Young Scholars Programme: Frontiers of Science

Young Scholars Programme: Frontiers of Science

Explore Cutting Edge Research and Future Forward Perspectives

The Young Scholars Programme – Frontiers of Science (YSP FoS) is a two-week, certified residential programme designed for students entering grades 9, 10, 11 & 12 who are passionate about scientific exploration. YSP FoS follows an interdisciplinary approach to cutting-edge research and future-forward topics across the Sciences with hands-on learning and experimentation modules. The programme is spread across 2 weeks to build on fundamentals and deep dive into applications. Students can stay on Ashoka campus during the weekend between the 2 weeks and attend insightful workshops, fun activities, documentary screening and sports sessions.

This research-led, interdisciplinary programme introduces key principles of biology, chemistry, physics, and computational sciences, while highlighting the connections between these fields. With a focus on cutting-edge research and future-forward perspectives, the programme offers hands-on learning and experimentation, providing high-schoolers with a comprehensive and experiential understanding of the sciences.

The programme has been shaped by industry-leading experts and world-class faculty who have inspired young minds in previous editions. Professor Anurag Agrawal led a session on Digital Transformation for Health: AI and Beyond, exploring the future of AI in medicine. Professor Simi Ghosh has introduced students to the complexities of human behavior through her talk on Behavioral Genetics, while Professor Dipankar Bhattacharya has taken students on a cosmic journey with his session on The Universe: An Evolving Story. In the past, YSP students have interacted with leading scholars and scientists such as Prof Jack Szostak (a Nobel prize winner in Medicine) and Prof Yamuna Krishnan from University of Chicago and have learnt about the nuances of innovation and research in the sciences. This two-week experience offers students a unique chance to experience science beyond textbooks, through a rigorous and interactive curriculum that unfolds across the full duration of the programme.

Unified Approach to Real-World Problems: Exploring Big Questions

The scientific questions of today – from climate change and health innovation to sustainable energy and ethical AI – require answers that transcend traditional boundaries. Students are introduced to the idea that biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science are not separate silos but interconnected disciplines, each offering a unique yet complementary lens through which to explore complex issues.

Scientific questions, such as “How can we identify potential life beyond Earth, and what does this reveal about our own planet’s uniqueness?”— cannot be sufficiently  answered through the lens of any single discipline. Biology’s study of extremophiles reveals how life might exist in extreme environments, from Earth’s deep-sea vents to Mars’ frigid deserts. Chemistry provides tools for analysing the atmospheric compositions of distant planets, helping students understand how molecules interact under various conditions—key to identifying biosignatures that could indicate life beyond Earth. Physics brings in the gravitational interactions and orbital mechanics that shape planetary climates and determine the habitability zone around stars. Computer models then integrate this knowledge, allowing students to simulate planetary atmospheres and climates, projecting how Earth-like conditions might emerge elsewhere. Through this exploration, students develop an understanding of how interdisciplinary science informs our search for life and deepens our appreciation of Earth as a rare, interconnected ecosystem.

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Healthcare Challenges

Public health issues require insights from different scientific fields. Biology helps students understand pathogens, immune responses, and genetic factors influencing disease susceptibility, providing the foundation for understanding pandemics and vaccine development. Chemistry then takes center stage in pharmaceutical sciences, guiding the synthesis of effective drugs and exploring how molecular structures interact with biological systems to create therapeutics. Physics contributes significantly to diagnostic technologies, from MRI imaging to radiation therapies used in oncology, providing tools that underpin modern diagnostics and treatment. Computational sciences, meanwhile, allow for the analysis of vast datasets that track disease spread, patient outcomes, and treatment effectiveness, crucial for developing predictive models in epidemiology. This approach equips students to see health as a holistic field where each discipline’s contribution strengthens and extends the reach of healthcare solutions.

Building a foundation on Science for the 21st century

Guided by Ashoka’s global faculty, scholars delve into cutting-edge research, transformative topics, and future-forward perspectives, honing their skills in experimental design, scientific communication, research methods and ethics, critical thinking, and collaborative research. The YSP-FoS emphasizes the application of scientific knowledge to address pressing global issues, such as climate change, public health, and sustainable development. It is an opportunity for our scholars to ask fundamental questions regarding emerging developments like: How does planetary science contribute to our understanding of Earth’s habitability and climate? Could we one day manipulate the fundamental forces of nature to engineer new realities? How does the chemistry of energy influence the development of sustainable fuels and technologies? Can AI solve the problem of healthcare access in India and globally? There is so much to discover!

Hands-on Science Lab Activities & the holistic YSP FoS experience:

The learning at YSP FoS is a perfect balance of theoretical and experimental knowledge. Students venture into state-of-the-art labs, conducting experiments that bring theories to life. One day, they might explore the mysteries of DNA sequencing, while the next, they delve into the intricacies of renewable energy solutions. Collaborative group work is central to the YSP FoS experience—scholars work together on projects, challenging each other’s perspectives and co-creating solutions to complex scientific problems. This hands-on approach ensures that students not only understand scientific concepts but can also apply them in real-world contexts.

YSP FoS gives students an essence of how tools are developed to better understand complex scientific behavior. YSP FoS participants will get an opportunity to ask questions about various scientific phenomena that they see in their daily lives, like: Why some popcorns are round and others have a butterfly kind of a shape, how polarized light is used in 3D movies, sunglasses and windows of an airplane, how is gold plated on a cheaper metal in artificial jewelry? What causes fluorescence in glow bangles, and many others. The session will also provide students a deeper understanding of specific fields like medicine and the future of bioengineering, among many others.

Beyond academic enrichment, YSP FoS offers a holistic college experience. Scholars reside in student dormitories, savor meals at Ashoka’s diverse dining facilities, engage in sports activities and activities such as Talent Night, Networking Night, Quizzes, Debates and so on. Our scholars forge lasting bonds with like-minded peers from across India and the globe. It’s an immersive journey into the world of science, fostering curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.

📢 Applications for YSP 2025 are now open!

With limited seats and rolling admissions, apply early to secure your spot. 

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Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

-Gain a deep understanding of foundational concepts across disciplines, integrating biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and social sciences.
-Recognize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing scientific discovery and addressing complex global challenges like climate change and pandemics.
-Develop expertise in the scientific method, experimental design, and hypothesis testing with an emphasis on incorporating insights from diverse fields.
-Understand how emerging technologies (AI, CRISPR, quantum computing) intersect with ethical, societal, and environmental considerations in solving real-world problems.

Skills:

-Develop the ability to apply the scientific method to design experiments, conduct analyses, and draw meaningful conclusions.
-Cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills through analysis of complex systems
-Gain practical skills in laboratory techniques, including DNA extraction, chemical analysis, and environmental data collection.
-Enhance communication skills by effectively conveying complex scientific ideas through writing, speaking, and visual presentations.
-Build collaborative skills by working with peers.

Attitude:

-Developing a strong sense of identity and belonging within the world of science and research.
-Foster a lifelong passion for science and a curiosity-driven approach to learning and exploration
-Develop a responsible and ethical mindset towards scientific research.
-Embrace and appreciate the value of an interdisciplinary perspective in solving scientific problems and addressing global challenges.

Applications:

-Apply scientific knowledge to develop solutions for real-world challenges, particularly in areas like sustainability, healthcare, and technology.
-Utilize an interdisciplinary approach to innovate and solve complex global problems.
-Engage with ethical considerations in scientific research, making informed decisions that balance innovation with societal impact.
-Prepare for future academic and career pathways.

Sample Schedule

The YSP FoS curriculum provides students with a novel way of looking at various scientific disciplines, highlighting the power of an interdisciplinary approach to science, while encouraging active student participation in break out discussion sessions, lab rotations and practical applications of their learning in state-of-the-art lab & research facilities. In a session on Astrophysics, students get to explore how the elements that make up everything around us—such as carbon, oxygen, and iron—were forged in the hearts of stars and spread across space by cataclysmic events. In the same fashion, students will learn chemical pathways that convert food into energy, and how biological systems rely on these reactions to power essential functions. They will also explore how genetic information flows from DNA to RNA and, finally, to proteins, uncovering the molecular basis of traits, health, and diseases.

A typical day at YSP FoS starts with exploring the frontiers of science, across disciplines, through Faculty Lectures & Plenary Talks by Ashoka’s Sciences faculty, recognized globally for their pioneering work in their fields of study. Students then get to put theory to practice, in interactive break-out discussions & lab rotations at our state-of-art lab facilities. The second half of the day provides opportunities for students to further widen their horizons through engaging interactions with Industry leaders, academicians and counselors. The day winds down with fun & recreational activities including sports and the performing arts.

A schedule for YSP FoS is given below*

YSP FoS Programme Schedule

Sample Faculty

Munmun Ghosh

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Ashoka University

Ph.D. National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

Sourav Pal

Head of the Department, Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Calcutta University

Kasturi Mitra

Associate Professor of Biology, Ashoka University,
DBT-WellcomeTrust Senior Fellow,
Adjunct Faculty, Genetics department, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Ph.D. CCMB, Hyderabad

Vidya Avasare

Professor of Chemistry, Ashoka University

Ph.D., IIT Bombay

Kritika M Garg

Faculty Fellow, Ramalingaswami Fellow, Department of Biology

Ph.D. in Behavioral Ecology at the National Centre for Biological Science

Sudipta Tung

Wellcome Trust-DBT India Alliance Early Career Fellow, Department of Biology, Ashoka University

Ph.D. IISER, Pune

Sample Inspiring Speakers

Jack Szostak

Nobel Laureate

Pramath Raj Sinha

Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University
Founder and MD, Harappa Education
Founder and MD, 9.9 Group
Founding Dean, ISB
Visiting Faculty, Young India Fellowship

Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania

Deep Kalra

Founder, MakeMyTrip

BA Economics, St. Stephen’s College
MBA, IIM Ahmedabad

Sanjeev Bikhchandani

Founder and Vice-Chairman, Info Edge (Naukri.com)
Visiting Faculty, Young India Fellowship

BA, St. Stephen’s College
MBA, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad 

Ashish Dhawan

Founding Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University
Advisory Council, The Isaac Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance, Ashoka University
Founder and Chairman, Central Square Foundation

BS, Yale University
MBA, Harvard University

K. VijayRaghavan

Former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India

Somak Raychaudhury

Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Physics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Cambridge

FAQs

1) What is The Young Scholars Programme: Frontiers of Science (YSP FoS)?

The Young Scholars Programme – Frontiers of Science (YSP FoS) is a two-week, certified residential programme designed for students entering grades 9, 10, 11 & 12 who are passionate about scientific exploration. YSP FoS follows an interdisciplinary approach to cutting-edge research and future-forward topics across the Sciences with hands-on learning and experimentation modules. The programme is spread across 2 weeks to build on fundamentals and deep dive into applications. Students can stay on Ashoka campus during the weekend between the 2 weeks and attend insightful workshops, fun activities, documentary screening and sports sessions.

This research-led, interdisciplinary programme introduces key principles of biology, chemistry, physics, and computational sciences, while highlighting the connections between these fields. With a focus on cutting-edge research and future-forward perspectives, the programme offers hands-on learning and experimentation, providing high-schoolers with a comprehensive and experiential understanding of the sciences.

2) Is YSP FoS, an online or offline event?

YSP FoS is a two-week programme to be held in person at Ashoka Campus.

3) What is liberal arts and sciences education?

Liberal Arts & Sciences education celebrates discussion and debate in the classroom. A Liberal Arts & Science education focuses on providing critical thinking skills and multiple perspectives to students, which is considered an essential part of leading an ethical and purposeful life. Essentially, it incorporates breadth and depth across multiple disciplines.

4) Do we get a certificate for attending The Young Scholars Programme?

Yes, students will be given a certificate on successful completion of the programme, provided all sessions are attended and there has been desirable participation by the student. Upon receipt of your certificate, please save it securely for your use later on. However, if you happen to lose it, a second copy of the certificate will be provided which will be chargeable for a sum of Rs. 500/-

5) Will attending the programme increase my chances of getting admission to the undergraduate programme at Ashoka University?

Attending the programme will give you an insight on liberal arts & sciences education and the Ashoka pedagogy. This will surely help you with your undergraduate application form at Ashoka University. However, this does not guarantee admission to the Ashoka UG programme.