This is no longer offered by Compass
https://physicstoday.aip.org/news/the-compass-project-charting-a-new-course-in-physics-education
Unfortunately, we no longer run the Compass Summer Program due to staff (graduate student and post-doc) shortages. However, UC Berkeley offers a similar, albeit less STEM focused, program called Summer Bridge. If you are a motivated UC Berkeley grad student or post-doc who wants to see the Compass Summer Program be brought back, please reach out to us!
The Compass Summer Program was an intensive educational experience, offered at no cost to participants, that took place right before the start of the fall semester. During the program, 16 to 20 incoming freshmen came together to learn about topics not usually covered in the introductory physics or math curriculum, with an emphasis on model building, experimentation, and problem solving. Together with a team of graduate and current undergraduate students, summer program students participated in activities that took advantage of the Berkeley campus and surrounding area.
The summer program curriculum was built around a central physical question, like “What do earthquakes tell us about the interior of the earth?” Compass’s teaching staff saw solving real-world problems and engaging in peer interaction as much more effective ways to learn than passive listening, so they emphasized group work, collaboration, and hands-on activities. The teachers guided the students through the exploration of interesting problems. Additionally, the summer program aimed to give students valuable insight into their own learning processes and to make them more effective collaborators and communicators.
During the program, Compass students built friendships while living in the same dorm, sharing meals, and working together on problem sets. In addition to coursework, students in the summer program also participated in activities from research lectures, lab tours, and trips to observatories, to nature hikes, frisbee games, and movie nights.
Ultimately, the Compass summer program created a unique space for its students to make friends, learn science, and build confidence, making the transition to college a more enjoyable experience.