Program Dates
Workshop Tracks
Choose to participate in 1 of 4 ALA Tracks:
- Applied Mathematics
- Artificial Intelligence & Technology
- Biomedical Engineering and Technology
- Medical Science
The ALA program for 8th-9th graders occurs for 3 weekends at Princeton University (Friday evenings – Sunday afternoons). Students participate in all 3 weekends.
2026 DATES
- February 27-March 1, 2026
- March 27-29, 2026
- April 24-26, 2026
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.
February 27-March 1, 2026
Learn and practice the math skills needed to solve real-life money problems -from converting fractions, decimals, and percentages, to applying these skills to ratios, unit rates, and percent change. Connect the math to personal finance and learn how money systems work, from bartering to modern banking, including ideas of value, inflation, saving, and borrowing.
March 27-29, 2026
Explore introductory probability by first learning how to count outcomes in an organized way. Use lists, tables, and tree diagrams to build sample spaces, then compute simple probabilities and complements. Test predictions through hands-on trials and compare experimental results to theoretical expectations.
April 24-26, 2026
Investigate how to turn a real question into a clear answer using data. Build a simple class dataset, organize values into ranges, and identify patterns using frequency tables and measures of center and spread such as mean, median, mode, and range. Determine evidence-based conclusions that use numbers to support a claim and include one limitation.
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.
February 27-March 1, 2026
This workshop introduces students to the fundamentals of artificial
intelligence and how AI is used in everyday applications such as recommendations, language tools, and image recognition. In the second portion of the workshop, students will begin learning Python, a widely used programming language for AI and
data science, through guided, beginner-friendly activities. By connecting real-world AI examples to hands-on coding exercises, students will develop a foundational
understanding of how computers can be programmed to support intelligent
behavior.
March 27-29, 2026
This workshop introduces students to the core ideas behind machine
learning and deep learning, focusing on how computers learn patterns from data rather than following fixed instructions. Students will explore different fundamental
model architectures. In the second portion of the workshop, Students will explore how these ideas are applied in natural language processing (NLP) to enable technologies such as chatbots, text prediction, translation, and content recommendation. Through guided, beginner-friendly activities and real-world examples, students will build intuition for how machines represent language, learn
from text, and make predictions, while reflecting on the strengths and limitations of these approaches.
April 24-26, 2026
This workshop explores the core ingredients that enable machines to
operate autonomously, including sensing, perception, decision-making, and feedback. Students will learn how computer vision allows machines to interpret visual information from images and videos, forming a critical component of autonomous systems such as self-driving vehicles, robotics, and smart devices.
Through guided activities and real-world examples, students will build intuition for how machines process visual data, and use that information to make decisions, while
considering the challenges and limitations of autonomous technologies.
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 27-March 1, 2026
Explore the principles of optical biosensing used in modern pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygen saturation and heart rate. Through guided experimentation, participants will examine how light of different wavelengths interacts with biological tissue to quantify oxygen transport and cardiovascular
activity.
March 27-29, 2026
Investigate how hydrogel biomaterials can support epidermal tissue repair and wound protection. Synthesize and test hydrogel formulations, conducting a parametric study to examine the influences of changes in polymer concentration, crosslinking, and hydration level to evaluate material flexibility, swelling behavior, and moisture retention.
April 24-26, 2026
Apply principles of computer-aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing to create prototype biomedical devices that support or restore human function. Design components, such as prosthetic interfaces, assistive tools, or structural supports inspired by the anatomy and biomechanics of the human body.
Medical Science Track (ALA 8-9)
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.
The listed weekend workshop titles and descriptions were updated 11/5/25.
February 27-March 1, 2026
Learn about the diversity of life and the different components that comprise the cell. Collaborate and conduct hands-on activities to identify cellular components. Investigate the link between cellular health and disease with a focus on Progerias and aging.
March 27-29, 2026
Explore gene expression, a complex life process that cells use for survival. Perform a genetic test to analyze the link between genes and diversity. Explore a case study to investigate the link between genes and human genetic disorders.
April 24-26, 2026
Biology is intimately connected to chemistry, an understanding of which is essential to
understanding molecule interactions and medicine. Explore pathogens and major types of molecular, their functions, and their interactions. Perform a chromatography experiment to explore how molecules behave and can be studied. Collaborate to investigate molecular disorders and their impact.