In today’s digital ecosystem, businesses and organizations are collecting unimaginable amounts of data on their customers, users, clients, and constituents. In 2020, approximately 40 zettabytes of data were created (or 40 billion terabytes, roughly 50 times the amount of sand on all the world’s beaches). This is an unfathomable amount of data and it is impossible for human beings to manage without the aid of computers. Data science is the process of building computer programs and databases to store, query, organize, and interpret this data, and it is rapidly becoming one of the most in-demand career fields in the country. Not only is the ability to organize and analyze data immensely useful in the private commercial sector, but it is an important part of successful public administration, outreach, and scientific work. No matter what field you are hoping to enter, it is likely that you can put data science skills into practice in those fields.

One of the best ways to find a career in data science is through immersive skills training. No matter how old you are, there are options available to you for live in-person or online data science courses, and many of these courses are specifically designed to run over the summer to allow students to enroll during their breaks. These immersive courses will give students the training they need to start mastering data science principles. In most of these summer programs, students will learn how to use programming languages like Python and SQL to build and organize databases, and they will practice machine learning skills that allow computers to make use of this massive amount of data without the direct supervision of a human operator. Data science courses also tend to teach students data visualization skills and tools to help them interpret data and communicate their findings to other invested stakeholders.

For Adults & College Students

Summer training is most commonly associated with high school students working on projects over their break, but there are several courses for adults and college students that run over the summer. These courses can be ideal places to learn data science skills, full-time for college students or part-time for adults looking to train in their off-hours. Students interested in exploring their options for live online or in-person data science classes can compare offerings using Noble Desktop’s Classes near Me Tool. It is important to compare options since data science is such a massive field that students who want to specialize in one element of the process may want to consider narrower training options.

Noble Desktop

Data Science Certificate: April 3rd–August 21st, 2024 (Weeknights) or June 12th–July 11th, 2024 (Weekdays)

Noble Desktop offers a Data Science Certificate program that is perfect for anyone hoping to find work as a Data Scientist. In this class, students will receive hands-on training in Python and SQL so that they are equipped to create and manage databases that are organized, accessible, and functional. In addition, students will begin to work with machine learning algorithms to automate basic data processes and streamline the work of analysis and interpretation. Upon completing this course, students will receive a certificate of completion that will demonstrate their proficiency in data science skills to potential employers.

Data Analytics Certificate: June 5th–July 13th, 2024 (Weekdays)

Data is only as good as your ability to draw inferences and information from it; this is where data analytics skills come into play. In Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate program, students will learn the basics of data science using Python and SQL, then they will learn how to use tools like Excel, Tableau, and Microsoft BI to interpret, analyze, and present this data. Data Analysts work in almost every industry, including the financial industry, business and commerce, government, healthcare, and professional sports. Almost every facet of the modern economy relies on data collection, so learning how to draw inferences from this data is invaluable for businesses and organizations looking to remain competitive.

Python Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp: April 3rd–July 31st, 2024 (weeknights)

One of the most commonly used programming languages in data science is Python. Noble Desktop’s Python Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp is an immersive course that teaches students how to use Python for specific data science functions. In this class, students will learn how to build and query Python databases, automate data collection processes and create data visualizations. In addition, students will dedicate significant classroom time to building machine learning algorithms, which can help with data automation and analysis when dealing with datasets far too large for human beings to work with. This class is a great place to learn the basics of professional data science in preparation for entry into this in-demand career field.

SQL Bootcamp: June 20th-June 22nd, 2024 (Weekdays) or August 2nd–August 21st, 2024 (Monday and Wednesday Evenings)

Students looking for a more accelerated course offering may want to consider Noble’s SQL Bootcamp. Standard Querying Language (SQL) is the other most commonly used programming language in computer science and it is a vital component of modern database infrastructure. SQL is important for storing, querying, organizing, and retrieving data from servers in a timely and efficient manner, making it important for any project that is working with large datasets. In this class, students will receive hands-on training in using SQL to build databases and undertake elaborate querying processes, such as subqueries, filters, and IF-else logical queries. Students will need additional training if they want to work as professional Data Scientists but this course is an ideal way to lay the foundation for a future career in the field.

General Assembly

Data Science Immersive

General Assembly’s Data Science Immersive is a live training course, offered in-person or online, that teaches students the basic and intermediate skills associated with careers in the field of data science. In this class, students will learn data science fundamentals like Python and SQL and they will receive training in advanced skills like machine learning. Students will receive lessons in current data science trends and newly developing technologies to help them stay on the cutting edge of the career field.

Data Analytics Immersive

The Data Analytics Immersive aims to provide students with the tools that they need to enter into a career as a Data Analyst. Aimed at providing practical instruction, this class teaches students how to use SQL, Python, their assorted libraries, and programs like Tableau and PowerBI to create detailed data visualizations and actionable plans based on analyses of data. This course is based largely on business intelligence datasets but the lessons learned in this class can be applicable to almost any industry that utilizes data analytics (which is increasingly becoming all industries).

Python Programming

In order to work with large datasets and machine learning processes, you first need to understand how to use programming languages like Python. While almost all immersive data science classes teach the language, it can be useful to take a focused course to learn the basics of Python. In this Python Programming class, students will learn the basics of computer programming and the foundational syntax and grammar of Python. This course is taught by experienced instructors and enrolling is a good way to learn the basics of the language in preparation for more detailed data science training.

Flatiron School

Data Science: Starting June 26th, 2024 (Full Time and Part Time available)

Flatiron School offers full-time and part-time training in data science. In this course, students will receive hands-on instruction in the use of SQL and Python for organizing and interpreting datasets. Using real-world examples, students will learn how to take unorganized, massive collections of data and transform them into usable graphs, charts, and other visualizations. This class will also teach students the fundamentals of machine learning so that they can bypass the more rote elements of interpreting and analyzing data. This course is a good fit for anyone looking for an immersive data science education.

Data Science Dojo

Data Science Bootcamp

Data Science Dojo specializes in data science training and education and they offer part-time and full-time data science bootcamps for students interested in learning skills like Python and SQL over a summer session. In its Data Science Bootcamp, students will learn advanced data science and analytic skills, including predictive modeling, model hyperparameters, linear regression models, and big data engineering. By the end of this course, students will be equipped with a practical knowledge of data science that they can take into the workforce.

For High School Students & Teenagers

Summer break is an ideal time for high school students to begin preparing themselves for long-term success by taking guided training courses that can help them build their skills for the future. For example, students interested in careers in finance, entrepreneurship, STEM, or advocacy can benefit from enrolling in a summer data science course for high school students. Data science is such a widely applicable skill set that almost anyone can benefit from learning the basics of the field.

NextGen Bootcamp

Python Data Science & Machine Learning Live Online: June 27–July 19, 2024, July 22–August 9, 2024, August 5–August 15, 2024

NextGen Bootcamp offers a Python Data Science & Machine Learning course designed for high school students interested in receiving practical, hands-on training in data science and analytics. This class will teach students the basics of coding using the Python programming language, making this an ideal class for students who are interested in computer science but aren’t sure what kind of languages they would like to learn. Students will learn how to write code, make conditional statements using Python, and wrangle and clean data. The course concludes by teaching students the basics of machine learning algorithms. This course is a versatile class that is well-suited for anyone hoping to prepare for an AP course or anyone hoping to get a jump-start on their college computer science curriculum. 

Java Programming Summer Program Live Online: June 27–July 19, 2024, July 22–August 1, 2024, August 5–15, 2024

In NextGen Bootcamp’s Java Programming Summer Program, students will receive expert instruction in the fundamentals of computer programming using Java, arguably the most popular programming language in the world. While not strictly focused on its use in data science, Java is often used to organize, catalog, and interpret data points and the language is versatile enough that it will help complement any additional, specific programming languages you might want to learn. This class is best suited for students who are interested in STEM and computer science but aren’t entirely certain what direction they want to take with their training. Similar to the Python learning course, this is also a great way to prepare yourself for more advanced programming training and education.

Computer Science Summer Certificate Program: June 27–July 19, 2024, June 27–August 1, 2024, July 22–August 15, 2024

For students looking for a more well-rounded training experience, NextGen Bootcamp offers a Computer Science Summer Certificate program that teaches the basics of both Java and Python to high school students who aspire to learn computer science. This course, which is open to programmers of all experience levels, will teach students how to write, compile, and debug code in both Java and Python. This makes the course especially appealing for students looking to go into a computer science or data science career, since these languages are especially useful in those fields. Students will receive a certificate of completion, which can be very helpful for building college application materials and they will have laid the groundwork for future immersive training in virtually all fields of computer science.

Python Data Science & Machine Learning Program NYC: June 22–July 19, 2024, July 22–August 1, 2024, August 5–15, 2024

Students who want to learn data science in an immersive, in-person classroom environment may want to consider NextGen Bootcamp’s Python Data Science and Machine Learning Program NYC offers students in the Manhattan area the chance to learn important data science principles from experienced instructors at NextGen’s state-of-the-art tech lab. In this class, students will receive hands-on instruction in using Python to build, organize, and query databases and they will have the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded students on projects. Students enrolled in this class will learn the basics of machine learning programs and they will set themselves up for success in more advanced data science training programs.

Computer Science Summer Program NYC: July 22–August 15, 2024

NextGen Bootcamp offers a live, in-person Computer Science Summer Program at their Manhattan campus. This course affords students the opportunity to learn hands-on computer science skills from expert instructors in a high tech environment. This course will teach students the foundational skills they need to become advanced programmers, such as how to write, debug, and compile. They will do this while learning two of the most versatile and popular programming languages, Python and Java. These languages are especially useful for students looking to further their data science education, as Python is among the most important data-related programming languages and Java is versatile enough to be useful in almost any context.

Digital Media Academy

Analyze Data Using Python: A Beginning

Digital Media Academy is a Silicon Valley-based tech education center that provides students aged 15-18 with computer science training either in-person or online. Their Analyze Data Using Python course offers an introduction to data science. Students will learn the basics of computer programming and they will do this by learning the basics of Python, which is a vital language for building data science programs and applications. Over the run of the course, students will work with practical exercises to functional databases and programs that organize and query those databases. This course is an ideal entry-point for students interested in learning how to code and how to use their coding knowledge for practical purposes.

What Can you do with Data

This data literacy course provides high school students with a high-level overview of the practical applications of data science. Less focused on programming knowledge (though the modules do teach students the basics of Python), this course explores what industries and professions make use of large datasets and how they analyze and interpret that data. This course will cover lessons in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, data privacy law, and city planning all as case studies of ways in which businesses and organizations rely on data. This is a multifaceted course that can help students get a taste of all of the different paths they can take with further data science training.

iD Tech

Intro to Python for Machine Learning

One of the most exciting technological developments being worked on at the moment is machine learning. This is the process of programming a computer to read unfathomable amounts of data and interpret that data without needing a user to control the process. While this technology is in its infancy, mostly used for things like recommendation algorithms and chatbots, it is improving rapidly. This artificial intelligence and machine learning course teaches students the basics of using Python to build machine learning algorithms, giving them a leg-up if they hope to enter a career as a Data Scientist who works with this cutting-edge technology. Students will learn how to write basic machine learning functions and they will get experience coding simple machine learning algorithms.

For Kids & Preteens

One way in which computer programming languages are like foreign languages is that the earlier you start learning them, the easier it will be for you to become fluent in them. This is why many kids and preteens who are interested in STEM or computer science stand to benefit from focused instruction and guidance. Enrolling your child in a summer data science program is a great way to set them up for long-term success in a number of high-paying industries.

Kids 4 Coding

Python & AI with Robotics

Kids 4 Coding is a Massachusetts and Georgia-based technology training program that teaches children the fundamentals of coding and programming to help make STEM skills more easily approachable and fun. In their Python & AI with Robotics course, students aged 10-12 can learn how to code with Python alongside lessons in the practical applications of the language. The course focuses on the role that AI plays in the developing Internet of Things, making the lessons both approachable and useful for student’s long-term success.

iD Tech

One-on-One Python Lessons

iD Tech offers children as young as seven the opportunity to learn Python computer programming skills from expert instructors in one-on-one Python training sessions. These classes are flexible in their design, and parents can choose how many lessons their child receives (up to a dozen). In this course, students will learn the basics of computer programming and how Python is used to build everything from video games to machine learning and artificial intelligence programs.

One-on-One Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Lessons

Another iD Tech option for private one-on-one tutoring, this set of lessons provides students with an overview of using Python for machine learning and artificial intelligence programming. Students as young as 13 can receive hands-on lessons in which they learn how to program using Python and how to build and refine neural networks and other machine learning applications. Available in up to 12 lessons, thes private tutoring sessions are an ideal way to set younger students up for long-term success if they are interested in STEM work, particularly as it pertains to machine learning.

Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Learn Data Science

While it is always a good time to learn data science principles, summer can be an ideal time to train for students of all ages. For children, data science camps are a great way to meet new friends and learn important life skills while preparing for long-term STEM education success. These camps are designed to be recreational and provide students with an enjoyable and memorable experience. This will position younger children to understand STEM, and data science in particular, as something that can be practical and fun, rather than monotonous and boring. While it won’t be true for all students, attending one of these summer sessions can instill a life-long love of technological curiosity and problem-solving skills in children.

Children tend to go into summer programming camps without an idea of what they want to get out of the experience. High school students on the other hand are far more likely to know what they want out of a summer course and understand how these summer sessions can help them meet their goals. This may involve preparing for an AP high school class or getting a jump-start on a college computer science program, but regardless of the end goal, summer data science classes are a great tool for expanding a student’s knowledge of computer programming and setting them up for long-term success in any of their data science related endeavors.

Adults are less likely to be able to bracket off a huge amount of time for professional development training in the summer, since they will be working year-round. However, summer is a time where course offerings are more abundant, particularly those offered through accredited colleges and universities. Owing to the nature of school semesters, professional instructors are more likely to be able to teach open enrollment courses over the summer, meaning that adult learners can select from a deeper pool of course offerings. Summer is also an ideal time to learn, simply because the weather is nicer, the days are longer, and the general mood is more positive. This may seem basic, but if you are taking an after-work training program, it really does make a difference in students’ energy levels and engagement if they start the course well after the sun has set at 5 PM.

How to Choose the Right Summer Data Science Course

Choosing the right summer data science program can be challenging, especially if you are browsing for a course for someone other than yourself. Each course will cover a different curriculum and have a different pedagogical approach to teaching data science. However, you can keep a few things in mind when enrolling in a summer data science class.

When looking at summer data science courses for younger children, consider that the program's lessons might not be the most important thing to dwell on. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t look at what kind of data science curriculum is being taught. Still, these classes tend to be more about building fundamental skills and instilling curiosity and problems skills than they are about practical data science work. The goal is less to transform a child into a future Data Scientist than to demonstrate to them that data science and STEM work can be a fun and enjoyable experience that they want to pursue as they get older.

High school students should consider their long-term goals and judge whether any training program will be an ideal fit for them. The most significant concern is whether or not the course is designed to supplement existing high school programming classes (such as those designed to prepare students for AP computer science classes) or to serve as a pre-college level class to ease students into a computer science degree program. While these may be interchangeable for some students, most will want to find a high school summer data science course that suits their immediate needs.

Adults and college students will be more concerned with their long-term goals when searching for a summer data science class. Anyone looking for a significant career change will need to look for an immersive training program in the vein of Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate program. These programs are designed to help students looking to shift into a new career and need extensive hands-on training to prepare themselves. Students looking to build job skills that fit in with their existing training may consider enrolling in a shorter class, like Noble’s Python for Data Science Bootcamp. These classes will help build important career skills in a shorter time frame, but anyone looking for a full career shift will likely need significant amounts of additional training.