campus setting.

    Not ideal if

    You want a laboratory-only science course or prefer an unstructured summer experience without long scheduled days, teamwork and residential expectations.

    Is Environmental Science Course worth it?

    This course can be worthwhile for a student who wants to test environmental science as a possible university subject while producing evidence of applied analysis. Its strongest feature is the connection between environmental systems, public policy and a tangible policy brief.

    The limitation is value for money: tuition is substantial, and the experience is short. The course should therefore be judged by the fit of its teaching, fieldwork and campus experience—not simply by the Cal Poly setting or the certificate.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $2,998; $5,398; includes Residential tuition includes all meals and lodging., Residential tuition includes the academic course and excursions., Residential tuition includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch and the academic course., Commuter tuition includes excursions and weekday programming., Students may earn 3.0 CEUs and a completion certificate..

    Accommodation

    Private room, shared apartment

    Meals

    All meals residential; commuter lunch

    Provider details

    Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; San Luis Obispo, California.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Environmental Science Course need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high.

    Best started

    Begin application and travel planning six to eight weeks before the next published admission deadline.

    Main challenge

    Turning scientific, social and economic evidence into a concise policy recommendation.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose one local environmental issue and practice explaining why it matters to different stakeholders.

    • Review basic ecology, sustainability and policy vocabulary before the course begins.

    • Practice comparing sources and separating evidence from opinion.

    • Residential students should prepare for shared campus living, long structured days and travel-document requirements.

    Useful if

    You already follow an environmental issue and want to explore how policy responds to it.

    What do students do on Environmental Science Course?

    Students move from core environmental-management concepts to a team investigation and evidence-based policy response. Academic teaching is supported by observations, datasets, excursions and college-readiness activities.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Learn how goals, stakeholders, tools and trade-offs shape environmental management.

    2. 2

      Examine environmental problems across urban and natural systems.

    3. 3

      Investigate a local environmental challenge with a student team.

    4. 4

      Gather evidence through guided observations and curated datasets.

    5. 5

      Use valuation techniques and policy analysis to compare solutions.

    6. 6

      Explore applied sustainability through course-specific visits or speakers.

    7. 7

      Write a policy brief for a policymaker audience.

    Environmental Science Course dates and deadlines

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

    Scholarship deadline

    31 January 2026

    $500 alumni scholarship deadline

    Reference date

    First application wave

    22 February 2026

    Application fee increased after this date

    Reference date

    Second application wave

    19 April 2026

    Application fee increased after this date

    Reference date

    Final admission deadline

    17 May 2026

    Latest verified general admission deadline

    Reference date

    Session 1

    5-17 July 2026

    Two-week Environmental Science course

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Students entering US Grades 9-12

    • Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent

    • Starting high school and recent graduates may enroll

    • Students must meet Essential Eligibility Criteria

    • International students must demonstrate English proficiency

    • Students must follow staff instructions in English

    How much does Environmental Science Course cost?

    Program tuition

    $2,998; $5,398 — Commuter and residential options

    Funding or discounts

    • Deposit: $600 — Paid during application
    • Application fee: From $99 — Mandatory and nonrefundable
    • Need-based scholarships: Up to 30%; 60% — Residential; commuter tuition
    • Eligible discounts: 5% — Heroes, multiple programs, siblings or referrals

    What's included

    Residential tuition includes all meals and lodging., Residential tuition includes the academic course and excursions., Residential tuition includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch and the academic course., Commuter tuition includes excursions and weekday programming., Students may earn 3.0 CEUs and a completion certificate.

    How to apply to Environmental Science Course

    1. 1

      Open the official application portal and enter basic contact information.

    2. 2

      Verify your email address and complete the account details.

    3. 3

      Create a new application from the dashboard.

    4. 4

      Select Cal Poly SLO, the session, Environmental Science and your tuition type.

    5. 5

      Complete the student information with the student present.

    6. 6

      Pay the deposit and application fee to hold the place.

    7. 7

      Submit the completed application for an enrollment decision.

    8. 8

      Complete any additional forms made available after acceptance.

    What does Environmental Science Course cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Environmental systems

    Examine air, forestry, waste, water, biodiversity, energy and land use.

    Resource management

    Explore management goals, stakeholders, tools and competing trade-offs.

    Environmental justice

    Analyze issues through scientific, social, economic and justice perspectives.

    Policy analysis

    Use valuation and policy techniques to compare solution pathways.

    Policy communication

    Build an evidence-led policy brief with recommended actions.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Environmental Science Course?

    A typical day during the program.

    Academic course

    Environmental Science classes normally run from 9am to noon.

    Excursion or activity

    Students join an academic excursion or recreational activity after lunch.

    College readiness

    Workshops or True You sessions follow later in the day.

    Residential activities

    Residential students have dinner, clubs and a 10:30pm night check.

    Who teaches on Environmental Science Course?

    The listed instructor is Dr. Yu Cao, an assistant professor at Cal Poly SLO whose research covers environmental justice, resource governance and sustainable energy transitions. Cal Poly campus materials state that instructors are Cal Poly faculty with access to the facilities used by university students.

    The Cal Poly program is run in partnership with Cal Poly Extended Education.

    Where do students stay on Environmental Science Course?

    Residential plan

    • Campus housing: Students live in Cal Poly’s residential community in shared apartments.
    • Meals: All meals are included, with dining options for several dietary needs.
    • Mentor support: Mentors live nearby, and campus staff provide round-the-clock emergency support.
    • Security: Dormitories use electronic access, with 24-hour security patrols.
    • Weekend excursions: Weekend excursions are included in residential tuition.

    Non-residential plan

    • Day program: Commuters receive lunch and weekday programming from 9am to 5pm.

    The newer program infosheet describes a private room within a shared apartment, with gender-segregated floors.

    What happens after Environmental Science Course?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Use the policy brief as evidence of environmental subject engagement.

    Apply policy analysis to future geography, science or sustainability projects.

    Explore university pathways in environmental science or resource management.

    Earn 3.0 Cal Poly continuing education units with satisfactory performance.

    Receive a Summer Springboard certificate after completing the program.

    CEUs depend on satisfactory student performance.

    Where does Environmental Science Course take place?

    The course takes place at Cal Poly SLO in San Luis Obispo, between California’s rolling hills and Pacific coast. Campus study is supported by local environmental visits, while the wider program includes Central Coast activities and excursions.

    Families are responsible for arranging travel to and from campus unless they purchase an optional transfer service.

    Environmental Science Course FAQs

    The course combines environmental science, ecology, natural resource management, sustainability, economics, environmental justice and public policy.

    No. Teaching is combined with team investigation, guided observations, curated datasets and course-specific environmental excursions.

    Students create a policy brief that communicates an environmental issue, supporting evidence and recommended actions to policymakers.

    There are nine three-hour classes. Week one has morning classes Monday through Friday, while week two has morning classes Monday through Thursday.

    Yes. Residential students receive housing, meals and weekend excursions; commuters receive lunch and weekday programming from 9am to 5pm.

    The listed instructor is Dr. Yu Cao, a Cal Poly SLO assistant professor specializing in environmental justice, resource governance and sustainable energy transitions.

    Students may earn three Cal Poly continuing education units with satisfactory performance and receive a Summer Springboard certificate of completion.

    Campus dining lists vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal and common food-allergy options.

    Alternatives to Environmental Science Course

    Compare these related environmental and science programs if you want a different campus, subject balance or student age range.

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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 and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Tuition Protection Plan T&C
    • Essential Eligibility Criteria | Policies & Terms | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Tuition and Financial Aid FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Cal Poly | Campus | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • 2026 HS 2-week Cal Poly V6
    • 2026 HS 2-week Cal Poly Environmental Science V2
    • (1) New Messages!

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

    What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)

    • Course details checked

    • Dates cross-checked

    • Tuition reviewed

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Schedule verified

    • Application process checked

    • Housing details compared

    • Policies 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.