July 19 - August 1, 2026
PREFACE is a summer experience hosted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) for rising junior and senior high school students interested in pursuing a career in engineering or technology, who possess unique strengths, leadership skills and talents that will add to the vibrancy of the RPI community.
Since 1978, PREFACE has provided a pre-college introduction to the distinct types of engineering, allowing students to understand what engineers do and what it takes to become an engineer. PREFACE students are exposed to today’s global challenges and learn to use engineering design and manufacturing processes to develop practical solutions.
This year's theme will explore the promises and challenges around Artificial Intelligence (AI). RPI faculty and professionals from the Schools of Engineering, Science, Management, and Humanities and Social Sciences, together with major RPI research centers, will lead immersive, project-based experiences exploring the science, applications, and societal impacts of Artificial Intelligence. Students will explore how AI systems are built, trained, and deployed across engineering disciplines, guided by mentors from academia and industry.
As a PREFACE participant, you will explore core concepts such as machine learning, data analysis, computer vision, natural language processing, and ethical AI. Through interactive lessons, guided labs, and collaborative team projects, you will gain practical experience using beginner-friendly tools and cloud-based platforms. You will be immersed in experiences that will expose you to computer hardware design and its connection to AI computing. Participants will explore how modern computer systems power AI and Machine Learning advancements and gain basic knowledge in processor design, learning how processors are built and optimized for AI-driven applications. You will simulate a robot learning how to navigate a maze using the Q-learning AI algorithm in MATLAB, and once the robot has sufficient experience, you will build and test a real robot in an actual maze.
Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes systems thinking, critical analysis, and responsible innovation. You will examine how AI intersects with economics, the environment, and public policy, and learn how design choices can shape long-term societal outcomes, which are both powerful and sustainable.