Through the Microscope
- Grades 3-4
- CTY-Level
-
Day
- Science and Engineering
Today’s 3D microscopes that can capture the nerve connections in a brain are a far cry from the magnifying lenses ground by hand in the 13th century. Yet both share a place in scientists’ fascination with the microscopic world. In this course, you’ll examine and compare living unicellular and multi-cellular organisms such as algae, elodea, rotifers, and paramecia, and learn to differentiate between bacterial, animal, and plant cells. You and your classmates will get comfortable doing laboratory tasks like staining, preparing wet mounts, extracting DNA, inoculation, building models, and writing lab reports while examining atoms and larger molecules, and exploring the various ways microscopes are used in fields like pathology, microbiology, and forensic science. You’ll learn to think and do research like a real scientist and gain an introduction to high school biology along the way.
Typical Class Size: 12
This course is
ungraded.
Summer Dates & Locations
After May 2, 2025, registration is available upon request pending eligibility and seat availability. To request placement, email [email protected] after submitting a program application.
Session One
Session Two
Testing and Prerequisites
| Math | Verbal | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Level | CTY-Level | Not required |
Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.
Sign up for Testing Learn MoreCost and Financial Aid
Tuition
- Varies
Application fee
- Nonrefundable Application Fee - $55 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
- Nonrefundable International Fee - $250 (outside US only)
We have concluded our financial aid application review process for 2025 On-Campus Programs. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible. We are committed to serving all talented youth regardless of financial circumstances. Financial assistance is available based on need.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Course Extras (Lab fee, etc)
Lab fee: $180
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course, and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
- The Usborne Complete Book of the Microscope, by Kirsteen Rogers
About Science and Engineering at CTY
Explore space and our planet
In our Introduction to Astronomy course, we’ll visit a nearby observatory or planetarium, see what the cosmos looks like through various spectra, and immerse ourselves in the science and technology that bring the universe closer to home. In Marine Ecology, we’ll visit local wetlands and tidepools, observe flora and fauna, collect water samples and analyze them for clues about their health and humans’ impact. And in The Global Environment, we will explore the human impact on our environment and generate proposals for addressing climate change.
Bond over chemistry
Our chemistry courses help you see the world differently, starting at the atomic level. The Edible World gives budding chefs and science lovers a glimpse into the chemical reactions that happen when we make food, and the chemical makeup of meals and treats we eat every day. In our Crystals and Polymers course, we’ll synthesize slime, grow rock candy, and isolate strawberry DNA to learn about the molecular structure of naturally occurring gems and human-produced plastics. In Chemistry in Society, we'll consider how the chemicals in products can both enhance and degrade the world around us; produce biodiesel in a lab to understand alternative fuels; and prepare aspirin to learn about the healing and toxic properties of pharmaceuticals.
Meet our instructors and staff
I love that students are not here for the grade; they're here to learn. At the end of the course, I get to write about each students' progress and capture the essence of each student's performance, which I love.
Jethro Antoine
Biology Instructor
CTY is one of the highlights of my year. Even though it’s the summer, the immersive learning in a subject where these students truly excel and shine is invigorating for me as a teacher.
Lauren LaPorta
Writing Instructor
My favorite thing about teaching at CTY is watching the students' curiosity and excitement lead their learning. It's exciting as an instructor to witness their confidence increase and watch as their 'aha' moments manifest into increased knowledge and mastery of the content.
Laya Theberge
Robotics Instructor