The ASU summer camp helping teens think critically

This weeklong innovative summer camp invites high school students to think like a philosopher

A group of high school students and camp leaders in gray T-shirts posing in front of a tree and holding up the ASU pitchfork up.

Students and instructors from the 2026 cohort of The Dialectic: Philosophy Summer Camp, co-sponsored by the Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics and the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies at ASU. Courtesy photo

By Brooke Horne |
August 10, 2026

Earlier this summer, teens attended The Dialectic: Philosophy Summer Camp, co-sponsored by the Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics and the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies at Arizona State University.

This weeklong summer camp for local high school students aims to equip them with the tools to reflect deeply on crucial topics in today’s society.

Angela Rodriguez, assistant director of the Lincoln Center, started the camp in 2022. After having been part of a similar program at Ohio State University, she recognized that the philosophy camp created an important space for teenagers to discuss issues that matter to them — topics they don’t often get to explore elsewhere — so she brought the program to Arizona.

Rodriguez said the camp helps students develop habits of thinking that extend beyond the classroom.

"Being a philosopher is a lifestyle," Rodriguez said. "It's a way that you think about the world around you. And I think that offering that to young people is one of the best things we can give them."

3 students in a library looking at a book and laughing. — Students collaborate during The Dialectic: Philosophy Summer Camp at ASU. This year’s theme, “Building Better Communities,” invited participants to consider civic virtues such as open-mindedness, humility and empathy while engaging with different perspectives. Courtesy photo

Each year features a new topic, and this year's was titled “Building Better Communities.” The week was all about civic virtues like open-mindedness, humility and empathy. Students spent each day on campus, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., engaging in lectures, conversations and activities specifically designed to stretch their minds and encourage critical thinking. One activity included designing a civic AI for a democratic society; the students were asked to consider how the AI should respond to a disagreement, how it should handle misinformation and what civic virtues the AI should encourage. They also engaged in debates, presentations, a visit to Sparky’s Garden and designed a final project that they presented to their classmates.

The camp was led by Rodriguez, philosophy PhD students Miranda Judson and Dustin Taylor, and Thad Botham, associate teaching professor of philosophy. Camp leaders encouraged students to question assumptions, consider multiple perspectives and engage respectfully with one another.

Sophia, a student at American Leadership Academy Ironwood 7-12, said her favorite part was learning from the instructors. She shared: “They all have really thought-provoking insights. They all are very kind, very creative, and they have a really good way to show us philosophy in a new light.”

A woman with red hair smiling at a girl with dark brown hair. In the background are students writing on desks. — High school students participate in a group activity during The Dialectic: Philosophy Summer Camp at Arizona State University. The weeklong camp encourages students to explore philosophy, ethics and civic dialogue through discussions and activities focused on critical thinking and community building. Courtesy photo

The impact of this camp on the students is evident as they reflected on their experiences throughout the week.

One student wrote: “This camp challenged me to be more open-minded and accepting, to give grace to others and to search for the deeper meaning.”

The Dialectic: Philosophy Summer Camp is held annually each summer and is open to high school students interested in exploring philosophy, ethics and civic dialogue.

Learn more about the program here.