Computer science is a massive technical field that encompasses almost every aspect of interacting with computers and software. This primarily involves using programming languages to instruct a computer how to run software applications and collect and interpret data. Since computer technology is so ubiquitous and the things that can be done with a computer science background are so varied, there are a lot of different paths that students can take to learn and master computer science skills. They may learn how to program software using languages like Java or they can work on machine learning and AI applications using languages like Python. Other students may learn how to develop web applications using HTML/CSS or how to use JavaScript to connect wireless devices like phones, personal assistants, and cars to the internet. As programming languages become more complex and advanced, the possibilities continue to grow.
Computer science training programs will cover a wide range of different skill levels for students who are looking to learn to program. Some classes are open for novices and are designed to teach basic programming functions, such as how to write, compile, and debug code. Others will assume a baseline of programming knowledge and aim to teach students specialized skills that they can make use of in a professional context. Regardless of your individual experience, there is a summer computer science training program that fits your needs.
For Adults & College Students
Even though most people associate summer training programs with K-12 students, adults and college students can take advantage of the affordances of the summer months to learn new computer science skills. Since the field is so varied and open, there is no shortage of training opportunities available to meet a student’s skill level and desired curriculum. To learn more about the options available for summer computer sciences classes read on and then explore Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool.
Noble Desktop
Full Stack Web Development Certificate: July 10th–November 2nd, 2024 (Weekdays)
One of the most common uses of computer science training is in web development, which is the process of building web pages and other digital applications that run in browsers. Noble Desktop’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate program provides students with a comprehensive, career-focused education in web development techniques. Students will learn how to build the front end elements of a web application (everything the client sees when they load a webpage) using languages like HTML/CSS and JavaScript and they will learn how to build the backend elements (everything the client doesn’t see, including servers and databases) using SQL or libraries like React and Node.js. On top of this training, students enrolled in this class will receive one-on-one career support to help them find work as Full Stack Developers.
Web Development With HTML/CSS: July 10th–July 12th, 2024 (Weekdays)
Some students interested in learning computer science might not be ready to enroll in a hundred-plus hour course aimed at students looking for new career opportunities. Anyone interested in starting small may want to consider a course like Noble’s Web Development with HTML & CSS course. This course will teach students the basic process of writing code for webpages, running that code to check for errors, and debugging code. This course is aimed at students looking to learn the basics of web development programming in preparation for more in-depth training in languages like JavaScript. Students can enter this course with no prior programming experience and use it as an entry point into more advanced computer science instruction.
Data Science Certificate: June 12th–July 11th, 2024 (Weekdays)
Another important subfield of computer science is data science. Today, most businesses and organizations rely on generating huge amounts of data concerning the customer and constituent behaviors. Computer science training allows specialists to organize, query, and analyze that data to find useful trends and information. Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate program is an ideal choice for students looking to receive hands-on, expert instruction in data science. Students will learn how to use Python to build databases, organize and wrangle data, and interpret data through graphs, charts, and other visualization methods. This course teaches more generalist data science skills. While there is career support available through the program, students may also want to consider more targeted data science classes, such as Noble’s FinTech Bootcamp if that aligns more closely with their long-term career goals.
Holberton School
Foundation of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Holberton School offers a wide range of computer science training courses designed to introduce students to fundamental computer science concepts and build upon those concepts in specific ways. In its Computer Science and Software Engineering course, students will learn the basics of computer programming, including whiteboarding and writing code, then they will apply those lessons to real-world examples of software engineering projects using languages like SQL, Python, and JavaScript. Students will also work on the soft skills required of professional Software Engineers, including team-building exercises to train students to code in collaboration with one another and mock interviews to help them prepare for the job application process.
Foundations of Computer Science and Machine Learning
Students enrolled in this Computer Science and Machine Learning course will learn foundational computer science skills and then they will build upon this knowledge through training in working with machine learning applications. Students will learn languages like Python and JavaScript to build rudimentary AI programs that they can train to operate as machine learning algorithms. Machine learning is a newly emerging technology that is poised to revolutionize a number of industries over the next few decades and learning these skills will help you get a foot in the door of this exciting new field of computer science.
Foundations of Computer Science and Full Stack Web Development
Holberton School also offers an array of web development training courses, including a front end, back end, and full stack web development track. In these classes, students will learn the ins and outs of computer programming and they will apply that knowledge to building webpages using HTML/CSS and JavaScript. The full stack web development course will complement this front end training with instruction in the use of languages like SQL and libraries like Node.js to build the server and database infrastructure that allows complex web applications to function. Students work individually and in groups on web development projects in order to simulate the kinds of real world web development work they can expect to do once they graduate from this program.
Code Fellows
Programming with Java
Java is one of the most popular programming languages in the world and it is often recommended as one of the first languages new programmers should learn. Many service providers, including Code Fellows, offer immersive Java programming courses for students looking to learn the basics of software development and computer science. Students will complete a quick, self-paced introduction to programming lesson and then they will begin learning the ins and outs of software development using object oriented programming techniques in Java. This is an excellent program to introduce yourself to the robust features of Java and set yourself up for more success in future computer science training.
NYC Data Academy
Introduction to Python
Another one of the most commonly used programming languages in the world, Python is an ideal first language for novice programmers, especially those who are interested in the field of data science. Students interested in learning the basics of Python can enroll in courses like NYC Data Academy’s Introductory Python class. Python is used in everything from search engines to recommendation algorithms to artificial intelligence and machine learning software. Learning the basics of computer programming alongside Python is a good way to enter into a robust and growing subfield of computer science while still picking up essential skills required for almost all programmers and developers.
For High School Students & Teenagers
Any high school student interested in pursuing a STEM education is likely to be able to take advantage of a live or online summer computer science class. Whether they are learning web development, Java, data science, or software engineering, there is something for everyone with a passion for technology to specialize in. High school students can also take advantage of these summer courses to prepare themselves for college application processes, 100-level computer science courses, or AP computer science classes.
NextGen Bootcamp
Computer Science Summer Certificate Program Live Online: June 27–July 19, 2024, June 27–August 1, 2024, July 22–August 15, 2024
Students looking for a robust summer computer science education should consider enrolling in NextGen Bootcamp’s Computer Science Summer Certificate program. In this summer program, students with no prior programming experience will learn the basics of computer programming using Java and Python. This class is an ideal introduction to computer science for students looking to learn the fundamentals of software engineering or who want to work with complex datasets, whether in a scientific or business setting. Students will receive hands-on training from experienced instructors and upon successful completion of the course, they will receive a certificate that they can add to their portfolio of college application materials.
Full Stack Developer Summer Program
High school students can also consider enrolling in NextGen’s Full Stack Developer Summer Program. This class focuses on the web development side of computer science and students will learn how to build the front facing elements of webpages using HTML/CSS and JavaScript alongside training in building and maintaining the back end server and database infrastructure using JavaScript libraries like Node.js and React. This course offers a comprehensive education for students looking to learn how to build and maintain their own webpages and who are looking to pursue web development or software development as a career path.
Python Data Science and Machine Learning Summer Program: June 27–July 19, 2024, July 22–August 1, 2024, July 22–August 9, 2024, August 5–15, 2024
Students who are interested in the rapidly developing technology behind artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms may want to try their hand at NextGen’s Python Data Science and Machine Learning program. In this program, students will learn the basics of computer science by learning how to use Python to build, query, and organize databases and how to build computer programs that interpret that data into visualizations like charts and graphs. Once students are comfortable with this aspect of the language, they will begin writing simple machine learning algorithms to help users interpret and process their data without needing a human to input commands.
Computer Science Summer Certificate Program Live NYC: July 22–August 15, 2024
Some students may be looking for a place to learn computer science skills in a dedicated classroom space. Those students may want to consider enrolling in NextGen’s live, in-person Computer Science Summer Certificate program offered at their Manhattan campus. In this class, students will learn Python and Java from experienced instructors while taking advantage of the hardware and software available to them at NextGen’s state-of-the-art computer lab. Students will be able to collaborate directly with a cohort of like-minded colleagues and get valuable networking opportunities as they prepare for their future in computer science.
iD Tech
Computer Science with Java
Students interested in learning the basics of computer science can consider enrolling in a course like iD Tech’s Computer Science with Java program. In this class, students will learn how to write code, compile it to run, and debug that code to correct errors. They will do this all while learning Java, one of the most popular first programming languages in the world. This course is also an ideal place to prepare for an AP computer science course since most high school computer science classes emphasize Java as a foundational programming language.
Python Coding: Machine Learning and Data Science
iD Tech also offers a course for novice programmers that emphasizes the two major uses of the Python programming language; machine learning and data science. In this class, students will learn how to use Python to build and query databases in an effort to make sense of huge amounts of data. Then, they will learn how Python can be used to interpret that data. First, they will learn how to do this manually, by building programs that allow users to easily access, organize and visualize data. Then, they will start training in machine learning programming to build computer programs that can interpret large amounts of data without the need for a human to engage with the dataset directly.
UCLA
Computer Science Introductory Track
UCLA is one of the hundreds of higher-learning institutions that offer summer programs for high school students looking to learn the fundamentals of computer science. In the Computer Science Introductory Track, students without prior programming experience can learn the basics of coding and complement those skills with focused training in languages like Java, HTML/CSS, or Python. Each course is going to be different, but they will all aim to prepare students for college-level computer science courses and many of them offer some degree of college credit for enrolled students. It is recommended that you explore the in-person and online options available to you in order to find the pre-college course that best fits your individual interests in computer science.
For Kids & Preteens
Many young children have grown up around computers for their entire lives and they may be interested in learning how they operate. Summer training programs are a great time to introduce children to STEM subjects like computer science in order to instill in them a long-term curiosity and passion for science and technology. Plus, computer programming languages are similar to foreign languages in that the earlier you start learning them, the better equipped you are to become more fluent as you grow older.
Kids 4 Coding
Summer Tech Camp: weekly camps from June 5 - July 8, 2024
Kids 4 Coding is one of the many local training providers who offer in-person summer computer science camps. Kids 4 Coding is based out of Atlanta, GA (with locations in MA) and they offer weekly summer camps that introduce students as young as seven to the basics of computer science. Students will learn how to write and read code and they will come to understand how a computer translates a block of code into a working interactive application. There are a wide range of programming camps like this available to parents looking for a fun summer activity for their children that will also teach them valuable long-term life skills.
iD Tech
Private Web Development Lessons
iD Tech offers a wide array of different private web development tutoring sessions for children as young as 10 looking to learn computer programming. These include courses in HTML and JavaScript in which students can learn the basics of programming the front-facing elements of a webpage. These courses are broken down into 12 one-hour private sessions and parents can choose to enroll their students in individual courses or they can purchase time in bulk. These classes are a great way for students to learn the foundational skills of computer programming in a way that is accessible and enjoyable.
Private Python Tutoring
Another route that parents can take for private computer science tutoring is enrolling their child in a Python training course. This course is available for children as young as 7 and emphasizes how Python can be used in game design and development. Students will learn the basics of Python and use that knowledge to eventually build their own working video games. This class comprises 12 one-hour sessions that build upon one another and parents can enroll their students in a single session or up to 12 sessions at once.
Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Learn Computer Science
No matter how old you are or what you are hoping to achieve in a computer science training program, there are a lot of reasons to consider enrolling in a summer computer science course. Summer is an excellent time to learn computer science and develop technical and soft skills that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.
K-12 students can obviously benefit the most from summer courses because they have a long break during which they can enroll in these classes. This makes summer the time of the year wherein training providers design courses and camps specifically for these age groups. Students looking to learn the basics of computer science will have significantly more options for tailored training programs than they would otherwise have access to during the school year.
For adults and college students, the summer is less likely to be a period of unlimited free time to learn a new skill. However, there are still plenty of reasons to consider enrolling in a part-time summer training program if you are interested in learning computer science. First, many service providers run extensive summer programming because there are more instructors available to teach courses during these months, which means that students looking for course offerings will have more to choose from. Second, while it can seem minor, the extra energy that students have during the warmer summer months and its longer days can be the difference between completing a training program and burning out from exhaustion during the winter.
How to Choose the Right Summer Computer Science Course
Finding the right summer computer science training program can be difficult, especially for parents looking to enroll their K-12 aged children in a program. However, there are certainly things that you can consider to make the decision easier, whether you are looking for a course to teach your child how to program or to improve your own career opportunities.
Parents looking to enroll younger children in a summer programming course are going to want to consider whether or not they think that the course seems like it is making computer science feel accessible and fun. Computer programming can be a slow, daunting skill to learn, so summer camps attempt to make the field as approachable and appealing as possible so that young children develop an interest in STEM. Since these are largely introductory courses, parents may be less concerned about the lessons in question (does it really make a difference if your seven year old learns Java, Python, or HTML) and more concerned with the delivery method and whether or not the course seems exciting for a younger child.
High school students will have a better understanding of what they want out of a summer training program, which makes it easier to narrow down the options. Some high school students have either been accepted to college computer science programs or are aiming to study computer science at a college or university. These students will want to consider finding a course that bills itself as college preparatory, perhaps even one put on by a university. These classes are ideal for students who are looking to prepare for their introductory level computer science courses and set themselves up for long-term success. Some students aren’t as confident that they want to become computer programmers but are interested enough in STEM to pursue AP computer science courses. These students may want to take a class built with these courses in mind to prepare for their exams. Noble Desktop has compiled a collection of resources for high school students looking to compare their options for high school summer computer science classes.
Adults and college students looking for a summer computer science course are far more likely to have immediate career-related incentives to be looking into the class. Many students enroll in these classes to change careers, given that computer science is an in-demand field. Students looking for this assistance should consider courses such as Noble’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate or their Data Science Certificate program. These classes provide students with dedicated career training and professional development services, like one-on-one career mentorship designed to help students leave the classroom ready to enter the job market. Students who aren’t interested in an immediate career change but are interested in learning computer science skills may want to consider enrolling in a shorter, less career-focused program, such as Noble’s Web Development with HTML & CSS course. These classes provide students with important, transferable skills that they can build upon in the future.