Learning doesn’t have to stop this summer. In fact, you can accelerate your students’ engagement in STEM with fun, interactive Summer Camps! Immerse your students in a week-long exploration camp, or draw it out over the course of the summer. These are our top 10 ideas for hands-on STEM and Career & Technical Education camp themes you can implement this summer.
The future of healthcare and medical technology is being shaped by breakthroughs in biotechnology, neurotechnology, and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). Imagine students building their own advanced prosthetics, programming biofeedback systems, and exploring how brain signals can control external devices. From wearable health monitors to AI-assisted rehabilitation, biomedical engineering is one of the fastest-growing and most impactful fields.
NeuroMaker provides an exciting, hands-on way for students to dive into this world. The NeuroMaker Hand 2.0 offers an immersive experience where students build and program a robotic prosthetic hand embedded with advanced biosensors. These include EMG (muscle signal) sensors, temperature sensors, and real-time biofeedback mechanisms, giving students the opportunity to explore how technology enhances human capabilities.
Taking this a step further, students will experiment with brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, learning how neural signals can be used to control external devices. Using electroencephalography (EEG) sensors, they can explore how brain activity controls movement, opening doors to applications in assistive technology, neuroprosthetics, and rehabilitation. With Arduino-based programming, students will not only code responses based on biosignals but also push the boundaries of what human-machine interaction can achieve.
Drones are revolutionizing industries like agriculture, logistics, and emergency response. As FAA Part 107 certification becomes increasingly valuable, students can explore flight dynamics, remote piloting, and autonomous navigation—critical skills for careers in aerospace, robotics, and drone technology.
Many students have interacted with out-of-the-box hobby drones, but what if they could actually build & program their own drone?
The MINDS-i UAV Drone Lab provides an electrifying way for students to program drones using Arduino, execute GPS-guided flight paths, and fine-tune telemetry-based controls. Whether they’re simulating search-and-rescue missions or exploring aerial mapping, students will develop key skills in automation, aerodynamics, and real-world drone applications. Through concepts like PID tuning, IMU calibration, and telemetry logging, they’ll gain hands-on experience that mirrors industry practices.
Autonomous vehicles are reshaping transportation, exploration, and industry. What better way to ignite students’ interest in robotics than by building their own Mars Rover? By designing and programming a fully autonomous vehicle, students will experience the thrill of problem-solving and engineering innovation, just like NASA’s top engineers.
With the MINDS-i Autonomous Mars Rover Kit, students will learn how to program navigation paths, analyze environmental data, and develop IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and GPS-based obstacle avoidance systems. This hands-on challenge introduces them to the real-world applications of Arduino and C++ programming, while integrating ultrasonic sensors, LiDAR, and computer vision to enhance autonomous decision-making. This is a perfect gateway into careers in robotics, AI, and automation.
Esports is more than just playing video games—it’s a booming industry with careers in game design, broadcasting, event management, and data analytics. Competitive gaming teaches students strategic thinking, teamwork, and technical skills that translate into real-world careers in software engineering and digital media.
With Mastery Coding’s Academic Esports™ curriculum, students will break down the mechanics of top games like Rocket League, Fortnite, and Super Smash Bros. They’ll explore game physics, optimize gaming performance, and learn competitive strategies used in professional esports leagues. This camp is a gateway to careers in game development, cyber-athlete coaching, and hardware optimization.
Video games are one of the most exciting intersections of storytelling, physics, and technology. With gaming now a multi-billion-dollar industry, students can develop their own games while learning Unity, JavaScript, and C# programming—essential skills for careers in game design, software development, and animation.
Using Mastery Coding’s Game Development Foundations, students will design interactive environments, program AI-driven characters, and integrate physics-based mechanics into their games. From 2D platformers to 3D simulations and real-time multiplayer games, students will bring their creative ideas to life while gaining real-world coding experience.
Science comes alive when students get hands-on with experiments that test hypotheses, analyze data, and uncover the principles that drive the world around us. From understanding how energy is created and stored to exploring cutting-edge sustainable technologies, these experiments bring abstract concepts into the real world. Renewable energy is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing fields, offering careers in environmental engineering, power systems, and sustainable technology. Learning to harness solar, wind, and hydrogen power prepares students for the future of energy innovation.
With the leXsolar Science Kits, students will become scientists, conducting interactive experiments on photovoltaic efficiency, electrolysis, and energy storage. They’ll hypothesize, test, and analyze data just like real engineers working to improve modern energy grids. By exploring smart metering and hybrid renewable energy systems, students will discover how energy efficiency and sustainability play a crucial role in designing the power networks of tomorrow. These experiences make abstract science concepts tangible and exciting, sparking curiosity and inspiring the innovators of the future.
Engineering is behind everything from skyscrapers to spacecraft. It is the backbone of innovation, shaping the way we build, design, and create the world around us. Students will have the opportunity to explore forces, motion, and structural integrity through exciting, hands-on projects that bring real-world engineering principles to life.
Using the TecQuipment Engineering Science Kits, students will investigate cantilevers, pulleys, tensile strength, and friction systems. They’ll design, test, and analyze mechanical structures while working through real-world engineering challenges. Projects may include constructing bridge models, testing material strength under load, and experimenting with rotational dynamics. These hands-on activities help students develop problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities essential for careers in civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering. Through structured inquiry and iterative design, students will gain firsthand experience in what it takes to be an engineer in today’s world.
The future of skilled trades is here! Welding plays a crucial role in manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure, and demand for trained professionals is skyrocketing. Augmented reality brings welding training into the 21st century, allowing students to practice in a safe, interactive setting.
With the Miller MobileArc Augmented Reality Welding System, students will perfect MIG (GMAW) welding techniques, learning about travel angle, work angle, and weld speed with real-time feedback. This hands-on experience prepares them for certification programs, apprenticeships, and careers in metalworking and fabrication.
Building machines is one of the most exciting ways for students to explore engineering and technology. Whether designing a railroad crossing control system, constructing a fairground ride, or programming a robotic container crane, students will gain hands-on experience in how mechanical and electrical systems work together. These projects not only teach the fundamentals of forces, motion, and automation, but they also inspire creativity and innovation, showing students the real-world applications of engineering in industries like manufacturing, industrial design, and automation.
The LJ Create Engineering Construction Kit brings this experience to life by allowing students to build working mechanical models with motors, sensors, and controllers. With components that mimic real-world industrial systems, students can experiment with automated agricultural machines, semi-automated vehicles, and mobile robotic systems. As they test and refine their designs, they’ll develop problem-solving, teamwork, and technical skills essential for careers in mechanical engineering, automation, and robotics. This hands-on approach makes complex engineering concepts accessible and fun, providing an engaging introduction to the world of design and technology.
The world is moving toward automation and AI-driven technology, and students can take part in shaping that future by designing, building, and programming their own robots. From humanoid robots that mimic human movement to autonomous machines that navigate complex environments, students will explore the fascinating intersection of engineering and artificial intelligence.
With the LJ Create ERIK Kit, students will build and program robots using Python, Blockly, and Arduino C, gaining hands-on experience in real-world automation. They’ll develop line-following, obstacle-avoidance, and automated task execution skills, learning how sensors like ultrasonic, proximity, and color detectors help robots make decisions and interact with their surroundings. As they refine their designs, students will gain insights into the future of robotics, AI, and machine learning, where human-robot interaction is becoming increasingly vital in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and autonomous systems. This experience offers a thrilling introduction to the robots of the future and the skills needed to bring them to life.
STEM and CTE summer programs don’t just keep students engaged—they provide valuable learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge to industry skills. These topic areas open doors to careers in engineering, technology, sustainability, and digital media. Schools and educators can use these interactive, hands-on approaches to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers.
Educators looking to introduce hands-on STEM learning can find curriculum, hardware, and resources through LAB Midwest. Let’s work together to equip students with the skills they need for future careers in automation, technology, and innovation!
