The Case Western Reserve Pre-College Program gives high school students a flexible way to explore STEM, medicine, and business before college. The program is offered online by Case Western Reserve University, one of the nation’s leading research universities. The program features five courses in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, engineering design, astrophysics and evolutionary biology, and social entrepreneurship. Four of the five are online STEM courses for high school students, which makes this a strong STEM pre-college program for teens who want to test their interests early.

Students ages 13 and up learn through pre-recorded video lessons from Case Western Reserve faculty and staff. In addition, each student works with a mentor who offers guidance and feedback throughout the course. In fact, many of the mentors are current Case Western Reserve students or alumni.

How the Case Western Pre-College Program Works:

Because the Case Western pre-college online program is fully asynchronous, there are no live classes or required log-in times. As a result, students can fit coursework around school, sports, and other commitments. In total, each course takes roughly 20 to 30 hours to complete. Sessions run year-round in 1-, 2-, or 4-week formats, depending on the time of year. Either way, every option covers the same content and assignments. In particular, the longer sessions are offered during the school year, when students have less free time.

Every course ends with a final project that students can later add to a portfolio, resume, or college application. Students who complete at least 70 percent of their assignments and submit a final project earn a Certificate of Completion from Case Western Reserve University. Note that these are non-credit enrichment courses. Participating also does not give students an advantage in Case Western Reserve’s own admissions process.

Applying to the Case Western Reserve Pre-College Program is straightforward. First, students submit basic information and a brief personal statement. No transcripts or recommendation letters are required, and decisions typically arrive within about a week. In terms of cost, tuition is $1,595 per course with no additional fees, and need-based scholarships are available. Students may also enroll in more than one course, so it is easy to sample several online STEM courses for high school students in a single year.

For a closer look at each course, the instructors, and the final projects, see our full guide to Case Western’s online pre-college courses.

For more options in medicine and the life sciences, see our list of the best pre-med summer programs.

Below are the courses currently offered through the Case Western Reserve Pre-College Program:

Case Western Courses Offered:

Neuroscience and Medicine: Inside the Brain and Nervous System

This course introduces the structures of the nervous system and shows how the brain sends messages throughout the body. Students learn how neurotransmitters work and how neural signaling controls movement and behavior. They also study how emotion, learning, and memory take shape in the brain. Later units cover neurological disorders such as epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, along with emerging treatments. For the final project, students create a medical presentation on a hypothetical patient. The presentation describes a neurological disorder and the diagnostic tests used to identify it. The instructors are Ashley Nemes-Baran, Ph.D., an assistant professor of neurosciences at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, and Barbara Kuemerle, Ph.D., a senior instructor in biology.

Biomedical Engineering: An Introduction to Medicine’s Future

This course shows how engineering and design help solve medical problems. Students cover the anatomy and physiology of movement, motion-capture technology, and biocompatibility. For example, they learn how the immune system responds to polymers, metals, and ceramics. Students also explore how sensors, imaging, and artificial intelligence capture data about the body. Finally, they look ahead to neural interfaces and wearable and implantable devices. In the final project, students design a device that would help someone with a below-the-elbow amputation play cards with one hand. To do this, they build a prototype from household materials and pitch it in a final presentation. The course is taught by Matt Williams, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biomedical engineering who researches prosthetics and assistive technology.

Engineering: From 2D Sketch to 3D Model

Designed for students who like to build things, this course covers the basics of engineering design. Students start with 2D sketching and learn the language of design, including shape, scale, and proportion. Next, they turn their sketches into 3D models and test ideas with simple prototypes. Along the way, they also build objects in Tinkercad, a computer-aided design (CAD) program. For the final project, students design a 3D model of their own choosing, such as an architectural model or a desk organizer. Afterward, they can submit the file or print it on a 3D printer. Instructors Ainsley Buckner and Jason Bradshaw both hold leadership roles at Sears think[box], Case Western Reserve’s makerspace.

Astrophysics and Evolutionary Biology: The Origins of Life

This course traces the story of the universe from the Big Bang to the emergence of life on Earth. First, students study stars, planets, and black holes and take a tour of the solar system. In addition, they consider how scientists search for life on distant planets. From there, the course turns to evolution, covering the rise and extinction of dinosaurs and the origins of humans. Finally, students design a board game or poster inspired by the course topics as their final project. The course is taught by Dr. Glenn Starkman, a Distinguished University Professor of physics, and Dr. Patricia Princehouse, director of the Program in Evolutionary Biology.

Social Entrepreneurship: The Business of Helping Others

This course shows students how entrepreneurs build ventures that tackle social problems. First, students learn how social entrepreneurship differs from philanthropy and nonprofit work. Then they practice writing a value proposition, identifying customers, and finding problems worth solving. Throughout, the UN Sustainable Development Goals serve as a starting point. Next, students develop their own solution to a problem in their community and consider what skills a social venture team needs. For the final project, students create a value proposition for their own social enterprise and present it through video, text, or slides. The instructors are Michael Goldberg, an associate professor at the Weatherhead School of Management, and Megan Buchter, director of the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit.