It covers everything from writing code that tells the computer you are currently using how to display this webpage, to complex artificial intelligence processes that allow computers to read and interpret data without a human operator. Since computers influence almost every aspect of our lives, computer science has become an important and in-demand career field. Writing on LinkedIn, one STEM curriculum development expert says, “Computer Science is a Part of EVERY Future Career.” She continues, “Those who learn to code early have a choice of many careers in almost every industry.”
Students enrolled in a summer computer science program can get a headstart on gaining the skills needed for a career in computer science. They will learn technical computer programming skills, including how to write code, and critical thinking skills that allow them to think like programmers. Whether you are interested in computer programming, data science, entrepreneurship, or creative endeavors, learning computer science can open new doors for your long-term career success.
1) NextGen Bootcamp: Java Programming Summer Program
NextGen Bootcamp offers an introduction to Java Programming Summer course for students looking to learn the basics of computer science. This course teaches students how to read, write, and compile code in Java, one of the most accessible programming languages for first-time learners. This course will teach students the basics of writing programs using industry-standard algorithms, including functional and object-oriented programs. By the end of the course, students will learn to think like programmers and understand how professional computer scientists analyze a problem. To achieve these goals, students will complete hands-on coding activities and leave the course with a portfolio of working Java programs.
High school AP computer science classes and 100-level college programming classes tend to emphasize Java as one of the most important programming languages in their curriculum. This means that learning the language will set students up for success in their more advanced programming courses. Beyond this, Java is an accessible language, so once students have learned the basics, they can transfer those skills to other programming languages such as Python or JavaScript. This course is a beginner-friendly introduction intended for students with no prior programming experience. The course emphasizes basic computer programming skills, so it is a great place for generalists to learn to read and write code.
Students praise the depth of the Java programming education they received and the ways in which their instructors make difficult concepts accessible. One student wrote that their instructor “made complex stuff feel approachable.” Another student wrote that the course made them “extremely confident in my programming skills, and I feel like I gained a genuine understanding of how coding works and how it is essential to all areas within programming.” This course is an ideal place for students to learn the foundational skills of computer programming and develop the critical thinking skills they need to continue with their training.
2) NextGen Bootcamp: Python Data Science & Machine Learning Summer Program
Since computer science is such a varied field, students can find a wide range of courses that suit their specific interests. For example, students looking for a computer science education may want to enroll in NextGen’s Python Data Science & Machine Learning Summer Program. This course focuses on teaching students how to program using Python, the most popular coding language in the world. Once students are comfortable with the basics, they will apply their Python training to data science projects. To this end, students will learn common Python frameworks, including Pandas, Matplotlib, and scikit-learn, for data science and machine learning applications. Students will learn how to work with massive datasets, and they will get hands-on experience using Python packages to create visualizations of this data, making it easier for them to communicate their work to a non-specialist audience.
No matter your long-term professional goals, learning how to work with and analyze data will be a useful skill to have. Once students are comfortable analyzing data, they will explore the foundations of machine learning. Machine learning involves building complex computer algorithms that can “read” data and interpret it without the need for a human operator. This AI technology is one of the most exciting developments in computer science. By the end of this program, students will have a foundational understanding of data science, an introductory proficiency in Python and an understanding of basic AI programming skills.
Students who took this course regularly spoke highly of the depth of instruction, with one student saying that the class “covered something new every day, which made me feel that I was exploring a lot about Python.” Another student wrote, “this class really helped to improve my programming skills and knowledge! It covers a good span of topics ranging from vanilla Python programming to machine learning.” As a more specialized programming course, students enrolled in this class will receive targeted instruction. This structure makes NextGen’s bootcamp an ideal option for students who want to pursue a data science or data analytics career path.
3) Noble Desktop: Web Development with HTML & CSS
One of the most common places where we interact with computer applications is in a browser as we surf the web. Web pages must be programmed to operate, so behind every webpage is a programmer writing the scripts that web browsers read and run. Students interested in learning how to write web pages should consider enrolling in a course like Noble Desktop’s Web Development with HTML & CSS course. Students in this class will learn the two foundational programming languages used by Web Developers. Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) tells the browser how to distinguish one element of a page from another such as telling your browser how to separate this paragraph from the subject heading and where to direct the link in this paragraph. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is the language that tells the browser how to display webpage elements, including what color, font, and size to display text, for example. It is also the language that ensures that webpages are displayed similarly across different devices.
In this course, students will first learn how to write simple, single-page websites using HTML and CSS before moving on to write complex multi-page sites that link with one another. Students will learn how to use HTML to create functional web assets and how to use CSS to build a webpage that is responsive to being viewed on different browsers and screen sizes. Through hands-on exercises, students will leave the course with practical knowledge of the basic elements of web development. With these skills, they will be prepared to start working on their own designs. Students should be aware that HTML and CSS are fairly dated languages (having become industry standards in the mid-90s), so students looking to develop modern webpages will need additional training in languages like JavaScript, but this is still an ideal first step for students.
This course is only open to students who are 18 or older, but it is an ideal place for high school seniors and incoming college freshmen to learn the basics of web development over the summer. Students who have completed the course praise the accessibility and the ways in which it functions as an introduction to HTML and CSS and computer programming broadly. One student wrote, “you can show up not knowing what a computer is and leave knowing basic HTML and CSS.” Another student wrote, "if you want to get a quick look inside the world of web development, this class is the right one for you.”
4) Data Science Academy: Data Science with R: Data Analysis and Visualization
Some students may want to consider enrolling in specialized training courses like Data Science Academy’s Data Science with R: Data Analysis and Visualization course. This course is an intermediate class for students with a beginner’s background in data science and computer programming, and it is open to students as young as 15. In this class, students will learn how to code with the R programming language, and lessons will emphasize how it is used in data analytics and visualization tasks. This includes wrangling, organizing, and manipulating data. Students will learn data science theories, including how to distinguish between types of data and how to solve data problems based on the data object types involved.
This course also teaches students how to use R to help turn raw data into persuasive data visualizations. There isn’t much a researcher can do with their data analytics training without the ability to communicate their findings. To manage this, analysts use R to help them automatically collate data and produce charts, graphs, and maps, making that data easier for non-experts to understand. By the time the course concludes, students will be able to start working on advanced visualization techniques such as interactive visualizations or ones that automatically update when datasets change. Learning all of these different visualization techniques will be vital for students interested in pursuing data science as a career path.
5) iDTech: Python Coding: Arcade Games and AI
Some students may want to learn computer science but find that they aren’t interested in taking a theoretical approach to learning the skills. Many introductory coding classes are taught in this way, and while it is a good method, it isn’t suited for all students. These students may want to consider a class design like iDTech’s Python Coding: Arcade Games and AI. Here, students will learn the basics of Python programming by developing arcade-style games. Students will begin the course by designing basic logic games before moving on to object-oriented programming projects such as designing and programming graphical elements into a game. Students enrolled in this class will get a hands-on approach to the practical uses of Python in software engineering projects. This makes this an ideal class for students interested in game design, app development, or software engineering.
This course is open to students without prior programming experience since Python is such a popular first language for students to learn. From the start of the course, students will be learning how to use Python to write code for interactive, hands-on games and to build responsive, user interface elements for their projects. Since Python is such a versatile language, even though students are primarily focusing on game design. Students enrolled in the course will learn a wide range of uses for the programming language. In one lesson, students will learn how to program interactive movement into a game, teaching them how to add interactive features to a program using Python. In another lesson, they will learn how to program simple artificial intelligence scripts for oppositional elements of their games. By the end of the course, students will finish a sample game that they can continue to work on and include as part of their application materials for jobs, internships, and college coding programs.
6) Practical Programming: Introduction to Python Programming
Another way for students to learn a specific programming language is in a focused course like Practical Programming’s Introduction to Python Programming. Python is one of the most versatile programming languages new students can learn. In this course, students will receive a generalist’s overview of the common uses and functions of the Python programming language. Students who learn Python will be setting themselves up to find work in software engineering, web development, game design, or data science since all these fields utilize Python and its major libraries. In addition, learning Python will also help students better understand the foundations of computer science since they will still learn basic skills like how to read and write code.
This program is open to students 18 and older, making it a good fit for students who are either about to enter their senior year of high school or who are about to graduate. Over two sessions, students will learn the basics of writing Python code, and they will learn more broadly applicable programming skills, including the use of code editing applications and efficiency tools like Git. Students who complete the course will gain a thorough understanding of the basic syntax, grammar, and vocabulary of Python. From there, they will be ready to take that training with them into more advanced Python courses. This makes courses like this a good place for students to be introduced to computer programming, especially if they aren’t sure where they want their skills to take them long-term. Service providers like Practical Programming also tend to offer introductory courses in other programming languages such as HTML and CSS or Java.
7) World Scholar’s Academy: World Coders Academy
World Scholar’s Academy offers their World Coders Academy program, a summer program that aims to introduce students to a wide overview of the present state of computer science. In this two-week program, students will learn fundamental coding concepts, like the function of various programming languages and the skills required to quickly read and write code. Then, students will receive a broad overview of major developments in programming. This overview includes lessons on digital marketing, cryptography, and artificial intelligence. The course will conclude with students learning career-focused lessons on the practical process of pursuing employment in a range of different technical fields.
Students interested in technology can take this course to learn more about the field and receive hands-on training working with basic programming concepts. This course will let students explore all the major aspects of computer science that are making waves in the professional world. Whether you are interested in learning how machine learning technologies are utilized in the investment sector or how cryptography and cryptocurrency are changing the economics of technology, this course will provide you with the training you need to build foundational skills. This course offers a diverse education in computer science, making it a good fit for students interested in the future possibilities offered by technology.
8) Tufts University: Pre-college Coding Academy
Many colleges and universities offer summer programs for students interested in pursuing an education in computer science, like Tufts University’s Pre-college Coding Academy. In courses like these, students will get to work alongside experienced instructors in a college-level environment, which can help them learn important coding skills and acclimate them to the kinds of work expected of them in a college-level programming class. This can be a valuable experience for students planning to pursue higher education and looking to beef up their applications when they start applying for college. Some of these classes, including the ones offered through Tufts, provide students with college-level credit that they can transfer to their undergraduate university or use to test out of introductory computer science classes.
Over the course of this two-week seminar, students will learn Python programming skills and train these skills through specific, hands-on exercises in software development and data science projects. Students will also receive lessons in major developments in computer science, including studies of the applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity. These lessons are designed to help students understand the broader field of computer science, which can help them make informed decisions about the training they want to pursue when entering a college computer science program. Since this course is taught in-person at the Tufts Boston campus, students enrolled in this program will participate in visits to local tech firms and companies to learn more about the practical career opportunities that their training will open up for them.
9) Syracuse University: Learn to Code
The Learn to Code summer program is an online, non-credit introductory computer science program offered through Syracuse University. Students enrolled in this program will learn the basics of computer programming by learning Python and the ways in which Python can be applied to a range of different coding projects. During the summer session, students will be introduced to data science concepts, and they will learn how to use Python frameworks like PANDAS to create data visualizations. The course provides students with practical training in real-world computer science scenarios so that the experience they gain in this course can be transferred to almost any STEM program that students pursue. In addition, this course aims to provide students with valuable critical thinking and practical job skills that will help them whether or not they continue on to a college-level computer science program.
This course is designed for students with no prior programming experience, and this makes it a good place for students to start their STEM education. Class sessions are divided between lectures hosted by Syracuse University faculty and coding labs in which students will receive hands-on instruction training them to read, write, and execute Python code. Students will be expected to do work outside of the classroom, though this homework is in service of ensuring that they understand the fundamentals of Python and can complete the hands-on lab exercises. This course provides students with a transferable skill set that they can utilize in almost any professional field.
10) The Coder School: Java Camp
Some students may be interested in enrolling in a computer science summer program to help them prepare for immediate practical concerns such as preparing for an accreditation course such as an AP Comp Sci program. These students may want to consider finding a course that focuses on this training such as The Coder School’s Java Camp. This course is aimed at students with a background in AP computer science, and it aims to teach students the skills they need to ensure that they can receive credit for completing an AP comp sci course. Students will receive focused Java lessons in practical scenarios drawn from the AP Computer Science “A” course to accomplish this goal. The Coder School can ensure that students’ goals are being met by basing their lessons directly on the standard curriculum in these classes,
Students should consider that this course is so focused on preparing students for the AP Computer Science “A” course, so how useful it will depend on whether or not passing that course is your goal. Thus, it follows that students invested in passing it should give this program a deeper look. At the same time, students interested in learning practical programming skills may not find much to take away from a course that they couldn’t receive in a more generalist training program. AP courses can be so important for students applying to competitive college programs, so this extra training can be a massive boon to students who have planned out the steps they want to take to achieve long-term success.
Why Attend a Summer Computer Science Program?
Students looking for a practical and productive use of their summer vacation should seriously consider enrolling in a computer science training program. Not only are the skills in high demand, but they are also very transferable across a huge range of professional and academic fields. Learning how to code involves learning critical thinking skills to approach problems in new and creative ways, and learning to think like a programmer can be useful in almost any professional scenario. Students who learn coding skills can easily transfer those skills to other STEM and tech-related fields, so even if you don’t use your specific Python training in your future education, the skills you learn in the summer course can pay dividends.
Gain An In-Demand Skill
In addition to setting you up for future academic success, computer science skills are among the most in-demand job skills in the country. Web development, data science, software engineering, and AI/Machine Learning development jobs are among the fastest-growing career paths available, and students who get a head start on their training will be far more competitive and likely to find long-term gainful employment. All of these courses will require students to receive additional, focused training, either in a professional development bootcamp or in a college computer science program. Nevertheless, these programs will make future training easier and more effective, particularly for students who know what skills they want to pursue and can tailor their training to meet those goals.
Microsoft argues that today’s students need to have an understanding of computer science to be successful because technology has become an integral part of life for everyone. It insists, “Understanding the principles of computing is quickly becoming an essential skill. It provides people with a keen understanding of how technology impacts their lives, empowers them to become full participants in society, and unlocks a wide range of career opportunities.” It goes on to argue that students who do learn computer science are likely to have many different job opportunities in the future. It explains that research shows that millions of new digital jobs will be created by 2025, and says that there are unlikely to be enough tech workers to fill those jobs. As a result, people with computer science skills are likely to be in-demand.
Give Yourself Options for the Future
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS) is a government agency that collects and analyzes information about the United States job market. It finds that many computer science-related careers pay very well and are expected to experience strong job growth in the future. For example, the agency reports that Software Developers earn an average of almost $125,000 per year and predicts that the growth rate for this job over the next ten years will be 25 percent, which is far higher than the average job growth rate of 3 percent. For Computer and Information Research Scientists—another computer science career—the BLS reports that the average salary is about $136,000 and the job growth rate over the next ten years is expected to be 23 percent.
Another potential benefit of studying computer science is that this job field often offers a lot of flexibility. Many computer science jobs allow workers to do their work from home. Remote workers often receive the same benefits as in-office workers do, but they have more flexibility in when and where they accomplish their work. According to Built In, which is a website for tech professionals, “Many software developers and other computer science-related professionals are able to work remotely, which comes with lots of flexibility.” Further, it explains that working in this field may even lead to opportunities to work in other countries. It says, “Since technology is a thriving global sector, computer science professionals may be able to relocate for international companies and get to know a different corner of the world.”
Learn How to Work with Data
Even if you don’t plan to work as a Software Engineer or Computer and Information Research Scientist, a computer science education can be beneficial. Computer science involves data literacy, which has become an important skill regardless of the career you plan to pursue. The STEM curriculum development expert explains, “In today's data-driven world, computer science skills are vital for understanding, analyzing, and interpreting data. Whether in business, healthcare, science, or various other domains, the ability to work with data is invaluable.” With data literacy, you’ll gain the power to access the huge amounts of data that are now available, and you can use that data to help you make better-informed decisions, both personally and professionally.
Other Benefits
On a more general level, learning a programming language is like learning any other language in so far as it teaches you different ways of understanding and thinking about the world. Students who are interested in learning more about technology, its potential applications, and the effects that it will have on society may want to consider learning how computer programming operates. For example, AI technology raises many interesting social and ethical questions that may interest academics, journalists, philosophers, or activists, and learning the basics of computer science may help you better understand these questions.
Learning computer science can also help you develop skills like problem-solving, logic, and critical thinking. These skills are all a critical part of computer science, and when you take a computer science class, you’ll learn to strengthen them. For example, LinkedIn Learning explains problem-solving in computer science. It says, “Problem solving skills are essential for understanding the problem and its requirements, breaking it down into smaller and manageable parts, choosing the best tools and methods to solve it, implementing and testing your solution, debugging and optimizing your code, and communicating and documenting your solution.” Learning skills like problem-solving is beneficial because, in addition to being important to computer science, these skills can also help you in many other aspects of your life.
Finally, taking a computer science course can also have the practical benefit of improving your college application materials or even helping you test out of introductory courses and requirements (depending on the program and the college).