Tackle Real ChallengesDesign Real Solutions
A hands-on experience for high school students who want to make an impact.
- Learn the latest science of climate change
- Work on real problems in your community
- Build solutions that make a difference
- Work with local scientists and engineers
- Present your ideas to experts and community leaders
The World Needs
Problem Solvers Like you
You already know climate change is real. You see it in the news, feel it in the heat, and maybe wonder what anyone can actually do about it.
At the Planetary Health Summer Institute, you'll dig into the science, work alongside real experts, and take on a challenge that matters to your community. This is your chance to stop watching from the sidelines and start doing something about it.
Through Students' Eyes
Stanford University
When I think of Quest’s Planetary Health Program, I think of initiative, learning, innovation, impact, and leadership. The program gave me a one of a kind experience that is hard for a high schooler to find. I not only learned about climate change, but also had the opportunity to act on it in ways that made a real impact on my community.Thaarak Sriram
Livermore High School, Class of 2025
UC San Diego
A Summer Program Like No Other
Real-World Focus
Work on challenges affecting communities today. Every project connects to something happening right now in the world.
Learn by Doing
Analyze real data, explore ideas, and test solutions. You will spend far more time doing than listening.
Leadership Development
Nurture your leadership skills. Build confidence leading teams and presenting ideas.
Work Directly with Experts
Collaborate with local scientists, engineers, and community professionals who work on these problems every day.
Beyond the Classroom
A unique, immersive experience not available in most schools, and one that stands out on college applications.
Expert Staff & Mentors
Leads the Planetary Health program at Quest • Background in environmental studies and climate justice • Focused on community engagement and equitable solutions
Leads programs and partnerships at Quest • Thirty years in education in schools, districts and science centers • Focused on expanding equitable science learning
Systems Expert
Led large engineering teams and operations • Experience in systems design, manufacturing, and safety • Supports students exploring STEM pathways
Student Advisor
Works with students across grade levels • Brings cross-cultural experience from the U.S. and Mexico • Focused on college and career pathways
Water Systems Specialist
40+ years in environmental and groundwater systems • Worked in energy, environmental, and water sectors • Connects science to local sustainability challenges
Science Leader
Former national lab executive and partnership leader • Experience in energy, climate, and technology systems • Supports science and engineering student pathways
Program Leader
Expert in advanced materials and energetic systems • Led major national research programs • Passionate about lifelong engagement in science
Your team’s work guiding local students to adapt available technology for low cost, custom built devices to measure heat at a micro scale has been impressive. The City has already begun applying your heat mapping findings to guide resilience strategies in the neighborhoods most impacted and advancing our environmental goals.Paul Spence
Assistant City Manager
City of Livermore
Skills & Experiences That Stay with You
Planetary Health Understanding
See how climate, ecosystems, and human health are deeply interconnected and why it matters.
Leadership & Confidence
Experience working on complex, real-world challenges alongside a team of peers and professionals.
Practical, Transferable Skills
Research methods, systems thinking, AI tools, design processes, and communication that go far beyond this week.
Real-World Experience
Meaningful work that strengthens college applications and helps explore future career pathways.
Exposure to Future Fields
Discover what careers in science, engineering, and public health really look like.
Design Thinking Applied to Real Challenges
See Our Students in Action
Air Quality & Respiratory Health
In this ongoing project, participants are working with a respiratory doctor, a retired chemist, and local partner organizations to explore how climate change affects respiratory health. They are investigating patterns and developing tools to better understand respiratory risk by:
- Analyzing temperature trends, medical data, and school absenteeism
- Reviewing scientific research on air quality and health impacts
- Using genetic testing to improve pollen identification
- Designing and building a device to collect real-time pollen samples
As the project evolves, participants are generating new insights and approaches to support community health and improve student well-being.
Mapping Heat Islands in Livermore
Through this project, participants are partnering with mentors to investigate how urban heat islands form and where they are most severe in and around Livermore. They are investigating patterns and contributing factors by:
- Collecting and analyzing temperature data across different neighborhoods
- Examining how pavement, green space, and building density influence localized heat
- Identifying which communities are most affected by higher temperatures
- Exploring how data can inform community planning and climate resilience strategies
Along the way, participants are building skills in data collection and interpretation, while applying design thinking to address environmental challenges that impact communities differently based on where they live.
Three Engaging Programs
The Summer Institute is one of three distinct programs in Quest Science Center's Planetary Health series. Each offers a complete experience on its own. For those who want to continue, the programs are designed as a progression, with each serving as a prerequisite for the next.
Summer Institute
A one-week, hands-on experience where students explore the causes of climate change and how ecological systems, human communities, and human health are connected, while beginning to develop ideas for real-world solutions.
Design Lab
A mentored program where students develop a project from concept to completion, working within a structured framework with guided themes, tools, and regular feedback to address climate and community health challenges.
Residency
An advanced experience where students pursue a self-directed project, working with mentors and community partners to design, test, and implement solutions to real planetary and community health challenges.
Summer Institute
A one-week, hands-on experience where students explore the causes of climate change and how ecological systems, human communities, and human health are connected, while beginning to develop ideas for real-world solutions.
Design Lab
A mentored program where students develop a project from concept to completion, working within a structured framework with guided themes, tools, and regular feedback to address climate and community health challenges.
Residency
An advanced experience where students pursue a self-directed project, working with mentors and community partners to design, test, and implement solutions to real planetary and community health challenges.
What You Need to Know
Your Week at a Glance
You're a Great Fit If You Are...
- In 9th–12th grade during the 2026–27 school year
- Curious about how the world works
- Interested in science, engineering, and real-world challenges
- Motivated to learn and collaborate
- Open to exploring new ideas and perspectives
Tuition & Financial Assistance
Need-based financial assistance is available.
Requesting assistance will not affect admission.
Ready to work on
something real?
Join us this summer!
Spots are limited.
Apply by May 4 and take your first step.
Info sessions: April 1 & 6, 7:30-8:30 PMQuestions? Contact us at PlanetaryHealth@quest-science.org
Help Support the Next Generation
of Planetary Health Leaders
Our programs are made possible through the support of our community. Join us in shaping the next generation of leaders and see the impact of your contribution firsthand. Here are several ways to get involved.
Collaborate
Share your expertise as an expert, advisor, or mentor guiding students through real challenges.
Volunteer
Help behind the scenes with logistics and planning to keep the program running smoothly.
Partner
Offer resources, field trips, or other ways to support our mission and the students we serve.
Donate
Fund the future. Your contributions expand access and financial assistance for students in need.
In this ongoing project, participants are working with a respiratory doctor, a retired engineer, and local partner organizations to explore how climate change affects respiratory health.
They are analyzing temperature trends, medical data, and school absenteeism to identify patterns in respiratory risk, with the goal of improving student health and attendance. The team is also reviewing scientific research and using emerging methods, including genetic testing, to improve pollen identification and allergen monitoring. In addition, they are building a device to collect pollen samples in real time.
As the project continues to evolve, students are developing new insights and approaches to better understand and support community health.
A team of students is investigating how urban heat islands form and where they are most severe in and around Livermore. Working alongside a mentor, they are collecting and analyzing temperature data across different neighborhoods to identify patterns and understand who is most affected.
The team is exploring how factors like pavement, green space, and building density contribute to localized heat, and how this information could be used to inform community planning and climate resilience efforts.
As the project develops, students are learning how to gather and interpret real-world data, and how design thinking can be applied to address environmental challenges that affect people differently depending on where they live.
