Students can attend one exploration per week and can attend for multiple weeks. A full schedule of weekend activities are available for participants enrolled for multiples weeks (see Weekend Stayovers.) Last summer approximately 900 participants attended our programs from all over the United States, Puerto Rico, Monaco, Spain, Austria, Canada and Columbia.

An exploration is an intensive week-long look into a particular field or area of interest. We offer six different categories of explorations: Business, Computing, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Outdoor and Environmental Studies, and Science and Technology. In your exploration you may learn new software, rappel down a cliff, fly an airplane, cast molten metal, build a robot, produce a film, or backpack on an island...the opportunities are endless!

Explorations are lead by Michigan Tech faculty members, graduate students, and local specialists. Students spend approximately thirty-two hours exploring their areas of interest through hands-on laboratory, classroom, and field experiences.

Youth Programs has exclusive use of one of Michigan Tech’s unique residence halls, Douglass Houghton Hall (DHH), allowing participants and staff to be housed in self-contained, secure areas.

DHH is the center of after-class activities as participants enjoy living, dining and interacting with other participants from all over the country and the world through a variety of recreational activities.

Residence hall counselors live with the participants (approximately one per ten participants), provide evening supervision, and direct the recreational activities. The residence hall features laundry facilities (minimal fee), a recreation room, and a television lounge.