BUILD · CREATE · LEAD
A hybrid program where Panama's high aspiring students build real projects with Harvard student mentors - online evening sessions, a 5-day summit at IAE, and post-summit coaching to launch into competitions.
PHASE 1 (ONLINE)
4 consecutive evenings · 12–15 Oct 2026
Mon–Thu · 5:00 PM Panama time · max 1 hour
PHASE 2 (IN-PERSON)
5-day summit · 19–23 Oct 2026
In-person at IAE, Panama City
PHASE 3 (ONLINE)
3 sessions · 26, 27 & 28 Oct 2026
5:00 PM Panama time · max 1 hour
ELIGIBILITY
Grades 9–12
Duolingo 110+ · IAE grades 90 or above
PROGRAM FEE
USD 850
All summit meals included
Small-group guidance from Harvard student mentors across every session and the summit.
Students create tangible portfolio projects - apps, research, pitches - not hypotheticals.
Present on stage at IAE to judges, receive awards, and celebrate achievements.
Portfolios are designed to be submitted directly to international competitions.
Online foundations → In-person summit → Post-summit launch
4 online evening sessions (5:00 PM PA, 1 hour) - foundations, mentors, and project scoping
In-person intensive - build, rehearse, and present
3 online evening sessions (5:00 PM PA, 1 hour) - competition prep and portfolio completion
One integrated pathway, mentored by Harvard students, producing portfolio-ready projects, real competitions, and measurable impact.
YOUR PATHWAY
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics - an integrated track where students solve real-world problems through research, prototyping, data, and design.
WHAT YOU WILL DEVELOP
CORE SKILLS
Students who ask 'how does this work?' and love building, designing, and sharing ideas
SAMPLE PROJECTS
TARGET COMPETITIONS
This could be YOUR project. Guided by Harvard student mentors & HUSO.
Four consecutive evenings on Zoom in the week before the summit. You arrive at IAE already knowing your problem, your team, and your plan.
Mon–Thu, 12–15 Oct 2026 • 5:00 PM Panama time • maximum 1 hour per session (Friday off in observance of Shabbat)
Meet Your Mentors & the STEAM Challenge
Mon, 12 Oct 2026 · 5:00 PM PA
Welcome, cohort introductions and expectations
Meet your Harvard student mentors
How the STEAM pathway works end to end
What a portfolio-grade project looks like
Research & Problem Framing
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 · 5:00 PM PA
Choose the real-world problem you want to solve
Research methods and credible sources
Framing a problem statement that can be tested
Mentor feedback on your first draft
Ideation & Project Scoping
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 · 5:00 PM PA
Design-thinking sprint on possible solutions
Form your project team and assign roles
Scope what is genuinely buildable in 5 days
Define your success criteria
Build Plan & Summit Prep
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 · 5:00 PM PA
Turn your scope into a day-by-day build plan
Materials, tools and datasets you'll need
Practical checklist for the week at IAE
Mentor sign-off before the summit
5 days at IAE, Panama City. Build, rehearse, and present your project on stage to industry judges.
IAE, Panama City • 19–23 Oct 2026
Industry Judges
Student Presentations
Award Ceremony