High school students can get a feel for college, earn credit at Cornell’s summer institute

MOUNT VERNON — High school students can immerse themselves in a class and earn college credit this summer at Cornell College’s One Course Summer Institute.

Seven compelling courses will be offered by Cornell professors from July 7 to 24. Some course options are “17 Days Later: Zombies, Brains and Basic Neuroscience,” “Chemistry and the Kitchen,” “Explorations in Engineering,” drawing, and a writer’s workshop.

Rising juniors or seniors by June 2024, or 2024 high school graduates are eligible for the program. Online registration is open through June 17 at cornellcollege.edu/ocsi.

“We’re excited to see what the next class of (One Course Summer Institute) scholars will do in these fascinating courses,” said Frannie Malone, organizer of the summer institute and lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology. “We worked with our Cornell professors to plan several different courses, so students could take what interests them. These classes will no doubt challenge and inspire.”

Students will:

Steven Nesse, Cornell associate professor of psychology, teaches courses in neuroscience during the academic year. His summer institute course “17 Days Later: Zombies, Brains and Basic Neuroscience” focuses on using Hollywood-depicted zombies to understand the living brain.

“Students learn all about how to organize notes for college-level work, how to integrate readings and data from class activities to develop critical thinking skills, and learn how to balance work and fun on a college campus,” Neese said in a news release. “Overall, students will learn that with a little bit of adjustment college success can be theirs.”

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