STEM Programs Near Me

Hilltop Creative is nestled in Bernal Heights. Our space is aesthetically beautiful and calming for our days together. We are excited to spend the week being creative, building community and long lasting friendships. Hilltop Creative provides an enriching environment for children to explore art, nature, creativity and curiosity. We strive to build community and enrich social relationships. We also believe in the power and beauty of nature. We hold value in the important benefits it brings. Being outdoors brings increased happiness and reduces cortisol levels. We see better sleep, cognitive function and overall well being in ourselves. Here is a bit about our camp days: Drop Off is from 9am-9:30 and pick up is between 2:30-3 pm. During our days together at Hilltop Creative Summer Camp we will start our mornings off with free exploration, morning greetings, snack and an indoor creative activity. We will have outdoor time on neighborhood hikes and also will visit our local playgrounds and recreational areas Bernal Heights, Holly Park and St Mary's. Towards the end of the day we will gather indoors and will have an afternoon snack provided by Hilltop Creative. Our ration is 1:6and we do not go over 12 campers. Hilltop Creative Daily Schedule 9:00-9:30 Drop off and Check in 9:30-10:00 Free Choice and Art Activity 10:00-10:15 Morning Meeting 10:15-10:30 Snack 10:30-11:30 Park and OutdoorTime 11:30-12:00 Lunch 12:00-1:00 Art project and Exploration Pick -up

Does your child love to experiment, explore, and create? At Mad Scientist Camp, part of the day we dive deep into the world of science to see exactly what happens when curiosity takes over. Campers will spend part of their day working with crazy concoctions and exploring the mysterious ways the world works. From fizzing reactions to strange, swirling mixtures, it’s time to get messy and get curious. We provide the space for big ideas and even bigger results all in the name of science. If your child loves to mix it up and see what happens, this is the camp they’ve been waiting for! The other part of the day your camper will join Playwell Teknologies Minecraft Engineering using LEGO® Materials and Venture into the world of Minecraft in our unique LEGO® experience. Get ready to build your base, craft your tools, use your Minecart to harvest raw resources, and battle to stop the Ender Dragon from ending the world. Come explore the endless possibilities of LEGO® with a trained Play-Well instructor. All of the camps come together for lunch, recess breaks, and special events. There are free choice activities in the morning/afternoon including games and crafts. **This camp is for the grades listed in the title only** ***REGISTER BY APRIL 24th to RECEIVE A FREE SUMMER AT SEA CREST T-SHIRT*** Please look out for an email (sent to the email you register with) a week or two prior to the start of camp with more details, including any special days happening that week. Our aftercare at camp runs from 3:00pm-4:00pm the charge is an additional $15 a day, if your child is not picked up by 3:05pm they will automatically be checked into aftercare and we will charge the card on file. Aftercare after a long camp day is definitely a time for decompression and may include board games and/or educational films. We also combine all campers at this time including our JK/TK and Kindergarten camp. All camps will run contingent upon a certain number of campers signing up. If your camp is cancelled, you will be notified at least 30 days prior. We may also combine the 1st and 2nd grade camps with the 3rd-6th grade camps if there is low enrollment. Cancellation Policy: Registrations canceled at least 30 days prior to the start of camp will receive a full refund. Registrations canceled 15-29 days prior to camp will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 14 days of the start of camp will not be refunded. Please wear sunscreen and bring a jacket daily because we never know what coastal weather will bring. Campers are required to bring a lunch, snack and water bottle daily.

A hands-on introduction to real-world robotics and engineering. One of Silicon STEM’s most popular camps, LEGO Robotics introduces campers to the powerful LEGO® Mindstorms robotics platform—the same system widely used in middle and high school robotics programs. Campers work in pairs to design and build different machine-style robots, then bring them to life using block-based programming in the EV3 coding environment. As they test and refine their robots, students learn how code controls movement, sensors, and decision-making. Depending on the build, robots may be programmed to: Sort objects Perform pick-and-place tasks Balance or react to sensors Complete structured engineering challenges This camp is perfect for students who love tinkering, building, and figuring out how things work. Along the way, campers develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and teamwork—core abilities used by engineers and roboticists. What students will do: Build robots using the LEGO Mindstorms platform Learn block-based coding and robotics logic Program robots to complete real-world style tasks Test, troubleshoot, and improve designs Collaborate with a partner on engineering challenges LEGO Robotics is an excellent “get ahead” experience for students interested in future robotics programs and competitions, and a natural next step toward BattleBots, Rocketry, and advanced engineering camps. Note: This is a collaborative camp. Students will work in pairs throughout the week.

A hands-on introduction to real-world robotics and engineering. One of Silicon STEM’s most popular camps, LEGO Robotics introduces campers to the powerful LEGO® Mindstorms robotics platform—the same system widely used in middle and high school robotics programs. Campers work in pairs to design and build different machine-style robots, then bring them to life using block-based programming in the EV3 coding environment. As they test and refine their robots, students learn how code controls movement, sensors, and decision-making. Depending on the build, robots may be programmed to: Sort objects Perform pick-and-place tasks Balance or react to sensors Complete structured engineering challenges This camp is perfect for students who love tinkering, building, and figuring out how things work. Along the way, campers develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and teamwork—core abilities used by engineers and roboticists. What students will do: Build robots using the LEGO Mindstorms platform Learn block-based coding and robotics logic Program robots to complete real-world style tasks Test, troubleshoot, and improve designs Collaborate with a partner on engineering challenges LEGO Robotics is an excellent “get ahead” experience for students interested in future robotics programs and competitions, and a natural next step toward BattleBots, Rocketry, and advanced engineering camps. Note: This is a collaborative camp. Students will work in pairs throughout the week.

**MUST BE RISING GRADES 5-8! No Exceptions! Ultimate Public Speaking Summer Program for Rising 5th-8th Graders in Northern VA/DMV Area! Get ready for an EPIC summer at our awesome CENTER in Reston, VA! Join us for the Ultimate Public Speaking Summer Program, where your child will boost their confidence, learn key speaking skills, and have a ton of fun in the process! Public speaking is essential for success in school, making new friends, and even preparing for future careers. For middle schoolers and rising middle schoolers, mastering public speaking now is the perfect way to gain the confidence needed for class presentations, group discussions, and social situations. In this 5-day, 3-hour per day program, we’ll teach your child how to speak confidently and effectively in any situation. Here’s what we’ll cover: - Performing like a pro in any public speaking situation! - How to conquer nerves and speak confidently in front of others! - The secrets to organizing a powerful and effective speech! - The basics of Persuasive Speech, Storytelling, and Impromptu Speaking! - A beginner’s intro to Debate—think fast, speak well! Each day is packed with fun, interactive activities, speaking assignments, and lots of opportunities for practice and feedback! Here’s how the day will break down: Part I (1-1.5 hours): Icebreaker activities to help everyone feel comfortable A lesson packed with practical tips for the day Practice through games and group activities that make learning fun! BREAK (15 minutes): Time to grab a snack and drink! Part II: Individualized Feedback: Your child will have a chance to practice and get specific feedback on their performance! Multiple Practice Opportunities: Students will practice several times in smaller groups to really make sure they understand and can apply the feedback they’ve received. More interactive games and activities to help reinforce the lesson Wrap-up to reflect on the day and discuss key takeaways for improvement Bonus: There will ALWAYS be two or more instructors leading the program, including Sumedha Bahri, the founder of Highest Speak (she’s a Patent Attorney, Adjunct Professor, Keynote Speaker, and Stand-Up Comic! Why is this so important for middle schoolers? Middle school is a time when students are starting to speak up more in class, participate in group projects, and face more challenging academic situations. Public speaking skills will help your child gain the confidence they need to express themselves clearly, think critically, and speak up in any situation—whether for a class project, school debate, or even in social situations. Plus, they’ll learn how to think on their feet and craft arguments that are persuasive—skills that will be useful throughout their school years and beyond! This program WILL sell out FAST, so make sure to reserve your spot TODAY! Your kids will not only learn an important life skill, but they’ll also have an absolute blast doing it! No experience necessary! Whether it’s your child’s first time or they’ve been with us before, they’ll have a fresh and exciting experience with new exercises and games! Don’t miss out—this is the summer program they’ll never forget!

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.

A hands-on introduction to real-world robotics and engineering. One of Silicon STEM’s most popular camps, LEGO Robotics introduces campers to the powerful LEGO® Mindstorms robotics platform—the same system widely used in middle and high school robotics programs. Campers work in pairs to design and build different machine-style robots, then bring them to life using block-based programming in the EV3 coding environment. As they test and refine their robots, students learn how code controls movement, sensors, and decision-making. Depending on the build, robots may be programmed to: Sort objects Perform pick-and-place tasks Balance or react to sensors Complete structured engineering challenges This camp is perfect for students who love tinkering, building, and figuring out how things work. Along the way, campers develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and teamwork—core abilities used by engineers and roboticists. What students will do: Build robots using the LEGO Mindstorms platform Learn block-based coding and robotics logic Program robots to complete real-world style tasks Test, troubleshoot, and improve designs Collaborate with a partner on engineering challenges LEGO Robotics is an excellent “get ahead” experience for students interested in future robotics programs and competitions, and a natural next step toward BattleBots, Rocketry, and advanced engineering camps. Note: This is a collaborative camp. Students will work in pairs throughout the week.

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.

**MUST BE RISING GRADES 2-4! No exceptions! Northern VA/DMV Area! We are back for the Ultimate IN-PERSON Summer Program for your kids in our awesome CENTER in Reston, VA! Public speaking skills are absolutely ESSENTIAL to academia, future career success, and to simply making friends or standing up for yourself! In this 5 day, 3-hours per day program, we will have a TON of fun covering: - How to best PERFORM in ANY type of public speaking situation! - How to conquer any level of NERVOUSNESS! - How to STRUCTURE any type of speech! - The Fundamentals of Persuasive Speech, Storytelling, and Impromptu Speech! - Intro to Debate Concepts! Every day, the students will have multiple opportunities to practice what WE preach and receive feedback! Our 3-Hour day is broken into: Part I (1-1.5 hours) - Ice Breaker Activity - Lesson for the day - Practice through Game or Structured Assignment in Breakout Sessions! BREAK (15 minutes: Please bring a drink and snack.) Part II: Group Discussion of Previous Exercise/Lessons Lesson Cont. Practice through Games or Structured Assignment in Breakout Sessions! Receive individualized feedback and practice to capture it! Wrap-Up We ALWAYS have at least two instructors! For this one, Highest Speak’s founder herself, Sumedha Bahri (Patent Attorney, Adjunct Professor, Keynote Speaker, and Stand-Up Comic) will be instructing along with one or more of Highest Speak’s amazingly fun instructors! This WILL sell out FAST! Reserve your spot TODAY! This is the greatest skill you can give your kids, while they have an absolute blast! ***NO prerequisites necessary! Previous and New Students will ALL benefit from this program! Our exercises differ from previous camp years, so previous students will still have a new experience!

Ignite your child’s curiosity in Tiny Tinkers & Creators, the ultimate hands-on STEAM experience. This week is designed for our littlest innovators to explore the worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through play and discovery. Our young makers will dive into daily "tinker challenges," from building sturdy structures with blocks to creating colorful chemical reactions. We make STEAM come to life by blending technical thinking with creative art, allowing children to design, decorate, and create their very own inventions. Whether they are exploring the physics of a marble run or using math skills to measure out a masterpiece, our campers will learn that they have the power to imagine and build anything. It’s a week of messy hands, big questions, and the wonderful joy of figuring out how the world works! All of the camps come together for lunch, recess breaks, and special events. There are free choice activities in the morning/afternoon including games and crafts. **This camp is for the grades listed in the title only** ***REGISTER BY APRIL 24th to RECEIVE A FREE SUMMER AT SEA CREST T-SHIRT*** Please look out for an email (sent to the email you register with) a week or two prior to the start of camp with more details, including any special days happening that week. Our aftercare at camp runs from 3:00pm-4:00pm the charge is an additional $15 a day, if your child is not picked up by 3:05pm they will automatically be checked into aftercare and we will charge the card on file. Aftercare after a long camp day is definitely a time for decompression and may include board games and/or educational films. We also combine all campers at this time including our JK/TK and Kindergarten camp. All camps will run contingent upon a certain number of campers signing up. If your camp is cancelled, you will be notified at least 30 days prior. We may also combine the 1st and 2nd grade camps with the 3rd-6th grade camps if there is low enrollment. Cancellation Policy: Registrations canceled at least 30 days prior to the start of camp will receive a full refund. Registrations canceled 15-29 days prior to camp will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 14 days of the start of camp will not be refunded. Please wear sunscreen and bring a jacket daily because we never know what coastal weather will bring. Campers are required to bring a lunch, snack and water bottle daily.

We are offering 11 different art camps/ new curriculum for Art Camps this summer. Art Camp at All Things Art Studio is the best way to experience total immersion in a summer art program! It's fun & and students get a chance to delve into their creative selves without crazy time restraints. Students will also get to Tie Dye an All Things Art Studio Camp Shirt (or other item for repeat campers) on Day 1! (included in the fee of camp). In the mornings, they will be working on individual projects, and the afternoon art academy will give them a relaxed but focused exercise in fine arts. There will be landscape drawing and painting, and still life exploration. We explore drawing, clay, printmaking, textiles, weaving, watercolor, acrylics, tempera paint, glazing & more! We will work with canvas, clay, watercolor, tissue paper and many other types of medium as well. Every camp is a different curriculum, so please register for as many as you can :) It's an amazing week for students, they meet and make new art friends and enjoy the warm summer weather. Bring a sack lunch each day and a water bottle, We will have outdoor lunch & walk in the neighborhood- plus outdoor "en plain air" instruction in their daily journal/ sketchbook. Bring it on! Some of our Elementary, Middle School and High School groups will be offered at the same times & days (convenient for families with older & younger children). But the Camps will be separated by the groups and have different curriculum and locations within the studio. (MS/HS have a seperate registration with separate curriculum)

Why use your PTO when you can use your WOW Back-Up Care? Join us for a full day of fun, including: - Obstacle courses - Arts & crafts - Playground time - Spanish lessons, and more! Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are all included. Full details will be sent out 48 hours before your scheduled day. What to bring: - A complete change of clothes - A sippy cup Location: Back-Up Care operates out of our Harrison Street and Jackson Street locations. Your assigned location will be confirmed 48 hours before your back-up day. Questions? Email us at office@worldofwondercenter.com.

Get ready for an adventure into the intricate world of your brain, uncovering its hidden secrets and amazing capabilities. We'll embark on a journey through the different regions of the brain, discovering their unique roles in everything from your deepest sleep cycles to the formation of lasting memories and how you perceive the world around you. You'll learn that every brain is a masterpiece of individuality – including yours! Come discover what makes your mind truly one-of-a-kind.

Hilltop Creative is nestled in Bernal Heights. Our space is aesthetically beautiful and calming for our days together. We are excited to spend the week being creative, building community and long lasting friendships. Hilltop Creative provides an enriching environment for children to explore art, nature, creativity and curiosity. We strive to build community and enrich social relationships. We also believe in the power and beauty of nature. We hold value in the important benefits it brings. Being outdoors brings increased happiness and reduces cortisol levels. We see better sleep, cognitive function and overall well being in ourselves. Here is a bit about our camp days: Drop Off is from 9am-9:30 and pick up is between 2:30-3 pm. During our days together at Hilltop Creative Summer Camp we will start our mornings off with free exploration, morning greetings, snack and an indoor creative activity. We will have outdoor time on neighborhood hikes and also will visit our local playgrounds and recreational areas Bernal Heights, Holly Park and St Mary's. Towards the end of the day we will gather indoors and will have an afternoon snack provided by Hilltop Creative. Our ration is 1:6and we do not go over 12 campers. Hilltop Creative Daily Schedule 9:00-9:30 Drop off and Check in 9:30-10:00 Centers/ Free Choice 10:00-10:15 Morning Meeting 10:15-10:30 Snack 10:30-11:30 Art Activity (First Project) 11:30-12:00 Lunch 12:00-1:30 Park and Outdoor Time 1:30-2:00 Snack 2:00-2:30 Art Activity (Second Project) 2:30-3:00 Art Choice/ Free Choice and Pick -up

Get ready for a week packed with creativity, color, and hands-on fun! Our Slime & Ceramics Camp gives young makers the best of both worlds—messy, stretchy, sensational slime and beautifully hand-painted ceramics. From glitter and glow-in-the-dark slimes to fluffy, crunchy, and scented varieties, kids will learn slime-making techniques that spark imagination and sensory play. On the ceramics side, campers can pick from a variety of pieces to paint or try simple clay-building projects that let them express their unique style. With guided instruction, plenty of creative freedom, and a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, every child will finish the week with a collection of custom slimes and ceramic treasures to take home. It’s the perfect blend of art, science, and pure fun—ideal for kids who love to create, experiment, and get a little messy! ​For full day please pack a NUT FREE snack and lunch. Half day only a NUT FREE snack. PLEASE EMAIL A PDF REGISTRATION FORM & MEDICAL PRIOR TO THE START OF CAMP TO bethel@thegigglingpig.com

Why use your PTO when you can use your WOW Back-Up Care? Join us for a full day of fun, including: - Obstacle courses - Arts & crafts - Playground time - Spanish lessons, and more! Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are all included. Full details will be sent out 48 hours before your scheduled day. What to bring: - A complete change of clothes - A sippy cup Location: Back-Up Care operates out of our Harrison Street and Jackson Street locations. Your assigned location will be confirmed 48 hours before your back-up day. Questions? Email us at office@worldofwondercenter.com.

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.

Wednesday is 1/2 off! And a bonus we will have story time from 10:00-10:30am every Wednesday!* STEMful is a space designed for parents/caregivers to play with their children. We have a wide selection of toys and structures for children up to 8 years old. Use this daily pass to purchase/register a play space pass for your children. - To register children 0 up to 5 months, enter PlaySpace0 during check out old to pay $0/play pass. - To register children 6 up to 11 months, enter in PlaySpace50 during check to pay $3/play pass. Play Space package can be applied to a daily pass purchase. Children's name and birthday must be on registration account. *NO StoryTime on the following dates: 2025: 11/26, 12/24, 12/31 (closed on these dates) 2026: 6/3-9/2 (closed on these dates)

June 30 - September 3 Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30am - 12:00pm Drop off program; for ages 2-4 Travel the globe visiting exotic countries . Create Art masterpieces Experiment with Science Labs. Sing & dance to different Music genres Run obstacle courses. Breathe fresh air at RS Park South and do so much more.

Why use your PTO when you can use your WOW Back-Up Care? Join us for a full day of fun, including: - Obstacle courses - Arts & crafts - Playground time - Spanish lessons, and more! Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are all included. Full details will be sent out 48 hours before your scheduled day. What to bring: - A complete change of clothes - A sippy cup Location: Back-Up Care operates out of our Harrison Street and Jackson Street locations. Your assigned location will be confirmed 48 hours before your back-up day. Questions? Email us at office@worldofwondercenter.com.

Week 3: June 15 - 19 Grades: K-8 Camps Available: Weekly, Half-Day Weekly, and Daily Extended Care Available School's out? Join us for our popular STEM Day camps! In a full-day camp, students rotate between four hands-on activities each day: robotics, coding, general science, and EE (electricity/electronics). In a half-day camp, campers will have hands-on activities in two subjects per half-day. Campers progress along their individualized learning plans for all four subject areas, so even if they attend camp for multiple weeks, they'll continue to have new builds, skills, and challenges, based on their progress! *Please send your camper with a water bottle, snack, and lunch!