Program Dates
The ALA program for 10th-11th graders occurs for 3 weekends at Princeton University (Friday evenings – Sunday afternoons). Students participate in all 3 weekends.
2026 DATES
- February 6-8, 2026
- March 13-15, 2026
- April 10-12, 2026
Workshop Tracks
Choose to participate in 1 of 4 ALA Tracks:
- Applied Mathematics
- Artificial Intelligence & Technology
- Biomedical Engineering and Technology
- Medical Science
All workshop topics below are subject to change.
Successful program completion requires attendance at all three program sessions for students’ selected track.
Applied Mathematics Track
Mathematics, like other theoretical and applied fields, is based on observation and theorization. Through observation and hands-on learning, you will develop and further extend your knowledge and become aware of how to facilitate mathematics learning. Learn how to apply simple mathematical calculations to daily life and different areas of science, including chemistry, biology, and physics.
These weekend workshop titles and descriptions were updated on 12/16/25.
February 6-8, 2026
Explore how linear algebra and matrix operations model real-world network systems. Formulate mathematical models from real scenarios, solve
systems using matrix methods,
and interpret their solutions in practical contexts.
March 13-15, 2026
Explore difference equations
and their applications in modeling dynamic processes that change in discrete time
steps. Formulate first-order and second-order linear difference equations from
real-world scenarios, solve them analytically and numerically, and analyze long-term
behavior through equilibrium points and stability analysis.
April 10-12, 2026
Investigate how
probability theory and statistical analysis inform decision-making under uncertainty. Conduct hands-on experiments
with simulations and data collection, calculate measures of center and spread,
create confidence intervals, and perform hypothesis tests.
Artificial Intelligence & Technology Track
Voice-powered personal assistants like Siri and Alexa, personalized streaming recommendations, chess-playing computers, self-driving cars, cybersecurity software and applications, brain-computer interfaces, and smart technology all have one thing in common- they are based on artificial intelligence (AI). It is a branch of computer science that explores how devices and machines can learn from experience, adjust to new inputs, and perform human-like tasks. Many of these technologies are designed to perform specific tasks by processing large amounts of data and learning according to patterns in the data. Each workshop will include discussions and hands-on applications. Please note, that students in this track are required to bring a laptop to each weekend workshop.
The Artificial Intelligence & Technology Track is designed for students with little to no programming experience.
February 6-8, 2026
Discover the inner workings of Python programming. Explore how Python is utilized in web development, data science, artificial intelligence, automation, and more. Investigate Python’s libraries, such as NumPy and Pandas for data analysis.
March 13-15, 2026
Learn how machine learning enables computers to learn from data and improve their performance without being explicitly programmed. Investigate how machine learning models analyze patterns and make predictions, which is utilized in areas, such as healthcare, finance, and image recognition.
April 10-12, 2026
Explore how natural language processing is a widely used format of the datasets in real-world problems. Investigate the concepts in natural language processing, known as Term-Frequency matrices, Named-Entity-Recognition (NER), Word-to-vec meaning and applications, as well as intro to Large-Language-Models.
Biomedical Engineering & Technology Track
Biomedical Engineering is an interdisciplinary field, so it has many applications to the traditional engineering disciplines, including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Materials Science. Each workshop in the Biomedical Engineering and Technology track will provide students with a brief introduction to a traditional engineering discipline, applications to biomedical engineering and the human body, and emphasize the use of technology. Each workshop will include a brief lecture, group activities, and hands-on demonstrations. Each workshop will also include real-world applications. To expose students to new ideas, career paths relevant to each workshop topic will also be discussed. Please note, that students in this track are required to bring a laptop to each weekend workshop.
February 6-8, 2026
Delve deep into the intricacies of how the blood-brain barrier regulates which molecules can enter the central nervous system. Through hands-on and computational experience, discover how biomedical engineers apply physics, materials science, and data analysis to advance drug delivery and brain health research.
March 13-15, 2026
Explore the principles of biomaterials design and regenerative medicine used to treat damaged dermal tissue. Use engineering design and data analysis to learn how biomedical engineers innovate at the interface of materials science, tissue engineering, and human physiology.
April 10-12, 2026
Investigate how biomechanics,
tissue engineering and advanced manufacturing help to restore and enhance musculoskeletal function. Use computer-aided design to model and analyze 3D printed scaffolds that mimic the structural and mechanical properties of bone and muscle tissue.
Medical Science Track (ALA 10-11)
Medical Sciences encompasses basic sciences of medicine, medical specialties and other interdisciplinary fields dedicated to understanding animal/human health, as well as diagnosis and treatment of disease conditions. Although many challenges still exist, significant progress and advances over the years in medical sciences have improved human health, and we are now living longer. The medical science workshops provide an introduction to different areas of biology and science to provide a broader understanding of biological systems and advancements in science. Please note, that students in this track are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop to each weekend workshop.
These weekend workshop titles and descriptions were updated on 11/5/25.
February 6-8, 2026
Investigate the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology and the structures of nucleic acids and proteins. Delve into the mechanisms that regulate protein activity and expression. Explore how chromatin is used to pack and store our genome and how prions and protein aggregates lead to disease.
March 13-15, 2026
Explore gene composition and its features. Investigate the molecular cause and effect of changes to DNA that underlie alterations to protein function and that lead to disease. Perform gDNA isolation and explore DNA replication, PCR, and the applications of this technique to diagnostic testing, forensics, and cloning.
April 10-12, 2026
Delve into basic structure and function relationships that underlie protein-target interactions that enzymes mediate. Explore the fundamentals of enzymology, specifically focusing on Michaelis-Menton and Lineweaver-Burke kinetics, and the targeting of enzymes as a mechanism to treat human diseases.