Expedition: Bio

Exchange your swimsuits for lab coats this July and August, and join us for Whitehead Institute’s popular summer science program for middle school students, Expedition: Bio.

Delve into the amazing biology that thrives in the world around us during a two-week, fully immersive experience where curiosity meets real world science. And no question is off-limits!

Through hands-on activities both inside and outside the classroom, interactive laboratory modules, and discussions with scientists, rising 7th and 8th grade middle school students will learn how methods from the fields of ecology, genetics, chemistry, and bioengineering are used to answer some of the most challenging questions in the life sciences today—and have an awful lot of fun doing it! 

Two two-week sessions of the same program will be held in July and August. Each session will cover the same content, so students should only apply for one session.

Doors open for daily registration at 8:45 a.m., with formal activities commencing promptly at 
9:00 a.m. Programming concludes at 3:00 p.m. Monday– Friday, and ending at 1:00 p.m. on the second Friday of both sessions.

Registration is open to middle school students entering grades 7-8 in the fall and requires parental consent.   

Two two-week sessions of the same program are held during July and August. Each session typically covers the same content, so students should only apply for one session.

24 students per session are accepted into the program.

$1000 per student. $500 is due at registration. Tuition assistance is available for students who demonstrate financial need through scholarships sponsored by the Amgen Foundation and Sanofi Genzyme.

Morning snack and lunch, professional science instructors, a professionally designed curriculum, field trip fees, and all lab materials necessary for a fun, educational, and memorable experience.

$500 is due at registration, and the remainder ($500) is due two months out from the start of the program.

Tuition assistance is available for students who demonstrate financial need through a limited number of full-tuition scholarships sponsored by the Amgen Foundation and Sanofi Genzyme.

Because most attendees live in the greater Boston area, Whitehead Institute does not arrange for student housing. Out-of-state students or those wishing to stay nearby during the workshop may find accommodations within walking distance of Whitehead Institute at the Boston Marriott Cambridge and Kendall Hotel.

While we appreciate their interest in the program, space constraints prevent us from allowing parents to take part.

Registration for the workshop is non-refundable and represents a commitment to attend all ten days of the program. If due to an unforeseen emergency, a student should need to cancel, please contact tremblay@wi.mit.edu to notify us of the absence and/or discuss further.

Morning snack and lunch are provided every day. If a student has a food allergy, please alert us ahead of time so that we can help accommodate that student's needs.

Students are supervised 100% of the time by at least one adult. Amy Tremblay, Public Programs Manager at Whitehead Institute will oversee the group each day, while two professional scientists and teachers will lead each of the daily activities. Students are released ONLY to parents or legal guardians at the end of each day’s session.

Students are required to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants or knee-length skirts or shorts. Those who do not adhere to this requirement may be asked to forgo some of the daily activities.