The School of Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania offers a unique opportunity for a selective group of highly motivated and talented high school students to experience rigorous and challenging college-level coursework. The Academy's intensive, three-week programs combine sophisticated theory with hands-on practical experience in cutting edge technologies.

As a SAAST student, you will do hands-on work in Penn Engineering's world-class laboratories, collaborate on group projects, and enjoy site visits to technology and engineering companies. In addition, you will join in numerous social, cultural, and recreational activities while living in Penn's legendary and historic Quadrangle residence hall.

The SAAST Computer Graphics Program (CGP) combines theory with practical projects, enabling students to understand computer graphics at a high level. The CGP will introduce students to concepts of 3D modeling, programming, animation, and multimedia publishing, and students will utilize some of the most advanced software in the industry such as Alias Wavefront Maya and Adobe Photoshop.

"SAAST was the highlight of my summer. Thanks to the wonderful instruction, I learned more about 3D modeling than I did in two years by myself. This is a wonderful program, and I recommend it to anyone with a passion for this new field."
-Ryan Smith, now DMD class of 2011

Working alone and in groups, students will use Penn Engineering�s latest technologies and facilities, and will visit various research laboratories in the Engineering School, including the newly installed LiveActor motion capture studio and the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation (HMS). As they work to complete their final projects, they will be guided through the various sequential production pipeline steps necessary to produce high-caliber work. Students will create their own 3-D character from scratch and their work will culminate in a character-based animation short and several other smaller projects.

Participants in CGP who successfully complete the program's requirements will be able to earn academic credit from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. One Credit Unit, which is equivalent to three semester hours, will be granted for EAS 021 SAAST COMPUTER GRAPHICS PROGRAM. A letter grade will be issued (A to F) depending on the strength of performance. An option to take this course on a Pass/Fail basis is available.

Faculty Advisor: Norman Badler

I thought the program was one of the most amazing experiences I'd ever had. It was fascinating to be surrounded by such brilliant, creative people who had similar interests as me. School now looks unbearably dull and I can't wait to attend college.
-Jeanie Choi

Dr. Norman Badler is a Professor of Computer and Information Science at the University of Pennsylvania and has been on the faculty since 1974. Active in computer graphics since 1968 with more than 200 technical papers, his research focuses on human figure modeling, manipulation, and animation control in real-time 3-D graphics. His current research interests include animation via simulation, embodied agent software, human-computer interfaces, and computational connections between language and action. A popular instructor with Penn undergraduates, Dr. Badler pioneered numerous courses in computer graphics, and maintains broad and deep connections with the media, entertainment, and electronic game industries.

Dr. Badler received the BA degree in Creative Studies Mathematics from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1970, the MSc in Mathematics in 1971, and the Ph.D. in Computer Science in 1975, both from the University of Toronto. He is Co-Editor of the Elsevier Journal Graphical Models. He was the Cecilia Fitler Moore Department Chair of Computer and Information Science from 1990-94. He directs the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation. Among the Center's achievements are the human modeling software system Jack that was the basis for a spin-off company in 1996; the software is now marketed by EDS. He is the Director of the Digital Media Design undergraduate degree program in Computer Science at Penn. Since January 2001 he is also the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Instructor: Mark Van Langeveld

It was great working with instructors who were experienced with the program as well as students that were at a similar skill level as you, so when you ran into a problem 10 other people had also gone through it and were able to help you out.
- Matt Rendely

Mark van Langeveld is a PhD Student at the University of Utah in their Computer Graphics and Visualization Program. He is also a freelance technical art specialist for LongField Studio. Active in the computer graphics industry since 1985, he has designed and directed several digital products for Microsoft, Razorfish, Fathom Pictures and Starwave, including PC and xBox games, commercial videos, interactive TV, and interactive Music videos for Sting and Peter Gabriel. His passion is to teach computer graphics and he has done so for over seven years at UCLA, San Francisco Academy of Art, and University of Pennsylvania. He was the first student to graduate from the Computer Graphics and Game Technology engineering program at UPENN and also holds a Masters of Arts from UCLA in Computer Graphics Design.

For more information on SAAST or for information on OTHER SAAST programs, please visit www.seas.upenn.edu/saast

"The SAAST CG program was an incredible experience overall. Not only was the actual course rewarding, but the experiences of living among my peers great. I will never forget the 3 weeks I spent with these people."
- Adit Shukla