Data in Action: Sustainability, Science, and Storytelling
Explore the world of data science and data journalism at Lewis & Clark’s six-day data science precollege summer program for high school students (rising 9th-12th graders) passionate about sustainability and the environment. Advocate for a more sustainable future through data. Produce your own piece of interactive data journalism, connect with mentors, and earn at least $20,000 in scholarships when you attend Lewis & Clark College.
Program Overview
- Dates: July 12–17, 2026
- Location: Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon
- Tuition: $1,800 (includes food and lodging)
- Priority Application Deadline: January 1, 2026
- L&C Scholarship: At least $20,000 for admitted students who complete a precollege program
What Is Data in Action?
Data in Action: Sustainability, Science, and Storytelling is a precollege summer program for high school students interested in data science, sustainability, and the environment, and it takes place on Lewis & Clark’s beautiful college campus in Portland, Oregon, from July 12–17, 2026.
Over six days, you will learn how to analyze and communicate data through hands-on experience with environmental datasets. Guided by Lewis & Clark data science faculty, you will gain valuable insights into the tools and techniques used to create compelling data-driven stories. Choose a topic you are passionate about and produce your own interactive piece of data journalism, which will sharpen your skills in data visualization, interpretation, and storytelling. With mentorship, guest speakers, and collaborative activities, this camp will empower you to use data as a powerful tool for understanding and advocating for a more sustainable future.
Data in Action Precollege Program
What Will Students Learn?
Throughout the week, you will gain technical skills in utilizing tools for data analysis and visualization through a mix of workshops, field trips, and team projects. You will also foster connections with working journalists in the Portland area as you practice storytelling and develop interpretative frameworks for presenting data in engaging and understandable ways. While you immerse yourself in life on the Lewis & Clark campus, you will be supported by peers, current college students, staff, and faculty. Additionally, there will be field trips and cultural excursions to Portland classics, like the Willamette River and food trucks, so you can get to know our city firsthand.
Real-World Skill Development
- Cleaning, wrangling, and structuring civic and environmental datasets
- Joining and reshaping data across multiple tables
- Designing effective and ethical data visualizations
- Accessing and mapping data through ArcGIS
- Building reproducible workflows and documenting analyses
- Communicating findings through data stories and presentations
How Can I Apply?
Apply using this online application. Applications submitted by January 1, 2026 will receive priority consideration for admission. Applications received after this date will be admitted on a rolling basis, as space allows. Participation will be capped at 39 students.
How Much Does it Cost?
The program fee is $1,800. This price covers all on-campus activities, housing, full meal plan, and transportation to and from the airport as needed.
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Earn at Least $20,000 in Scholarship Funds to Attend L&C
Students who complete a precollege summer program and are later admitted to L&C will get preferential consideration for merit-based aid and are guaranteed to receive a minimum of $20,000/year in renewable scholarship funding in the form of a Sequoia or Oregon Maple scholarship.
Sequoia or Oregon Maple academic merit scholarships granted at the time of admission will already take into account any participation in a Lewis & Clark precollege summer program for high school students. Students with strong academic credentials who attend a precollege summer program and are later admitted to Lewis & Clark may find they are eligible for a Sequoia or Oregon Maple scholarship that exceeds the $20,000/year guaranteed minimum!