Explore@UNC
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Explore@UNC Intensive 2027 Programs are still to be confirmed. See below for additional information about Explore@UNC Intensive and the 2026 offerings.
Want to dive deeper into a subject?
Imagine spending an entire week immersed in your favorite subject, diving in with expert faculty, cutting-edge resources, and students who share your curiosity. That’s the Explore@UNC Intensive Program!
Unlike the Explore@UNC week which spreads your time across multiple majors, the Explore@UNC Intensives are built around a singular focus. During the one week program, you’ll make connections and gain insights that only come from sustained, concentrated study. You’ll work on hands-on projects, collaborate with peers who share your interests, and experience what it’s like to think, learn, and work like a specialist in your field.
What makes the experience truly special? You’ll spend the entire week learning directly from UNC faculty and graduate students who are experts and innovators in their disciplines. These aren’t introductory overviews. They’re intensive, college-level explorations where you’ll engage with complex ideas, tackle real-world problems, and learn from professors who are passionate about sharing their knowledge.
Explore@UNC: Makerspace Design & Engineering
This immersive intensive invites you to explore how design and engineering power real-world innovation—while bringing your own ideas to life.
Working with experienced peer mentors, students will be immersed in a multi-day process to ideate, design, and build a creative project using laser cutters, 3D printers, and other digital fabrication tools in the BeAM makerspaces.
Explore@UNC: Nutrition
Fuel your curiosity in the Nutrition Intensive, where you’ll discover how food, health, chemistry, and research blend into one delicious field of study.
Throughout the week, you’ll rotate between the lab and the kitchen, starting and ending each day with your group before heading off to cook up discoveries. In the lab, you’ll collect and analyze samples, extract DNA, and analyze specific microbes to uncover how nutritional choices shift our microscopic communities.
More about Explore@UNC: Nutrition
We invite you to fuel your curiosity in the Nutrition Intensive, where you’ll discover how food, health, chemistry, and research blend into one delicious field of study.
Throughout the week, you’ll rotate between the lab and the kitchen, starting and ending each day with your group before heading off to cook up discoveries. In the lab, you’ll collect and analyze samples, extract DNA, and analyze specific microbes to uncover how nutritional choices shift our microscopic communities (talk about food for thought!). In the kitchen, you’ll jump into a Nutritional “Chopped” challenge, teaming up to turn mystery ingredients into creative, nutrient-savvy meals that meet real-world dietary parameters.
Throughout the week, you’ll meet faculty, undergraduates, and professionals who work on cutting-edge nutrition research, from environmental toxins to the science behind Ozempic! With hands-on activities, food-focused problem-solving, and insightful career conversations, this Nutrition Intensive is sure to leave you hungry for more.
More about Explore@UNC: Makerspace Design & Engineering
This immersive intensive invites you to explore how design and engineering power real-world innovation—while bringing your own ideas to life.
Work hands-on with advanced tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, embroidery machines, electronics, and professional design software in UNC’s Be A Maker (BeAM) Makerspaces. You’ll ideate, prototype, and refine your own project, gaining practical skills in fabrication, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
Beyond the makerspace, go behind the scenes with industry professionals:
- Experience interactive exhibit development at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
- Explore drone innovation and programming at Carolina Drone Lab
- Discover the art and engineering of set design at PlayMakers Repertory
- Monday: Orientation, tool training, and mini-projects
- Tuesday–Thursday: Studio build time + featured site visits
- Friday: Final builds and celebratory makerspace showcase
Whether you’re an aspiring engineer, designer, artist, or inventor, this program empowers you to make, explore, and create with purpose.
Interested in the Explore@UNC Intensives?
Complete the interest form to get started.