Session 1 Courses

Foundations of Cattle Reproduction for Future Animal Scientists!

This course gives students an interactive introduction to cattle reproduction, combining real-world livestock practices with the science behind how it all works. You’ll learn about reproductive systems, hormones, and modern technologies while building practical skills you could actually use out in the farm!

From the Bubonic Plague to COVID-19: The Biology of Important Human Pathogens

This course we will discuss how the Bubonic Plague afflicted early settlers, the scientific advancements that lead to HIV preventatives and pathogen-based therapeutics such as gene therapies and microbiome transplants. We will dive into bacteria and virus biology using these intriguing examples, and a few others, as the topic for creative activities and group discussions that facilitate critical thinking.

A Glance in the Past: How History Shaped Our World

This unit examines the causes, major events, and global impact of World War II, including how the Treaty of Versailles and leaders such as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini contributed to the war’s outbreak. Students will study key turning points, including the Invasion of Poland, the Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbor, D-Day, and the Battle of Stalingrad, as the conflict expanded worldwide. The unit concludes with the war’s lasting effects, including the Holocaust, the creation of the United Nations, and the start of the Cold War.

Applied Machine Learning

This course offers a hands-on, structured approach to understanding and applying Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence. Designed specifically for high school students, the course strikes a balance between practical application and theoretical foundations. Participants will explore everything from traditional algorithms to modern deep learning architectures. Through interactive exercises using industry-standard libraries like Scikit-Learn and PyTorch, students will build, train, and evaluate their own predictive models.

Basic Computing: Algorithmic Thinking and Problem Solving for Programmers

This bootcamp offers a hands-on, structured approach to developing strong problem-solving
skills using Python. Designed for high school students, the course focuses on building
algorithmic thinking through guided practice, pattern recognition, and timed challenges.

Introductory Quantum Biology: Life at the Confluence of Biology and Physics

This course is designed to introduce high school students to the field of Quantum Biology, in order to give them new concepts and perspectives within science as they prepare for college. Quantum Biology is an emerging field with the core objective of studying phenomena (phenomena below an atomic scale) in biological systems. This is an introductory course designed only for high school students, with the purpose of providing them with an introduction and context to this field of biology and to develop their curiosity towards deeper questions in biology.

Cosmic Frontiers: From Starlight to Supercivilizations

Cosmic Frontiers takes high school students on a journey through the universe from stars and black holes to advanced civilizations and megastructures with no prior astronomy knowledge required. Through NASA simulations, team debates, and hands-on design projects, students explore both the science of the cosmos and the big-picture questions about humanity's future in it.

Session 2 Courses

Imagining Space: Architectural Storytelling through Modeling

Introducing architectural thinking through imagination, digital modeling, and visual storytelling, this course invites students to turn ideas into simple 3D models and meaningful design stories. With a focus on creativity and exploration, it is engaging and accessible for students with no prior experience.

The cost of the equipment and materials used in the course are ~$20

An Economist's Guide to Not Being Fooled

This course teaches students to think rigorously about cause and effect, building from the deceptively simple question “What is a causal effect?” to the tools researchers use across medicine, technology, public policy, and economics. Students will learn to identify selection bias, understand how randomized experiments establish causation, and evaluate when observational evidence can and cannot support causal claims.

Turns Out, It's the People: Research Methods for Human-Centered Computing!

This course introduces foundational research methods in human-centered computing, focusing on how technology is designed around human needs, behaviors, and experiences. Students will learn to plan, conduct, and evaluate research with human participants using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, students will build practical skills in study design, data collection, analysis, and ethical research practices.

AI Is Everywhere, Good Design Isn't: Building Meaningful Chatbots

This no-code, no-dev course focuses on user experience design (UXD) principles to critically evaluate and design AI chatbots. Students will learn critical human-centered design skills and gain experience with research & industry level tools and processes.

Interactive Art & Design: Circuits, Coding, and Creative Systems

This course introduces students to interactive art and design using Arduino, basic electronics, and beginner-friendly coding. Through hands-on projects, students will explore how sensors, circuits, and responsive systems can create interactive experiences.

The cost of the equipment and materials used in the course are approximately $50.

From Student to Scholar: Leadership, Communication, and College Success Skills in the Age of AI

This course is a hands-on, interactive experience designed to help high school students build the skills needed to succeed in college and beyond in an AI-driven world. Students will develop their leadership identity, strengthen communication skills, and learn how to navigate opportunities such as scholarships and academic involvement.

The cost of the materials used in the course is $10.

Orange Science 101: Florida's Famous Crop Under Threat

Orange Science 101 is a short, fully online course that uses Florida citrus to teach basic plant science, scientific thinking, and data interpretation. it includes fun activities like Kahoot games, discussions, and a final mini-project while exploring real challenges like citrus greening disease

How to Train Your AI: ML & AI Fundamentals

Step into the world of AI and machine learning with a hands-on, beginner-friendly course that turns data into real insights and smart decisions. Build your own models, explore tools like ChatGPT, and work on exciting mini projects that mirror real-world applications. Along the way, you’ll also learn how to use AI responsibly and confidently in today’s tech-driven world.

About Applying & Cost

Applicants must create an account in our online application portal in order to apply for any student programs offered by UF CPET. The online application portal is www.ufcpet.smapply.us.  All components are submitted using the online application process unless noted.  After all the below components of the application are completed, student must log into their account and SUBMIT their application. 

Students from all overt the world may sign up for Precollege Scholars.  

Students may sign up for as many courses as they would like to. Please remember to look at the time and dates of the class as students should not sign up for multiple classes if the times conflict with other classes or activities

There is a maximum of 20 spaces, and you can view the availability of spaces on the payment window. (You will access this in our application portal SM Apply)

Each class is 300 dollars (With fees included).