Back

Facts for Kids

Caltech is a private research university in Pasadena, California, known for its focus on science and engineering and its small class sizes.

Overview

History

Athletics

Campus Life

Notable Alumni

Nobel Laureates

Admissions Process

Research Initiatives

Student Organizations

Academics And Programs

Facilities And Resources

main image

Inside this Article

Robert A. Millikan

Quantum Mechanics

Climate Change

Gordon Moore

Mathematics

Technology

Basketball

Community

Astronomy

Did you know?

๐ŸŽ“ Caltech stands for the California Institute of Technology, located in Pasadena, California.

๐ŸŒŸ It was founded in 1891 and is known for its small class sizes.

โšก Dr. Robert A. Millikan, a Nobel Prize winner, helped shift Caltech's focus to science and engineering.

๐Ÿš€ Caltech played a significant role in sending astronauts to the Moon with NASA!

๐Ÿ“š Students study many subjects, including physics, chemistry, and biology at Caltech.

๐Ÿงช Researchers at Caltech solve big problems like cancer and climate change.

๐Ÿ  Caltech has a tight-knit community where students often live in small houses together.

๐Ÿ† Caltech has produced 39 Nobel Laureates in various fields of science.

๐Ÿš€ Notable alumni include astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

๐ŸŽˆ Caltech has fun student organizations like the Astronomy Club and Robotics Club!

Introduction

The California Institute of Technology, often called Caltech, is a super cool place for big kids to learn about science and technology! ๐ŸŽ“

Located in sunny Pasadena, California, it focuses on really important topics like physics, engineering, and biology. Established in 1891, Caltech is known for its small class sizes, which means students get a lot of attention from their teachers. With about 1,000 students, it's like a giant science club! At Caltech, students not only learn from books but also do hands-on experiments in amazing labs. ๐ŸŒŸ

Read Less

History

Caltech began as a school for teaching young people about business and agriculture. In the 1920s, it changed to focus on science and engineering thanks to a man named Dr. Robert A. Millikan. He won a Nobel Prize for his work on electricity! โšก

Over the years, Caltech has grown into one of the world's best research universities, helping invent things like satellites and robots. One of its biggest highlights was when it played a part in sending astronauts to the Moon with NASA! ๐Ÿš€

Read Less

Athletics

Caltech offers fun sports for students! ๐Ÿ€

Students can join teams in soccer, basketball, swimming, and more. They have a spirit of teamwork and hard work, making athletic events exciting! ๐ŸŠ

Events are a chance to show school pride and cheer for teammates. Caltech is part of the NCAA Division III, which means the focus is on enjoying sports, having fun, and learning teamwork. Caltech athletes not only get to compete but also build friendships and stay healthy! Go Caltech! ๐ŸŽ‰

Read Less

Campus Life

Life on the Caltech campus is exciting! ๐ŸŽ‰

There are many places to explore, like gardens and libraries. Students can join various clubs and activities, from art to science, to make friends and have fun! ๐ŸŒˆ

There are also events like movie nights and sports games. Instead of lots of dorms, students often live in small houses with others. This helps build a tight-knit community. Caltech feels more like a family, where everyone helps each other learn and grow! ๐Ÿ 

Read Less

Notable Alumni

Many very smart people have graduated from Caltech! Some famous alumni include astronaut Sally Ride, who was the first American woman in space! ๐Ÿš€

Another notable graduate is Gordon Moore, the co-founder of Intel, a company that makes computer chips. ๐Ÿ’ป

These individuals and many others show that Caltech helps students achieve great things in their careers. Their stories encourage kids everywhere to chase their own dreams and explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)!
Read Less

Nobel Laureates

Caltech is home to many incredible Nobel Prize winners! ๐Ÿ†

For example, Richard Feynman, a famous physicist, won the Nobel Prize for his work on quantum mechanics! In total, Caltech has had 39 Nobel Laureates who studied or taught there. This shows how important the work done at Caltech is for our understanding of science and technology. ๐ŸŒŸ

These talented folks continue to inspire young scientists to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals!
Read Less

Admissions Process

Getting into Caltech is very competitive! ๐Ÿ…

To apply, students need to show their best grades and accomplishments, especially in math and science. They also need to take tests like the SAT or ACT. Writing a good application essay helps too! After applying, some students might have an interview to discuss their interests. Caltech looks for students who are curious, hardworking, and love to learn! While it may be hard to get in, studying hard in school can help kids reach their dream of attending! ๐ŸŽˆ

Read Less

Research Initiatives

Caltech is known for its amazing research! ๐Ÿงช

Researchers at Caltech work on solving big problems, like cancer and climate change. They have special labs and facilities where scientists can explore new ideas. One cool thing is the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) nearby, which helps send spacecraft to explore Mars! ๐Ÿช

Students can even join in some projects, helping make new discoveries in space and science. Overall, research at Caltech allows students and scientists to work together for a better future! ๐ŸŒ

Read Less

Student Organizations

Caltech has tons of fun student organizations! ๐ŸŽˆ

There are science clubs, cultural groups, and even music ensembles. Students can join the Astronomy Club to look at stars, or the Robotics Club to build cool machines! ๐Ÿค–

These clubs help students make friends and share their interests. Plus, some organizations even help students learn outside the classroom through fun activities and competitions. Caltech encourages kids to find their passions and make the most of their college experience!
Read Less

Academics And Programs

Caltech has programs in many subjects, but its main focus is on science and engineering. Students can study physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and more! ๐Ÿ“š

They also get to do fun projects to help them learn better. For example, students might work on building a robot or conducting experiments to discover new things! Teachers called professors help guide them, making learning exciting and hands-on. Every year, Caltech offers special summer programs for high school students who want to experience college life! โ˜€

๏ธ
Read Less

Facilities And Resources

Caltech has some of the best facilities for learning! ๐Ÿซ

There are high-tech classrooms, labs for experiments, and even observatories to look at the night sky! ๐ŸŒŒ

Students have access to libraries filled with thousands of books and online resources. These tools help students succeed in their studies and do amazing projects! On campus, there are also spaces for students to relax, like parks and study lounges, keeping them balanced while they work hard! ๐ŸŒณ

Read Less

California Institute Of Technology Quiz

Q1
Question 1 of 10
Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DIY back?!
How do I reactivate my account?
How do I sign up?
Are the android and iOS apps coming back?
What is DIY?
What is a โ€œChallengeโ€ on DIY?
What is a โ€œCourseโ€ on DIY?
What are โ€œSkillsโ€ on DIY?
What if I'm new to all thisโ€”where do I begin?
Do I need special materials or equipment?
Is DIY safe for kids?
Can I collaborate with other DIYers on a project?
How do Mentors, Mods, and Jr. Mods help us?
What is DIY?
What's the recommended age for DIY?

Our Mission

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Download on AppStoreDownload on Google Play

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraftโ„ข, Mojang, Microsoft, Robloxโ„ข or YouTube. LEGOยฎ is a trademark of the LEGOยฎ Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.