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SigmaCamp 2025: Semilabs

The main part of SigmaCamp academic program are the Semilabs that combine theoretical (Seminar) and practical (Lab) parts in 90-minute session. Each semilab is a course, running for the five “regular” days of camp. Each student can attend 2 semilabs, one in the morning and one in the afternoon

Semilabs come in three difficulty lеvels. Please consider the following guidelines when selecting semilabs you would like to attend at SigmaCamp:

Introductory level semilabs do not assume any prior knowledge on the topic

Intermediate level semilabs do not require any prior knowledge on the topic, but will generally be more challenging

Advanced level semilabs are the most challenging ones. They have prerequisites - a set of concepts you are expected to be familiar with prior to attending the semilab

SigmaPeople-with-telescope-and-sigma-star

Introductory

cryptography
Math CS
Highlights of the Cryptographic Toolbox

Cryptography, as most people know, has the answers to life's most important questions. How can we share a secret with 100 people so that any 50 of...

by Adam D. Smith
soap semilab
Physics
Fun and Science of Soap Film

Soap bubbles captivate children and adults alike, combining delightful play with intriguing scientific principles. In this exploration, we will...

by Zohar Komargodski
python semilab
CS
Welcome to Python

Python is one of the most popular programming languages today, known for its simple and readable syntax that closely resembles English. It...

by Oksana Ivashkevych
cooking semilab
Engineering
Science of Cooking

"What makes a gel jelly? Can you really mix oil and water? How do you grill the perfect steak? Science holds the answers! In this course, you'll...

by Alexei Tkachenko

Intermediate

smart_camp
Engineering
Smart Camp Offline (web dev and IoT)

Ready to unlock the secrets of the IoT world and model your very own Smart City? Join our Semilab and you will become an expert! In 5 days you...

by Lilia Frenkel
bioelectricity
Engineering
Bioelectricity: from neurons to behavior

We will study the underbelly of nervous systems: from worms and roaches to humans. Using the electric nature of nerve impulses we will detect...

by Anar Amgalan
em semilab
Physics
Electromagnetism

Think for a moment how much electric lights, computers, the internet, and cell phones matter to us today. These and the many other inventions...

by Boris Podobedov
Microfluidics: Make Your Own Lab on a Chip
Engineering
Microfluidics: Make Your Own Lab on a Chip

Have you ever considered whether it’s possible to shrink an entire research laboratory onto a chip the size of your palm? Welcome to the world of...

by David Bershadsky and Nikita Podobedov
quantum semilab
CS
A Glimpse Into Quantum Computing

Come and see how quantum computers and quantum cryptography work! In this semilab we will cover the essential elements of quantum computing. Did...

by Julia Kempe
Green_Fluorescent_Protein_Chromatography_Kit
Biology
From Gene to Protein

What is genetic engineering? Simply put, you take a gene of some protein, introduce it into a new organism, and this organism starts to produce...

by Evgenii Boriushkin
probability
Math
Surprises in Probability

We face uncertainty all the time, so we should be great at probability... right? Well, not always! In this semilab, we will look into probability...

by Sofya Raskhodnikova and Anatoly Zavyalov
optics semilab
Physics
Optics: The Science of Light

Light isn’t just something we see—it moves like waves and acts like particles, unveiling some of nature’s most fascinating mysteries. In this...

by Polina Zavyalova
gpt semilab
CS
ChatGPT Under the Hood

Surely you have used ChatGPT or Claude or Bing Copilot over past couple fo years. Have you always wanted to know what's inside it, but were afraid...

by Yuri Salkinder

Advanced

semilab_logo
Biology
Synthetic Biology of Mitochondria

"Mitochondria are the powerhouse of a cell" – we all know this notorious expression from school, but what does it actually mean? In this semilab,...

by Alexander Galkin
chaos
Math
Fractals and Chaos Theory

They say that the flap of a butterfly's wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world. This "butterfly effect" references the fact...

by Andrey Boris Khesin
glassware
Chemistry
The Enigma of Chemical Glassware

In both science fiction and non-fiction films, filmmakers often depict science labs as rooms filled with elaborate glassware, the functions of...

by Mark Lukin
ai
CS
Reinforcement Learning

In recent years, advancements in AI have generated much public interest. Large language models have shocked many with their power to mimic...

by Andrew Mata
drone semilab
CS Engineering
Drone Swarming

Drones are cheap, common, and easy to fly, but have you ever wondered how they fly and what they could accomplish if multiple drones worked...

by Lev Bershadsky
relativity semilab
Physics
Special Relativity

Besides being central to almost all aspects of modern physics, special relativity is weird. Did you know that a change of reference frame can turn...

by Alex Frenkel
crispr semilab
Biology
CRISPR Quest: Rewriting DNA!

Scientists can now edit genes as easily as cutting paper with scissors. In this hands-on semilab, you will step into the shoes of a genetic...

by Anastasia Zhurikhina
solid light
Physics Engineering
Solid State Lighting

From the early red LEDs to the groundbreaking blue LEDs that earned a Nobel Prize, most light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are made from direct-bandgap...

by Dmitri Donetski