Summer STEM Explorers

2024 Future Vision

 

We are excited to bring you Summer STEM Explorers, the Saint Louis Science Center’s hands-on summer camp experience for kids ages five to nine. With an array of interactive activities – including experiments, science demonstrations and other educational experiences – your camper will have the opportunity to engage in STEM (science, engineering, technology, and mathematics) learning while having fun!

We hope to welcome your camper this summer.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC
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Registration Information

 
General registration has opened!.

Camp tuition is $325 for a one-week session. Camp sessions run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day. One camp t-shirt is included. PLUS and MAX level members will receive a 20% discount.

How to Register

Registration closes ten business days prior to each camp.

You will need to set up an account with our camp registration system which is available for members and the general public now.

GET AN ACCOUNT

Register for the grade your child will be entering in the fall of 2024. Campers must be at least 5 years old by the start date of their session to participate. No exceptions are allowed.

Want to download the PDF?

Summer STEM Explorers enjoy exclusive access to Science Center team members and exhibits around the facility during their camp experience.

You will receive a confirmation email when your registration is complete. You will also receive additional camp information and a camp logistics video link prior to the start of your camp session.

Cancellation/Session Changes

Refunds will not be issued once sales are complete. If extenuating circumstances arise, contact the camp team. Please note, a $30 administrative fee will be charged for EACH changed or cancelled transaction. Each week is a separate transaction.

Sessions with fewer than 8 campers enrolled 10 business days prior to the start of the session may be subject to cancellation. In this instance, we will contact you to reschedule or issue a full refund.

Aftercare

This option is available from 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM for parents who need supervision for campers after the camp day ends. The fee is $60 per week per camper. Pre-registration is required 10 business days prior to the start of each camp week. There is no before care option.

Snacks and Lunch

Campers should bring a snack, sack lunch and water bottle to camp each day. Campers will have a snack break each day mid-morning. From 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, campers will have a lunch and recess break. Lunch and snack are NOT provided by the Science Center, nor will campers be able to purchase food.

There will be an additional afternoon snack time for campers who attend aftercare. Those campers may bring a second snack for aftercare.

Camp T-shirts

All campers are required to wear their Summer STEM Explorers t-shirts to camp each day. Campers will receive one camp t-shirt for each week they register. Additional camp shirts may be purchased for $14/shirt.

Science Center Members

PLUS and MAX level members will receive a 20% discount on camp sessions. Membership must be valid at the time of registration.

For more information about becoming a member, what level membership you have, or to upgrade to the PLUS or MAX level, call our membership team at 314.289.4414 (toll free 800.456.SLSC x4414).

Questions?

Contact the Camp Coordinator
at 314.286.4696 or at daycamps@slsc.org.

2024 Schedule

 
All age groups will focus on the same general theme each week. Specific experiences will differ for each age group.

Week
Age 5
Age 6-7
Age 8-9
June 3 - 7
SOLD OUT: Sensational Science
SOLD OUT: Sensational Science
SOLD OUT: Sensational Science
June 10 - 14
LIMITED SPOTS: There's No Place Like Space
LIMITED SPOTS: There's No Place Like Space
LIMITED SPOTS: There's No Place Like Space
June 17 - 21
LIMITED SPOTS: Earth Explorers
Earth Explorers
Earth Explorers
June 24 - 28
LIMITED SPOTS: Engineering Adventures
SOLD OUT: Engineering Adventures
SOLD OUT: Engineering Adventures
July 1 - 5
NO CAMP
NO CAMP
NO CAMP
July 8 - 12
SOLD OUT: Dinosaur Discoveries
SOLD OUT: Dinosaur Discoveries
SOLD OUT: Dinosaur Discoveries
July 15 - 19
LIMITED SPOTS: Sensational Science
LIMITED SPOTS: Sensational Science
LIMITED SPOTS: Sensational Science
July 22 - 26
LIMITED SPOTS: Engineering Adventures
LIMITED SPOTS: Engineering Adventures
SOLD OUT: Engineering Adventures
Camp Hours
  • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM: All camps will be full day.
  • 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Campers may be dropped off, not before 8:30am. Before care will not be offered.
  • Morning Snack Time: Campers will have snack time each morning. Campers must bring their own snacks.
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Campers will have a supervised lunch and recess break. Campers must bring their own lunch to camp each day.
  • 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Aftercare hours. Aftercare is an additional cost of $60 per week. All campers must pre-register for aftercare.
Session Descriptions

 
All age groups will focus on the same general theme each week. Specific experiences and activities will differ for each age group.

Sensational Science
June 3–7(SOLD OUT!) & July 15–19

Get ready to have fun with science. Become a biologist, botanist, paleontologist, geologist, astronomer, and even a chemist all in one week. Explore the Science Center’s galleries. Witness amazing chemical reactions that create bubbles, slime, and more. Develop scientific skills such as observation, hypothesizing, and drawing conclusions while you conduct experiments and use science tools.


There’s No Place Like Space!
June 10–14

3…2…1… Blast Off! Get ready to rocket into orbit and explore things that are out of this world. Visit the exhibits in the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Learn why our sun is so important. Discover the planets of our solar system and investigate what makes each one unique. Learn what it takes to be an astronaut living and working in space. Discover the components needed to send a person to the moon as you learn about NASA’s upcoming Artemis mission.


Earth Explorers
June 17–21

Aspiring junior naturalists will learn about the wonders of the natural world living in our own backyards. What’s living below the surface? How does that help us grow our food? Get up close and personal with the living things in the Science Center’s own GROW gallery. Observe, play, problem solve and create art connected to the nature around us. Learn about the planet Earth. Explore the effects of climate and weather. Learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle to help keep our planet healthy!

Engineering Adventures
June 24–28 & July 22–26

Calling all junior engineers! Learn all about the design process and use a variety of materials to tinker, create, and build. Become inspired by storybooks and help design solutions to problems faced by some of your favorite characters. Spend time in the Science Center’s Dream It. Build It. exhibit designing and building your own Keva® structures.


Dinosaur Discoveries SOLD OUT!
July 8–12

Become a junior paleontologist as we uncover the mysteries of these prehistoric creatures. Dig for fossils and learn about them. Discover how dinosaurs ruled the Earth millions of years ago. Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Science Center’s Fossil Prep Lab where you will explore real dinosaur bones and fossils. Older campers (8–9 years old) will also learn how science museums create dinosaur exhibits by designing and creating their own mini exhibits!

2023 Summer Recap