STEM Programs Near Me

Camp Footsteps Junior Explorers 2026 A Summer of Discovery, Creativity, and Fun! At Camp Footsteps Junior Explorers 2026, children entering TK through first grade will embark on a summer filled with imagination, friendship, and adventure. Each themed week is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and encourage creativity through hands-on learning and play. From inventing and building during Maker’s Week to celebrating freedom and culture during Juneteenth: Freedom to Dream Week, every day brings new opportunities to explore, create, and grow. Campers will enjoy a wide variety of engaging activities, including art projects, outdoor games, field trips, science explorations, cooking projects, and meaningful community experiences that connect learning with fun. Our experienced and caring staff create a safe, nurturing environment where young children are encouraged to try new things, develop friendships, and discover their unique strengths. Whether your child is a budding artist, an enthusiastic explorer, or a hands-on maker, Camp Footsteps Junior Explorers 2026 offers an unforgettable summer filled with laughter, learning, and lasting memories. Week 2 – Juneteenth: Freedom to Dream Week Field Trip - Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center & Red Morton Park, Redwood City (includes lunch) In honor of Juneteenth, this week celebrates freedom, culture, and community through fun, creative experiences. Campers will explore African American history and traditions in age-appropriate ways—through art, music, storytelling, and hands-on projects that highlight creativity and unity. Each day offers opportunities to make crafts, enjoy songs and rhythms, and learn about the importance of freedom and working together. This week helps children appreciate history while also building joy, respect, and connection.

Calling all curious scientists! Are you ready to unravel the amazing mysteries hidden deep inside every living thing – including you? During Genetic Genius, we'll dive into the fascinating world of Genetics & DNA to discover what makes you, YOU! We'll start by learning all about traits – like why your eyes are a certain color or why you might have curly hair! We'll explore how these traits are passed down from parents to kids, a bit like a secret family recipe. Then, we'll get up close with DNA structures, discovering what these incredible twisted ladders look like and what amazing information we can find inside DNA that tells every cell what to do!

Calling all super-sleuths and curious minds! Are you ready to crack codes, follow clues, and solve thrilling puzzles? This camp transforms every day into a new "mystery" where campers use their sharp math skills to become the ultimate Math Detectives! Campers will dive into exciting activities like deciphering secret codes using substitution ciphers and uncovering hidden messages in number patterns. Throughout the week, we'll sharpen key math powers: logic, problem-solving, measurement, basic cryptography, and spatial reasoning. Get ready to put on your thinking caps, collaborate with your fellow detectives, and use the power of STEM to solve every perplexing puzzle thrown your way!

Encourage curiosity and build self-confidence in your preschooler through art, science exploration, play and more. Teachers also read children's books that explore and nurture key social and emotional skills and engage in activities that require cooperation, self-awareness, and encourage communication with peers. For children ages 2.5-5.

Encourage curiosity and build self-confidence in your preschooler through art, science exploration, play and more. Teachers also read children's books that explore and nurture key social and emotional skills, engage in activities that require cooperation.

CREATING CHARACTERS Come create at our morning camp with hands on art and a whole lot of fun! At this camp your child will create an animal sculpture in they style of the popular video game and movie, Minecraft. Sculptures will be made using polymer clay which is baked and cooled and then painted. Your child will come home with a unique work of art. At this camp your child will get to learn about art, get their creative juices flowing, and have fun creating artwork of their own. Spaces are limited. Save your child's spot by registering today!

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!

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.

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 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.

Explore Space, Experiment & Train Like a Real Explorer Blast off into a week of discovery! Astronaut Boot Camp lets young explorers investigate the Moon, stars, planets, and the science of space travel through hands-on experiments and creative engineering challenges. From lunar landings to Mars missions, campers get an exciting introduction to the wonders of space and the skills astronauts use every day. Whether they dream of becoming an astronaut, love space science, or simply enjoy exploring how the universe works, campers will gain confidence as they experiment, build, and think like true space explorers. All Summer Campers receive a free TCSL t-shirt!

Encourage curiosity and build self-confidence in your preschooler through a Fun Program with art, science exploration, play and more. Teachers also read children's books that explore and nurture key social and emotional skills, engage in activities that require cooperation.

Explore, Experiment & Cook Up Some Science Step into the delicious world of food science! Kitchen Scientists combines hands-on experiments with fun cooking challenges, giving campers the chance to explore chemistry, microbiology, and biochemistry through tasty creations. From observing crystals to testing enzymes, making butter, and even creating ice cream, campers see science in action while preparing real food. Whether they love cooking, experimenting, or discovering how everyday ingredients work, campers will gain confidence applying scientific concepts in the kitchen and end the week with a friendly cook-off. All Summer Campers receive a free TCSL t-shirt!

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.

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.

Encourage curiosity and build self-confidence in your preschooler through art, science exploration, play and more. Teachers also read children's books that explore and nurture key social and emotional skills, engage in activities that require cooperation

Step into a world where baking is alchemy, blending science, creativity, and art to transform wholesome ingredients into extraordinary creations! In this camp, kids will explore the intersection of cooking, STEM, and artistic expression, crafting a variety of sweet and savory dishes while uncovering the magic behind every recipe. Each session sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and inspires creativity in the kitchen. Your young baker will: -Discover the science behind baking, from rising dough to golden crusts -Experiment with new ingredients and techniques to create both classics and inventive twists -Build essential skills through hands-on measuring, mixing, and tasting -Develop kitchen safety habits and a confident, intuitive approach to baking 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

Calling all super-sleuths and curious minds! Are you ready to crack codes, follow clues, and solve thrilling puzzles? This camp transforms every day into a new "mystery" where campers use their sharp math skills to become the ultimate Math Detectives! Campers will dive into exciting activities like deciphering secret codes using substitution ciphers and uncovering hidden messages in number patterns. Throughout the week, we'll sharpen key math powers: logic, problem-solving, measurement, basic cryptography, and spatial reasoning. Get ready to put on your thinking caps, collaborate with your fellow detectives, and use the power of STEM to solve every perplexing puzzle thrown your way!

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: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk & Optional Overnight Camping 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 camp is closed for July 4th

Unleash Your Child's Creativity This Summer! Calling all young creators for an unforgettable summer filled with imagination, self-expression, and fun! Creator's Camp inspires campers to connect with their creativity while developing their skills in storytelling, art, music, and hands-on projects. Guided by award-winning Lando educators, campers will explore painting, drawing, and arts and crafts—engaging their hands, heads, and hearts while building lasting friendships. Weekly Schedule Each week combines traditional camp activities with specialized Lando classes. Campers attend two Lando sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (each class offered twice weekly), with Wednesdays reserved for exciting field trips. Field Trips: 1st-3rd Grade - Mugglebee’s Play Performance at Cipriani 4th-5th Grade – Shoreline Lake Paddle Adventure, Mountain View Campers will experience Four Award-Winning Lando Classes: Summer LEGO® Robotics Lab – Build a new robot daily using LEGO® bricks, motors, and sensors. Tackle the Kickoff Challenge, then upgrade during Engineering Sprints. Explore gears, pulleys, and measurable goals like distance and lift. Storyboarding and Comic Sketching – Create a finished storyboard each class. Learn drawing techniques and storytelling, then bring ideas to life during Studio Time with collaborative jams and peer feedback. Clay Sculpting and Scene Building – Sculpt connected scenes across the week. Practice techniques in daily warm-ups, then pinch, coil, and build your world—from beach stalls to sea monsters—for the Showcase Parade. Mini-Game Coding Studio – Code arcade games using Lando's Scratch-based iPad app. Build and remix multi-level mini-games, then test each other's creations in Playtest Lab while learning loops, events, and variables. Families receive weekly emails with photos, skills summaries, and ideas to continue exploring at home. Enroll today and watch your child's confidence and creativity soar!

DESCRIPTION This course teaches game development and computer fundamentals through Scratch, covering programming basics, functions, custom code blocks, and integrating physical components, while also imparting key skills in flowcharting, Agile Methodology, Digital Logic, and electrical engineering. KEY CONCEPTS Computer Basics Programming Fundamentals Agile Methodologies Scratch Programming SPRINTS Computer Foundations Introduction to Programming with Scratch Computational Thinking Advanced Scratch Programming Digital Logic Exploring STEM Professions I Exploring STEM Professions II Hands-on Scratch Final Project: Interactive Simulation Creating from Scratch SOFT SKILLS: Critical Thinking Project Management Planning and Design OUTCOME: Customized Game