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What is IDEAcademy?

At IDEAcademy, we take an experiential approach to education by immersing students in programmatic topics commonly found in college courses to provide a foundation for innovative thinking. By fostering their natural curiosity to analyze and solve problems that improve the human experience, our approach aims to develop leadership skills, creative confidence, and professional collaboration among students.

Whether it's college, trade school, or an early career, IDEA provides students with a "hiker's toolbox" of educational and practical skills to help them prepare for the next big mountain in their lives. The program consists of a multi-session, class block schedule in which students engage in human-centered design projects spanning several focus areas. All of our program managers are industry professionals and recent students with prior leadership experience. This allows students to access teachers unlike their current public schools and brings the world of private & public sector businesses to students in the comfort of their school system.

When:

July 7th - July 25th, 2025

Monday - Friday

9am - 2pm

Where:

Center for Computing & Data Science, Boston University

Charles River Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

Scholarships

How It Works:

Apply for IDEA2025: Students should submit their applications via the button at the top right of our website to be considered by our admissions team. An email confirmation will be sent to you if your submission was successful.

Monitor Your Inbox: If a student's application is approved, they will receive an email in 1-2 days with their tentative acceptance into the Academy contingent upon completing the registration process.

Register For Courses: Accepted students will be able to register via our website for two classes from our selection of 2025 Course Offerings. At this time, students will be expected to pay their Commitment Fee to lock in their spot as a part of the IDEA Class of 2025.

Get Excited! Once registered, students just need to count down the days until our program kicks off on July 7th.

IDEA 2025 Schedule Information

Students will register for Cohorts on a first come, first serve basis!

Students will leave IDEA with their very own Capstone Project, complete with corresponding write-up, that they will showcase at the Demo Day Symposium and can submit for publishing in our Student Journal!

Capstone Projects

During the final two hours of each day, students immerse themselves in Capstone Projects, a hands-on opportunity to apply the design thinking process. They work toward creating innovative prototypes, which they proudly present during Demo Day at the end of the program. Students have the freedom to explore projects related to their cohort's focus or combine diverse interests to develop entirely new ideas. They can choose to work individually or form collaborative teams, fostering creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving as they bring their visions to life.

Previous Projects

An AI recycling container that recognizes plastics

A YouTube channel that teaches people about rare moments in history

A physical game that allows high schools to compete in math challenges

A free business closet for student job readiness

A prosthetic arm made of found materials

A video game where you can experience being a political leader of a nation

Our cohorts offer students an opportunity to engage with college-level innovation in industry fields they are passionate about, right from the heart of the city.

IDEA 2025 Cohorts

Health & Psychology

Topics: Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Behavior, Communication, Genetics, Diseases

Explore the connections between health and psychology through a pathway that covers cognitive science, social well-being, and public health. Develop skills to promote mental and physical wellness in diverse communities.

Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence

Topics: IDEs, Arduino, Game Design, Wireframing, Agile Scrum, Ethics & Security

Uncover the transformative power of generative artificial intelligence by mastering data visualization, predictive analytics, and natural language processing. Navigate the crucial ethical landscapes that shape technology's future.

Engineering & Manufacturing

Topics: CAD, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Assistive Technology, Prosthetics, Product Design

Gain hands-on experience in the full product development cycle, from design and prototyping to advanced manufacturing techniques and machinery. Learn practical skills to turn innovative ideas into real-world products ready for client use.

Business & Financial Literacy

Topics: Investing, Negotiation, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Budgeting, Marketing, Branding

Learn to build, manage, and grow your own business while developing a strong foundation in financial systems and entrepreneurship. This pathway equips you with the skills to make informed financial decisions and drive sustainable growth.

Students will work through the project ideation process over the course of the program, creating a final product that fits into one of these key concept areas:

Conversations

What conversations should we be having, and how can we create a space to have those conversations effectively?

Creations

What creations can we design and implement to improve the quality of the human experience?

Conclusions

What conclusions about the world are misunderstood or lacking, and how do we fill that gap?

Connections

What connections can we form to sustainably and equitably serve all individuals of our world?

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