This July, high school students will spend three weeks at UCSD living on campus and taking courses like “Engineering and Earthquakes” and “Robotics.”

The offerings are among the courses in UCSD’s Academic Connections, a program that provides a preview of university life for students in ninth through 12th grades. Director Luciano Corazza wants to involve adults in Academic Connections. “My hope is to stir interest in the business community,” he says.

Corazza is looking for guest speakers from the business community. He also hopes businesses will contribute to the program scholarship fund or consider paying to send employees’ children to Academic Connections.

The summer program costs $2,450 plus a $50 application fee, which covers classes, lodging and 21 meals on campus. To be eligible, students must have a 3.3 grade point average or higher.

Academic Connections grew out of UCSD’s Extended Studies and Public Programs. Last year, Corazza says the program drew students from throughout the state. Girls accounted for 60 percent of the 137 who attended.

This year, Corazza expects students from around the nation. The upcoming Academic Connections starts July 7. Generally, graduate students teach courses from anthropology and visual arts to medicine and political science.

In addition to the classroom experience, students can participate in leisure activities including crafts and kayaking. The high schoolers also get a taste of what it’s like to go away to college. “Mothers think their kids learning to do laundry is a great experience,” says Corazza. “Last year, one kid threw in a whole duffel bag,”

For information, call (877) 321-8273 or go to www.academicconnections.edu.