SigmaNext 2026: Academic Program
At SigmaNext, we offer an intensive interdisciplinary scientific program covering advanced Math, science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science), and Engineering (microprocessors, robotics, etc.). Students play a more active role in shaping what they learn.
Semilabs
The core of our academic program are semilabs, where theoretical (seminar) and practical (lab) parts are combined into two 1.5-hour sessions every day. Each student attends one semilab during SigmaNext, which runs for five days. Part of the SigmaNext application is the Entrance Exam (EE), in which you solve problems designed specifically around the semilabs offered at camp.
The list of semilabs for 2026 will be posted in February. In the meantime, check out last year’s semilabs:
Lectures
At SigmaNext, we are digging deeper into Lectures! Instead of choosing each day from among different lectures, as we do at SigmaCamp, we will also offer mini-courses of 3 lectures given by specialists in different areas of math and science. We encourage you to attend lectures from various disciplines – it might surprise you how tightly interconnected Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are!
As we prepare the 2026 lecture program, take a look at last year’s SigmaNext lectures:
TournamentNext
The TournamentNext is a team-based competition in which campers work together to solve challenging problems and complete experiments across a range of STEM subjects, including Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Linguistics, and Engineering. The more difficult a problem is, the more points your team earns by solving it!
The top three teams win prizes at the end of camp, and the tournament is one of the most invigorating parts of each day at SigmaNext, as campers collaborate, share ideas, and learn from one another. On the final day of camp, all teams come together to compete simultaneously on a shared set of problems, with an added time bonus—so the faster you solve it, the more points you can score! All tournament problems are written by the Sigma Staff to introduce campers to new and exciting concepts and to encourage further exploration through discussion with peers and staff.
Workspaces
In the evening, Workspaces will enable students at SigmaNext to share the direction of the program's extracurricular academic inquiry. It is focused projects in Math, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, or Computer Science that run for 1, 2, or 3 days, for one hour each evening. These will be short courses taught by the non-instructor staff. We are excited about this new exploratory workspace format!
TedxSigma
It's a chance for every camper to share their passion with other campers through a short, TED talk-like presentation on any topic that fascinates them! We are asking all campers to prepare a talk as this will be a camp-wide activity. You will prepare a 5-7-minute presentation before camp and will present your TED talk to other campers and counselors! The best TED talks will be given on stage during the closing ceremony.