This is a list of science and technology related camps and activities in mid-Missouri, mostly aimed at elementary through high school students. This list includes all activities which require preregistration (camps) or preparation (science fair, soap box derby) months in advance.
These camps usually occur annually. Dates are approximate based on previous years. I have provided links to last year’s information for many of these camps to give you some information until new information becomes available. This list is updated as new information becomes available.
If you know of an event or activity that you think should be added to this list, please provide details in the comments below.
Interest: STEM Date: March Organization: Columbia Young Scientists, Mid-Missouri Co-op of Home Educators Location: University of Missouri Age: All Cost: Free Registration required: No Annual event: Yes
The Columbia Young Scientists (CYS) Fair and Expo promotes STEM for people of all ages by connecting youth and families with science and technology research on the University of Missouri campus. The annual event consists of a two-part science fair and expo. The CYS Fair, in partnership with the Mid-Missouri Co-op of Home Educators (CHE), showcases science projects of K-12 home school students. Youth participate in conference judging with campus researchers in three age categories: Kindergarten-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade, and 6th-8th grade, with additional opportunities for high school students. Judging begins at 9:00 am on the second floor of Memorial Union. Participants should pre-register with Mid-Missouri CHE and will receive instruction prior to judging. The CYS Expo provides an opportunity for the public to engage with hands on STEM programs. Science enthusiasts of all ages can explore a variety of booths featuring research and technology activities from scientists in Missouri. The Expo will run from 1:00-4:30pm with a sensory friendly hour from 1:00 – 2:00pm. All ages are welcome to participate in this free event. Advanced registration is not required. Visit the welcome table when you arrive to participate in a scavenger hunt. Parking is available in Hitt Street and University Ave parking
Interest: STEM Date: February Organization: JSHS Location: University of Missouri Age: High School Cost: Free Registration required: Yes Annual event: Yes
Our annual symposium, competition, and year-round digital programming is backed by the Department of Defense (DoD), and administered by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). We’re committed to providing the mentoring, scholarship, and career pathways for young minds from everywhere to find success, growth, and connection in STEM.
Date: Monthly throughout the school year Organization: Columbia Public Schools Location: Rock Bridge High School Age: All Cost: Free Registration required: No Annual event: Yes
CPS has a planetarium at Rock Bridge High School and puts on monthly shows for the public throughout the school year.
Interest: Gaming Date: 8/1-3/24 Organization: Columbia College Location: Columbia College Age: Grades 6-12 Cost: $250
The Game Dev 2.0 is an adept-level game design camp geared towards rising 6th-12th grade students with prior experience in basic coding. Campers will spend the day designing an 8-bit video game from the ground up, including creating pixel characters, objects, map tiles, sound effects, and background music.
Interest: Computer Programming Date: July 21-25, 2025, 9 am – 5 pm Organization: University of Missouri Location: University of Missouri Age: Grades 9-12 Cost: $375 Registration required: Yes
Learn software development skills and computer programming through video games. Gain knowledge about computer graphics and Object Oriented Programming in the Unity game environment.
Interest: Gaming Date: 7/22-27/24 Organization: Columbia College Location: Columbia College Age: Grades 6-12 Cost: $350
Girls Who Game is a Columbia College-hosted program that invites 6th – 12th-grade students passionate about gaming to engage in cooperative and competitive play while learning about career opportunities in the gaming industry. We aim to grow a safe and supportive community that empowers students to embrace their passion for gaming.
Interest: Computers Date: Session I: June 28-29, 2025 | Session II: Aug. 2-3, 2025, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Organization: University of Missouri Location: University of Missouri Age: Grades 9-12 and K-12 teachers Cost: $150.00
Experience a hands-on introduction to the basics of data science and machine learning. Available both in-person and online.
Interest: Math, Programming Date: July 28-August 1, 2025 Organization: Columbia College Location: Columbia College Age: 9th-12th grade Cost: $200 Registration required: Yes
Each day begins with an introduction to a key math concept, followed by immersive gaming sessions where you’ll analyze mechanics and apply what you’re learning in real time. Whether you’re a math enthusiast, a gaming expert, or just curious about the connections between the two, this camp offers a fun and engaging way to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Interest: Cybersecurity Date: July 14-16 2025, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Organization: University of Missouri Location: University of Missouri Age: Grades 6-12 Cost: $299.00
This action-packed summer program challenges students to conduct a network forensic investigation to capture cybercriminals. Along the way, participants learn about cybersecurity, cloud computing, and computer programming. They’ll also gain real-world experience with cyber attacks and defense through learning exercises and build skills like teamwork and public speaking.
Interest: STEM, robotics, machine learning, agriculture Date: July 6-14, 2024 Organization: Lincoln University Location: Lincoln University, Jefferson City Age: Rising high school sophomores and juniors Cost: Free Registration deadline: April 15, 2024
Campers will learn from Lincoln University and the University of Missouri experts on digital agriculture technology, data robotics and machine learning.
Rising high school sophomore and junior students who are interested in STEM are eligible to apply. The online application will close at 5 p.m. CST on April 15, 2024. The application has two parts — a student section and a parent section. Both sections must be completed, and all questions are mandatory. Students are also required to upload a letter of recommendation and an essay (maximum 750 words) describing their interest in STEM education and how attending this camp will benefit them.
Selected students will be notified via email/text on May 15, 2024. Parents and students must accept the selection by May 29, 2024, or the spot will be released to waitlisted candidates. Upon successful completion of the camp, each student will receive a $200 gift card.
This NASA-funded camp is supported by NASA MUREP PSI (Minority University Research and Education Project: Pre-college Summer Institute) and USDA-NIFA-NEXTGEN Program, which seek to raise interest in STEAM education among minority, underserved and underprivileged students.
For more information, contact Dr. Sougata Bardham at Bardhans@lincolnu.edu.
Date: Aug. 5-8, 2025, 1-3:30 p.m. Organization: University of Missouri Location: University of Missouri Age: Grades 8-12 Cost: $100.00
Discover essential topics such as circuits, digital logic, microcontrollers, programming, and emerging technologies such as AI through hands-on activities, simple programming, lab tours and visits to the university library and student center.
Date: Summer Organization: City of Columbia Location: Columbia Age: 16- to 20-year-olds Cost: Free Registration window: March 1 – April 15
The CARE program offers a ten-week summer program in which approximately 20 16- to 20-year-old interns are hired at minimum wage to work up to 28 hours per week for one of the following areas: Sewer and Stormwater – Engineering Sewer and Stormwater – Maintenance Solid Waste – Administration Solid Waste – Landfill Water & Light – Electric Distribution Water & Light – Electric Production Water & Light – Engineering Water & Light – Utility Services Water & Light – Water Distribution Water & Light – Water Production
Available positions include: Administration Intern Data Entry Intern Engineering Intern Grounds Maintenance Intern Maintenance Mechanic Intern Operator Intern Sewer and Stormwater Intern
CARE/City Utilities Internship applications are available March 1 through April 15; however, applicants are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to apply online as early as possible. To apply visit gocomojobs.com (search for CARE/City Utilities Intern)
Date: July 14-18, 2025 Organization: Columbia College Location: Columbia College Age: Grades 11-12 Cost: $250
At CSI: Columbia College, we hope to excite and educate 11th-12th graders for a future in a CSI-related field. Our camp will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in forensics.
Date: 7/31, 8/1 & 8/2, 2024 Organization: University of Missouri Location: University of Missouri Age: Grades 4-6 Cost: $50 Registration required: Yes Annual event: Yes
Mizzou Rocks day camp is an exploration of geologic time and invertebrate paleontology for youth entering grades 4-6 in the 23-24 school year. At camp youth will participate in a variety of hands-on experiences exploring fossils and geologic history on the University of Missouri campus.
Camp cost is $50/session and includes a t-shirt, materials, and snacks. Needs based scholarships are available. Please contact Christal Huber for more information. Please have your child bring a water bottle. Lunch will be provided. Camp will run from 9:00am – 3:00pm July 31, August 1 & 2 (note: camp content will be the same each day, it is recommended to only register for one session) New this year: We will be visiting Rock Bridge State Park! Prior to camp you will receive a packet of forms and directions for you to prepare ahead of checking-in for camp. Questions about camp can be directed to Christal Huber at hubercd@missouri.edu
Interest: Geospatial ScienceDate: 7/15-19/24, 2024 Organization: University of Missouri Location: University of Missouri Age: Grades 6-9 Cost: Free Registration required: by June 30, 2024 Annual event: Yes
Geospatial Science is an interdisciplinary field which encompasses a wide range of areas including remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), geography and cartography. Explore the exciting field of geospatial science and gain hands-on experience using various geospatial technologies.
Interest: Emergency Management, Healthcare Date: June 2-6, 2025, 9-4 daily Organization: Boone County Office of Emergency Management Location: Emergency Communications Center, 2145 County Dr. Age: High school Cost: Free Registration required: Yes
GEM Camp is a FREE 5-day camp for young women interested in a career in emergency management, public safety, government, and more! Campers will learn about disaster preparedness, develop leadership skills, and meet leaders in government from local, state, and federal agencies.
What Can You Expect?
This 5-day camp will feature a full schedule packed with exciting activities, games, and guest speakers. Here is what you can expect to learn:
Emergency Management: Handling the Unexpected
First Aid & Safety: Essential Life-Saving Skills
Leadership & Public Communication: Speak with Confidence, Lead with Purpose
Weather & Climate Awareness: Understanding Nature’s Impact
Resilience & Problem-Solving: Overcoming Challenges with Confidence
Life & Career Readiness: Exploring Your Future Path
And (really good) food will be provided!
Interest: Medical Date: June 1-5 or 8-12, 2025 Organization: University of Missouri Location: University of Missouri Age: rising high school seniors Cost: $650, scholarships available Registration required: Yes Annual event: Yes
Missouri high school students interested in careers in medicine can preview what medical school is like during Mini-Medical School. Students will stay in residence halls and eat in dining rooms on campus. Students from underrepresented minority groups and from rural communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Participation will be open to current Missouri high school juniors (rising seniors)
Interest: Pharmacy Dates: June 6, 2025 — Columbia (University of Missouri campus) June 20, 2025 — Springfield (Missouri State University downtown Brick City campus) June 27, 2025 — Kansas City (UMKC downtown Health Sciences campus) Organization: UMKC Location: Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia Age: 9th-12th grade Cost: $40 Registration required: Yes Annual event: Yes
Engage with current faculty and practicing pharmacists, view experiments in the lab and interact with current students to find out what it’s like to be a pharmacy student at UMKC.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Join us for a one-day, fun-filled pharmacy camp in June!
Take part in making actual medicine in the compounding lab. Hear from community pharmacists about their daily roles. Interact with clinical pharmacists in specialty practices such as oncology, pediatrics, cardiology, emergency room and more. Learn from School of Pharmacy faculty and students about what it’s like to be a member of UMKC at all three campus locations. DATES AND TIMES The pharmacy summer camps are tentatively scheduled for the following dates. Each camp will go from roughly 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A detailed agenda will be sent closer to the event.
Eligibility
Students who have completed ninth grade or higher at the time of camp. College students and adults looking for a career change are encouraged to attend.
Date: Monthly throughout the school year Organization: University of Missouri Location: University of Missouri Age: Middle and High School Cost: Free Registration required: At the time of the event
Interest: Nursing Date: June 9-13, 2024 Organization: Columbia College Location: Columbia College Age: Grades 11-12, including new graduates Cost: $350 Registration required: Yes, by early June Annual event: Yes
At Columbia College’s Summer Nursing Camp, you’ll have the opportunity to explore your passion for nursing and gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art healthcare simulators. Our camp is specifically designed for 11th – 12th graders, including May 2025 graduates, who are passionate about nursing.
Interest: Nature Date: June Organization: Missouri River Bird Observatory Location: Arrow Rock Drive Time/Distance: 43 minutes/43 miles Age: 8-14 Cost: $100 Registration required: Yes Annual event: Yes
Welcome to our fun summer day camps for all the young explorers in the area. The camp’s programs and activities are focused on exploration, improving observational and outdoor skills, encouraging critical thinking, increasing knowledge of Missouri’s native species, physical activities, and, of course, having fun! Our activities fall under the Missouri Learning Standards and can further reinforce concepts your student is learning in school. Our campers have fun and go home with new knowledge and new friendships. Each session of camp will repeat some favorite activities, like fishing and exploring the spring, but will also have new activities as well.
NEW this year, we are adding a camp for youth ages 11-14 called Junior Naturalist Camp. Campers will continue to improve their observational and outdoor skills and then, drawing inspiration from nature, will create a nature superpower t-shirt from stamps that they carve.
Interest: Nature Date: May, 2025 Organization: Columbia Public Schools Location: Grand Tetons Age: 6th-8th grade Cost: Varies Registration deadline: registration opens in early October
Interest: Robotics Date: December 30-31, 2024 Organization: University of Missouri Location: University of Missouri Age: Grades 4-8 Cost: $199 Registration required: Yes Annual event: Yes
Receive a programmable “mBot Neo” robot to wrap and put under the tree. Children will then bring the robot to the camp to assemble and program it using an easy-to-learn computer language.
This information is collected from a variety of sources as a public service. It is for informational purposes only. I have no control over the original sources, and they can change cost, dates, locations, etc. without my knowledge. There may be other inaccuracies as well. The only intended purpose for this information is to indicate that there may be an interesting activity going on that you should investigate further.
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