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In-person Program
Physics of Motion
Physics of Motion is a Nashville summer physics course at Vanderbilt Summer Academy, exploring mechanics, electricity, optics and how objects interact.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Physics of Motion at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Rising ninth and tenth graders
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-16
Location / Region
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Cost
$2,850
Duration
1 week
Format
In-person
Application deadline
Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Save programScienceSpace & physics
Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
Tutors / faculty: Dr. Savanna Rae Starko
Instructor background: Former Vanderbilt physics senior lecturer
Physics of Motion summary
Physics of Motion surveys the principles behind how objects and charges interact, connecting familiar physical behavior to the workings of the universe.
The curriculum spans mechanics, fluids, sound, heat, electricity and optics, making it a useful option for students exploring which parts of physics interest them most.
Its appeal lies in broad subject exploration and an experienced physics educator rather than a narrowly specialized research brief.
What is Physics of Motion?
Physics of Motion is an academic course within Vanderbilt Summer Academy, offered by Vanderbilt University's Programs for Talented Youth. It explores how motion and interactions between objects and charges help explain the physical universe.
The curriculum connects mechanics, fluids and sound with thermal physics, statistical physics, electricity and magnetism, basic circuits, and optics. Students develop an understanding of these principles across scales, from galaxies to atoms and particles, with instruction from Dr. Savanna Rae Starko.
Why Succeed highlights Physics of Motion
The curriculum connects several major branches of physics, helping students see relationships between topics usually studied separately.
Its focus on objects and charges gives students a clear organizing question for understanding physical behavior.
Dr. Starko combines a Vanderbilt physics doctorate with university lecturing and high school STEM teaching experience.
VSA offers both test-score and portfolio routes for demonstrating academic fit.
Who is Physics of Motion for?
Best for
Students who want to explore the connections between mechanics, heat, electricity and optics before choosing a more specialized physics interest.
Not ideal if
You mainly want sustained study of one narrow topic; this curriculum deliberately covers several branches of physics.
Is Physics of Motion worth it?
Physics of Motion looks useful for students who want a connected introduction to several areas of physics. Its strongest feature is the combination of broad academic coverage and an instructor experienced in teaching both university and high school students.
The breadth also creates a limitation: there is less room to pursue one topic in depth. Families should weigh that exploratory value against a longer course focused on a particular area, especially if the student already has a clear specialist interest.
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$2,850.
Provider details
Review the Vanderbilt Summer Academy provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
1 week; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
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 programsHow much preparation does Physics of Motion need?
Effort level
Moderate preparation for an accelerated academic course.
Best started
Review the late-2026 VSA course announcement, then allow several weeks to gather application materials.
Main challenge
Connecting ideas across mechanics, heat, electricity and optics.
Typical preparation
Review familiar ideas about forces, energy and electric charge.
Write down two or three physical phenomena you would like to understand better.
Choose the test-score or portfolio application route and gather the required academic records.
If using the portfolio route, give educators time to complete recommendations and draft the essay under 600 words.
Useful if
You want to test your interest in broader physics study.
What do students do on Physics of Motion?
You explore how physical principles explain motion and interactions between objects and charges. The course connects its topics to phenomena at both astronomical and microscopic scales.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Explore mechanics and fluids to understand physical motion.
- 2
Study sound, thermal physics and statistical physics.
- 3
Examine electricity and magnetism alongside basic circuits.
- 4
Explore optics and connect the topics to the wider physical universe.
Physics of Motion dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
5-11 July 2026
Applications open
7 January 2026
Start of the 2026 VSA priority application window.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 5-11 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 7 January 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Rising ninth- and tenth-grade students.
Submit qualifying academic documentation.
Test-score applicants must also submit a transcript.
Portfolio applicants submit a transcript, educator recommendations and an essay.
The portfolio essay must be fewer than 600 words.
All required application components must be submitted.
How much does Physics of Motion cost?
Financial assistance
Need-based aid — Income-based support with need-blind application review.
How to apply to Physics of Motion
- 1
Use the VSA-specific application page to review the admissions process.
- 2
Create a SchoolDoc account or sign in to an existing account.
- 3
Choose the test-score or portfolio route for demonstrating academic fit.
- 4
Submit your transcript and the documents required for your chosen route.
- 5
For the portfolio route, request educator recommendations through PTY's designated form.
- 6
Write the portfolio essay under 600 words about your summer academic commitment and first-choice course.
- 7
Confirm that all required application components have been submitted.
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What does Physics of Motion cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Mechanics and fluids
Explore mechanics and fluids as part of understanding how motion occurs.
Sound and optics
Study sound and optics within the course's wider survey of physics.
Thermal and statistical physics
Explore thermal physics and statistical physics alongside other core principles.
Electricity, magnetism and circuits
Study electricity and magnetism, interactions between charges, and basic circuits.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
Who teaches on Physics of Motion?
The listed instructor, Dr. Savanna Rae Starko, teaches high school STEM at Templeton Academy Nashville and earned her Ph.D. in High Energy Physics at Vanderbilt. She served as a Vanderbilt physics senior lecturer from 2020 to 2024 and emphasizes belonging and participation in her classroom.
What happens after Physics of Motion?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Develop a stronger grasp of core physics principles.
Understand connections between motion, objects and electric charges.
Appreciate physical behavior from galaxies to atoms and particles.
Where does Physics of Motion take place?
Physics of Motion belongs to Vanderbilt Summer Academy at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. The university's Nashville setting provides the location context for this academic summer course.
Physics of Motion FAQs
The curriculum covers mechanics, fluids, sound, thermal physics, statistical physics, electricity and magnetism, basic circuits, and optics. It connects these principles to phenomena from galaxies to atoms and particles.
The listed instructor is Dr. Savanna Rae Starko, a STEM instructor at Templeton Academy Nashville. She earned her physics doctorate at Vanderbilt and previously served as a Vanderbilt physics senior lecturer.
The course appears in Vanderbilt Summer Academy's rising ninth- and tenth-grade course list. That corresponds approximately to ages 14–16.
VSA offers a portfolio route as an alternative to applying with test scores. Both routes are considered equally when determining academic fit and placement.
The portfolio includes a transcript, educator recommendations and an essay under 600 words. The essay explains your interest in a summer academic program and your first-choice course.
VSA offers need-based financial aid based on income. Admissions review is need-blind and does not consider financial status.
Alternatives to Physics of Motion
Compare these physics and engineering options to decide whether broad subject exploration, aerospace study or online learning suits you best.
Alternatives to Physics of Motion
An in-person physics summer course in Cambridge
Space & physics
Deadline: Not announced
From £5495
13-17
Cambridge
In-person
Best for
Students comparing physics-focused summer study
Online study of orbital mechanics and aerodynamics
Space & physics
Deadline: Not announced
From $3200
14-17
Online
Online
Best for
Students interested in motion through space and air
An in-person aerospace engineering course
Engineering
Deadline: Not announced
From $2730
15-18
In-person
Best for
Students considering aerospace engineering
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent 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.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Apply to a PTY Program | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- Vanderbilt Summer Academy - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- VSA Frequently Asked Questions - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- PTY Precollege Admitted Students - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- Apply to VSA! - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- VSA Tuition & Financial Assistance - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- Eligibility & Session Dates - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- Vanderbilt Summer Academy Summer 2026 Precollege Courses | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)
Official course listing reviewed
Instructor credentials checked
Grade group verified
Course session dates checked
Application routes reviewed
Financial assistance 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.
Physics of Motion
by Vanderbilt Summer Academy
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