High School Summer Camps

stem Academy

High school summer camps

 

Register for a Program!

Below are the camps from 2024. A list of 2025 camps will be posted after January 1st.

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Selection of 8 different ice cream flavors.

  Food Science Camp

OSU Campus * Entering Grades 9–12 * June 20-21 * 9AM-2:30PM * $130 * Needs-based scholarships available

Did you know that a food scientist has had a role in every food you see in the supermarket? Food scientists produce the recipe, figure out how to make it, keep it fresh, and make sure it is safe to eat! In this 2-day camp, students will learn:  the science behind making excellent foods like, ice cream, bread, lemonade, and kombucha from the experts themselves. Students will formulate their own product and learn about sensory testing to test their products among the public, and finally, delve into culinary chemistry and come to understand the role fats, proteins and carbohydrates play in our foods.  Embedded in each activity, students will also learn safe food handling practices and optimal conditions for keeping foods safe. Most definitely a camp for foodies!

Register for Food Science Camp!

   “Blender” Camp  

OSU Campus * Entering Grades 9-12 * June 24-28 * 9AM-NOON * $170 * Needs-based scholarships available

Are you in awe of the 3D computer graphics you see in movies, TV shows, and games?  Do you wonder what it takes to do that?  Do you think that you could be creative like that too? Have we got a camp for you! Blender is a totally awesome FREE software package that allows you to do your own 3D modeling, rendering, and animation.  In this camp, you will use it to learn 3D viewing, moving objects in 3D, creating 3D geometry, coloring, lighting, rendering, and animation. Your creations will look amazing and be very professional.  The results will astound you and impress your friends! Because Blender software is free, you can keep using it at home or in school long after the week is over. This camp will cover a large variety of fun Blender topics and allows students to take their creativity as far as they like.

Register for "Blender" Camp!

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Blue and gold plate with gold ring and ball on top.
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Person with lab coat looking at something through a Microscope.

  Toxicology Camp

OSU Campus * Entering Grades 9-12 * June 24-26 * 1-4PM * $120 * Needs-based scholarships available

What is toxicology? It is the study of how chemicals and substances affect people, animals, and the earth! In this camp, students will explore what it means for a chemical or substance to be "toxic" or "safe." We'll also learn about ways to protect humans and the environment from toxins. Our student scientists will get to conduct their own toxicology experiments and analyze their data. Activities will reflect real-world challenges that scientists in toxicology and environmental chemistry face. We will go into “the field” to sample the environment, test chemical effects in daphnia, and explore molecular mechanisms in glowing zebrafish.

Register for Toxicology Camp!

  Color Innovation Workshop

OSU Campus * Entering Grades 9-12 * June 27 * 1-4PM * $60 * Needs-based scholarships available

Do you want to learn about color trends and forecasting, color symbolism, and color schemes in the design sphere? People make decisions about purchasing products primarily based on product color. In this hands-on workshop, students will learn and apply design concepts and color strategies that designers and marketers use to develop and promote products that consumers love. Students will brainstorm color schemes and apply color theory to develop Mood Boards and Flat Lays that focus on color and branding.

Register for Color Innovation Workshop!

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Books and iPads
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Person with glasses using the touchpad on their laptop.

  Virtual "Processing" Camp 

Virtual * Entering Grades 9-12 * July 10 &11 * 9AM-NOON * $80 * Needs-based scholarships available

Have you ever wanted to learn to program a computer without a lot of the jargon and buzzwords? Have you especially wanted to use it for loops, swirls, colors, and painting? Well, then, this opportunity is for you! This course is a non-threatening introduction to programming a computer for all-things-visual. We will learn to program in a simple "real language" called Processing (http://www.processing.org). We will use it for both 2D and 3D. We will use it for static pictures, painting, and animation. Programming this way will be fun, creative, and will have a beauty that will surprise you! Please note: please make sure that you can access Processing on your device by either downloading the software (http://www.processing.org) or by using the online version (https://editor.p5js.org) before signing up for this camp.

Register for Virtual "Processing" Camp!

  Virtual “Blender” Camp

Virtual * Entering Grades 9-12 * July 8-12 * 1-4PM * $170 * Needs-based scholarships available

Are you in awe of the 3D computer graphics you see in movies, TV shows, and games?  Do you wonder what it takes to do that?  Do you think that you could be creative like that too? Have we got a camp for you! Blender is a totally awesome FREE software package that allows you to do your own 3D modeling, rendering, and animation.  In this camp, you will use it to learn 3D viewing, moving objects in 3D, creating 3D geometry, coloring, lighting, rendering, and animation. Your creations will look amazing and be very professional.  The results will astound you and impress your friends! Because Blender software is free, you can keep using it at home or in school long after the week is over. This camp will cover a large variety of fun Blender topics and allows students to take their creativity as far as they like. Please note: please go to blender.org and load the Blender software onto your computer and make sure it runs before signing up for this camp.

Register for Virtual "Blender" Camp!

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Woman writing down something with a laptop in front.
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A close up of purple bacteria under a microscope.

  Microbiology Camp

OSU Campus (plus travel by bus) * Entering Grades 10-12 * July 15-19 * 9AM-4PM (M-Th) & 8AM-5PM (F) * $300 (Lunch Provided) * Needs-based scholarships available

During this week-long immersive science camp high-students will learn about three subfields of microbiology including, Food System Science, Human Health and Disease, and Aquatic Microbiology. Students will conduct microbiology focused laboratory experiments, learn critical science skills, go on field trips, including a day trip to the Oregon coast to visit Hatfield Marine Station, and hear from diverse speakers across the field of microbiology about career avenues and opportunities in science, technology, and education. Not only will we provide this hands-on experience, but we will also host informational sessions where students can learn how to look for scholarships or research opportunities, as well as discuss non-traditional paths to higher education. The aim of this camp is to provide students with an introduction to microbiological concepts and laboratory techniques relevant to college level curriculum. Please note: optional transportation starting and ending at Corvallis, South Albany, Lebanon, or Harrisburg high schools will be provided to and from camp between 8:00-8:30AM and 4:00-4:30PM (M-Th) and 7:30-8:00 and 5:00-5:30 (F). Optional snacks, beverages, and conversation available at OSU each morning from 8:30-9:00.

Register for Microbiology Camp!

  GenCyber Camp  

OSU Campus * Entering Grades 9-12 * July 22-26 * 9AM-4:30PM (M, Tu, W, Th) and 9am-3:30PM (F) * NO CHARGE * Lunch Provided

Cybersecurity is an increasingly important field as technology continues to play a major role in our lives. From protecting personal and sensitive information to securing critical infrastructure, cybersecurity is a crucial aspect of modern society. This makes it an excellent career choice for those who are interested in problem-solving, technology and security. In this exciting camp, you’ll be introduced to some of the skills and techniques needed to solve a cyber crime. Join us and you’ll trace the path of cyber attackers through a network, dig up clues by performing digital forensics, and hopefully nab the hacker before they get away.  Taught by cybersecurity professionals, with guest speakers with various areas of expertise, this cyber camp will be a great introduction to the field of cybersecurity and an opportunity to meet new friends and have fun while developing skills that will be valuable in the future. Our goal is to provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment where participants can explore their interest in cybersecurity. No prior background in cybersecurity is needed.  Please Note: The camp will offer an industry-led Career Expo organized in collaboration with the Technology Association of Oregon, providing an excellent opportunity for networking and learning more about the field. This is expected to take place in Portland or Salem in the Fall. More information (date, time, location) will be sent to the Camp registrants closer to the event.

Register for GenCyber Camp!

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Students in a classroom working on computers.
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2nd story view of OSU's Summer Transportation Institute

  OSU Summer Transportation Institute

OSU Campus (plus travel by bus) * Entering Grades 9-12 * August 5-9 * 9AM-4PM (M-Th) & 9AM-2:30PM (F) * NO CHARGE * Lunch Provided)

Have you ever wondered how transportation systems are planned, designed, constructed, operated, and maintained? In this camp, students will engage in a combination of hands-on learning and local field trips that emphasize the importance and breadth of transportation engineering. Activities may include local walking tours, drone flights, operation of driving and bicycling simulators, and a design session in which students will have the opportunity to propose solutions to real-world transportation challenges. Field trips may include tours of the Eugene Airport and the OSU Marine Studies Building in Newport and presentations on topics including transportation resilience, distracted driving, engineering ethics, and emerging modes of transportation. Lunch provided each day. Note: This program has received substantive external funding from FHWA and ODOT and will be offered at no cost to participating students. ONLY Oregon residents are eligible for this camp. Acceptance into this camp will depend on their application. The first step will be to complete the online registration for this camp, after which students will submit short answers to a few questions to be considered for acceptance.

Register for OSU Summer Transportation Camp!