For students currently in grades 9–12
Pre-College
Barcelona
Tokyo
Tuscany
You may also like
French
France
Mandarin
China
Spanish
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Spain
Climate & Conservation
Baja & the Gulf of California
Belize
Canadian Arctic
Chile
Iceland
Namibia
You may also like
Columbia Climate School Collaboration
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit
Australia & Fiji
Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Croatia & Slovenia
Iceland
Italy & Greece
Japan
Kilimanjaro
Norway
Patagonia: Skiing
Switzerland, France, & Holland
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i
Morocco
Nepal
Peru
Puerto Rico
Tanzania
Thailand
Vietnam

2-weeks & under

Campus-Based

Climate & Sustainability

Eligible for rising 9th graders

Intensives & Workshops

New for 2025!

North America Based

Putney Classics

Science & Nature

Patagonia: Skiing
Switzerland, France, & Holland
Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
For students currently in grades 6–8
Eligible for 8th grade*
Columbia Climate School Collaboration
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit
*These programs are typically for students in grades 9–12, however motivated rising 9th graders will be considered
Grades 7&8
France & Holland
Iceland
Ireland
Italy & Greece
Grades 7&8
France
Spain
Grades 6–8
Costa Rica
Grades 7&8
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i
Special programs & collaborations
Custom Programs

Looking to create a custom program or collaboration?

smithsonianstudenttravel-icon

Travel programs with the Smithsonian Institution for grades 8–12

Challenge yourself academically at the world's most prestigious universities

Non-profit organization offering student travel scholarships

High school youth summit focused on public health, climate change, and equity

columbia-climate-school-icon

Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12

MIT Campus

Engineering & Robotics Workshop

$ + airfare

MIT Campus

Engineering & Robotics Workshop

$ + airfare

This summer, join top experts and researchers on the campus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to examine the many intersections of technology and exploration, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics. Attend seminars on a range of topics—from remote exploration of space and sea to engineering microscopic robots—and participate in related experiments. Weave your experiences together by creating a capstone project proposal that uses cutting-edge science to help address an important issue in your own community.

Note: Specific activities and workshops depend on the current work of labs and researchers. This description is representative of last year’s experiences and will be updated closer to the summer. Please call with any questions!

• Meet with researchers at MIT who are using technology to rebuild coastlines
• Harness 3D printers to reimagine the future of technology and print your own design
• Collect and analyze big data to assess and problem solve a real-world issue
• Learn about innovative work being done by scientists and storytellers at MIT
Featured

Expert

An Expert joins each Career program for a portion of the itinerary, lending their insights and perspectives to the experience.
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Itinerary

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Departure — Travel Day

Meet your fellow high school student travelers in Boston, Massachusetts, either at the MIT campus or Boston Logan International Airport. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Cambridge, Massaschusetts — 8 days

Arrive at the MIT campus, join your group for an orientation and campus tour, and get acclimated to university life in Cambridge. Each day features a hands-on workshop or field study followed by a discussion-based seminar or group meeting to further examine and apply what you’ve learned. Program leaders guide the group through each activity and facilitate workshops and discussions with program experts. State-of-the-art research labs and applied technology centers in the local area serve as your classrooms as you explore scientific solutions to some of the most critical and compelling issues facing the modern world.

Visit the Self-Assembly lab at MIT and learn about how researchers are using wave energy and underwater structures to promote sand accumulation as part of a project to rebuild coastlines and "build" islands. Work with tanks designed to mimic the ocean experience, manipulating water and sand to see a small scale of this action. Next, visit the newly revamped Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel and learn about researchers' thoughts on how to build better and more efficient planes. In the late afternoon head out to explore some of Boston's "green roofs" and learn about these and other innovative and accessible urban farming solutions.

Join National Geographic Explorer Skylar Tibbits at his lab, where he’ll provide an overview of how 3D printing is being used to improve our lives—from creating more comfortable human prosthetics to building flexible structures that adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Take breaks from seminars to explore the vibrant cities of Cambridge and Boston. Peruse the shelves at bookstores in Harvard Square, kayak along the Charles River, meet culinary entrepreneurs at the Boston Public Market, or visit one of the area’s world-famous museums. Wander the cobbled streets winding through some of our country’s oldest neighborhoods, and delve into Revolutionary War history during a walk along the Freedom Trail. Each evening, gather on campus for a group activity, such as a presentation by one of our program experts, a panel discussion with current MIT students and researchers, a film screening, or a concert.

Engage in a friendly multi-day hack-a-thon competition directed by your expert, a specialist in finding applications for new technologies in the service of environmental conservation and protection. Finish the competition with your own AI-powered prototype and design in hand. Design and hone a final project that focuses on an issue important to you and your home community.

Return — Travel Day

Depart from the MIT campus or Boston Logan International Airport. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Itinerary

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Departure — Travel Day

Meet your fellow high school student travelers in Boston, Massachusetts, either at the MIT campus or Boston Logan International Airport. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Cambridge, Massaschusetts — 8 days

Arrive at the MIT campus, join your group for an orientation and campus tour, and get acclimated to university life in Cambridge. Each day features a hands-on workshop or field study followed by a discussion-based seminar or group meeting to further examine and apply what you’ve learned. Program leaders guide the group through each activity and facilitate workshops and discussions with program experts. State-of-the-art research labs and applied technology centers in the local area serve as your classrooms as you explore scientific solutions to some of the most critical and compelling issues facing the modern world.

Visit the Self-Assembly lab at MIT and learn about how researchers are using wave energy and underwater structures to promote sand accumulation as part of a project to rebuild coastlines and "build" islands. Work with tanks designed to mimic the ocean experience, manipulating water and sand to see a small scale of this action. Next, visit the newly revamped Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel and learn about researchers' thoughts on how to build better and more efficient planes. In the late afternoon head out to explore some of Boston's "green roofs" and learn about these and other innovative and accessible urban farming solutions.

Join National Geographic Explorer Skylar Tibbits at his lab, where he’ll provide an overview of how 3D printing is being used to improve our lives—from creating more comfortable human prosthetics to building flexible structures that adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Take breaks from seminars to explore the vibrant cities of Cambridge and Boston. Peruse the shelves at bookstores in Harvard Square, kayak along the Charles River, meet culinary entrepreneurs at the Boston Public Market, or visit one of the area’s world-famous museums. Wander the cobbled streets winding through some of our country’s oldest neighborhoods, and delve into Revolutionary War history during a walk along the Freedom Trail. Each evening, gather on campus for a group activity, such as a presentation by one of our program experts, a panel discussion with current MIT students and researchers, a film screening, or a concert.

Engage in a friendly multi-day hack-a-thon competition directed by your expert, a specialist in finding applications for new technologies in the service of environmental conservation and protection. Finish the competition with your own AI-powered prototype and design in hand. Design and hone a final project that focuses on an issue important to you and your home community.

Return — Travel Day

Depart from the MIT campus or Boston Logan International Airport. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Featured

Leaders

Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program. 

CropNGUWMITA & NGUWMITB Tok Oyewole2
Dr. Michelle Oyewole
View Bio
CropNGUWMITA & NGUWMITB Lauren Albin2
Lauren Albin
View Bio
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Featured

Leaders

Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program. 

CropNGUWMITA & NGUWMITB Tok Oyewole2
Dr. Michelle Oyewole
View Bio
CropNGUWMITA & NGUWMITB Lauren Albin2
Lauren Albin
View Bio
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About the Destination

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is in the heart of Cambridge, a vibrant university town that has an array of restaurants, shops, and cultural events. Located just across the Charles River from Boston, the campus offers easy access to world-class museums and some of the country’s most important historic sites. From our base at the MIT dorms, the group utilizes space at the university student center to work on collaborative projects, and visits nearby research centers, Harvard University, and labs used by MIT researchers.

Language

English is the official language of the U.S.

Climate

Summer in Boston is typically warm and clear, with daytime temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s°F/22-39°C.

Cuisine

Boston's food scene is a mix of traditional New England fare and diverse international cuisines, reflecting the city's rich cultural heritage. From iconic seafood dishes like clam chowder and lobster rolls to trendy fusion restaurants, Boston offers a culinary adventure for every palate.

About the Destination

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is in the heart of Cambridge, a vibrant university town that has an array of restaurants, shops, and cultural events. Located just across the Charles River from Boston, the campus offers easy access to world-class museums and some of the country’s most important historic sites. From our base at the MIT dorms, the group utilizes space at the university student center to work on collaborative projects, and visits nearby research centers, Harvard University, and labs used by MIT researchers.

Language

English is the official language of the U.S.

Climate

Summer in Boston is typically warm and clear, with daytime temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s°F/22-39°C.

Cuisine

Boston's food scene is a mix of traditional New England fare and diverse international cuisines, reflecting the city's rich cultural heritage. From iconic seafood dishes like clam chowder and lobster rolls to trendy fusion restaurants, Boston offers a culinary adventure for every palate.

What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

Program Themes

Engineering the Future
Get a firsthand look at new technologies that are being used to address challenges facing the modern world. Experiment in robotics and engineering activities, and understand the future applications of the latest innovations. Then, develop a proposal for a project that you would implement in your home community, and pitch your idea to your peers, your program expert, and trip leaders.

Technology for Remote Exploration
Investigate how advances in technology are enabling scientists to probe areas previously considered “too remote” to access.

Innovations in Robotics & Artificial Intelligence
Hear how engineers are developing a new class of robots and discuss the ethical questions surrounding the future of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Independent Project

Weave your experiences together to design and hone a final project that uses technology to address an important issues in your home community.

Physical Activity

This is an active summer travel program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you are interested in trying all activities.

Accommodations

We stay in a dormitory on campus with single or double rooms and shared bathrooms. We will host seminars and expert talks in classrooms, labs, or conference rooms primarily at the university.

Meals

We eat breakfast and dinner at our accommodation. Lunches are a combination of the campus dining hall and out on the town.

What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

Program Themes

Engineering the Future
Get a firsthand look at new technologies that are being used to address challenges facing the modern world. Experiment in robotics and engineering activities, and understand the future applications of the latest innovations. Then, develop a proposal for a project that you would implement in your home community, and pitch your idea to your peers, your program expert, and trip leaders.

Technology for Remote Exploration
Investigate how advances in technology are enabling scientists to probe areas previously considered “too remote” to access.

Innovations in Robotics & Artificial Intelligence
Hear how engineers are developing a new class of robots and discuss the ethical questions surrounding the future of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Independent Project

Weave your experiences together to design and hone a final project that uses technology to address an important issues in your home community.

Physical Activity

This is an active summer travel program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you are interested in trying all activities.

Accommodations

We stay in a dormitory on campus with single or double rooms and shared bathrooms. We will host seminars and expert talks in classrooms, labs, or conference rooms primarily at the university.

Meals

We eat breakfast and dinner at our accommodation. Lunches are a combination of the campus dining hall and out on the town.

A Day in the Life: MIT Campus​

Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day on the MIT campus.
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast together with your group at our accommodations
9:00am
Participate in a seminar focused on technological innovations for mitigating climate change
11:00am
Meet in small groups to discuss and debate what you just learned
12:00pm
Break for lunch and downtime before heading to the lab with your group
2:00pm
Visit the Self-Assembly lab with Expert Skylar Tibbits and learn about his current work looking at ways to rebuild coastlines and “build” islands
4:00pm
Participate in small group workshops, getting hands-on with what you have just learned
6:00pm
Head out for a stroll on the streets of Harvard Square or play frisbee on the quad
7:00pm
Eat dinner together as a group back at or near our accommodations
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and learn about the next day’s activities
9:00pm
Regroup with your discussion group and leader to workshop your final projects

A Day in the Life:
MIT Campus​

Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day on the MIT campus.
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast together with your group at our accommodations
9:00am
Participate in a seminar focused on technological innovations for mitigating climate change
11:00am
Meet in small groups to discuss and debate what you just learned
12:00pm
Break for lunch and downtime before heading to the lab with your group
2:00pm
Visit the Self-Assembly lab with Expert Skylar Tibbits and learn about his current work looking at ways to rebuild coastlines and “build” islands
4:00pm
Participate in small group workshops, getting hands-on with what you have just learned
6:00pm
Head out for a stroll on the streets of Harvard Square or play frisbee on the quad
7:00pm
Eat dinner together as a group back at or near our accommodations
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and learn about the next day’s activities
9:00pm
Regroup with your discussion group and leader to workshop your final projects
john-ralston

This Program is Directed by

John Ralston

If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!

john-ralston

This Program is Directed by

John Ralston

If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!

Enroll in two programs & save $1,000!

$800 tuition discount + no application fee

Pre-College
Barcelona
Tokyo
Tuscany
Intensives
Oxford Academia
You may also like
Climate & Conservation
Baja & the Gulf of California
Belize
Canadian Arctic
Chile
Iceland
Namibia
Culture & Art
Science & Business
Exploration
Australia & Fiji
Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Croatia & Slovenia
Iceland
Italy & Greece
Japan
Kilimanjaro
Norway
Patagonia: Skiing
Switzerland, France, & Holland
Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
French
France
Mandarin
China
Spanish
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Spain
You may also like
Service
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i
Hawai'i
Morocco
Nepal
Peru
Puerto Rico
Tanzania
Thailand
Vietnam
Eligible for 8th grade*​
Columbia Climate School Collaboration
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit
*These programs are typically for students in grades 9–12, however motivated rising 9th graders will be considered
Grades 7&8​
Ireland
Iceland
France & Holland
Italy & Greece
Grades 7&8​
France
Spain
Grades 6–8
Costa Rica
Grades 7&8​
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i
MIT Campus
Engineering & Robotics Workshop

2024 Dates

Duration
10 days

Tuition
$ + airfare

Eligibility
Currently* in grades 9–12
*Your grade as of the day you apply

Typical Group
30–50 students, 4–6 leaders

Group Flight
Meets in Boston


 

Additional Info

Questions? Visit our FAQ or call us at (802) 387-5000

 

2024 Dates

Duration
10 days

Tuition
$ + airfare


 

Eligibility
Currently* in grades 9–12
*Your grade as of the day you apply

Typical Group
30–50 students, 4–6 leaders

Group Flight
Meets in Boston

 

Questions? Visit our FAQ or call us at (802) 387-5000

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Putney has been the leader in student travel and educational summers for more than 70 years. As a family-run organization, our decades of experience, our dedication to quality programs, and the personal service you receive are unmatched.

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