STEM Programs in Denver, 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.

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 this all-day game development bootcamp, teens take on the role of an indie game designer and build a complete, playable video game from start to finish using the professional game engine, Godot. (Godot is open-source software, but offers comparable quality to Unity3D.) Campers learn how real games are designed, coded, and refined as they create gameplay mechanics, characters, levels, and user interfaces while working through the full development process. Throughout the week, students will write game logic using GDScript, implement physics and movement, design enemies or NPCs, and test their games through play-testing and feedback. By the end of the bootcamp, each camper should be able to complete a fully playable game and leave with a deeper understanding of real-world game development concepts. 13+ Recommended (but not required): Prior basic coding knowledge in Scratch, Coding 101, Python, or another programming language. Motivated beginners are welcome.

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.

Advanced 3D Printing & Design Design smarter. Print better. Build like an engineer. Advanced 3D Printing & Design is designed for students who are ready to go beyond the basics and take their 3D modeling and printing skills to the next level. In this hands-on, project-driven camp, students dive deeper into professional-level CAD design, learning how engineers and product designers create efficient, functional, and refined models. Campers explore advanced concepts such as parametric design, complex assemblies, and design optimization, giving them greater control over how their creations look and perform. Students also gain deeper experience with the 3D printing process itself, learning how advanced slicing settings—like infill patterns, layer height, and print speed—affect strength, detail, and print quality. To finish things off, campers are introduced to post-processing techniques such as sanding, smoothing, and custom finishing to elevate their projects from prototypes to polished products. What students will do: Create advanced CAD models using professional design techniques Build multi-part assemblies and optimized designs Fine-tune print settings for strength, detail, and efficiency Learn post-processing methods to improve finish and durability Bring multiple original designs to life with 3D printing This camp emphasizes problem-solving, iteration, and real-world engineering thinking, making it an excellent next step for students interested in design, engineering, or manufacturing. Prerequisite: Intro to 3D Printing & CAD (or equivalent experience) Ages: 10+ Important note: Due to printing time, some projects may finish after camp hours and will be available for pickup at Silicon STEM. Advanced 3D Printing & Design is a natural progression for students who want to deepen their skills and take pride in creating high-quality, functional designs.

A playful introduction to robotics and programming. In Robotics with Sphero BOLT, campers dive into the world of robotics using one of the most engaging robots around - a programmable, sensor-packed robotic ball that responds to code, creativity, and experimentation. Students learn how to code and control their Sphero BOLT as they tackle hands-on challenges that involve driving, navigating obstacles, displaying designs on the built-in LED matrix, and even communicating with other robots using infrared signals. Each activity introduces core STEM concepts in a way that feels more like play than work. This camp is designed to spark curiosity and build confidence. Campers experiment, test ideas, and immediately see the results of their code in action—helping them understand how programming controls real-world devices. What students will do: Learn the basics of robotics and block-based coding Program movement, speed, and direction Use the LED matrix to create designs, animations, and games Explore sensors and infrared communication Solve challenges through trial, error, and collaboration No prior robotics or coding experience is required. This camp is an excellent introduction for students who enjoy hands-on learning and want to explore STEM in a fun, approachable way. Robotics with Sphero BOLT often inspires campers to continue into LEGO Robotics, BattleBots, or coding and game design camps as they grow.

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.

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.

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. 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.

• Explore the outstanding collection of the Denver Nature & Science Museum with a ticket and a self-guided audio tour - all in one app • Marvel at terrific Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, and other prehistoric beasts • Discover life habitats of North American mammals through exquisitely detailed dioramas • Enjoy the best views of Denver from the Sky Terrace • Learn about the mysterious rituals and traditions of Native American peoples

THIS TOUR REQUIRES 4 GUESTS TO START What's LoDo? I’m happy you asked! Lower Downtown is Denver’s oldest neighborhood which is home to some of the best restaurants and attractions in Denver. On this 2 hour walking tour your savvy local guide will share fascinating history and point out local hot spots, where to eat and drink. We walk about 1.5 miles where we bring to life the past, present, and future of our beloved city. This tour is perfect for those who have limited time and a busy schedule. At the end of the tour you will feel more like a local and less like a tourist! We begin the tour at iconic Union Station and its significance to the survival of Denver as a city. Over the next 2 hours we walk a loop around LoDo where we share stories of Denver’s first Chinatown, visit the most famous bordello of its time, visit the oldest operating hotel in Denver, and learn about the underground tunnel system that runs beneath the city. TOUR LEAVES AT 11 A.M. PLEASE ARRIVE AT 10:45 A.M.