SESE

Summer Experience in Sustainability and the Environment

Summer 2026 Online Program: June 15-18, 2026

We are excited to host another year of the online Summer Experience in Sustainability and the Environment! Our team has developed an interactive, online experience to engage high school students interested in sustainability and the environment.

Applications for the SESE 2026 cohort are NOW OPEN!

Apply Now

Further details will be provided to registered participants closer to the start of the program. Questions? Contact the ESSI team at essi@iu.edu.

About

"I liked how there were different experts each day, so we could hear about various topics and more niche careers in sustainability. I think that made this course unique and different from other sustainability programs."

– 9th grade SESE 2025 alum

"What I appreciated most about this course was the chance to hear from such a wide range of speakers. They shared insights that are hard to come by in local or even school-based curriculum, and I learned so much from their perspectives. Getting to engage with those ideas alongside passionate peers made the experience even more meaningful. It felt rare and really valuable."

– 10th grade SESE 2025 alum

"I really enjoyed having a variety of guest speakers from different parts of IU! That is such a unique aspect that sets SESE apart from other summer programs."

– 11th grade SESE 2025 alum

The Summer Environmental Sustainability Experience (SESE) is a free, virtual, pre-college program designed for high school students interested in environmental issues and sustainability. SESE introduces participants to the interdisciplinary nature of environmental study by exploring how science, policy, society, and technology intersect in addressing real-world challenges.

Through interactive sessions led by Indiana University faculty, researchers, and graduate students, participants engage with topics such as climate change, biodiversity, environmental justice, and sustainable fashion. Students gain insight into university-level learning, environmental research, and potential academic pathways, all while connecting with peers from who share similar interests.

This program will include:

  • Daily content modules focusing on different environmental or sustainability-related subjects led by IU faculty
  • Live lectures, including question and answer sessions and discussions, featuring IU faculty, staff and students
  • Hands-on activities designed to be completed at home or in your neighborhood, with family members and/or fellow participants
  • A certificate of completion, contact information for all faculty, staff and student instructors, and further resources and activities for particularly passionate participants!

Accommodations may be made for students who are unable to access live lectures; however participants MUST:

  1. Have access to a computer and internet, and
  2. Be available for some group work and active participation for approximately 1-2 hours/day for the duration of camp.