General program information

Where are your programs held?

Most classes will be held in person in Harper Memorial Library on the University of Chicago campus, 1116 East 59th Street, in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Specific classroom numbers will be provided when you sign up for any of our in-person programs, and we can provide CTA passes for free if needed for your commute.

How much does this cost?

All Splash! Chicago programs are completely free to attend.

How can I reach out to you?

For more information, questions, or concerns, please email us at splashchicago@gmail.com

• We also have a dedicated Contact Us page on this website.

Sections on this page

• Droplet
• Splash
• Cascade (our current program for Spring 2025)

What is it?

Droplet is a one-day program for high school students to learn about interesting topics they may never have encountered in traditional high school curriculum. Droplet creates a fun environment where high school students can meet their peers with similar interests, as well as teachers who are studying at UChicago.

• Droplet is completely free to attend.
• A sample list of Droplet classes and descriptions can be found here.

When is it?

Droplet is typically held during the fall or winter of the academic year.

• Droplet 2024 has already passed.
• We invite you to check out our current Cascade program (details toward the end of this page).

How do I sign up?

• Registration for Droplet 2024 has concluded. If you want to register for our latest program, please refer to Cascade 2025, at the bottom of this page.

What is it?

Splash brings high school students from all over Chicago to the University of Chicago campus for one Saturday. The high school students take short classes taught by college and graduate students in areas that teachers are really passionate about. The program brings together graduate, college, and high school students and introduces high school students to topics they may not be able to access in a traditional high school curriculum.

• Past classes have covered topics ranging from genetic engineering and dystopian fiction to dance and introductory Mongolian. The focus is on teaching unusual and engaging classes that keep learning fun.
• Splash is 100% free to attend.

When is it?

Splash is a one-day weekend program held in the winter.

• Splash Winter 2025 was held on Saturday, March 1, with four class periods available.

How do I sign up?

• Registration for Splash 2025 has concluded. Please check back next year.

What is it?

Cascade is a five-week program for high school students that exposes them to interesting topics they may never have seen before in high school. Like Splash, Cascade allows students to meet college students and other high school students in a fun context. Unlike Splash, Cascade allows students to explore topics in a bit more depth than a one-day program can allow and to get to know their teachers.

Students take classes in one or two time slots, with several in each slot. Each class will meet five times, one hour every afternoon/evening on a certain weekday for five consecutive weeks. There will be no testing or grades, but there may be small amounts of homework assigned from week to week in some classes. Attendance at all sessions is required, but if you must miss a class, please be sure to tell your teacher in advance.

When is it?

Cascade usually takes place in the course of 5 weeks in the Spring, and you can take up to 2 classes. Classes are one weekday per week in the evenings, and dinner is provided.

• This year (2025), we are organizing Cascade in an abridged one-day format similar to Splash in length. Lunch will be provided instead.
• The date will be as shown on the index page for students under "Upcoming Opportunities".

How do I sign up?

• Registration for Cascade 2025 has not opened yet. Please check back later.