University of Utah High School Computing Institute
The High School Computing Institute (HSCI) is a program of study designed to interest and challenge outstanding Utah high school sophomores and juniors wishing to explore areas of interest in computer science.
Every summer since 1990 the School of Computing in the College of Engineering at the University of Utah has hosted the HSCI. The institute is designed to give selected high school students the opportunity to expand their horizons and to give them a "behind the scenes" look at some tools that are on the leading edge of computer technology.
Founded on the premise that the joy and excitement of participating in research should be accessible to high school students, the Institute's five week program is focused on topics related to computer graphics, geometric modeling, scientific visualization, expert systems, and rule-based programming.
HSCI staff work with the students on a one-to-one basis, to insure that each student reaches an understanding of basic principles. At the same time we work with the students to develop two individual and group research projects. In the latter mode, which is typically new and unique to the students, we have found that they pick up ideas, work prodigiously, attain remarkable results, and seem ``hooked'' by the end of the formal program. The students work in a state-of-the-art computer laboratory and interact daily with active, successful researchers in the field. By working side-by-side with a significant number of similarly talented peers, the participants gain self confidence, learn that they are not alone in their interests, and that it is socially, as well as academically, appropriate to show their interests in technical pursuits.
The first two weeks of the Institute emphasize instruction in computer graphics, scientific visualization, geometric modeling, and computer-aided manufacturing. The next two weeks of instruction is centered on expert systems and rule-based programming. The final week includes a number of guests who discuss general topics in science and engineering.
The program is open to all qualified students from the State of Utah. Applications from rural, minority, and female students are encouraged. This is NOT a residential program; participants are responsible for their own housing arrangements. The only cost for participants is a $30 registration fee, due upon notification of acceptance into the program.
NOTICE: There will be no High School Computing Institute during the summer of 2003. We hope to find a new funding source and restart the program next summer. A letter will be sent to high school math, science, and computer programming teachers in early 2004 with current information about the HSCI.
 Lab used for HSCI |
The Institute comprises five weeks of classes with hands-on laboratory practice. Instructors are prominent experts in the fields of computer graphics and expert systems. Students use computer-aided design software with high-performance engineering workstations to practice and use a lot of the tools they learn about in the classes. This hands-on experience includes high performance software to produce 3D geometric models, and expert systems that allow the students to create rovers which use artificial intelligence to explore unknown terrains on unknown surfaces of planets.
Students visit science and engineering research laboratories on campus, as well as local computer companies. In addition, guest lectures describe their particular research, such as medical imaging, virtual reality, and scientific visualation. Students will see and experience many real-life applications to the things they learn from the Institute.
Click on a year to see some geometric models which were designed by students in the 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, and 2000 Institutes. Check out the 2001 web page to see models generated by students last summer.
One other activity included in the Institute is a morphing workshop. The morph animation above is the result of one of these workshop. Click on the "cool dude" to see a morph in action!
Click here to see a list of students who have been a participant in the Summer Computing Institute.
The
1990 Summer Computing Institute. The
1991 Summer Computing Institute. The
1992 Summer Computing Institute. The
1993 Summer Computing Institute. The
1994 Summer Computing Institute. The
1995 Summer Computing Institute. The
1996 High School Computing Institute. The
1997 High School Computing Institute. The
1998 High School Computing Institute. The
1999 High School Computing Institute. The
2000 High School Computing Institute. The
2001 High School Computing Institute. The
2002 High School Computing Institute.
Elaine Cohen
Dave HanscomHSCI Main Faculty
David Johnson
Sam Drake
Eric Eide
Bob Kessler
Rich Riesenfeld
Joe Zachary
Sandy Hiskey
The
National Science Foundation The
NSF/STC
Center for Computer Graphics and Scientific Visualation The University of Utah's local
NSF/STC Center The
Alpha 1 Project
Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation
Novell
The First Security Foundation
Unisys Computer Corporation
For further information contact:
School of Computing
Attn: Dave Hanscom, HSCI Director
50 S. Central Campus Drive, Room 3190
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9205
Phone: (801) 581-8224
Fax: (801) 581-5843
E-mail: hsci@cs.utah.edu
