Engineering Classes in Aurora, CO

Messy experiments. Big discoveries. Endless curiosity. If your child loves asking “what happens if…?”, Weird & Wacky Science Lab is where curiosity takes center stage. In this hands-on science camp, campers roll up their sleeves and dive into the fun, surprising, and sometimes messy side of science. Through exciting experiments and outdoor exploration, students investigate the basics of chemistry, physics, biology, and environmental science—all in a way that’s engaging, playful, and age-appropriate. Campers will pop, squish, ooze, build, and explore as they conduct experiments using everyday materials and items found in nature. From examining pond water under microscopes to creating eye-catching chemical reactions, this camp turns big scientific ideas into unforgettable experiences. What students will do: Create hands-on experiments like neon slime, solar ovens, and sound-making instruments Explore chemistry and physics through safe, guided reactions Investigate biology by examining bugs, pond water, and natural materials Learn about photosynthesis and energy through outdoor experiments Build confidence asking questions, testing ideas, and making discoveries This camp is held both indoors and outdoors, encouraging movement, exploration, and curiosity. Getting messy isn’t just allowed—it’s part of the learning. Weird & Wacky Science Lab is a favorite for younger campers and a perfect introduction to STEM thinking. Students who enjoy this camp often love moving on to LEGO Robotics, Junior Game Designers, or other hands-on engineering camps.

A hands-on introduction to real-world robotics and engineering. One of Silicon STEM’s most popular camps, LEGO Robotics introduces campers to the powerful LEGO® Mindstorms robotics platform—the same system widely used in middle and high school robotics programs. Campers work in pairs to design and build different machine-style robots, then bring them to life using block-based programming in the EV3 coding environment. As they test and refine their robots, students learn how code controls movement, sensors, and decision-making. Depending on the build, robots may be programmed to: Sort objects Perform pick-and-place tasks Balance or react to sensors Complete structured engineering challenges This camp is perfect for students who love tinkering, building, and figuring out how things work. Along the way, campers develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and teamwork—core abilities used by engineers and roboticists. What students will do: Build robots using the LEGO Mindstorms platform Learn block-based coding and robotics logic Program robots to complete real-world style tasks Test, troubleshoot, and improve designs Collaborate with a partner on engineering challenges LEGO Robotics is an excellent “get ahead” experience for students interested in future robotics programs and competitions, and a natural next step toward BattleBots, Rocketry, and advanced engineering camps. Note: This is a collaborative camp. Students will work in pairs throughout the week.

An exciting introduction to the science of flight and propulsion. Rocket Academy introduces campers to the fundamentals of rocketry through hands-on design, building, and real rocket launches. Students explore how rockets work, then put those ideas into action as they design and launch a variety of rocket types using different propulsion systems. Throughout the week, campers learn how forces like thrust, momentum, and energy work together to lift rockets off the ground. These concepts are introduced in an age-appropriate, engaging way, allowing students to connect real science to what they see in the sky during launch activities. This camp emphasizes experimentation and discovery. Campers test designs, compare results, and refine their thinking as they explore what makes rockets fly higher, straighter, and farther. What students will do: Design, build, and launch multiple model rockets Explore how rockets operate and why they fly Learn the basic principles of propulsion, including thrust and momentum Compare different propulsion types and launch outcomes Build confidence through hands-on engineering and experimentation Model rocketry has long been a source of inspiration for scientists and engineers, and Rocket Academy gives campers an early opportunity to experience that spark firsthand. This camp is a great fit for students who enjoy building, testing ideas, and seeing science come to life—and pairs naturally with BattleBots, LEGO Robotics, and 3D Printing & CAD.

Build, Engineer & Compete. Design it. Build it. Battle it. If your student loves building, problem-solving, and friendly competition, BattleBots delivers an unforgettable hands-on engineering experience. In this camp, students work in teams to design and build their own robots using VEX IQ robotics kits, the same platform used in competitive robotics programs worldwide. Campers start from the ground up—planning, constructing, testing, and improving their robots as they learn how engineering decisions impact real-world performance. Once their robots are built, teams customize and fine-tune their designs in preparation for a series of exciting challenges. The week culminates in a BattleBots®-style tournament, where robots face off in a structured, high-energy competition that rewards strategy, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. What students will do: Design and build a robot from scratch using VEX IQ Learn mechanical design and basic engineering principles Test, troubleshoot, and improve robot performance Collaborate with teammates and follow design constraints Compete in a fun, structured robot tournament While campers do not take their robots home, they gain something even more valuable: engineering experience, teamwork skills, and confidence built through hands-on problem-solving. Ages: 10–15 Prerequisite: Ability to work collaboratively and follow building guidelines If your student enjoys BattleBots, they may also love: Rocketry 3D Printing & CAD Advanced Robotics and Engineering camps BattleBots is where creativity, strategy, and engineering collide and one of our most popular camps for students ready to level up their STEM skills.

Design it. Build it. Take it home. If your child loves creating, building, and figuring out how things work, this camp is a perfect fit. In 3D Printing & Design Lab, students step into the role of a real product designer. They’ll learn how to design objects from scratch using professional-grade CAD software (TinkerCAD by AutoCAD - the same tool used by engineers and product teams), then bring those ideas to life using actual 3D printers. This is a hands-on, project-driven camp. Students don’t just watch or follow instructions - they design, iterate, and improve their creations throughout the week. From gadgets and tools to creative models and custom parts, students experience the full design-to-production process. What students will do: Learn the fundamentals of 3D modeling and CAD design Use industry-standard software in a kid-friendly way Design multiple original projects Watch their designs become real on a 3D printer Take home their printed creations Along the way, students build confidence, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of how modern products are actually made - skills that translate directly into engineering, design, and STEM careers. Important note: Because 3D printing takes time, some projects may finish printing after camp hours. In those cases, completed prints will be available for pickup at Silicon STEM following the camp. This is one of our most popular camps for a reason - kids leave proud of what they’ve built, and parents love seeing real skills turn into real objects. If your student likes this class, they will love the Advanced 3D Printing camp (we use Onshape as the 3D CAD program) focused on more advanced design concepts, or another design-oriented camp like the Virtual Reality camp, or perhaps consider a more hands-on type camp like Battlebots with VEX Robotics.

In this hands-on engineering camp, students learn how to build their own interactive electronic devices. Using user-friendly microcontrollers, campers will build circuits, then code them to create systems that light up, buzz, react to motion & sound, and more. Students begin with the basics—how electricity flows, how devices collect data, and how coding controls hardware—then apply those skills to build smart alarms, reaction-time games, simple monitors, and interactive devices. (No coding experience required.) By the end of the week, each camper will have developed a working knowledge of physical computing, controls, sensors and more. This camp is ideal for students new to electronics as well as those ready to level up their engineering skills. Recommended for ages 11-15.