Virt’u Summer Institute

What happens when a Stanford Physics PhD and an Opera Coach teach a class together this summer? Find out this summer at the Virtú Institute! Join us for an exciting, new 3-week camp that includes Philosophy, Science, and Storytelling taught in an innovative way to teach students the secrets to being well-rounded and exceptional at learning anything. Experiments, Debates, Games, Performances and More!

The goal of Virtú is for learning to take place both in and out of the classroom.

Classroom study will be centered around three subjects: Philosophy, Science, and Storytelling. Debate, demonstration, and discussion are key components of the holistic teaching style that students will learn through. Tests and other methods of assessment will serve to enhance learning rather than merely evaluate.

Outside of these areas of study, there will be recreational aspects of learning including guided sessions of exercise, games, and other creative activities. While challenging students intellectually, we also believe it’s important to challenge them physically and creatively. Exercises will promote flexibility and endurance, as well as general athletic competence. Game sessions will allow students to learn and bond through competition and group collaboration. Creative activities will provide room for improvisation influenced by the cohort of students. During lunch, students will receive meals provided by private catering and once a week, a portion of the lunch hour will be devoted to a "Topic Talk." These talks will range on a variety of topics and consist of a short presentation led either by an instructor or a guest, followed by group discussion.

At the end of the program, there will be a culminating project for students to demonstrate their retention of the concepts taught throughout the program.