University of Minnesota Rochester Presents Summer STEAM Camp
Get ready for a week-long immersive STEAM-focused summer camp at the University of Minnesota Rochester! These camps provide a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on, applied learning in science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Five different camps (Amazing Animal Super Powers, Build a Game: Tabletop Edition, Designing Video Games, Kitchen Chemistry: The Science of Cooking and Radiant Reactions: Where Skincare Meets Science) will be offered over three weeks this summer. View the session descriptions below to learn more about each camp offering. Register for the week that works best for you and aligns with the age range and camp you're interested in. Radiant Reactions and Kitchen Chemistry are is now open to students entering grades 6-8 as well.
Utilize real-world tools, tackle creative challenges and collaborate on problem-solving activities in engaging lab and workshop settings. Beyond the classroom, participate in fun recreational, enrichment and developmental activities.
Summer STEAM Camp Highlights
- Participants will experience one of the featured STEAM topics per week.
- Four hours of hands-on instruction and lab time each weekday
- Engaging recreational, enrichment and developmental activities
- Lunch and snacks provided
- Experience spending time on a college campus
- Opportunities to meet new friends and develop problem-solving skills
Registration
Registration for Week 1: 6/8-6/12
For students entering grades 3-5 in Fall 2026
Camp is full. Email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.
For students entering grades 6-8 in Fall 2026
Camp is full. Email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.
Registration for Week 2: 6/22-6/26
For students entering grades 3-5 in Fall 2026
Register your student who will be in grades 3-5 in Fall 2026 for this week of camp.
For students entering grades 6-8 in Fall 2026
Register your student who will be in grades 6-8 in Fall 2026 for this week of camp.
For students entering grades 6-10 in Fall 2026 and interested in Radiant Reactions
Register your student who will be in grades 6-10 in Fall 2026 for this week of camp.
Registration for Week 3: 7/13-7/17
For students entering grades 3-5 in Fall 2026
Register your student who will be in grades 3-5 in Fall 2026 for this week of camp.
For students entering grades 6-8 in Fall 2026
Register your student who will be in grades 6-8 in Fall 2026 for this week of camp.
For students entering grades 6-10 in Fall 2026 and interested in Kitchen Chemistry
Register your student who will be in grades 6-10 in Fall 2026 for this week of camp.
STEAM Camp Sessions
Grade 3-5 Students in Fall 2026 Academic Camp Choices
Amazing Animal Super Powers
Offered 6/8-6/12, repeated 6/22-6/26 and 7/13-7/17
Availability: Amazing Animals for Grades 3–5 is full. Email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Petzold
Description: Have you ever wondered about how animals are able to do incredible things? We're diving into the secret world of animal superpowers! Each day, we'll explore incredible abilities like the super strength of an ant, the super vision of an owl, the super speed of a cheetah and the super camouflage of a chameleon. At the end of camp, we’ll make an animal of your own made up of your favorite animal superpowers.
Grade 6-8 Students in Fall 2026 Academic Camp Choices
Designing Video Games
Offered 6/22-6/26, repeated 7/13-7/17
Instructor: Dr. Timothy Doherty
Description: Your 6-8th grader can learn basic coding design by building video games. No previous experience is assumed, and creativity will be encouraged. As youth build their understanding of coding structure they will be allowed to pursue the aspects of video game design that their interest dictates, such as different types of games, story telling or art design.
Kitchen Chemistry: The Science of Cooking
Offered 6/8-6/12, repeated 7/13-7/17
Instructor: Dr. Rachel Doughty
Description: Your home kitchen is more than just a room with an oven; it is a chemistry lab in disguise! Hidden within the simplest of tasks - like making toast, popping popcorn or hard-boiling eggs - are chemical interactions that can make or break your lunch. We will spend this week exploring the science behind the food you love, tasting as we go. Campers will harness the power of acids and bases to create the fluffiest pancake, develop gluten by hand to create chewy homemade pasta and apply the scientific method to bake the yummiest chocolate chip cookie. Keep notes on your discoveries in your lab notebook and then take it home as a souvenir.
Build a Game: Tabletop Edition
Offered 7/13-7/17
Instructor: Dr. Aaron Bruenger
Description: Come design and create your own tabletop game. Campers will explore different types of games–board games, card games, dice games, dexterity games–and analyze them for what makes a good or bad game. They will also learn key principles of game design to make their own tabletop game, which we will play on the last day of camp. Great for kids who love games and building things.
Radiant Reactions: Where Skincare Meets Science
Offered 6/22-6/26
Instructor: Dr. Cassidy Terrell
Description: This STEAM camp brings skincare and science together for a glowing experience! Dive into the biology of skin, the chemistry of skincare ingredients and the role of UV protection. Experiment with formulas to create your own lotions, balms and more. Get creative as you craft unique packaging and understand how branding works. This camp is perfect for curious minds ready to mix, create and shine!
Grade 9-10 Students in Fall 2026 Academic Camp Choices
Radiant Reactions: Where Skincare Meets Science
Offered 6/22-6/26
Instructor: Dr. Cassidy Terrell
Description: This STEAM camp brings skincare and science together for a glowing experience! Dive into the biology of skin, the chemistry of skincare ingredients and the role of UV protection. Experiment with formulas to create your own lotions, balms and more. Get creative as you craft unique packaging and understand how branding works. This camp is perfect for curious minds ready to mix, create and shine!
Kitchen Chemistry: The Science of Cooking
Offered 7/13-7/17
Instructor: Dr. Rachel Doughty
Description: Your home kitchen is more than just a room with an oven; it is a chemistry lab in disguise! Hidden within the simplest of tasks - like making toast, popping popcorn or hard-boiling eggs - are chemical interactions that can make or break your lunch. We will spend this week exploring the science behind the food you love, tasting as we go. Campers will harness the power of acids and bases to create the fluffiest pancake, develop gluten by hand to create chewy homemade pasta and apply the scientific method to bake the yummiest chocolate chip cookie. Keep notes on your discoveries in your lab notebook and then take it home as a souvenir.
Additional Information
Daily Schedule
Grade 3-5 Students in Fall 2026 Daily Schedule
Timings | Schedule |
|---|---|
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Drop Off at Student Life Center |
8:30 a.m. | Academic Session 1 |
9:45 a.m. | Snack and Break |
10 a.m. | Academic Session 2 |
11:20 a.m. | Lunch and Break |
12:30 p.m. | Group Activity 1 |
1:45 p.m. | Break and Snack |
2:00 p.m. | Group Activity 2 |
4:00 p.m. | Arrive back at Student Life Center and Activities |
4:15 p.m. | Departure starts |
5:15 p.m. | Departure Ends |
Grade 6-10 Students in Fall 2026 Daily Schedule
Timings | Schedule |
|---|---|
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Drop Off at Student Life Center |
8:30 a.m. | Academic Session 1 |
9:45 a.m. | Snack and Break |
10 a.m. | Academic Session 2 |
11:20 a.m. | Lunch and Break |
12:30 p.m. | Academic Session 3 |
1:45 p.m. | Break and Snack |
2:00 p.m. | Group Activities |
4:00 p.m. | Arrive back at Student Life Center and Activities |
4:15 p.m. | Departure starts |
5:15 p.m. | Departure Ends |
What to Bring
- Bag for carrying project materials
- Pens, pencils and paper
- Phones are allowed, but use during sessions is discouraged
- Water bottle
- Snacks
Transportation
The University of Minnesota Rochester is located downtown with walk-able access to various public bus routes via the Rochester Public Transit system. For more information on bus schedules and fares, please visit the Rochester Public Transit website.
Cost
UMR's Summer STEAM Camp provides tier pricing for registrations.
What is tier pricing?
Tier 1 represents the actual full cost of camp. This price was determined through careful cost accounting. In an effort to keep camp affordable for all, Tier 2 and Tier 3 rates have been established to remove barriers to participation and are subsidized. Tier selection is available on the honor system because only you know your personal finances. Select the tier that matches your ability to pay. The tier selected is confidential, and in no way influences the experience your child receives. Our goal is to not turn away any potential camper because of financial need.
| Tiers | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Tier 1: People who can consistently meet their basic needs (food, housing, health care and transportation). | $300 |
| Tier 2: People who worry about meeting their basic needs (food, housing, health care and transportation) and occasionally cannot. | $225 |
| Tier 3: People who are unable to consistently meet their basic needs (food, housing, health care and transportation). | $180 |
Refunds
A full refund is available until two weeks before the start of the camp. No refund will be provided if withdrawal from camp occurs within two weeks of camp start.
Contact
Email UMR Steam Camp or reach out to Program Director Jered Bright at 507-258-8105 with any questions.