Academics
Scholar Programs
Take a Deeper Dive
Kimball Union Academy's three Scholar Programs prepare students for lives of leadership in areas of critical importance to our world. Working closely with KUA faculty, students explore a passion or interest through a two-year course of study. Each program combines coursework, community service, and experiential learning that culminates in a Senior Capstone project.
Students don’t need to pursue a future major or career in their program area to benefit from a Scholar Program experience. They graduate with problem-solving skills, creativity, critical thinking, and initiative – essential skills for college and the future of work. Students may apply to a Scholar Program in the spring of their sophomore year and new juniors may apply at the start of their first year.
Students don’t need to pursue a future major or career in their program area to benefit from a Scholar Program experience. They graduate with problem-solving skills, creativity, critical thinking, and initiative – essential skills for college and the future of work. Students may apply to a Scholar Program in the spring of their sophomore year and new juniors may apply at the start of their first year.
The Giles Family STEM Scholar Program
If you’re interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), you can tackle real-world challenges through The Giles Family STEM Scholar Program. The program offers an immersive, three-pillar journey designed for the next generation of innovators:
-
Academic Excellence: Move beyond the textbook with advanced research and hands-on lab work. You'll also learn to articulate your ideas into action through poster sessions and presentations.
-
Experiential Learning: Dive into the field through high-level internships and exclusive events for scholars with experts in STEM fields.
-
Real-World Application: Master design thinking and prove your expertise with an ambitious Senior Capstone project supported by a faculty advisor.
Recent Senior Capstones:
List of 6 items.
-
Asteroid Mining – A Feasibility Study
-
Establishing a Method of Habituating C. Elegans to Vibrations
-
Health Classes Effectiveness in Learning About the Menstrual Cycle
-
Kuskokwim Salmon, and Fluctuations of Metrics Through the Basis of Sex
-
Laplacian Pyramid Technique for Image Processing
-
Sleep Quality and Sleep Duration: How do they Correlate to Academic Performance?
Recent Seminar Guest Speakers:
List of 8 items.
-
Astronaut and Professor, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College
-
Astrophysicist, NASA
-
Entomologist, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, KUA Alumna
-
Nuclear Power Engineer, James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant Clean Energy Center
-
Polar Scientist, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
-
Professors of Machine Learning, Computer Science Department at Dartmouth College
-
Researcher of Philosophy & Neuroscience, Jülich Research Center, University of Bonn
-
Solar Power Engineer, Norwich Solar
STEM Scholar Directors
List of 2 members.
Global Scholar Program
In an increasingly globalized world, you can become an active citizen of our global community through the Global Scholar Program. You’ll develop an understanding of the economic, political, cultural, and social issues facing our world.
The program is structured in three key areas: academic, experiential, and application. Students admitted into the program maintain a rigorous academic course load with an emphasis on courses international in nature. Instruction in language will round out your academic experience.
Coursework is brought to life through travel, experiences, and immersion in our global society. Scholars benefit from KUA’s participation in the Global Alliance for Innovative Learning, which offers exchanges and conferences for students in eight countries. Through active participation in events on and off-campus, Global Scholars develop communication skills and present their findings through a culminating Senior Capstone project.
The program is structured in three key areas: academic, experiential, and application. Students admitted into the program maintain a rigorous academic course load with an emphasis on courses international in nature. Instruction in language will round out your academic experience.
Coursework is brought to life through travel, experiences, and immersion in our global society. Scholars benefit from KUA’s participation in the Global Alliance for Innovative Learning, which offers exchanges and conferences for students in eight countries. Through active participation in events on and off-campus, Global Scholars develop communication skills and present their findings through a culminating Senior Capstone project.
Recent Senior Capstones:
List of 4 items.
-
Research Based Practices in Education: A Global Perspective
-
Architects’ Role in Preserving Indigenous Culture and the Climate
-
Preserving the Voices of the World: The Future of Endangered Languages
-
Road Reform: Making Our Lives More Livable
Arts Scholar Program
Do you enjoy learning through the creation and exploration of art? As an Arts Scholar, you’ll navigate a unique path that will enrich your education, give you the tools and creative voice to ask difficult questions and solve complex problems. Through coursework, special arts seminars, and independent study, the Arts Scholar Program develops curious learners who engage the world with their own fresh and original perspectives.
The Art Scholar Program is structured to ground students in five areas: theory of art, creation/experience, community service, leadership, and appreciation. Arts Scholars present their work through a culminating Senior Capstone project.
The Art Scholar Program is structured to ground students in five areas: theory of art, creation/experience, community service, leadership, and appreciation. Arts Scholars present their work through a culminating Senior Capstone project.
Recent Senior Capstones:
List of 4 items.
-
We the Unheard
A multi-media art installation -
Memory Walks
A musical-theater review -
Taboo Beauty
Oil paintings -
Lanterns
A 360-degree digital panoramic painting
