AI Future Lab: Seattle High School AI Summer Camp

4 Aug 2025, 08:30 → 8 Aug 2025, 16:30 US/Pacific

WRF Studio

Shih-Chieh Hsu (University of Washington Seattle (US))

This AI science and engineering camp is designed for high school students who are passionate about scientific discovery and eager to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming science and engineering. The mission of the course is to introduce foundational AI concepts and inspire students through hands-on learning, while also providing a unique opportunity to experience real-world research environments through guided lab tours. The program is structured around two major components: engaging AI lectures paired with practical exercises, and immersive visits to leading-edge research laboratories.

Foundational AI introduction
The AI lecture series covers a broad introduction to machine learning, deep learning, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and natural language processing. Students will gain an understanding of how these technologies work, their applications across different fields, and how AI is driving innovation in science and engineering12.

Pioneer Research Lab tour
In addition to classroom learning, students will participate in tours of several advanced research labs. These visits will expose them to a range of topics, from brain imaging and quantum materials to robotics, sensing systems, and applied physics, providing a first-hand look at how AI and technology are used in cutting-edge scientific research.

Prerequisite
To participate in the camp, students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python programming, as this will be essential for both the hands-on AI exercises and for engaging with the technical content presented during the course.

Monday 4 August

09:00 → 09:15 Check in

Speaker: Manali Sawant (University of Washington Seattle (US))

09:15 → 09:30 Welcome

Speaker: Shih-Chieh Hsu (University of Washington Seattle (US))

09:30 → 10:00 Icebreaking

10:00 → 10:30 Ion Trap Quantum Computing Lab: overview

The "Ion Trap Quantum Computing Laboratory" is dedicated to the experimental realization of quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum simulation using trapped ions.

Speaker: Boris Blinov (University of Washington)

10:30 → 11:30 Lab tour: Quantum Materials and Trap Ion

Students will be split into two groups.

Quantum Materials lab:
Sarah Edwards
Jonathan DeStefano

Trap Ion Lab:
Boris Blinov

11:30 → 12:00 Quantum Material Lab: overview

The Quantum Materials Laboratory at the University of Washington aims to understand and eventually control the novel collective behaviors of many body quantum systems.

PI: Prof. Jiun-Haw Chu

recording

12:00 → 13:00 Lunch

13:00 → 16:30 AI course: Introduction

13:00 Data science and AI

recording

14:30 Coding session

Tuesday 5 August

09:00 → 09:15 Check-in

Speaker: Abdelrahman Asem Elabd (University of Washington (US))

09:20 → 12:00 AR augmentation lab

"NOMR" is an augmented reality application used annually by over 1,800 students in the introductory physics lab course at the University of Washington. Students work in groups to explore interactions of fictional particles, developing experimental skills and scientific models through self-collected data. This process fosters authentic scientific understanding while avoiding confirmation bias.

Speaker: Abdelrahman Asem Elabd (University of Washington (US))

12:00 → 13:00 Lunch

13:00 → 17:30 AI course: Deep Learning

13:00 Deep learning

Deep learning is a powerful type of artificial intelligence that helps computers learn and make decisions by mimicking how the human brain works. It uses layers of connected nodes called neural networks to process information, recognize patterns, and solve complex problems like understanding speech, recognizing images, and even playing games. For high school students, learning about deep learning is an exciting way to explore how technology can think and learn from data, opening up opportunities in fields like robotics, medicine, and entertainment. This hands-on experience combines math, programming, and creativity to build smart systems that are changing the world.

14:30 Coding session

Wednesday 6 August

09:00 → 09:15 Check in

Speaker: Manali Sawant

09:30 → 10:30 Scalable Quantum Research Lab

enter link description hereThe Scalable Quantum Research Lab at the University of Washington works to build, understand, and control trapped ion quantum systems. We tackle all aspects of building useful quantum technologies including optical control with integrated photonics, optimization of multi-qubit gates, and fabrication of next generation trap designs.

PI: Sara Mouradian

Tour Lead:
Koray Ethan Mentesoglu kmente@uw.edu

10:30 → 11:30 Mechanical Engineering facility tour

ME machine shop, composites shop, 3D printing lab and mechanical test lab.

Tour lead:
Bill Kuykendall

12:00 → 13:00 Lunch

13:00 → 16:30 AI course: Convolutional Neural Networks

13:00 Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Image datasets

A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is a special kind of artificial intelligence model that is really good at understanding and analyzing images. Just like our brains can recognize faces, shapes, or objects in a picture, a CNN can learn to spot important features—such as edges, colors, or patterns—by looking at lots of examples. This ability makes CNNs widely used in cool technologies like facial recognition, self-driving cars, and medical image analysis. For high school students, learning about CNNs opens the door to exploring how computers “see” the world, combining creativity, problem-solving, and programming to solve real-world challenges using images and videos.

14:30 Coding session

Thursday 7 August

09:00 → 09:15 Check in

Speaker: Abdelrahman Asem Elabd (University of Washington (US))

09:30 → 10:50 The I-LABS MEG Brain Imaging Center

The I-LABS MEG Brain Imaging Center, established in May 2010, is the world’s first brain imaging center dedicated to children. Using advanced MEG (magnetoencephalography) technology, the center studies how neural networks work together from the perspective of the whole brain system, aiming to reveal the mechanisms behind complex human abilities such as language, social interaction, emotion, and personality.

11:00 → 12:00 Ubiquitous Computing Laboratory

The Ubiquitous Computing Lab develops innovative sensing systems for real world applications in health, sustainability, and novel interactions.

Director:
Prof. Shwetak Patel shwetak@cs.washington.edu
Tour Lead:
Jerry Cao jcao22@uw.edu
Richard Li Lichard@cs.washington.edu

12:00 → 13:00 Lunch

13:00 → 16:30 AI course: Reinforcement Learning

13:00 Reinforcement Learning

Reinforcement Learning is a type of artificial intelligence where computers, called agents, learn to make decisions by trying things out and learning from the results—just like learning to ride a bike through practice and feedback. In this boot camp, you'll discover the basics of reinforcement learning, including important concepts like the agent’s environment (states), the choices it can make (actions), and the feedback it gets (rewards). You'll also explore how agents plan their decisions using strategies (policies) and how they estimate the value of actions, as well as real-world uses like robots or game AI. We’ll even discuss some unique challenges, like making sure an AI’s goals are aligned with what people want.

14:30 Coding session

Friday 8 August

09:00 → 09:10 Check in

Speaker: Abdelrahman Asem Elabd (University of Washington (US))

09:10 → 09:40 Wearable Intelligence Lab overview

Speakers: Charlie Han (University of Washington Seattle (US)), Sen Zhang (University of Washington Seattle (US))

09:50 → 10:45 The Wearable Intelligence Lab

The Wearable Intelligence Lab takes interdisciplinary approaches to push the boundaries of wearable technology and AI integration for impactful applications in healthcare, robotics, and human-computer interactions. We particularly focus on the scalability, seamless integration, robustness, and adaptivity of the end-to-end integrated intelligent wearable systems.

Director:
Prof. Yiyue Luo

Tour lead:
Sen Zhang szhang66@uw.edu
Charlie Han chankyu@uw.edu

11:00 → 11:50 BioRobotics Lab

The University of Washington’s BioRobotics Lab is home to a number of students and faculty dedicated to improving the lives of people through cyberphysical systems. Our mission is to develop science, technology, and human resources at the interface between robotics, control theory and the biological sciences. Our goal is to produce useful, innovative research and technology as well as trained researchers capable of driving technological advancement in medical and biological systems.

PI: Prof. Sam Burden
Tour lead: Amber Chou hachou@uw.edu

EE building 461 (4th floor)

12:00 → 13:00 lunch

13:00 → 14:30 AI course: Natural Language Processing

13:00 Natural Language Processing and Multimodal AI

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a branch of artificial intelligence that enables computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language, making it possible for machines to communicate with people in ways that feel natural. Multimodal AI takes this a step further by combining information from different types of data—like text, images, and sounds—so that computers can learn from and respond to the world more like humans do. For high school students, exploring NLP and multimodal AI opens up exciting opportunities to see how technology can analyze language, recognize images, and even understand videos, connecting skills in programming, communication, and creativity to solve real-world problems.

14:30 → 16:30 Student seminar