Summer Engineering & Science Academy

SESA, c/o Hamden Hall Country Day School, 1108 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT 06517. 

Experiential learning is at the nucleus of Hamden Hall Country Day School’s Summer Engineering & Science Academy as students perform lab work and collaborate in groups to fully explore and make discoveries in the areas of DNA technology, forensics, coding, rocketry, cryptography, chemistry, and more.

This fully funded, week-long enrichment program takes place annually in July and is open to non-Hamden Hall students who are entering Grades five, six, seven and eight. Candidates should enjoy challenging themselves with hands-on activities in the fields of engineering, science, technology, and mathematics in order to be considered.

“Our 2023 Academy marked more than a decade that we've been offering this successful and rewarding program. A plethora of selected students from all over the state have had an opportunity to immerse themselves in a highly engaging program that caters to intellectually curious students," said Hamden Hall Head of School Bob Izzo.  “One of our missions at Hamden Hall is to provide educational experiences to students outside of our immediate school community in order to share our resources and facilitate stewardship."

Morning and afternoon research sessions are conducted at premier facilities on campus, such as the Schiavone Science Center and the school’s state-of-the-art technology center, all of which thrust students into an environment conducive to inspiration, curiosity and creativity.

Students work with members of Hamden Hall’s prestigious faculty, whose passion for their discipline translates into a dynamic approach to instruction and lifelong learning.   While each year is different, past academies have included stimulating project-based discovery in such areas as bridge building, DC motor building, microbiology, escape rooms, geometry, physics, forensics, coastal studies, medical mysteries, environmental problem-solving, and more.

The Academy begins each day at 9 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. At 11 a.m., students are transported to Hamden Hall’s Skiff Street Athletic Complex for a free swim session at the Beckerman Athletic Center followed by lunch.  Space is limited and is based on an application process.