What is Summer at Aggie Square?
A New Way for High School Students to Explore, Create and Innovate
Quick Summary
- Hands-on summer program for teens at Aggie Square are one-week with multiple sessions available.
- Students build real-world skills through interactive, project-based learning led by UC Davis and industry experts.
- Commuter-style programs with no applications or dorms—easy to fit into busy summer schedules.
Many summer programs for high school students—like our Pre-College On-Campus Programs—focus on experiencing college life firsthand. But not every student is ready for (or interested in) that path.
Summer at Aggie Square is different. It offers a short, accessible, hands-on alternative designed to keep high school students engaged in learning that inspires growth, sparks curiosity and builds confidence.
What is Summer at Aggie Square?
Is Summer at Aggie Square Right for Your Student?
- Curious about innovation, creativity or problem-solving
- Interested in exploring careers—not just college majors
- Wants hands-on learning in a collaborative environment
- Looking for a weekday summer program with a lower-cost
Download a flier to learn more about our Summer at Aggie Square offerings.
Summer at Aggie Square offers several one-week, in-person programs for students ages 14-16 to explore interests and discover possible career paths. These UC Davis summer programs for high school students feature experiential learning in innovation, creativity and real-world problem solving—without the pressure of a traditional college prep experience.
Each program focuses on interactive, hands-on projects in exciting fields such as digital media, business and robotics. Program instructors guide students to push the limits of their creativity and build practical skills in a fun and supportive environment.
Summer at Aggie Square offers teens a new way to think about the future that’s both accessible and affordable. Conveniently located in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood near the UC Davis Medical Center, these programs are easy to access and cost $500-$600 per session, with an early enroll discount available.
Unlike some traditional pre-college programs, students are not required to live in dorms, sign up for a meal plan or complete an application. These week-long options can easily fit into other summer plans—and there’s no stress about whether you’ll be accepted.
What Makes Aggie Square Different?
Aggie Square is a new innovation hub located on UC Davis’ Sacramento campus. It’s where academia, community and industry come together to spark collaboration and innovation.
For curious and creative teens, Aggie Square serves as a unique backdrop to learn, play and co-create. It’s where ideas become action.
Students will thrive at this technology-focused campus, featuring modern, high-tech classrooms, state-of-the-art research facilities and world-class amenities. Located in an active innovation district, Aggie Square gives students the opportunity to learn in a professional, real-world setting beyond a traditional college campus.
Looking for a college prep experience instead?
If your student wants to test drive college life—living on campus, attending classes and experiencing UC Davis firsthand—explore what makes UC Davis an ideal place for this.
What Will Students Learn—and Where Could It Lead?
Through hands-on projects and real-world challenges, Summer at Aggie Square helps students build practical skills while exploring how their interests could translate into future educational and career pathways.
From building a personal brand and identifying business opportunities to coding programmable sensors, these immersive experiences allow students to explore new interests—or dive deeper into existing ones—while tackling real-world problems.
Questions about Summer at Aggie Square?
Contact an enrollment coach for help. Get answers to your questions, learn more about the offerings—and find out if these one-week programs are right for your high school student.
Designed for curious and creative thinkers, innovators and problem-solvers, future engineers who love to build, media-savvy teens and aspiring entrepreneurs, these one-week summer programs introduce students to innovation-driven roles and technical or applied careers. Using project-based learning, students work in teams with other motivated teens to apply their ideas to real-world scenarios, building tangible skills and gaining insight into what’s possible after high school.
Summer at Aggie Square programs are led by industry professionals and UC Davis experts who work in innovation-driven fields. They serve as mentors, providing insight into real careers, exposure to professional environments and inspiration beyond the classroom.
Explore Summer at Aggie Square
Jump into real-world topics through hands-on activities and interactive projects with UC Davis’ Summer at Aggie Square programs for high school students. Choose from multiple weeklong programs in STEM, leadership and more—no application required. Spots fill quickly, so start exploring your options today.