As summer approaches, many families are looking for enriching and engaging opportunities to keep their children curious, creative, and learning. STEM camps—those focused on science, technology, engineering, and math—offer hands-on learning that can spark a lifelong interest in discovery and innovation. Whether your child is building a robot, coding their first app, or exploring marine biology, there’s a STEM summer experience out there for them.
To help families make informed choices, we’ve gathered a list of summer STEM camp options across the country, including opportunities right here in the tri-state area, in other regions of the U.S., and online programs that provide flexibility or no-cost alternatives.
STEM Camps in the NY/NJ/CT Tri-State Area
- Cooper Union STEM Summer Program (New York, NY)
Hosted by one of NYC’s leading engineering schools, Cooper Union offers tuition-free summer programs for high school students from underserved communities. Programs include mechanical engineering, robotics, and architecture. Learn more at: https://cooper.edu/engineering/summer-stem
- New York Hall of Science (Queens, NY)
Their STEM camps mix science play with structured learning, ideal for elementary and middle school students. Camps typically run in weekly sessions and feature themes such as space science, biology, and coding. Learn more at: https://nysci.org/programs/summer-camps
- Stevens Institute of Technology Pre-College Programs (Hoboken, NJ)
For high school students interested in diving deeper, Stevens offers weeklong intensives in cybersecurity, pre-med biology, game design, and more. Some residential options are available. Learn more at: https://www.stevens.edu/admissions/pre-college-programs
- Liberty Science Center (Jersey City, NJ)
Their summer programs combine indoor lab work and outdoor exploration, ideal for younger children who are just starting their STEM journey. Learn more at: https://lsc.org/learn/kids/lsc-camps
- Yale Young Global Scholars (New Haven, CT)
Though competitive and designed for high school students, this immersive experience includes interdisciplinary sessions in STEM and the humanities. Need-based financial aid is available. Learn more at: https://globalscholars.yale.edu
STEM Opportunities in the South, Midwest, and Beyond
- Morehouse College Summer Academy (Atlanta, GA)
Middle and high school boys can enroll in rigorous STEM courses with an emphasis on leadership and cultural identity. Topics include physics, coding, and biomedical science. Learn more at: https://www.morehouse.edu/academics/summer-academy
- University of Texas at Austin – STEM Summer Camps (Austin, TX)
UT hosts several summer camps through its College of Natural Sciences and Cockrell School of Engineering, ranging from computer science to marine science for elementary through high school students. Learn more at: https://outreach.cns.utexas.edu/
- Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (Evanston, IL)
CTD runs residential and online summer courses in STEM subjects tailored to gifted learners. Offerings range from forensic science to computer programming. Learn more at: https://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/summer-programs
- Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (Various Cities)
This free program targets high school girls interested in computer science. Sessions are available in-person in cities across the U.S., including Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles, with virtual options too. Learn more at: https://girlswhocode.com/programs/summer-immersion-program
- Science Museum of Virginia Camps (Richmond, VA)
A favorite among elementary and middle school students, these day camps cover topics such as aerospace engineering, environmental science, and robotics. Learn more at: https://smv.org/learn/camps
Online and Free STEM Camps for Flexibility or Last-Minute Plans
- NASA STEM Engagement
NASA offers free online STEM activities and virtual summer experiences. Their online learning platform includes coding challenges, engineering design tasks, and virtual chats with scientists and astronauts. Learn more at: https://stem.nasa.gov
- Code.org Summer Workshops
Ideal for students just getting started in computer science, Code.org offers free virtual coding workshops and self-paced summer programs for elementary and middle schoolers. Learn more at: https://code.org
- The STEM Challenge (Online, Free)
This interactive, month-long virtual camp features daily challenges and experiments using household materials. Great for families who need a flexible, self-guided program. Learn more at: https://www.thestemchallenge.com
- Outschool Summer STEM Courses
While not free, Outschool offers affordable online classes in STEM subjects for ages 3–18, with flexible scheduling and a wide variety of topics, from Minecraft coding to environmental chemistry. Learn more at: https://outschool.com
- Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers
This free, four-week program is designed for middle school students from under-resourced communities. It focuses on design thinking, 3D printing, and augmented reality. Learn more at: https://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/stem-achievers
Final Tips
If you haven’t registered yet, don’t worry—many programs still have rolling admissions or waitlist options. We recommend starting your search by considering your child’s interests and comfort level (hands-on vs. virtual, day vs. residential), then filtering by location and price. Be sure to ask about scholarships and transportation support, especially for programs focused on equity in STEM education.
At Harlem STEM Up, we’re committed to helping families like yours find meaningful STEM opportunities. If you know of a great program in your area, we’d love to hear from you. And if you’re a student or parent looking for help navigating summer learning options, feel free to reach out to us directly.
Let’s make this a summer of discovery!
