Summer STEM programs offer countless benefits for students who want to keep their minds engaged during time off from school. Stepping away from the more rigid structure of the traditional classroom, these science camps encourage trial, failure and creative experimentation, which are essential to becoming future leaders in science and technology. Luckily, for those in the Houston area, there are many exciting opportunities going on throughout the summer, including:

Alexa Café: All Girls STEM Camp at Rice University

Girls ages 10 – 15 can attend this collaborative program that combines technology, entrepreneurship, and social activism, empowering the next generation of women in STEM.  Week-long courses run from June 19 through July 28.

Camp Cardiac at the University of St. Thomas

This program for high school students includes CPR certification, hands-on workshops, basic knowledge lectures on heart anatomy and physiology, Pig Heart Dissection, introduction to various careers in healthcare, and a medical student forum. Camp runs from July 10- July 14.

Camp Neuro at the University of St. Thomas

The primary focus of this program for high school students is on care and maintenance of the brain.  It also covers topics in psychology and provides an excellent starting point for careers in all fields of medicine. Camp runs from July 17- July 21.

Camp Zoofari at the Houston Zoo

Kids ages 4-16 can take a variety of week-long summer camps.  Half-day and full-day camps are available from May 29 through August 11.

Explorations Summer Camps at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

Week-long camps for students ages 6-12 run from Jun 5 through August 18^th.

ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp

This program is a two-week residential camp for students entering 6-8^th grade. Through its innovative, student-centered, inquiry-based curriculum, campers will complete a minimum of 56 hours of advanced STEM study taught by highly qualified educators from area school districts and university faculty.

University of Houston, June 18-23 and June 25-30 (application deadline April 7)
Lamar University, June 12-23  (application deadline April 26)

G.R.A.D.E. Camp Pre-College the University of Houston

A week long day camp designed to help girls entering 8th-12th grade discover what engineering is all about through hands on experience. There are two week-long courses in June, but the first one is full.  You can still apply for the June 19-23 program.

iD Tech Camps  at the University of Houston

Kids ages 7- 18 can learn about coding, game design, 3D printing, robotics, engineering, video production and more. Week-long courses run from June 12 through July 28.

Lone Star Discovery College (various locations)

Discovery College provides the opportunity for children ages 6-17 to explore and expand their interests and skills using engaging, hands-on curriculum in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) focused classes held in a campus-based educational environment. Week-long camps for kids ages 6-17 run from June 12 through July 13.

Stem Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer Intern Program at NASA

This program for high school students provides selected students with exposure to Earth and space research. Interns will learn how to interpret NASA satellite data while working with scientists and engineers in their chosen area of work.  Student interns will work remotely in June and July and then travel to Johnson Space Center for a residential portion on July 17-29.  Deadline to apply is April 4, 2017.

Summer Program for Upward Bound at the University of Houston Downtown

This is an intensive six-week summer program for students attending five Houston ISD high schools (Austin, Kashmere, Westbury, Worthing, and Yates).  Upward Bound offers its students classes in mathematics, performing arts, physics, chemistry, environmental science, geography, composition, literature, computer science, social issues, foreign languages and cultures, and PSAT preparation.

Tapia Center Math and Science Camps at Rice University

Week-long residential camps in math, physics and computer science run from June 4-July 29.  Registration must come through a school.

Technical Summer Program with Houston Department of Public Works and Engineering

In this six-week paid summer internship program, high school students ages 16-21 will learn more about the daily operations of the Houston Department of Public Works and Engineering department and the City of Houston.

(blog contributed by Lisa Felske, curriculum director for science at the Teaching and Learning Center at HCDE)