STEM Programs Near Me

Encourage curiosity and build self-confidence in your preschooler through art, science exploration, play and more. Teachers also read children's books that explore and nurture key social and emotional skills, engage in activities that require cooperation.

Give your child the gift of confidence and the joy of cooking! Our culinary program offers hands-on cooking lessons for budding young chefs. We learn more than how to follow a recipe at Lil’ Chef School. We utilize math, science, teamwork, creativity, and more. Children learn the world's cuisines and enhance their experience with fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices while gaining confidence and experience in the kitchen that will last them a lifetime. Children will make 2 recipes each week and will get a tasting of the food they made at the end of class. Recipes are provided online.

Encourage curiosity and build self-confidence in your preschooler through art, science exploration, play and more. Teachers also read children's books that explore and nurture key social and emotional skills, engage in activities that require cooperation and self-awareness while encouraging communication with peers. This independent class requires that the child is fully potty trained.

Join us every Friday this fall for our *NEW* Homeschool Play Club. We will explore art, STEM, movement, problem-solving, social-emotional learning, play, team building, all while learning from one another. Bring whatever fun stuff you've been working on or join in with a fun project the coaches offer in this learning and social time just for home schoolers. Using ESA? Please purchase your class with your ESA issued debit card, submit an invoice to ClassWallet OR purchase on your own card and submit for reimbursement. Read our ESA policy and find the attestation form here: https://www.playformancetucson.com/esa Please contact Katie at katie@playformancetucson.com for help or questions. ESA funds may be used for semester registration only.

Encourage curiosity and build self-confidence in your preschooler through art, science exploration, play and more. Teachers also read children's books that explore and nurture key social and emotional skills, engage in activities that require cooperation. This is a 2-hour separation class suitable for 3-5 years

Deconstruct, Design, and Discover! Step into the shoes of an engineer as we investigate how things work and find ways to make them even better. Our young innovators will tackle real-world challenges through immersive building activities, using critical thinking to turn new ideas into reality. Join us for a week of hands-on experimentation as we build the future, one project at a time!

Join us for a morning of messy, creative fun! Our Toddler Messy Art Studio offers little artists the freedom to explore open-ended art, sensory materials, and hands-on activities at their own pace. Designed especially for toddlers and young children, each session encourages curiosity, creativity, and independence through process-focused art and child-led exploration. Our instructors are there to introduce materials, offer gentle guidance, and support each child’s creative journey. Come for as long as it works for you! Studio hours are 9:30–11:30 AM, and families can stay for the full two hours or drop in for just an hour. Studio Details: ~ Open-ended, process-focused art ~ Sensory-rich, hands-on materials ~ Child-led exploration with instructor support ~ Flexible 9:30–11:30 AM studio time ~ Stay for the full session or just an hour Come get messy, make art, and explore with us!

Come join us for 3 days of fun, games, crafts and STEAM activities! If you have loved our summer camps, come join us for the day as this camp is open to the community! Sign-Up Deadline: By noon on Friday, November 6th. Email Confirmation: We will confirm via email whether camp is running by Friday, November 6th. Minimum Capacity: All camps run contingent upon a minimum number of campers signing up. Grade Levels: Recommended for Junior or Transitional Kindergarten through 5th Grade. 5th Grade Note: If your child is in 5th grade, it is recommended that a friend registers as well so they can enjoy the activities together! Non-Refundable Policy: All Day Camps are non- refundable once they are confirmed via email. Campers must be current JK or TK students at a minimum.

Curiosity Club (grades TK-2) and Curiosity Creators (grades 3-5) are STEMful after school STEAM programs. Both programs engage student in science, technology, engineering, art and math concepts. We provide pick up at near by schools, light snack and homework support. If your child is from TECA, Dolores Huerta and Alvarado, Flynn Or MEC STEMful staff will do pick at the school. If your child does not attend one of these schools, then caregiver will need to drop-off.

Calling all car lovers out there! During this session, children will build a new kind of car each week and learn the concepts surrounding it. For example one week might focus on a power car where children try different gear combinations and another week might focus on building a car with sails and learn all about wind resistance and its effect on speed. Some models will focus on programming too. (Please note: IntelliBricks will provide all LEGO® and computers for the camp. Children cannot take home any of their creations or LEGO® products. LEGO® group of companies does not sponsor, authorize or endorse any of our programs.)

Encourage curiosity and build self-confidence in your preschooler through art, science exploration, play and more. Teachers also read children's books that explore and nurture key social and emotional skills, engage in activities that require cooperation

Welcome to a winter wonderland of color, texture, imagination, and messy making! In Winter Wonder Lab, young artists will explore the magic of the season through open-ended, hands-on art experiences inspired by snow, ice, winter landscapes, cozy textures, frosty colors, and imaginative winter worlds. Campers will experiment with painting, sculpture, building, texture, movement, and a variety of unexpected materials as they explore what happens when they mix, layer, transform, and create. Each day brings new opportunities to follow their curiosity and turn their ideas into something completely their own. There are no step-by-step projects or perfect finished products. Instead, campers will be encouraged to experiment, make choices, take creative risks, and discover where the materials lead them. Come get cozy, get curious, and get wonderfully messy during winter break! 📅 December 21–23 No camp December 24 & 25 👧 Ages 4–8 Children must be ready to follow safety guidelines and engage in their projects for 30 minutes or more. Children must be fully potty-trained and capable of handling their bathroom needs independently. Any medical conditions (such as allergies or diabetes) and/or behavioral needs (including neurodiversity or trauma) must be disclosed during the sign-up process. This information helps us make necessary preparations and provide a supportive and enjoyable environment for everyone. All information shared is kept confidential. Camp Cancellation & Transfer Policy The policy for Messy Art Lab Camps is as follows: 100% refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of registration. All enrollment fees include a non-refundable 20% deposit. Refund of enrollment fee minus the 20% non-refundable deposit if cancellation is made prior to 30 days of session start date. No refund for cancellations made within 30 days of session start date, unless the spot is filled, in which case a refund credit minus the 20% non-refundable deposit will be issued. Cancellations must be requested in writing via email. Approval for transfer of camp week to another week will be determined on a case-by-case basis and based on availability, with a 20% non-refundable deposit/transfer penalty if made within 30 days of the original camp week start date.

Get ready to make a little magic—and a whole lot of mess! In Sparkle & Splash, young artists will dive into three days of colorful, shimmering, and wonderfully messy art experiments. Campers will explore what happens when water, color, light, texture, and unexpected materials come together. They’ll splash, drip, mix, layer, sprinkle, swirl, and experiment with a variety of wet and dry materials to discover new ways of making and creating. There’s no step-by-step project and no “right” way to make. Instead, campers will be encouraged to follow their curiosity, experiment with materials, make discoveries, and let the process lead the way. This three-day camp is perfect for curious young artists who love getting messy, trying something new, and making art that shimmers, splashes, and surprises! 📅 December 28–30 👧 Ages 4–8 Children must be ready to follow safety guidelines and engage in their projects for 30 minutes or more. Children must be fully potty-trained and capable of handling their bathroom needs independently. Any medical conditions (such as allergies or diabetes) and/or behavioral needs (including neurodiversity or trauma) must be disclosed during the sign-up process. This information helps us make necessary preparations and provide a supportive and enjoyable environment for everyone. All information shared is kept confidential. Camp Cancellation & Transfer Policy The policy for Messy Art Lab Camps is as follows: 100% refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of registration. All enrollment fees include a non-refundable 20% deposit. Refund of enrollment fee minus the 20% non-refundable deposit if cancellation is made prior to 30 days of session start date. No refund for cancellations made within 30 days of session start date, unless the spot is filled, in which case a refund credit minus the 20% non-refundable deposit will be issued. Cancellations must be requested in writing via email. Approval for transfer of camp week to another week will be determined on a case-by-case basis and based on availability, with a 20% non-refundable deposit/transfer penalty if made within 30 days of the original camp week start date.

Calling all car lovers out there! During this session, children will build a new kind of car each week and learn the concepts surrounding it. For example one week might focus on a power car where children try different gear combinations and another week might focus on building a car with sails and learn all about wind resistance and its effect on speed. Some models will focus on programming too. (Please note: IntelliBricks will provide all LEGO® and computers for the camp. Children cannot take home any of their creations or LEGO® products. LEGO® group of companies does not sponsor, authorize or endorse any of our programs.)

Calling all car lovers out there! During this session, children will build a new kind of car each week and learn the concepts surrounding it. For example one week might focus on a power car where children try different gear combinations and another week might focus on building a car with sails and learn all about wind resistance and its effect on speed. Some models will focus on programming too. (Please note: IntelliBricks will provide all LEGO® and computers for the camp. Children cannot take home any of their creations or LEGO® products. LEGO® group of companies does not sponsor, authorize or endorse any of our programs.)

Encourage curiosity and build self-confidence in your preschooler through art, science exploration, play and more. Teachers guide students to explore key social and emotional skills and engage in STEAM based activities that assist with school readiness.

This program is dedicated to exploring the ins and outs of one of the most interesting areas in tech. 3D designing is a mode of product development that is fast, easy, and creative! Students will work to design & see some creations being printed! This program is the perfect blend of creativity and technology! Schedule: 8:30–9:00 Drop-off & Free Play 9:00–11:30 Theme Activity 11:30–12:00 Windup / Play / Pick Up What you'll learn Understanding 3D designing and 3D printing

The Bay Area Champions Online Minecraft Building Competition is a youth-focused, fully online competition designed to encourage creativity, architecture, problem-solving, storytelling, and independent or team-based building. Participants will create an original Minecraft build based on one of the competition themes and submit their projects online for judging and public showcase. Primary Participants: Ages 8–15 Junior Division: Ages 8–11 Senior Division: Ages 12–15 Participation: Individual or team submissions of max 2 Platform: Minecraft Java Edition or Bedrock Edition Format: Online / Remote The competition aims to engage students through creative game-based learning while providing an opportunity to showcase their work to families, educators, and the wider community. 2. Competition Themes Participants will select one of the following themes: Eco World Design a sustainable world featuring environmentally friendly communities, renewable energy, green architecture, and innovative solutions for the future. Fantasy Kingdom Create a magical kingdom filled with imaginative architecture, castles, villages, landscapes, and stories. Future World Build a futuristic world featuring advanced architecture, technology hubs, transportation systems, smart cities, and innovative environments. 3. Competition Rules & Technical Requirements Platform Minecraft Java Edition or Bedrock Edition Builds must be created in Creative Mode World type may be Superflat or Standard Infinite World Building Requirements Projects must be original. Builds must follow the selected competition theme. Content must be age-appropriate. Participants may build individually or as a team. Individual entries must be created independently without assistance from others. Team members should make meaningful contributions to the project. Texture Packs, Mods & External Assets Standard Minecraft textures should be used. Texture packs or modifications that significantly alter default blocks or provide an unfair building advantage are not permitted. Any approved external assets must be disclosed during submission. 4. Competition Format & Timeline Participants will receive the competition theme and guidelines upon registration. Development Period: 10–14 days Submission: Completed Minecraft build and required materials.Google form will be shared with Registered Teams. Judging & Public Voting: Following the submission deadline Finalist Interviews & Showcase: Following the judging period Results & Awards: Announced during the online awards event 5. Registration Participants will register through the official online registration form. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian will complete the required consent form. After registration, participants will receive a confirmation email containing: Competition guidelines Theme information Building requirements Submission instructions Important deadlines Judging criteria 6. Project Submission Requirements Each participant or team must submit: 1. Project/World File or required access to the completed build 2. Project Title 3. Participant or Team Names 4. Selected Theme 5. Short Project Description 6. Concept or Story Explanation 7. 3–5 High-Resolution Screenshots showing the build from different angles 8. Minimum 1-Minute Video Walkthrough The video walkthrough should clearly demonstrate the completed build and highlight its major features. 7. Judging Criteria Projects will be evaluated using standardized judging criteria. Creativity Originality and imagination demonstrated in the build. Theme How effectively the project represents the selected competition theme. Design & Architecture Quality, detail, structure, layout, and visual appeal of the build. Storytelling The concept, story, or purpose behind the creation. Technical Execution Effective use of Minecraft building techniques and available resources. Overall Presentation How clearly the participant presents and explains the completed project. 8. Public Voting & Finalists Following the submission period, selected projects may be featured in an online showcase and public voting period. A judging panel will review the submissions and select 10–12 finalists based on the competition criteria. Finalists may be invited to an online interview to: Introduce themselves Present their Minecraft build Explain their concept and design Discuss their building process Answer questions from the judges 9. Awards & Online Showcase Finalists and selected participants will be recognized during an online awards event. The showcase will provide students with an opportunity to present their Minecraft creations to parents, educators, and the wider community. Selected projects may also be featured through Bay Area Champions' digital channels, subject to applicable parent/guardian permissions. 10. Competition Timeline Registration - Till Dec 31 Competition Development - Till Dec 31 Project Submission End of Development Period - Till Dec 31 Judging & Public Voting - January Finalist Interviews Following Judging - February Online Awards & Showcase Following Finalist Selection - February 15

Join us for a morning of messy, creative fun! Our Toddler Messy Art Studio offers little artists the freedom to explore open-ended art, sensory materials, and hands-on activities at their own pace. Designed especially for toddlers and young children, each session encourages curiosity, creativity, and independence through process-focused art and child-led exploration. Our instructors are there to introduce materials, offer gentle guidance, and support each child’s creative journey. Come for as long as it works for you! Studio hours are 9:30–11:30 AM, and families can stay for the full two hours or drop in for just an hour. Studio Details: ~ Open-ended, process-focused art ~ Sensory-rich, hands-on materials ~ Child-led exploration with instructor support ~ Flexible 9:30–11:30 AM studio time ~ Stay for the full session or just an hour Come get messy, make art, and explore with us!

Join us for a special day of cooking, playing, crafting, and tasting! Kid-chefs will get to craft their own breakfast, lunch, and sweet snack throughout the day, spend time outdoors, create fun food-inspired art, and much more! General Schedule: 9:00-9:15 am - Drop-Off 9:00-9:30 am - Arrivals & Activity Centers I 9:30-10:00 am - Morning Circle & Stretching 10:00-11:00 am - Cooking Activity 1 11-11:30 - Brunch, Helping Jobs & Quiet Time 11:30-1:00 pm - Cooking Activity II & STEAM 1:00-1:45 pm - Lunch, Dessert & Helping Jobs 1:45-2:45 pm - Outdoor Adventure Time 2:45 - 3:00 pm - Sharing Circle & Story Time 3:00pm - Pick-Up Max of 26 students in this camp.

How does the brain translate a scent into a memory or a vibration into music? Our five senses are sophisticated data-collection tools that work constantly to map our environment. We will dive into the biology of perception, isolating each sense to study its unique function. By investigating how information travels from our sensory organs to various parts of the brain, students will uncover the vital role these systems play in the human experience.