WELCOME TO THE FUTURE

Preparing young innovators for future STEM jobs

Summer Camps will be held in person at:
MySTEM Academy Center
10850 Perry Highway, Wexford, PA 15090

 

Monday - Friday (9:00 to noon): $350 total

Monday - Friday (12:30-3:30): $350 total

 

Week of July 4th - Monday to Thrusday (9:00 to noon): $300 total

Week of July 4th - Monday to Thrusday (12:30 to 3:30): $300 total

 

  Session   Program  

Grade

(spring 2025)

Seats available
  A. 6/9 to 6/13 (9:00 to noon)   Intro Lego Robotics   4, 5, 6  
  B. 6/9 to 6/13 (12:30 to 3:30)   Artificial Inteligence for Kids   4, 5  
  C. 6/16 to 6/20 (9:00 to noon)   SPIKE Essential and BricQ Motion   2,3  
  D. 6/16 to 6/20 (12:30 to 3:30)   Introduction to Scratch   2,3  
  E. 6/23 to 6/27 (9:00 to noon)   Cool Projects with Mindstorms   4, 5, 6  
  F. 6/23 to 6/27 (12:30 to 3:30)   VEX IQ Robotics   5, 6, 7  
  G. 6/30 to 7/03 (9:00 to noon)   Advanced Lego Robotics   4, 5, 6  
  H. 6/30 to 7/03 (12:30 to 3:30)   Scratch and ML Integration   3, 4  
  I. 7/07 to 7/11 (9:00 to noon)   Design and Build with SPIKE Prime   3,4  
  J. 7/07 to 7/11 (12:30 to 3:30)   STEM with VEX GO   2,3  
  Remaining weeks in July   TBD      
  Weeks in August   TBD      

(*) Advanced Robotics is by invitation only

If a session is sold out, please register for the waiting list. We plan to open a new session in July according to the waiting list.

SPIKE Essential and BrickQ Motion

for grades 2 & 3

 

This program is specifically tailored for elementary school students, aiming to engage them in hands-on learning experiences through the use of the Lego SPIKE Essential and BrickQ Motion Sets. Throughout the program, students will explore and understand key concepts of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) by working with motors, sensors, and various Lego elements to construct a variety of creative, themed projects. These projects will include exciting designs such as amusement park rides, arcade games, cable cars, helicopters, and much more. In addition, students will dive into the study of physical science concepts using the BrickQ Motion Set. Through this, they will experiment with and gain an understanding of forces, motion, and interactions by building dynamic projects such as tightrope walkers, sail cars, relay race setups, bobsled designs, and weightlifting mechanisms. This program is thoughtfully designed to create a stimulating and challenging environment that encourages students to develop skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and introductory computer programming, all while having fun and engaging in collaborative teamwork.

 

Introduction to Scratch

grades 2 & 3

 

This camp provides an engaging introduction to the fundamentals of coding, making it accessible and enjoyable for beginners. Using a block-based programming approach, participants will drag and drop "blocks" of code to build programs. Students will create interactive animations, stories, and games by combining code blocks with multimedia elements such as characters (known as "sprites"), sounds, and backgrounds.

Scratch’s intuitive and user-friendly interface enables learners to easily understand essential programming concepts, including variables, loops, conditionals, and logic. The camp promotes creativity and critical thinking by encouraging students to design their own stories, develop unique games, or simulate real-world scenarios. Along the way, participants will gain valuable skills in problem-solving, systematic reasoning, communication, and computer programming, all while enjoying a fun and stimulating learning environment.

Introduction to LEGO Robotics

for grades 4, 5 & 6

 

This program introduces students to the exciting fields of science, engineering, and coding through the fascinating world of robotics. Robotics equips students with essential 21st-century skills that are increasingly valuable in our technology-driven world, including coding, engineering, and project-based learning. Each participant will program an autonomous robot and engage in daily challenges that test their creativity and technical skills.

Students will design and program robotic arms to perform tasks like collecting, transporting, lifting, and depositing items in various locations. They will also learn to use sensors for detecting colors, following lines, and navigating mazes while avoiding obstacles. This hands-on experience not only enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities but also reinforces theoretical STEM knowledge through practical applications, providing a comprehensive introduction to advanced coding and engineering concepts.

Additionally, this program serves as a foundational requirement for students interested in joining First Lego League Robotics Teams, preparing them for competitive robotics and collaborative teamwork.

Cool Projects with Mindstorms for grades 4, 5 & 6

 

This program is perfect for students who enjoy building with Lego Technic elements, motors, and sensors, providing a fun and hands-on way to learn about engineering, coding, and robotics. It encourages creativity by allowing participants to change designs and incorporare their own unique solutions.

Each student will receive a Lego Mindstorms kit with over 500 pieces, which they can use to create projects such as a basketball-shooting robot, a lifting gripper, a humanoid robot, or any other design of their choice. They will program their creations using the block-based programming app, enabling the robots to move and respond to their environment through sensors.

This program offers a challenging and stimulating environment where students will develop advanced building skills, and problem-solving abilities. It is suitable for beginners who are new to robotics but versatile enough to challenge advanced users, fostering critical thinking and creativity along the way.

VEX IQ Robotics for grades 5, 6 & 7

 

This program engages students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by guiding them through the process of building and programming robots using VEX IQ elements. Participants will utilize structural beams, gears, wheels, and connectors to create various robot designs. They will also incorporate sensors—such as color, touch, distance, and gyroscopic sensors—to enable their robots to interact with the environment and perform complex tasks.

Students will program their robots using VEXcode IQ programming blocks to compete in the 2024-2025 VEX IQ Rapid Relay Challenge. The competition takes place on a 6’ x 8’ rectangular field, where robots aim to score as many points as possible. Each student will have access to a VEX IQ super kit containing over 800 pieces, as well as a computer for programming. They will learn essential coding concepts, including conditional statements, Boolean operations, loops, functions, and using sensor feedback to control robot motion.

The modular nature of VEX IQ encourages students to design robots tailored to specific challenges, fostering creativity and critical thinking. This program develops foundational skills in robotics, programming, and engineering, preparing students for VEX IQ Tournments. It is suitable for beginners yet offers enough depth and flexibility to challenge advanced learners.

 

Python Programming

grades 5, 6 & 7

 

This camp is designed to introduce middle school students to the fundamentals of coding through Python. Python, a high-level programming language with an object-oriented structure, making it an ideal choice for young learners.

Throughout the camp, students will learn into core programming concepts, such as data types, variables, operators, conditional statements, and functions. These essential skills will be reinforced through a variety of hands-on mini-projects, enabling students to apply their knowledge in practical and creative ways. Each project is thoughtfully designed to challenge their problem-solving abilities and foster an understanding of real-world programming applications.

With Python's growing popularity in fields like machine learning, web development, automation, and other areas of computer science, students will also gain valuable insight into how these skills can support future academic and career opportunities. 

Advanced Robotics for Competition by invitation only

 

This program is tailored for middle school students eager to join a robotics competition team and who have previously completed the MySTEM Academy LEGO Robotics programs. Participants will be challenged to think like scientists and engineers as they build, test, and program an autonomous robot to complete a series of missions in a thematic Robot Game.

Students will dive into the fundamentals of LEGO Technic elements, motors, and sensors, learning how to construct robots while considering key engineering principles such as center of gravity, torque, gearing, and the optimal balance between speed and strength. Robots will undergo multiple accuracy tests to identify areas for improvement, encouraging students to explore alternatives, refine designs, and enhance performance through iterative improvement cycles.

Additionally, students will develop advanced programming skills, including proportional control, debugging techniques, and decision-making strategies. This Advanced Robotics program is open to students who have previously participated in MySTEM Academy classes and have received a recommendation to enroll in this camp.

Design and Build with Lego for grades 3 & 4

 

In this program, students will embark on an exciting journey of hands-on STEM exploration, where they will engage with projects designed to uncover the principles of physical science and engineering. Through interactive activities, they will experiment with forces, motion, and the mechanics behind everyday objects, building their understanding of how things work in the real world.

Students will have the opportunity to create a variety of innovative projects, including break dancers, grabbers with unique designs, a secure deposit box, and more. They will take their creations to the next level by incorporating coding to bring them to life. Using color, touch, and ultrasonic sensors, students will enable their projects to interact with the environment.

As they work through these projects, students will learn foundational computer programming concepts, such as conditional statements, loops, and variables, gaining the skills needed to write code that powers their designs. This camp is designed to inspire young minds and encourage a passion for STEM learning.

STEM VEX GO for grades 2 & 3

 

In this program, students will dive into hands-on STEM projects, applying their knowledge of technology, science, math, and engineering to build and code innovative creations. Students will work on projects, such as:

 

  • Hero Robot: Build and program a robot capable of moving and completing tasks, like pushing or pulling objects.
  • Grabber Bot: Create a robot with a grabbing mechanism to pick up small objects like blocks or balls.
  • Robotic Arm: Design and code a robotic arm that can lift, rotate, and place objects with precision.
  • Spirograph Artist: Build a robot that uses a marker to draw creative shapes and patterns.
  • Bridge Builder: Construct a robot that can build small bridges or lift components into place.
  • Robot Maze Solver: Program a robot to navigate through a maze using sensors.

The program utilizes VEXcode, an intuitive block-based coding platform that enables students to start programming quickly and easily. This user-friendly tool encourages problem-solving and innovation while helping students develop critical skills, including creativity, communication, and teamwork.

AI for kids for grades 4 & 5

 

This program provides an introduction to the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for kids, using a combination of engaging games, hands-on projects, and interactive visual tools like Teachable Machine. Through this experience, children will gain an understanding of how AI works by participating in activities designed to make complex concepts accessible and enjoyable.

They will explore AI-powered experiments, such as recognizing hand gestures to create interactive games, including a Rock, Paper, Scissors game controlled by AI. By training AI models, kids will see firsthand how machines learn patterns and respond to human inputs. Additionally, they will uncover the ways AI differentiates between shapes and objects, such as identifying whether an image is of a cat or a dog by analyzing features like pointy ears (cats) vs. floppy ears (dogs). They will also experiment with AI-based handwriting recognition, discovering how machines interpret and classify written characters.

This program fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing kids for the future of technology and innovation. By making learning both fun and interactive, children will build a foundation in AI while developing essential skills for future careers.

Scratch and ML Integration

for grades 3 and 4

 

In this coding and AI camp, students will explore Scratch, a beginner-friendly block-based programming language, to design and develop interactive stories, games, and animations. They will incorporate machine learning models trained using Teachable Machine, allowing them to bring AI-powered interactions into their Scratch creations. For example, they will develop a gesture-controlled project, where Scratch recognizes different hand gestures and responds by moving a character accordingly—such as raising a hand to make the character jump or waving to make it run. Additionally, they will experiment with hand-drawn sketches, enabling their projects to detect drawings and react based on user input.

By the end of the camp, kids will have a strong grasp of Scratch block programming concepts while applying the power of AI-driven recognition of text, images, and numbers. This experience will not only enhance their problem-solving and computational thinking skills but also promote creativity, innovation, and an understanding of computer science concepts.

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