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24th Annual Wolfram Summer Research Institute

Bentley University, Waltham, MA June 28–July 18, 2026

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Wolfram Physics Project and Foundational Science Track

Educational Innovation » Science & Technology » NKS and Ruliology » Philosophy & Strategy »

Learn to use the computational paradigm to explore foundational questions across science. Contribute to the Wolfram Physics Project, its core structure, its connections to mathematical physics and its experimental implications. Or work on new approaches to the foundations of mathematics, biology, machine learning and other areas.

This track is soon to be renamed the Foundational Science track. It is best for participants drawn to the big questions in physics, mathematics or other sciences who want to build or test ideas at the most fundamental level. As students in this track complete demanding projects that often require advanced programming skills, applicants should be familiar with the Wolfram Physics Project and comfortable programming in Wolfram Language. Additionally, they are expected to be available for virtual meetings during Week Zero where they will begin defining their projects before the program officially begins.

Schedule Outline

Week 0: before the Summer School begins: Full-time remote attendance is expected during this period.

  • Attend technical lectures on the Physics Project.
  • Attend study group sessions on content from the technical lectures.
  • Advisor assigned for each student.
  • Mentor pairing and project selection with Stephen Wolfram.
  • Suggested reading: Technical Introduction, Technical Documents

Week 1: exact dates to be confirmed

Week 2: exact dates to be confirmed

  • In-depth lectures on Wolfram Science and application areas (physics, biology, social sciences, historical contexts, philosophical implications, etc.)
  • Special-topic lectures (previous topics have included science-based careers, how to pick a research project, how to write a paper and how to start a technology company, as well as outlines of physics, aspects of scientific history and much more)

Week 3: exact dates to be confirmed

  • Guided and solo project time
  • Presentation preparation
  • Final student presentation