STEM
Summer Programs
Dream. Design. Discover.
Opportunities for middle and high school students to explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Join CSU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering for three highly interactive summer programs for middle school and high school students interested in exploring the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The programs will be run by CSU Mechanical Engineering faculty and student mentors dedicated to small groups, offering youth the opportunity to connect with leaders at their local university.
Held at CSU’s state-of-the-art engineering and CSU Spur facilities, these exciting and educational programs will strike a balance between hands-on learning and socializing. Each day will include an icebreaker, two lessons, two activities, two social opportunities to connect with fellow students, lunch, and a debriefing. Lunch will be provided and held at interesting spots around campus, both indoors and outside.
Core science and engineering ideas will provide students with essential information to build upon and integrate throughout their lives. View the summer programs below!
Questions or looking for funding assistance? Contact us!
Interested in supporting our STEM Program Fund? Make your gift here!
Summer Programs at CSU Campus, Fort Collins
Engineering Your World
at Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Dates: June 17 – 21, 2024
Ages: 12 – 14
Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
Cost: $500*
*Limited scholarships available. Contact us for more information!
Students ages 12 – 14, or rising 7th – 9th graders, will discover solutions to engineering challenges by exploring five disciplines: mechanical, electrical, civil, biomedical, and chemical engineering through ten hands-on activities designed to simulate a collaborative lab environment and spark the imagination.
In the past students have built a saltwater circuit, designed and built a swamp cooler, Mars rover egg-lander, and artificial bicep; created, constructed, and tested the strength of a bridge made of spaghetti, prosthetic leg, and clay boat; tested and analyzed sunscreen; created slime. Students will have the opportunity to visit and use CSU’s state-of-the-art 3D printing and engineering laboratories.
Key practices will enhance students’ critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving skills, and involve collecting and analyzing data, conducting experiments, using models, carrying out investigations, materials processing, and working with design and budget constraints.
REGISTRATION
Thank you for your interest in the Engineering Your World Camp at CSU Fort Collins. Registration and the waitlist for this particular camp is closed. Check out our other camps, including Engineering Your World at CSU Spur (Denver)!
NEW Advanced Middle School Program:
Creating Your World
at Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Dates: June 24 – 28, 2024
Ages: 12 – 14
Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
Cost: $500*
*Limited scholarships available. Contact us for more information!
This program is NEW as of 2024 and is available to students ages 12 – 14, or rising 7th – 9th graders. Creating Your World is an advanced summer program for students who have previously completed the first summer program (Engineering Your World) or students with advanced knowledge in STEM. Students will build upon their understanding of STEM by completing projects focused on solving real-world engineering challenges.
REGISTRATION
Thank you for your interest in the Creating Your World Camp at CSU Fort Collins. Registration for this particular camp is closed. Check out our other camps, including Engineering Your World at CSU Spur (Denver).
Designing Your World
at Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Dates: July 8 – 12, 2024
Ages: 14 – 17
Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
Cost: $500*
*Limited scholarships available. Contact us for more information!
Students ages 14 -17, or rising 10 – 12th graders, will work on design activities chosen to simulate real-world, entrepreneurial, engineering problems. Students will be tasked with identifying a problem to solve and then will design, build, test, iterate, and demonstrate a solution (likely including an Arduino-controlled robot).
Students will also tour and utilize CSU’s state-of-the-art mechanical engineering laboratories, including its 3-D facility, mechatronics lab, and machine shop to create their designs.
These hands-on projects will help students to develop a scientific view of the world around them, and enhance their critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving skills while practicing the design process.
REGISTRATION
Summer Programs at CSU Spur Campus, Denver
What is CSU Spur?
Colorado State University, one of the nation’s top-performing public research institutions, has 33,000 students, and annual research funding of more than $440 million. Founded in 1870 as Colorado’s land-grant institution, CSU’s main campus is in Fort Collins, with a mission that includes serving all of Colorado through statewide programs such as Extension and 4-H, and CSU Spur in the heart of Denver – uniquely integrating education, public outreach, research and scholarship. CSU is renowned for its world-class faculty, and research and academic programs in infectious disease, atmospheric science, clean energy technologies, human and animal health, environmental science, global business and more. Through CSU Spur, the university is creating opportunities for students of all ages, working toward a more sustainable future for the planet, and connecting rural and urban areas of Colorado, with a focus on innovation and finding creative solutions for a strong tomorrow.
Engineering Your World
at CSU Spur Campus, Denver
Dates: July 15 – 19, 2024
Ages: 12 – 14
Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
Cost: $500*
*Limited scholarships available. Apply for scholarships during program registration.
CSU Spur Campus, Denver
Students ages 12 – 14, or rising 7th – 9th graders will discover solutions to engineering challenges by exploring five disciplines: mechanical, electrical, civil, biomedical, and chemical engineering through ten hands-on activities designed to simulate a collaborative lab environment and spark the imagination.
In the past students have built a saltwater circuit, designed and built a swamp cooler, Mars rover egg-lander, and artificial bicep; created, constructed, and tested the strength of a bridge made of spaghetti, prosthetic leg, and clay boat; tested and analyzed sunscreen; created slime. Students will have the opportunity to visit and use CSU’s state-of-the-art 3D printing and engineering laboratories.
Key practices will enhance students’ critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving skills, and involve collecting and analyzing data, conducting experiments, using models, carrying out investigations, materials processing, and working with design and budget constraints.
REGISTRATION
Designing Your World
at CSU Spur Campus, Denver
Dates: July 22 -26, 2024
Ages: 14 – 16
Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
Cost: $500*
*Limited scholarships available. Apply for scholarships during program registration.
CSU Spur Campus, Denver
Students ages 14 -17, or rising 10 – 12th graders, will work on design activities chosen to simulate real-world, entrepreneurial, engineering problems. Students will be tasked with identifying a problem to solve and then will design, build, test, iterate, and demonstrate a solution (likely including an Arduino-controlled robot).
These hands-on projects will help students to develop a scientific view of the world around them, and enhance their critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving skills while practicing the design process.
REGISTRATION