Summer Course + Workshop

Turn ideas into real innovations

A hybrid academy for motivated rising 9th-12th grade students who want to research real problems, design solutions, present like engineers, and prepare for national STEM competitions.

July-August Innovation 101 (Asynchronous) Aug 2-9 Workshop dates, 10 AM-2 PM $100 Program cost

Innovation PipelineLive Cohort

Problem

User

Research

Prototype

Pitch

AIEngineeringBusinessResearch

EmpoweringThrough a novel hybrid program with virtual course plus in-person one-week sprint

MentoredLearn from student innovators and STEM leaders

TransformativeLeave with innovation skill sets and next-step competition plans

Program Information

Innovation 101: learn how strong ideas are built.

The asynchronous Innovation 101 course introduces the practical process behind real STEM innovation: identifying meaningful problems, researching real-world needs, designing solutions, building a case for impact, and communicating the work clearly.

Students do not need prior research or competition experience. The course is designed for curious, driven students who want to understand how engineers, entrepreneurs, and researchers turn early ideas into projects that can compete and make an impact.

Innovation Mindset

Learn how innovators identify needs, ask better questions, and frame problems clearly.

Research Foundations

Practice turning observations, sources, and user needs into useful project direction.

Team Galaxy Case Study

Study how Team Galaxy moved from an early concept to a NASA-recognized innovation project.

Competition Pathways

Explore how students can connect STEM interests to research, entrepreneurship, and competitions.

A focused week with a final showcase.

Students begin in person, build through virtual workshop sessions, and return for final presentations and feedback.

Aug 2

In-Person Launch

Meet the cohort at UMD, explore the innovation framework, and begin shaping project ideas.

Aug 3-8

Virtual Workshop Sessions

Daily 10:00 AM-2:00 PM sessions with lessons, guest speakers, mentor feedback, and team work on a presentation about what students learned and their personal innovation plans.

Aug 9

Final Presentations

Students present their innovation concepts and receive feedback using a NASA-inspired judging rubric.

Instructors

Meet the student innovators leading the workshop.

Lead Instructor

Lucas Chen

Team Galaxy captain and NASA Dream With Us national podium finisher.

Design + Modeling

Skyler Zeng

Team Galaxy designer with VEX Robotics engineering experience.

AI + Engineering

Ruichen Feng

NASA finalist and STEM workshop instructor focused on real-world solutions.

Analysis + Applied Math

Andy Yan

Team Galaxy financial analyst with a strong physics and mathematics background.

Guest Speakers

Students gain expert insight during the program and continued guidance throughout the year.

Angela, MIT Chemistry and Biology student

Regeneron STS Scholar

Angela Wu

MIT Chemistry and Biology student, 2024 Regeneron STS Top 300 Scholar, and biomedical research mentor.

NASA Mission Data Scientist

Dr. Zach Claytor

Astronomical Data Scientist at STScI leading archive operations for the Roman Space Telescope mission.

More Experts Coming Soon

Additional speakers and mentors will be announced as the program continues to grow.

Advisors

Program advisors supporting students and mentors.

Dr. Frank Chen

Program advisor supporting academy planning, student mentorship, and family communication.

PITCH

Dr. Jia-An Yan

Presentation mentor advising students on organizing technical ideas and communicating confidently.

Dr. Liu Yanxin

Research advisor supporting the program's connection to scientific research and biomedical innovation.

Eastern Tech Student Lucas C. Leads Maryland's First-Ever NASA National Victory

Image credit: Eastern Technical High School Instagram

Our Story

Built from a real NASA competition breakthrough.

Team Galaxy became Maryland's first team to earn a podium finish at NASA's Dream With Us Design Challenge. That achievement came from months of research, design, writing, formatting, and presentation work.

TG Academy of Innovation turns that experience into a student-friendly pathway. Participants study the same habits behind strong innovation projects, then apply them to their own ideas in a guided workshop setting.

Student Outcomes