STEM Programs Near Me

In this program, young scientists will dive into the world of microbiology, learning techniques for working with bacteria, DNA, and more. They’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and methods to unlock the secrets of the microscopic world. Join us to explore, experiment, and ignite your passion for science!

Spin. Soar. Engineer. In this high-energy LEGO® Robotics theme, students explore machines that spin, soar, splash, and perform dramatic actions—all while learning to code and control their creations. Each build uses rare and hard-to-find LEGO® elements to create dynamic motion and expression. Students will program motors and sensors using a beginner-friendly drag-and-drop interface, building both engineering and creative skills in every session. Disclaimer: Students will not take home any LEGO® kits, parts, or creations. This program is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the LEGO Group.

Parent’s Night Out is a fun night kids love and parents appreciate! While you enjoy an adults-only night out, your child will explore Robotics, Coding, and Science through hands-on activities, plus movie or board game time with friends. Cheese pizza included, fully supervised, and tons of fun guaranteed. Event runs with a minimum of 5 kids. Sibling discounts available!

Looking for care on a no-school day? This STEM Day Camp is perfect for students off from IDEA, Harmony & Jubilee (open to all students, including homeschoolers). Students (K–6) will enjoy Robotics, Coding, Science, and Engineering through hands-on projects in a fun, small-group environment. Schedule (Full Day): 8:30 AM–2:30 PM Optional Early Drop-Off: 8:00–8:30 AM (+$5) Minimum enrollment: Full-day camp is offered with a minimum of 5 students. If the minimum is not met, we will run a half-day option instead and notify families in advance. Pricing note: Care.com applies a 3.95% service fee at checkout. Sibling discounts available. Spots are limited.

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.

Go beyond playing Minecraft — learn how to change it. If your student loves Minecraft and is ready to take the next step, Minecraft Modding shows them how to turn their ideas into real, playable features inside the game. In this camp, students learn how to create their own Minecraft mods (short for modifications) that add new worlds, biomes, characters, and items to the game. Campers move from simply playing Minecraft to understanding how it works behind the scenes - and how to shape it themselves. Using MCreator, a powerful yet beginner-friendly drag-and-drop, Java-based modding tool, students design and build custom mods through an intuitive visual interface. Along the way, they’re introduced to core Java programming concepts, learning how code brings their creations to life. What students will do: Design custom Minecraft mods using MCreator Create new worlds, biomes, characters, and items Learn how games are structured and modified Explore introductory Java programming concepts Develop problem-solving, logic, and creative thinking skills This camp blends creativity, game design, and real-world coding foundations in a way that’s engaging and accessible. Many parents see Minecraft Modding as a natural gateway into deeper coding and software development skills—and kids love seeing their ideas come alive inside a game they already enjoy. If your student loves Minecraft Modding, they may also enjoy: Coding 101 BattleBots Game Design camps Minecraft Modding is where creativity meets code - and where players become creators.

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.

Bees, butterflies, and moths, oh my! Ever wonder about the tiny but crucial role pollinators play? Become a Pollinator Protector! In this camp, students put on their explorer wings to learn about these small but mighty creatures and their vital contribution to biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and even our food security. We'll investigate the challenges pollinators face and discover ways we can help protect them. Find out why we need pollinators, and why they definitely need us!

** For Rising Grades 5-8 ONLY! “Terrific Ted Talkers!”- Intro to TedX Talks! Has your child ever dreamt of performing on a Ted Talks stage? Do they have ideas they TRULY believe in and would love to voice? Do you just want to improve their overall speech confidence while they learn how to structure and present a speech? Well, this is THEIR moment! In this awesome 1/2 Day Camp, we will: - Review the fundamentals of effective speech PERFORMANCE; - Have discussions about various TEDx Talks topics or current events; - Analyze various TED Talks; - Play multiple public speaking games and work on public speaking quick speech assignments during the class; - Learn how to STRUCTURE a TEDX Speech; - Receive instructor feedback and/or peer feedback; and - Writing and present a final TEDx Talk chosen by the student! Terrific Ted Talkers SHOWCASE! We will invite key community members for a final Speech Showcase on our last day of class! We will also provide videos of the students’ speeches for parents! In both classes every day, the students will have multiple opportunities to practice what WE preach and receive feedback! Our 3-Hour day is broken into: Part I (1-1.5 hours) - Ice Breaker Activity - Lesson for the day - Practice through Game or Structured Assignment in Breakout Sessions! BREAK (15 minutes: Please bring a drink and snack.) Part II: Group Discussion of Previous Exercise/Lessons Lesson Cont. Practice through Games or Structured Assignment in Breakout Sessions! Wrap-Up Give your child the GIFT of more CONFIDENT public speaking this Summer, while they have a blast!

We are excited to spend the week being creative, building community and making friendships. Drop Off is from 9am-9:30 and pick up is between 3:30-4:00pm. During our days together at Hilltop Creative Summer Camp we will start our mornings off with free exploration, morning greetings, snack and an indoor creative activity. Nature is a huge focus of Hilltop Creative. We will have outdoor time on neighborhood hikes and also will visit our local playgrounds and recreational areas Bernal Heights, Holly Park and St Mary's. Towards the end of the day we will gather indoors and will have an afternoon snack provided by Hilltop Creative.

A brand-new week for returning Dream Squad artists (and new ones too)! Campers will take unicorn-inspired art even further with new materials, bigger ideas, and plenty of sparkle. Every project is magical in its own way. Messy Art Lab Summer Camp Info 🌈 Art Show Each week ends with a special Art Show, where campers proudly share their amazing creations with family and friends! It’s a joyful celebration of their creativity and the wonderful work they’ve done all week. 🕘 Schedule Drop-off: begins at 9:00 AM Pick-up: 2:45–3:00 PM Aftercare: available 3:00–5:00 PM Aftercare Details: Aftercare can be purchased as a weekly package. We do not offer aftercare on Fridays. If you’d like to book individual aftercare days, please email Betty@messyartlab.com for availability. 🧺 What to Bring Please help your child come prepared for a fun (and messy!) creative day. 🚫 No nuts or nut products of any kind, please. -Two healthy snacks (morning & afternoon) -Lunch (no candy, gum, or sugary drinks) -A refillable water bottle -Comfortable, paint-friendly clothes -A jacket, sunhat, and layers for outdoor play -Sunscreen applied before camp -A full change of clothes (just in case!) 🧒 Camper Requirements To keep our camps safe, fun, and creative for everyone: -Campers must be 4 years and 6 months old by the first day of camp. (We’re not able to make exceptions to this policy.) -Campers should be able to follow safety instructions and engage in activities for about 30 minutes at a time. -Campers must be fully potty-trained and able to use the bathroom independently. -Please share any medical, behavioral, or developmental information (such as allergies, neurodiversity, or trauma) during registration. This helps us prepare thoughtfully and ensure a positive, supportive experience for every child. (All information is kept confidential.) 💰 Refunds & Cancellations We know plans can change! Please review our camp refund policy below: 100% refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of registration. All enrollments include a non-refundable 20% deposit. Cancellations made 30+ days before the camp start date: refund minus the 20% deposit. Cancellations made within 30 days of the camp start date: No refund unless we can fill your spot, in which case you’ll receive camp credit minus the 20% deposit. All cancellation requests must be sent in writing via email. Transfers to another camp week may be requested (based on availability). A 20% fee applies for transfers requested within 30 days of the original camp week.

⚡🔬 Spark Curiosity and Movement at GrowFit’s Science + All-Sports Camp! Calling all future scientists, inventors, and explorers in grades 1–3! GrowFit’s Science + All-Sports Camp blends the excitement of hands-on discovery with the energy of multi-sport fun. Mornings are all about science experiments, creativity, and discovery—while afternoons are packed with sports, teamwork, and laughter. It’s the perfect balance of brain power and playtime! Why Choose GrowFit’s Science + All-Sports Camp? 🔬 Explosive Science Fun: From building erupting volcanoes and creating glow-in-the-dark bouncy balls to crafting colorful kaleidoscopes, campers explore the magic of science through exciting hands-on experiments. 🧪 Curious Minds at Work: Campers dive into chemistry, physics, and engineering concepts in a playful, age-appropriate way that sparks critical thinking and creativity. 🏅 Active Afternoons: After lunch, the fun continues with our All-Sports Camp—featuring a variety of games like soccer, basketball, gaga ball, and bounce house tag. 🤝 Teamwork and Discovery: Whether mixing experiments or mastering teamwork on the field, campers collaborate, problem-solve, and celebrate each other’s successes. 📈 Full-Week Experience: Each day builds on the last, so full-week registration is required—giving kids the time to fully explore, experiment, and grow. Camp Details: 🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Full-Day Program) 🔬 Morning: Science Camp (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) 🏅 Afternoon: All-Sports Camp (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) 📍 Location: The Academy 🚗 Drop-off: 8:45–9:00 AM | Pick-up: 3:30–4:00 PM 🎒 What to Bring: Comfortable clothes that can get messy, a water bottle, lunch, and two snacks. With over a decade of experience delivering enriching and fun-filled camps, GrowFit’s Science + All-Sports Camp inspires curiosity, confidence, and connection—where discovery meets play every single day! ⚡ Ready to Experiment, Explore, and Play? Spots fill quickly—register today and watch your child’s curiosity and creativity come to life! Refunds and Cancellations: Cancellations made at least 30 days prior to the camp date will be eligible for a full refund, minus a 10% cancellation fee. For cancellations within 30 days of the camp start date, we’re happy to offer a credit for future participation. Please note: cancellations on or after the start of camp are non-refundable. Tax ID: 81-1018163

Give your child the gift of confidence and the joy of cooking! Our culinary program offers hands-on cooking lessons for budding young chefs. We learn more than how to follow a recipe at Lil’ Chef School. We utilize math, science, teamwork, creativity, and more. Children learn about cuisines of the world and enhance their experience with fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices while gaining confidence and experience in the kitchen that will last them a lifetime. Children will make 2 recipes each week and will get a tasting of the food they made at the end of class. Recipes are provided online.

Experiment, Create & Explore the Wonders of Chemistry Step into the world of hands-on chemistry! Mad Scientists Lab gives teens the chance to explore structural chemistry, color-changing reactions, polymers, chemical engineering, and analytical tests through exciting experiments. Campers mix, build, and investigate real chemical reactions while discovering the science behind everyday materials and reactions. Whether they love chemistry, enjoy experimenting, or are curious about how the world works, campers will gain confidence as they create, test, and explore like true scientists. All Summer Campers receive a free TCSL t-shirt!

Give your child the gift of confidence and the joy of cooking! Our culinary program offers hands-on cooking lessons for budding young chefs. We learn more than how to follow a recipe at Lil’ Chef School. We utilize math, science, teamwork, creativity, and more. Children learn the world's cuisines and enhance their experience with fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices while gaining confidence and experience in the kitchen that will last them a lifetime. Children will make 2 recipes each week and will get a tasting of the food they made at the end of class. Recipes are provided online.

Give your child the gift of confidence and the joy of cooking! Our culinary program offers hands-on cooking lessons for budding young chefs. We learn more than how to follow a recipe at Lil’ Chef School. We utilize math, science, teamwork, creativity, and more. Children learn the world's cuisines and enhance their experience with fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices while gaining confidence and experience in the kitchen that will last them a lifetime. Children will make 2 recipes each week and will get a tasting of the food they made at the end of class. Recipes are provided online.

Give your child the gift of confidence and the joy of cooking! Our culinary program offers hands-on cooking lessons for budding young chefs. We learn more than how to follow a recipe at Lil’ Chef School. We utilize math, science, teamwork, creativity, and more. Children learn the world's cuisines and enhance their experience with fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices while gaining confidence and experience in the kitchen that will last them a lifetime. Children will make 2 recipes each week and will get a tasting of the food they made at the end of class. Recipes are provided online.

Give your child the gift of confidence and the joy of cooking! Our culinary program offers hands-on cooking lessons for budding young chefs. We learn more than how to follow a recipe at Lil’ Chef School. We utilize math, science, teamwork, creativity, and more. Children learn the world's cuisines and enhance their experience with fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices while gaining confidence and experience in the kitchen that will last them a lifetime. Children will make 2 recipes each week and will get a tasting of the food they made at the end of class. Recipes are provided online.

We are thrilled to welcome your young chef to a delicious adventure exploring the vibrant world of California cuisine! Through hands-on cooking and baking experiences, kids will discover the rainbow of flavors that make our Golden State's food culture so special. In this nourishing and nurturing camp, your child will embark on a sensory journey celebrating local, seasonal ingredients. Each day brings new opportunities to create, taste, and learn as we transform fresh produce into colorful culinary masterpieces. From bright yellow squash to deep purple berries, we'll explore how nature's color palette enhances both body and imagination. Your young chef will: - Master kid-friendly cooking techniques while building kitchen confidence through hands-on preparation of breakfast, lunch, and snacks using fresh, local ingredients - Engage in food-inspired art projects and outdoor activities that connect our plates to California's abundant natural environment - Learn about seasonal ingredients through sensory exploration, discovering how different colors, textures, and flavors come together to create delicious dishes - Build community through shared meals and collaborative cooking sessions, culminating in a festive family gathering and art show. Daily Schedule: 9:00-9:30 AM: Arrivals and Activity Centers ‍9:30-9:50 AM: Welcome Circle and Stretching ‍9:50-11:00 AM: Cook Brunch ‍11:00-11:30 AM: Eat, Cleanup, and Quiet Time ‍11:30-12:45 PM: Cook Lunch and STEAM Activity ‍12:45-1:15 PM: Eat, Cleanup, and Quiet Time ‍1:15-2:15 PM: Outdoor Play ‍2:15-2:40 PM: Snack and Cleanup ‍2:40-3:00 PM: Closing Circle and Pick-Up

⚙️💡 Ignite Creativity at GrowFit’s Inventor’s Lab + All-Sports Camp! Does your child love building things, taking them apart, and imagining what’s possible? GrowFit’s Inventor’s Lab + All-Sports Camp invites young creators in grades 1–3 to dream big, test bold ideas, and bring their inventions to life—then burn off energy with an afternoon of action-packed sports! This is where imagination meets movement, and every child becomes a problem-solver, builder, and innovator. Why Choose GrowFit’s Inventor’s Lab + All-Sports Camp? 🛠️ Hands-On Building Adventures: Campers use simple materials—cardboard, tape, recycled parts, craft sticks, rubber bands, and more—to design and build their own inventions. Think launchers, bridges, contraptions, machines, and imaginative creations that surprise even them! 💡 Creative Engineering: Through guided challenges, kids explore engineering, design thinking, and “What happens if…?” experimentation in a playful, age-appropriate way. 🧠 Invent, Test, Improve: Campers sketch ideas, build prototypes, test them out, and refine their creations—just like real inventors. It’s all about growth, curiosity, and celebrating the “aha!” moments. 🏅 Active, High-Energy Afternoons: After lunch, campers join our All-Sports Camp for a daily mix of games like soccer, basketball, gaga ball, bounce house tag, and more. It’s the perfect blend of brains and play! 🤝 Teamwork & Problem-Solving: Whether building a tower with teammates or working together on a group invention, campers collaborate, communicate, and cheer each other on. 📈 Full-Week Experience: Each day builds on the last, allowing young inventors to brainstorm, create, and improve throughout the week. Full-week registration is required. Camp Details 🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Full-Day Program) 🛠️ Morning: Inventor’s Lab (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) 🏅 Afternoon: All-Sports Camp (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) 📍 Location: The Academy 🚗 Drop-off: 8:45–9:00 AM 🚗 Pick-up: 3:30–4:00 PM 🎒 What to Bring: Comfortable clothes for building, water bottle, lunch, and two snacks. With over a decade of creating unforgettable experiences, GrowFit’s Inventor’s Lab + All-Sports Camp inspires creativity, confidence, resilience, and joy—where ideas take shape and kids discover what they’re capable of! ⚙️ Ready to Invent, Build, and Play? Spaces fill fast—register today and watch your child’s imagination soar! Refunds and Cancellations: 30+ days before camp: full refund minus 10% fee Within 30 days: credit for future GrowFit camps On or after the start date: non-refundable Tax ID: 81-1018163

This combination class offers children a sampling of art projects using various media such as painting, clay, watercolors, collage, and pastels. It is amazing what you can create when you explore with your imagination. A variety of materials are used to create your many masterpieces – Many projects are “built upon” each class, so that students experience a variety of mediums and take home several projects. Projects are new every session & seasonal, so sign-up for all sessions.