General admission deadline
17 May 2026
Latest verified Summer 2026 deadline.
Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology High School Course
A hands-on pre-college neuroscience course exploring brain function, behavior, sensory systems, research methods, and careers through experiments and brain dissection.

A hands-on pre-college neuroscience course exploring brain function, behavior, sensory systems, research methods, and careers through experiments and brain dissection.

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Current status
Recently closed
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA minimum
Age range / Year group
14-18 / Grades 9-12
Location / Region
Berkeley; Washington, DC; Cambridge
Cost
Residential $5,798-$6,798
Duration
2 weeks
Format
In-person
Accommodation: Shared university dormitory
Meals: Residential all meals; commuter lunch
Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
Sessions / cadence: 9 x 3-hour morning classes
Main practical: Mammalian brain dissection
Tutors / faculty: University researchers and educators
This is a focused pre-college course about how the brain and nervous system shape thought, emotion, behavior, and sensory experience.
Students combine lectures and discussion with model neurons, electronic simulations, experimental design, scientific-paper analysis, sensory activities, and a mammalian brain dissection.
It suits students exploring neuroscience, biology, psychology, pre-med study, laboratory research, or related careers who want a structured campus experience.
Summer Springboard’s Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology High School Course is a college-style introduction to neurobiology and the interdisciplinary study of the brain. Students examine how molecules, cells, neural circuits, and sensory systems influence thought, emotion, action, and behavior.
The experience combines lectures and interactive discussions with experiments, model neurons, scientific-paper analysis, research design, and mammalian brain dissection. Career exploration connects the subject to medicine, psychology, biotechnology, drug discovery, biomedical engineering, and academic research.
The curriculum moves from neuron structure and signaling to sensory processing, behavior, injury, and disease.
Students apply professional research approaches through experimental design, scientific analysis, and practical laboratory-style activities.
A mammalian brain dissection provides a substantial culminating practical experience associated with college-level neuroscience study.
Daily career discussions connect neuroscience with medicine, psychology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and research.
Residential and commuter options allow students to choose between full campus living and weekday participation.
High-school students who want practical exposure to neuroscience before choosing a university subject or career path in biology, psychology, medicine, research, or biotechnology.
You prefer a low-intensity sightseeing program or would be uncomfortable with a structured schedule, shared campus living, laboratory activities, or mammalian brain dissection.
This course can be worthwhile for students who want to test a serious interest in neuroscience through practical work rather than classroom theory alone. Its strongest value lies in the combination of research methods, scientific-literature analysis, brain dissection, career exploration, and campus experience.
The limitation is cost: tuition, the application fee, travel, and optional services can make participation a significant family commitment. It should be chosen for the academic fit and hands-on curriculum, not simply for the name of a host campus, because the universities do not run the program.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
Residential $5,798-$6,798; includes Residential tuition includes all meals, lodging, excursions, the academic course, and weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch, the academic course, excursions, and weekday programming from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., The academic course includes nine three-hour classes and additional Wednesday afternoon academic time..
Accommodation
Shared university dormitory
Meals
Residential all meals; commuter lunch
Provider details
Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
2 weeks; Berkeley; Washington, DC; Cambridge.
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 programsEffort level
Moderate to high academic intensity.
Best started
Begin planning two to three months before the next application deadline, allowing extra time for travel, medical forms, and international documentation.
Main challenge
Moving between molecular neuroscience, neural systems, behavior, and practical research methods in two weeks.
Review basic cell biology, neuron structure, and scientific-experiment terminology before arriving.
Discuss brain dissection in advance so you understand the practical activity and can raise concerns early.
Prepare application, health, travel, and payment documents together because additional forms become available after acceptance.
Useful if
You already enjoy biology, psychology, laboratory science, or reading scientific explanations.
Students progress from core neuron biology to sensory processing, disorders, research methods, scientific literature, and career pathways through college-style classes and practical activities.
Build model neurons and use electronic simulations to investigate action potentials and neural signaling.
Explore vision, hearing, smell, touch, and taste through activities about sensory processing.
Study neuroanatomy, brain injury, neurological disease, and their effects on behavior and cognition.
Design experiments and practise research methods used in professional neuroscience laboratories.
Analyze the structure and interpretation of scientific research papers.
Complete a mammalian brain dissection as a culminating practical experience.
Discuss careers spanning research, medicine, psychology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and engineering.
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
General admission deadline
17 May 2026
Latest verified Summer 2026 deadline.
Berkeley Session 2
21 June-3 July 2026
Two-week course.
Berkeley Session 4
5-17 July 2026
Two-week course.
Berkeley Session 6
19-31 July 2026
Two-week course.
Georgetown Session 1
21 June-3 July 2026
Course-page dates; the infosheet differs.
MIT Campus Session 1
21 June-3 July 2026
Two-week course.
MIT Campus Session 2
5-17 July 2026
Two-week course.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General admission deadline | 17 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Berkeley Session 2 | 21 June-3 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Berkeley Session 4 | 5-17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Berkeley Session 6 | 19-31 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Georgetown Session 1 | 21 June-3 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
MIT Campus Session 1 | 21 June-3 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
MIT Campus Session 2 | 5-17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Open to students in Grades 9-12
Students entering high school may apply
Recent high-school graduates may apply
Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency
Essential Eligibility Criteria must be met
Students must follow staff instructions in English
Program tuition
$2,998-$6,798 — Varies by campus and residential or commuter option.
Funding or discounts
What's included
Residential tuition includes all meals, lodging, excursions, the academic course, and weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch, the academic course, excursions, and weekday programming from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., The academic course includes nine three-hour classes and additional Wednesday afternoon academic time.
Open the provider’s application portal and enter basic contact information.
Confirm the verification email and complete the account details.
Choose Create New Application from the dashboard.
Select the campus, session, Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology course, and tuition type.
Complete the student information with the student present.
Pay the $600 deposit and applicable application fee.
Submit the complete application for an enrollment decision.
Complete any additional forms or supporting-document requests after acceptance.
The program covers the following focus areas.
Neurons and signaling
Study neuron structure, action potentials, neurotransmission, and neural communication.
Sensory systems
Investigate how the brain processes vision, hearing, smell, touch, and taste.
Brain health and disease
Explore neuroanatomy and the effects of injury and neurological disorders.
Neuroscience research
Practise experimental design, scientific analysis, and modern research techniques.
Scientific literature and careers
Analyze research papers and examine pathways across neuroscience-related professions.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
A typical day during the program.
Academic classes run Monday-Friday in week one and Monday-Thursday in week two.
Students join an academic excursion or recreational activity.
College-readiness or True You personal-development programming follows.
Residential students join clubs and evening activities.
Named faculty include university researchers, medical trainees, and neuroscience educators with experience spanning computational neuroscience, social and affective neuroscience, brain trauma research, laboratory teaching, and student mentoring. Faculty are recruited for subject expertise and their ability to challenge and engage students.
Named instructors vary by campus, and the MIT Campus instructor was also listed as unconfirmed in one 2026 infosheet.
Room configuration and residence facilities vary by campus; Georgetown and MIT listings state that basic linens are provided.
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Build research skills relevant to neuroscience, biology, psychology, and pre-med study.
Use practical experience to assess whether neuroscience suits future university study.
Develop familiarity with experimental design and scientific-paper analysis.
Explore careers in research, biotechnology, medicine, psychology, pharmaceuticals, and engineering.
Connect brain science with later study of behavior, health, cognition, and technology.
The course offers academic and career exploration rather than a stated qualification or university credit.
The course is offered in Berkeley, California; Washington, DC at Georgetown University; and Cambridge, Massachusetts on the MIT campus. Each location combines campus-based teaching with local academic or cultural excursions, although specific visits may change.
Summer Springboard states that the host universities do not run or control these programs.
Compare these related psychology, medicine, and biology programs if you want a different subject balance, location, or delivery format.
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Best for
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Mind, behavior, perception, and social influence
Best for
Students more interested in behavior and cognition than laboratory neurobiology.
Pre-college medicine with practical career exploration
Best for
Students whose neuroscience interest is mainly connected to clinical medicine.
Biology study with research-method development
Best for
Students seeking broader biological foundations before specializing in neuroscience.
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Content reviewed by
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.
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
Course curriculum reviewed
Eligibility criteria checked
Tuition options compared
Session dates cross-checked
Application process reviewed
Accommodation details checked
Refund terms reviewed
Campus relationship clarified
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.