STEM Programs Near Me

Junior Conservationists are invited to discover the magic of ecosystems—the special homes where every plant and animal works together. We will explore the vital jobs different creatures have, like how bees pollinate blooms and bears disperse seeds, and see why every single species is essential to the balance of nature. It’s like a complex puzzle where every piece matters. If one animal disappears, the whole picture changes! You will also discover that humans are a part of this puzzle, too. We’ll learn how our daily choices affect the plants (flora) and animals (fauna) around us, and how we can all be better friends to our planet.

🔵 Week 3: Communicate & Collaborate Capstone Team Communication • Collaboration • Presentation 📅 August 10–14, 2026 ** MUST be Rising Grades 5-8 to Participate! NO exceptions! Our Final Camp Week focuses on communication and collaboration as part of a team or partnership ! These are key elements of FCPS’s and LCPS’s Portrait of a Graduate! Students work daily in rotating teams on creative speaking challenges using multiple public speaking formats, including: Persuasive speaking & pitching Storytelling Informative speaking Students learn how to: Collaborate effectively so every student contributes Develop and enhance social skills Communicate with new peers and find common ground Lead, listen, and build on others’ ideas Master team presentation dynamics, including smooth transitions and unified delivery 🎉 End-of-Week Team Showcase Teams present a final collaborative presentation! 🎥 Parents receive a video of their child’s final team presentation. 🎯 Why Parents Choose This Bundle Daily speaking practice …no sitting on the sidelines! Combines writing, impromptu speaking, and teamwork! Builds confidence for middle school presentations and group projects Explicit focus on communication, collaboration, and leadership ONLY taught by Professionals! Aligned with FCPS Portrait of a Graduate skills! Professional showcases + take-home performance video! ✨ A powerful summer experience that builds skills students will use all year and MUCH beyond!

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.

Students will assume the role of a doctor and learn how the body and organs work, how to use medical instruments, and even tie knots like a real surgeon. Each student receives their own stethoscope that really works. Each child receives a diploma as a graduate of Little Medical School at the completion of the course. Day 1: What is in the Doctor’s Bag? 1. Name and define 3 instruments used by doctors 2. Perform parts of a doctor’s exam using the 3 instruments 3. Understand the purpose of each instrument Day 2: All about the Heart! 1. Explain heart facts and how it works 2. Identify the different parts of the heart and know what it looks like 3. Discuss how the stethoscope aids in hearing normal and abnormal heart sounds Day 3: All about the Lungs! 1. Understand how lungs work 2. Explain how lungs exchange air for oxygen and carbon dioxide 3. Discuss what lung function tests measure Day 4: Digesting Digestion 1. Name and explain the organs of digestion 2. Understand how the entire process of digestion works and explain it to others Day 5: Is there a Surgeon in the House? 1. Discuss the concept of “scrubbing” 2. Suture and tie surgical knots 3. Explain how a surgeon works as part of a team

🌎 Country of Focus: Costa Rica 🇨🇷 Nature Quest (Expedición Natural) Experience Spanish and nature together in an immersive, hands-on way! During Nature Quest, campers explore Costa Rica’s rainforests, wildlife, and culture while building Spanish language skills through creativity, movement, and play. 🌿 This Week’s Highlights Include: 🎥 Explore Costa Rica Through Video Tours Travel virtually through Costa Rica’s rainforests and tropical habitats using engaging video tours, photos, and guided discussions that bring the country to life—en español. 📓 Create a Bilingual Nature Journal Campers observe plants, animals, and ecosystems while recording discoveries in a Spanish–English nature journal, building vocabulary and confidence along the way. 🏞️ Build a Costa Rica Habitat Diorama Design and construct a tropical habitat diorama, replicating rainforests and wildlife zones while learning key geography and environmental terms en español. 🎨 Pura Vida–Inspired Crafts & Culture Celebrate Costa Rican culture with Pura Vida–inspired crafts and activities, exploring traditions, symbols, and everyday life through art and storytelling. 🗣️ Spanish Through Play Throughout the week, campers strengthen spoken Spanish and early biliteracy skills through interactive games, collaborative projects, music, and movement. ✨ End-of-Week Showcase 🎉 Parents and caregivers are invited to a camp showcase where campers proudly present their projects and share what they’ve learned—in Spanish! *Campers receive a daily snack, a take-home souvenir, time for lunch and all activity supplies. Campers bring their lunch from home. —----------------------------------- Cancellation policy: When a camp registration is canceled by the camper(s) and/or the family, a refund will be provided only if we receive notification two weeks in advance. We will, however, retain 5% of the total registration fees for processing costs. No refunds will be given for cancellations made less than two weeks in advance. Please Bring: Lunch (No NUTS please!) Comfortable Clothes Sweater or sweatshirt (in case indoors is chilly) Close-toed shoes (sneakers are best) Book bag (for taking home projects) Water bottle (Reusable) Complete change of clothes (K-2)

Drone Explorers: STEM Missions is an exciting indoor program for students in grades 4–8. Kids will learn to fly and code real drones while solving hands-on, real-world challenges. Each session blends science, technology, and teamwork in a fun and engaging way. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and creativity. All equipment is provided, and classes are held safely indoors.

Why use your PTO when you can use your WOW Back-Up Care? Join us for a full day of winter fun! Obstacle Courses, Arts & Crafts, Spanish & more... Includes Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Information will be sent out the week before with full details. Supplies Needed: Complete Set of Clothes Sippy Cup If you have any questions, please email us at office@worldofwondercenter.com.

Outdoor field games in local area parks daily, swimming twice weekly, kayaking and rock climbing once weekly each. We spend the first and last hour of the day inside doing arts and crafts, STEM projects, and indoor sports such bowling and ping pong. The rest of the morning and afternoon we are outdoors doing field games and traditional activities utilizing local area parks. Swim days are planned to be Tuesdays and Thursdays each week during the morning session. Kayaking are Wednesdays during the morning session, weather permitting. Rock climbing is on Fridays. We are open rain or shine, during inclement weather and poor air quality days we spend more time inside doing crafts, indoor sports and other activities. Hot lunch and healthy snacks are included. Early Bird pricing of 15% off, and ends 3/30. Early Bird pricing of 10% off, and ends 4/30. Early Bird pricing of 5% off, and ends 5/31. There is a sibling discount of 20% for each child beyond the first. Discounts do not stack with other discounts, you will receive the best discount available to you at check out.

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.

Join us for a special day of cooking, playing, crafting, and tasting! Kid-chefs will get to craft their own breakfast, lunch, and sweet snack throughout the day, spend time outdoors, create fun food-inspired art, and much more! General Schedule: 9:00-9:30 am - Arrivals & Activity Centers I 9:30-10:00 am - Circle Time, Story + Stretching 10:00-11:30 am - Cooking Activity 1 + Brunch 11:30-12:45 pm - STEM Activity + Cooking Activity II 12:45-1:15 pm - Lunch + Quiet Time 1:30-2:30 pm - Outdoor Play and/or Art Projects 2:30-2:45 pm - Snack 2:45 - 3:00 pm - Sharing Circle and Pick-Up Max of 26 students in this camp.

Turn imagination into a Minecraft world of your own. If your child loves Minecraft, this camp shows them how to go beyond playing the game and start creating inside it. In Junior Minecraft, campers learn the foundations of Minecraft modding (short for "modifying") using an age-appropriate, block-based coding system that’s intuitive, visual, and fun. Students explore how Minecraft works behind the scenes as they customize characters, modify gear, and make meaningful changes to their worlds...all in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment. Campers work inside curated Minecraft worlds designed specifically for learning. Through guided challenges and creative projects, they’re introduced to the core ideas of “modding” while building confidence, problem-solving skills, and a sense of ownership over what they create. What students will do: Learn the basics of block-based coding Customize Minecraft worlds, characters, and items Explore how games are built and modified Follow structured challenges with room for creativity Build confidence using technology as a creator, not just a player This camp is ideal for younger Minecraft fans who are curious, creative, and ready to take their first steps into coding and game design—no prior experience required. Important note: This camp requires a Minecraft Java Edition account, available at: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/store/minecraft-java-edition If your student enjoys Junior Minecraft, they may also love: Junior Game Designers (Scratch Programming) LEGO Robotics Roblox Game Design Junior Minecraft is often the first step in a longer STEM journey...and one of our most popular ways for kids to discover that learning can be just as fun as gaming.

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 fun first step into coding, creativity, and game design. In Junior Game Designers, campers are introduced to the exciting world of coding and game creation in a way that’s visual, playful, and easy to understand - perfect for beginners. Using Scratch, the award-winning platform developed by MIT, students learn how to bring characters to life, design interactive games, and tell stories through block-based coding. By snapping together visual code blocks, campers quickly see how their ideas turn into real, playable creations. This camp focuses on creative problem-solving and logical thinking, helping students understand how games are built while encouraging imagination and experimentation in a supportive, low-pressure environment. What students will do: Learn the basics of coding and game logic using Scratch Animate characters and design simple games Create interactive stories and challenges Practice sequencing, problem-solving, and debugging Build confidence as creators - not just players No prior coding experience is required - just basic keyboarding skills and a creative mindset. This camp is an excellent stepping-stone into our Junior Minecraft programs, as well as LEGO Robotics and other game design and coding camps as students grow. Ages: 7–10 Junior Game Designers is often where kids discover that learning to code feels a lot like playing—and where a long-term love of STEM begins.

In Game Art Studio, campers explore the world of pixel art and animation using Aseprite, a professional tool used to create graphics for 2D video games. Students learn how to design characters, environments, icons, and animated sprites while building strong foundations in color, shading, and animation timing. Throughout the week, campers create original game-ready artwork such as character walk cycles, enemies, backgrounds, and user interface elements. They also learn how pixel art is used in real games and how their creations can be exported for use in 2D games, Scratch or Flowlab projects, Godot or Unity games, Minecraft-style mods, and animated GIFs. This camp is ideal for creative kids who love games and want to bring their ideas to life. No prior art or coding experience is required. Recommended for ages 10 - 15.

Explore, Experiment & Unleash Your Inner Scientist Step into the exciting world of chemistry! This camp gives young scientists the chance to investigate the building blocks of matter through colorful reactions, hands-on experiments, and playful discovery. Throughout the week campers explore how atoms connect and how materials behave. From bubbling mixtures to crystal creations to stretchy polymers, this camp lets kids experience the wonder of chemistry up close. Whether they dream of becoming a chemist, love experimenting, or simply enjoy figuring out how things work, campers will build confidence as they explore real scientific concepts in a fun and engaging environment. All Summer Campers receive a free TCSL t-shirt!

Turn imagination into a Minecraft world of your own. If your child loves Minecraft, this camp shows them how to go beyond playing the game and start creating inside it. In Junior Minecraft, campers learn the foundations of Minecraft modding (short for "modifying") using an age-appropriate, block-based coding system that’s intuitive, visual, and fun. Students explore how Minecraft works behind the scenes as they customize characters, modify gear, and make meaningful changes to their worlds...all in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment. Campers work inside curated Minecraft worlds designed specifically for learning. Through guided challenges and creative projects, they’re introduced to the core ideas of “modding” while building confidence, problem-solving skills, and a sense of ownership over what they create. What students will do: Learn the basics of block-based coding Customize Minecraft worlds, characters, and items Explore how games are built and modified Follow structured challenges with room for creativity Build confidence using technology as a creator, not just a player This camp is ideal for younger Minecraft fans who are curious, creative, and ready to take their first steps into coding and game design—no prior experience required. Important note: This camp requires a Minecraft Java Edition account, available at: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/store/minecraft-java-edition If your student enjoys Junior Minecraft, they may also love: Junior Game Designers (Scratch Programming) LEGO Robotics Roblox Game Design Junior Minecraft is often the first step in a longer STEM journey...and one of our most popular ways for kids to discover that learning can be just as fun as gaming.

Calling all future marine biologists and ocean experts! Explore ocean ecosystems and marine life in this engaging 3-day art workshop inspired by the diversity of life beneath the waves. Students will study a variety of sea creatures and underwater environments, using observation and imagination to inform their artwork. Artists will create three ocean-themed art projects while strengthening their drawing and painting skills through observation, imagination, and creative exploration. Along the way, students will learn about marine environments, animal forms, and textures while applying the Elements of Art and Principles of Design in a fun, approachable way. Designed for children and teens, this workshop groups students by age to support appropriate pacing, skill development, and positive peer connection. Artists must be enrolled in First Grade, Fall 2026 and have graduated Kindergarten to attend.

Join us for a one-week Robotics Summer Camp designed for students in grades 6–8! Campers will build and program an Arduino-based robotics kit and put their creations to the test in a series of fun, hands-on technical challenges and games. Coding is primarily block-based using iPads, making it accessible for beginners, while students with prior experience can choose to program their robots in Python on Chromebooks. This camp blends creativity, problem-solving, and friendly competition in an exciting introduction to robotics and engineering

Parent Night Out will take place on selected evenings of every month from 6:00 - 8:00 pm (or as noted) and will incorporate many types of fine arts over the course of the school year....visual arts. All while parents enjoy a night out! Cost per event is $40 per child, $37 for additional children FROM THE SAME FAMILY. Kids will enjoy 2 hours of Art and Art related Activities!Parent Night Out is designed for parents to drop off kids while they go out for a dinner, meet up with friends, run errands or enjoy some alone time :) Parent Night Out... aka PNO... is a drop off program & for ages 4 and older. A teacher led art project, a fun themed craft, time for a snack (please bring your own snack & water) are included in our 2.5 hours together. Kids enjoy stations as well as several art projects during their 2 hours of fun at the Art Studio! Groups will be separated by age & grade level, so students can make new friends and work on age appropriate art projects. Every Day is a different theme, so you can sign up for every week :) Discounts apply when you sign up for several classes at one time. ***Bring peanut free snack & water bottle

Welcome to Camp Footsteps Adventurers! Footsteps Child Care, in partnership with the City of Belmont Parks and Recreation, is excited to offer nine weeks of summer camp designed specifically for older children and youth entering fourth grade through middle school. This summer, we are thrilled to feature specialized classes provided by Lando, including Advanced LEGO Robotics and Clay Studio Lab. Field Trip: Calibunga Waterpark, San Jose Special Event: Fishing Outing Every day brings something new to discover, learn, and explore—making camp an unforgettable adventure! MONDAY kicks off the week with team-building activities that help campers connect and collaborate, plus Advanced LEGO Robotics (10am-12pm), where they will choose a robotics challenge, plan their build, and test it with real data. Using LEGO® bricks and Technic components (beams, axles, gears, motors, and sensors), they will tune for speed, lift, or control, log test results, and present how each modification improved their design. In the afternoon campers can participate in a group cooking project. TUESDAY features morning hikes through local trails followed by recreational swimming at the Carlmont High School pool. WEDNESDAY is field trip day, with exciting excursions designed for adventure and exploration. Campers will experience thrilling attractions, water activities, outdoor adventures, and even an overnight camping experience! Each trip offers opportunities to build friendships, try new activities, and create unforgettable summer memories. THURSDAY offers flexible morning time for activities and games, along with a trip to the Belmont Library, followed by recreational swim time in the afternoon. FRIDAY wraps up each week with special events, community service projects, or Counselors-In-Training opportunities. From 2pm to 4pm, campers can also join Clay Studio Lab, where they will create gallery-ready, multi-module scenes using internal armatures, balanced bases, and clean joins. They will refine their work with cohesive color palettes and textures while explaining how their design choices enhanced structural integrity and visual clarity.

Farm Camp is run from our 1-acre school farm in the Mission Terrace neighborhood. We provide an opportunity for children to connect with nature while directly participating in the daily rhythms of farm life. Our day camp is designed to inspire a connection with and love of the natural world, and also a chance to get hands dirty in fun and educational ways. Activities include animal care for our chickens, weeding, watering, mulching, harvesting, compost care, crafts and free play. Children should bring snacks and lunch and come prepared to get dirty!