SPINWIP

The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a virtual summer outreach program hosted by the Stanford Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, designed to get high-school girls excited about physics. This 3-week program is free to participants and is held through online video meetings.  First-generation students and students from underrepresented backgrounds in physics are particularly encouraged to apply. No prior knowledge of physics or coding is needed.

Students will learn about cutting-edge research in physics in fields such as quantum physics, quantum computing, astrophysics, and cosmology. They will also learn to code in Python and apply their coding skills to physics-based projects. Students will attend lectures by Stanford professors and researchers, will work in small groups led by Stanford undergraduates, and will attend college planning and career development workshops. Students will have the opportunity to form mentorship relationships with Stanford students and professors. A program syllabus is here.

2025 Program Dates: July 7 to July 25, 2025; Monday through Friday. 

Time: 9am - 1pm PDT (PDT is UTC −08:00). The exact schedule will vary day-to-day.

Eligibility: High school students between 9th to 11th grade at the time of application. Students from countries outside the US are welcome to apply. Preference will be given to rising seniors and to students from under-resourced backgrounds. Students of any gender are welcome to apply.

Application: Application for the 2025 program is now open! Please submit this application form by May 1, 2025. Applicants will have an option to arrange a letter of recommendation from a teacher to strengthen their application (see details in the application form; although some spots in the program will be reserved for applicants without a letter).

Contact us: spinwip_info [at] stanford.edu (spinwip_info[at]stanford[dot]edu) for program-related inquiries.

Want to become a SPINWIP counselor? See the SPINWIP counselor page for more details.

Want to support the SPINWIP program? Please go to our online giving site: https://giving.stanford.edu/. Click the “Make a Gift” button in the upper right-hand corner. From the first drop down menu, select “Centers, Institutes, and More”, then from the second drop down menu select “Other Stanford Designation”. Write “SPINWIP/KIPAC” in the third line and follow the directions from there.