SPARC trains students in a unique style of thinking, focusing on reasoning under uncertainty and identifying one's own mistakes, rather than just teaching a subject.
SPARC (Summer Program for Applied Rationality and Cognition) is a free, two-week residential program for talented high schoolers and rising undergraduates. The curriculum focuses on applied rationality, teaching students to use techniques from decision theory, behavioral economics, and statistics to improve mental habits and form accurate beliefs. Classes are small, discussion-based, and cover topics like noticing, cognitive biases, superforecasting, and statistical street fighting. Beyond classes, students participate in activities such as programming labs, self-reflection periods, board games, improv, Fermithons (estimation competitions), and negotiation workshops. The program aims to develop quantitative skills and apply them to real-world questions, fostering a community of intellectually curious and introspective individuals. Students are encouraged to pursue their own projects and engage with invited speakers, including academics, CEOs, and philanthropists.
A typical day includes four to five hours of classes or activities, such as seminars, electives, and various recreational activities, with an invited speaker many evenings.
The program is best for high schoolers (roughly 14-18) who are comfortable with math, genuinely curious about how thinking works, interested in big questions (philosophy, AI alignment, effective altruism), and introspective.
California State University East Bay, USA
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