University of Toronto AEMS Academy
Taming a Star, A Fusion Course for High-School and Undergraduate Students

AEMS Academy · Summer 2026 · Completed

Taming a Star Fusion Energy

Fusion Energy: Taming a Star successfully ran July 27–31, 2026. Applications for this event are now closed. Check back for Summer 2027, or apply for the upcoming Photonics course, Lenses to Lasers, in the coming weeks.

Photonics Course See the Week
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Completed July 27–31, 2026 Applications closed
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Schedule 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT
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Location Galbraith Building Room 303, 35 St George St., Toronto, ON M5S 1A4
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Tuition Limited-seat $495 / $895 Standard $700 / $1100 · Domestic / International
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Audience High-school and undergraduate students

Why Fusion?

Fusion is both a scientific wonder and an engineering grand challenge.

This course introduces students to the principles, technologies, and multidisciplinary thinking required to understand fusion energy — the process that powers the stars and could one day help power a cleaner future on Earth.

What is fusion?

Fusion energy is the process that powers every star in the universe and holds the promise of transforming how humanity generates electricity. A single kilogram of fusion fuel contains energy equivalent to millions of kilograms of coal.

Fusion has sustained our Sun for over five billion years and will continue to do so for billions more. Scientists and engineers are actively pursuing the challenge of replicating this stellar power source on Earth, with the goal of providing abundant, clean, and sustainable energy for future generations.

Fusion is multidisciplinary

Fusion energy is underpinned by nearly every branch of physics, including:

  • Nuclear Physics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Thermodynamics
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Astrophysics
  • Quantum Mechanics
Plasma inside the TCV fusion reactor
Edited image of plasma inside the TCV fusion reactor in Switzerland. Image courtesy of MIT Technology Review: “DeepMind’s AI can control superheated plasma inside a fusion reactor,” by Will Douglas.

Engineering challenges

How do you confine a plasma at 150 million °C without allowing it to touch the walls of its container? How do you develop materials capable of withstanding years of bombardment by high-energy neutrons? How do you design a power plant that reliably produces more energy than it consumes on a commercial scale?

These are among the grand engineering challenges of fusion energy, the effort to harness the same process that powers the Sun and stars to provide abundant, clean energy on Earth.

Solving these challenges requires innovations across advanced materials, superconducting magnets, high-performance computing, precision manufacturing, and intelligent control systems.

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Software Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Physics and Applied Mathematics
  • Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
  • Chemical and Nuclear Engineering
  • Controls, Instrumentation, and Robotics
Stellarator coil system schematic

From scientific achievement to practical energy system

Fusion requires the integration of physical theory, advanced engineering, materials design, computation, plasma control, and precision manufacturing.

Together, these disciplines are working to transform fusion from a scientific achievement into a practical source of clean, reliable, and sustainable energy for the world.

Edited image of stellarator schematic, coil system from Wendelstein 7-X in Greifswald, Germany, courtesy of Max-Planck Institut für Plasmaphysik.

About the Course

Fusion Energy: Taming a Star is an immersive one-week summer program designed for motivated high-school and undergraduate students who are curious about physics, engineering, and the future of clean energy. Over five engaging days, students explore the science behind nuclear fusion — the process that powers the stars, and discover how scientists and engineers are working to recreate it safely here on Earth.

Through interactive lessons, hands-on experiments, and team-based design, participants build a strong foundation in atomic and nuclear physics, learning how energy is released from the nucleus and how fusion differs from fission. Students investigate plasma, the fourth state of matter — experiment with magnetic fields, visualize particle tracks in a cloud chamber, and explore how radiation is detected and used safely in non-energy applications.

The course introduces students to career pathways in physics, engineering, energy, and non-energy applications of nuclear science, while promoting discussion about the global energy challenge and the role fusion could play in a sustainable future.

About the AEMS Academy

The AEMS Academy, established through the Atomic Energy Materials & Systems (AEMS) nuclear research cluster at the University of Toronto, offers educational programs designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders in the highly multidisciplinary field of nuclear science and engineering.

In its inaugural year, the AEMS Academy is pleased to offer intensive one-week courses for highly motivated high-school and undergraduate students who demonstrate a strong interest and aptitude in science, mathematics, and technology. Through hands-on learning, exposure to cutting-edge research, and engagement with leading experts, students will gain insight into the scientific and engineering challenges shaping the future of energy, technology, and society.

The AEMS Academy courses are offered in association with the Department of Materials Science & Engineering, the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, and the University of Toronto Nuclear Energy Association.

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Mentorship Opportunities

Learn about fusion energy from expert faculty, graduate researchers, and senior undergraduate students at the forefront of science and engineering.

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Multidisciplinary STEM Education

Fusion brings together engineering, physics, computing, materials science, and more. By exploring fusion, you'll develop knowledge and problem-solving skills that are valuable in virtually any STEM career.

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Emphasis on Hands-On Learning

This course combines rigorous STEM education with exciting demonstrations, hands-on experiments, and interactive activities, giving you the opportunity to learn by doing and experience science and engineering in action.

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Meet Like-Minded and Driven Individuals

Students will have the opportunity to connect with other curious and motivated peers who share their passion for science and technology. Together, you will explore exciting topics in physics and engineering.

NOTE: The AEMS Academy program, which falls under the university-wide AEMS UToronto Nuclear Cluster, operates independently of the DEEP and CREATE outreach programs.

Course Logistics

Dates, curriculum, demonstrations, location, and tuition.

Course Week

Dates: July 27–31, 2026

Schedule

Monday–Friday

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Curriculum

  • Day 1: The Atom, Nuclear Energy, and Nuclear Reactions
  • Day 2: Electromagnetism and Plasma
  • Day 3: Fusion Theory
  • Day 4: Fusion Engineering
  • Day 5: Fusion Hackathon

Demonstrations and Experiments

  • Cloud Chamber: Visualize the traces of subatomic particles from the cosmic microwave background.
  • Designing and 3D Printed Fusion Reactors: Create your own take-home fusion reactor.
  • Fundamental Electromagnetism Experiments: Recreate iconic electromagnetism experiments.
  • Linear Glow Discharge Machine: See plasma discharge in the flesh and learn how to manipulate it.

Location

Classroom: Galbraith Building Room 303, 35 St George St, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4

We will also be touring various labs around campus.

Click here for a map

Map of the Galbraith Building location

Tuition

Limited-seat pricing is CAD $495 (domestic) / $895 (international) while seats remain. Standard tuition is CAD $700 / $1,100 per week.

Successful applicants will be asked to pay the full tuition fee within 48 hours of their acceptance offer in order to confirm their participation. Offers may be forfeited if payment is not received by the deadline.

We understand that exceptional circumstances can arise. If you anticipate any difficulties meeting the payment deadline, please contact us and we will do our best to assist you.

Applications

Applications for this event are closed.

Summer 2026

Thank you to everyone who applied and participated in Fusion Energy: Taming a Star. The July 27–31, 2026 course week is complete.

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort in Summer 2027. Please check back here for updated dates and application information.

Still interested this summer?

Applications for the Fusion course are closed, but you can still apply for the upcoming Photonics course, Lenses to Lasers (August 24–28, 2026), in the coming weeks.

Photonics course details and registration are available on the Lenses to Lasers page.

Go to Photonics Course

Cancellation and Refunds

No refunds for cancellations.

In the unlikely event the program does not run, all participants will receive a full refund.

Questions, Comments, or Concerns?

Contact us!

Email: nazir.kherani “at” utoronto.ca