Environmental Studies Institute

How do we preserve the world for future generations? What can we do as individuals and as a society to minimize harmful effects on the environment?  Students answer these questions and more as they discover the ecological principles that are the basis of environmental studies and sustainability. Students explore how environmental studies incorporates concepts from politics, social sciences, anthropology, economics, ethics, and philosophy. 

This program is ideal for students with a strong interest in issues involving the environment. It is not a substitute for AP Environmental Science. 

High School Summer Institutes allow students to discover a new passion, or dive deeper into an existing one, through a noncredit, interdisciplinary environment. Each institute has a specific theme or focus and includes traditional undergraduate classroom activities like lectures, discussions, small group collaboration and final projects. Students interact with WashU instructors from across a variety of disciplines and examine the connections between these different fields of study and research. These programs are ideal for students who want to experience undergraduate curriculum without the pressure of a grade and network with a variety of departments and instructors.

In addition to course work, High School Summer Institute students participate in specialized college readiness, community building, and academic support activities.