Program Overview

Discover what’s possible when you follow your curiosity.

The Ascent Summer Institute invites you into transformative, on-campus academic experiences at Lawrence University. Through focused programs, mentorship from accomplished faculty, and a vibrant community of peers, you’ll explore what excites you, build confidence through action, and discover new dimensions of yourself.

Who is Ascent for?

  • Rising Freshman
  • Rising Sophomores
  • Rising Juniors
  • Rising Seniors

What you’ll experience

During Ascent, you will:

  • Experience life on a college campus, learn in Lawrence classrooms, studios, and labs.
  • Work closely with Lawrence faculty and expert partners to receive mentorship and feedback on real-world projects.
  • Build college-ready skills like collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
  • Connect with a community of peers who are also curious, motivated, and ready to try new things.
  • Leave with tangible work and stories you can share in future applications, interviews, and portfolios.

Where you’ll learn

Ascent takes place on Lawrence University’s downtown Appleton, Wisconsin campus, with residential students living and learning steps away from the Fox River and a vibrant downtown.

For Aviation, your classroom extends beyond campus to locations such as Appleton International Airport, Fox Valley Technical College, Fox Valley Lutheran High School, and EAA facilities—so you can see aviation in action while you learn.

seafoam logo with compass needle that says "ascent summer institute" in green

Programs

The Art of Video Games

Unleash creativity through game design—exploring visual art, storytelling, world-building, and code. 

Dates: July 6 – 10, 2026
Age Group: 14 - 18-year-olds
Cost: $1,650
Professor: Acacia Ackles, Assistant Professor of Computer Science (view profile), and Angela Vanden Elzen, Associate Professor and Reference & Learning Technologies Librarian (view profile)

Understanding & Using GIS Mapping

Discover how maps shape the modern world—from city planning and disaster response to geocaching and global navigation—through hands-on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) exploration. 

Dates: July 6 – 10, 2026
Age Group: 14 - 18-year-olds
Cost: $1,650
Professor: Arnold Schober, Professor of Government (view profile)

Creative Collaboration for Theater

Experience intensive theatre collaboration through physical warmups, stagecraft, character development, choreography, and performance—culminating in a cabaret-style showcase. 

Dates: July 6 – 10, 2026
Age Group: 14 - 18-year-olds
Cost: $1,650
 

Aviation

Explore the science and excitement of flight through hands-on projects, behind-the-scenes tours, and real-world challenges led by pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals. 

Dates: July 13 - 17, 2026
Age Group: 14 - 18-year-olds
Cost: $500
Hosts: Appleton International Airport, EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), Gulfstream Aerospace, and Fox Valley Lutheran High School.


 

Summer 2026 Ascent Programming

Art of Video Games
Unleash the thrill of video game design through art, storytelling, concepts, and code!

Creative Collaboration for Theatre
Experience intensive theatre collaboration through daily physical warmups, design, stagecraft, character work, and choreography culminating in a cabaret-style performance.

Understanding & Using GIS Mapping
Discover how Google finds your nearest coffee shop, geocaching powers the worlds largest treasure hunt, Amazon locates lost pets, and cities plan fire stations, schools, and political districts through a hands-on introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the social political power of maps.

Aviation
Explore the skies and beyond! Dive into aviation and aerospace through hands-on projects, behind-the-scenes tours, and exciting challenges led by industry experts, engineers, and expert pilots.