A Premier STEM Enrichment Experience
The Institute for Creative Problem Solving (ICPS) is an immersive program that helps local elementary, middle and high school students explore complex topics in science, math and engineering. With a highly competitive acceptance rate, ICPS offers unmatched instruction for exceptionally bright students interested in STEM.
The program serves three age groups:
- Fifth and sixth graders
- Seventh and eighth graders
- Ninth and tenth graders
ICPS classes run on Saturday mornings during the school year. Participants learn from expert faculty based across Long Island, collaborate with motivated peers who share their interests, conduct hands-on experiments with state-of-the-art equipment, and participate in other educational activities to deepen their intellectual curiosity.
Alumni of ICPS have gone on to publish groundbreaking research, win awards and competitions, speak at conferences, start nonprofit organizations, and so much more.
Registration is closedThe entrance exam for ICPS 2026-2027 will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Stay tuned for updates: |
Participant Spotlight
Eight ICPS participants were invited to compete in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Zero Robotics Competition. They were the sole team of students from New York State selected for this invite-only tournament. The final round was held at MIT on February 20, 2025.
Fifteen teams made it to the finals. The ICPS students did an outstanding job and
took third place in the competition, where teams from across the nation face off to
program a robot located on the International Space Station. This was a momentous opportunity
for these participants and a wonderful honor for ICPS.
ICPS Settles Into a New Home
Stony Brook is proud to be the new institution behind the Institute for Creative Problem Solving. As the #1 public university in New York State, SBU aims to expand the reach and impact of ICPS to better serve Long Island's youth and continue promoting STEM education in the region.
Classes will kick off in September and run through the end of March as usual.
Visionary voice
Po-Shen Loh, PhD
Dr. Po-Shen Loh, professor of combinatorics at Carnegie Mellon University, will be our guest speaker for ICPS 2025.
A celebrated mathematician and communicator, Dr. Loh is the founder of innovative educational platforms Wxpii and Live. He served as National Coach of the US International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) team from 2014 to 2023, securing four historic victories – the team's first since 1994.
Dr. Loh travels the world to spread enthusiasm for mathematical discovery, share insights on how to get the most out of math competitions, and discuss his groundbreaking research on network theory and the control of pandemics.
We look forward to providing the opportunity for participants and their parents to learn from such a prominent national thought leader in mathematics.
More STEM Programs and Courses
Robotics Class
For ICPS alumni in eighth and ninth grade
Students explore the fundamentals of robotics and engineering design while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on projects.
DETAILS TO COMEResearch and Technology Class
For tenth and eleventh grade ICPS alumni
Students are introduced to real-world mathematics research and advanced technologies,
encouraging experimentation and innovation.
AMC Prep Program
Open to everyone
Designed to sharpen mathematical reasoning and competition skills, this course helps
students prepare for the AMC 8, 10, and 12 math contests through focused practice
and strategy.
Featured Graduate
Natasha Kulviwat | ICPS '18
Natasha joined the Institute for Creative Problem Solving as a sixth grader — and she never looked back. Inspired by the program’s emphasis on critical thinking and STEM exploration, she went on to become the lead author of two scientific journal articles and a conference publication.
Natasha has also won numerous STEM competitions and research fairs, and in 2019, she founded M∀thMΔgic — a nonprofit dedicated to providing free and accessible math education for students in underserved communities. She credits ICPS as the place that sparked her enduring passion for research and set her on a path toward making a real-world impact.
Join an Engaged Network of Alumni
When you enroll in ICPS, you gain much more than a year of classes. You'll become part of our lifelong community full of like-minded people who never stop being curious — even after solving the problem at hand.
With generations of alumni known for their lasting committment to STEM education, the perks of joining ICPS don't end when you finish the program. The opportunities for growth are limitless!
In 2003, the parents of two participants launched an exclusive program for ICPS graduates. Every month from September to April, members meet at Brookhaven National Lab to learn from skilled presenters in the field, explore advanced math concepts, and collaborate with other ICPS alumni. One of these parents also went on to found the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath), which remains a proud supporter of the Institute.
