Summer STEM at Chatham Marconi
June 30 – August 13, 2026
Give your child or grandchild a summer of discovery at Summer STEM at Chatham Marconi! Our hands-on classes help children build confidence, creativity and critical-thinking skills as they explore science, technology, engineering and math in a fun, supportive environment.
Summer is the perfect time to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on classes designed for children entering kindergarten through grade 9.
Our multi-day classes include Pinhole Photography, Creative Coding, Build Your Own Radio and The Science and Art of Paper-Making, along with popular core classes in Robotics, Astronomy, Minecraft and Summer STEM Adventures. And those are just some of the intriguing possibilities!
Our teachers look forward to working with another great group of young scientists at the Education Center on the Chatham Marconi Campus.
Summer STEM is a wonderful opportunity to spark curiosity, creativity, keeps young learners active during summer vacation—and inspires a lifelong love of learning. Be sure to check the schedule as new classes will continue to be added!
Summer STEM Class Lineup
All classes are three-day programs and are offered in morning and afternoon sessions. For children who participate in both sessions, please pack a lunch. All classes will be held at Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, 831 Orleans Road (Rt 28)
Registration Fees – All Classes
$250 Non-members | $225 Chatham Marconi Supporting and Sustaining Members
Ages: 7-10
Dates: June 30 - July 2
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Meet Milo, the coolest LEGO® robot for early engineers! In this hands-on robotics class, students will build, program and problem-solve as they tackle exciting real-world challenges like rescuing a panda after an earthquake, navigating uneven terrain and helping a bee find pollen.
Using LEGO® WeDo kits, young engineers will develop critical thinking, teamwork and basic coding skills while having tons of fun bringing their creations to life. This engaging 3-day class is perfect for curious minds who love to build, experiment and explore how things work.
The Magic of Pinhole Photography (43728)
Ages: 8+
Dates: June 30 - July 2
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Transform an ordinary Pringles chips can into a functioning "secret" camera in this DIY adventure! You’ll build your own device from recycled materials and master the science of capturing light without a lens. We’ll learn to develop our film using household items by "brewing" photos to life using surprising kitchen chemistry, like coffee. It’s a hands-on blend of art and science that proves you don’t need fancy tech to create stunning works of art!
Ages 9+
Dates: June 30 - July 2
Afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join us for three days of coding and gameplay in this engaging Minecraft class! Activities are tailored to each participant’s skill level, with a focus on collaboration and problem-solving as students work together to complete in-game challenges. Creative and critical thinkers will love designing, building and strategizing in this immersive learning environment.
The Science and Art of Paper-Making (43728)
Ages 6+
Dates: June 30 - July 2
Afternoons 1:00PM - 4:00 PM
Dive into three days of creative fun with our paper-making adventure! Transform paper scraps into beautiful, handmade treasures while exploring the wonders of "kitchen chemistry" using colorful vegetable dyes. Mix, blend and craft unique sheets, then embellish them with glitter, stars and nature’s vibrant colors from turmeric, cabbage and spinach. We’ll even create “sun-prints” with flowers or leaves for one-of-a-kind designs to take home.
Ages 9+
Dates: July 7 - July 9
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Get ready to bring your coding skills to life in our three-day mini-course! Perfect for beginners, this hands-on experience uses the Scratch application to teach students how to build amazing projects using block programming and navigate the digital stage with x-y coordinates.
Scratch coding is a beginner-friendly visual programming language designed to help kids learn how to code by creating games, animations and interactive stories. Instead of typing code, students drag and snap together colorful blocks that represent commands—like motion, sound, loops and events. This makes coding easy to understand and fun, even for first-time programmers.
Young coders will unlock the secrets of loops to create animations and games that repeat with precision, turning concepts into reality. It’s a fun, creative journey designed to transform kids into confident digital creators!
Ages 7+
Dates: July 7 - July 9
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
You may love a candy treat, but how much do you know about the tasty science that makes your sweets sweet, your sours sour and your gum gummy? Join us for a candy chemistry class to learn about hard candies, sour candies and gum based on the American Chemical Society's "The Sweet Side of Chemistry: Candy!" Don't be surprised if you finish this class with the goal of becoming a chemical engineer!
Ages: 12+
Dates: July 7 - July 9
Afternoons 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Unlock the magic of radio waves this summer! This class will teach students to build their own AM radio transmitters, learn a little about electricity and wire circuits with a “breadboard.” Discover that light is made of waves. Learn how US Navy radiomen at the station on our campus intercepted messages from submarines during WWII. The class culminates in a "Fox Hunt," where students use custom-built directional antennas to track hidden signals in a thrilling outdoor search on the Chatham Marconi campus. This is an opportunity for teens to gain engineering knowledge through creative, fun activities.
Ages: 5-7
Dates: July 14 - July 16
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Children will learn how to program Ozobots using color codes and apply their skills to create their own Ozobot games! They will craft their names in binary code, create a light-up circuit board, play coding games on the lawn, make a bristlebot or colorbot and more! At the end of each day, children will take home their creations (Ozobot not included). This class is offered twice per summer, and each class will have its own fun theme.
Introduction to Minecraft (43728)
Ages: 7+
Dates: July 14 - July 16
Afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Have you heard of Minecraft but never played? Minecraft is a popular sandbox video game where players explore a block-based world and use creativity and problem-solving to build, design and survive.
Players can:
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Build structures, machines and entire worlds using virtual blocks
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Explore landscapes like forests, oceans and caves
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Solve problems by gathering resources and planning builds
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Collaborate with others in shared worlds
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Learn basic coding and logic through game mechanics and programming tools
Focus will be on collaboration and problem-solving as participants work through a variety of challenges in the game..
Ages 9+
Dates: July 21 - July 23
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Search the skies and learn to navigate and locate the many cosmic wonders above us! Students will have the opportunity to operate powerful optical instruments that will deliver exhilarating views of the heavens and the sun! We will discover the workings of a real observatory; the computer-controlled telescopes, sky-mapping software, networking with other observatories around the globe and viewing videos sent to us from the international space station. The program includes a special evening Star Party for students and their families at the Harwich Observatory behind Harwich Elementary School.
Ages 7+
Dates: July 21 - July 23
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
You may love a candy treat, but how much do you know about the tasty science that makes your sweets sweet, your sours sour and your gum gummy? Join us for a candy chemistry class to learn about hard candies, sour candies and gum based on the American Chemical Society's "The Sweet Side of Chemistry: Candy!" Don't be surprised if you finish this class with the goal of becoming a chemical engineer!
Ages 9+
Dates: July 21 - July 23
Afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Enter our robotics classroom to build, program and operate interactive machines using LEGO® Mindstorms EV-3 robotic kits. Students will work hands-on to design robots, write programs and test their creations through fun challenges. This course introduces core engineering and coding concepts while encouraging teamwork and problem-solving.
Technology Challenge Camp (43728)
Ages 9+
Dates: July 28 - July 30
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Explore hands-on technology adventures in this interactive technology class! Create computer art and animations using LOGO®, program Roamer robots, operate robotic arms and tackle other exciting tech challenges.
Ages 9+
Dates: July 28 - July 30
Afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Pa•le•on•tol•o•gist: Someone who travels many miles to a faraway site to dig through sand, rock and soil in the pursuit of discovering ancient artifacts, bones and curiosities while getting elbow-deep in dirt, sweat and grime. Join us as we unearth mysteries of prehistoric times. Young explorers become paleontologists as they dig, discover fossils, follow treasure maps and uncover the mysteries of dinosaurs through hands-on activities and guided exploration.
The Science and Art of Paper-Making (43728)
Ages 6+
Dates: July 28 - July 30
Afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Dive into three days of creative fun with our paper-making adventure! Transform paper scraps into beautiful handmade treasures while exploring the wonders of "kitchen chemistry" using colorful vegetable dyes. Mix, blend and craft unique sheets, then embellish them with glitter, stars and nature’s vibrant colors from turmeric, cabbage and spinach. We’ll even create “sun-prints” with flowers or leaves for one-of-a-kind designs to take home.
Ages 9+
Dates: August 4 - 6
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Let’s make art that moves! Students create animation loops using classic animation devices, drawing tools and computer software. Develop storyboards, design characters, and bring ideas to life through motion! This creative class blends art, storytelling and technology in a fun, hands-on environment.
Ages 12+
Dates: August 4 - 6
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Unlock the magic of radio waves this summer! This class will teach students to build their own AM radio transmitters, learn a little about electricity and wire circuits with a “breadboard.” Discover that light is made of waves. Learn how US Navy radiomen at the station on our campus intercepted messages from submarines during WWII. The class culminates in a "Fox Hunt," where students use custom-built directional antennas to track hidden signals in a thrilling outdoor search on the Chatham Marconi campus. This is an opportunity for teens to gain engineering knowledge through creative, fun activities.
Ages 9+
Dates: August 4 - 6
Afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join us for three days of coding and gameplay in this engaging Minecraft class! Activities are tailored to each participant’s skill level, with a focus on collaboration and problem-solving as students work together to complete in-game challenges. Creative and critical thinkers will love designing, building, and strategizing in this immersive learning environment.
The Magic of Pinhole Photography (43728)
Ages 8+
Dates: August 4 - 6
Afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Transform an ordinary Pringles chips can into a functioning "secret" camera in this DIY adventure! You’ll build your own device from recycled materials and master the science of capturing light without a lens. We’ll learn to develop our film using household items by "brewing" photos to life using surprising kitchen chemistry, like coffee. It’s a hands-on blend of art and science that proves you don’t need fancy tech to create stunning works of art!
Ages: 5-7
Dates: August 11 - August 13
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Children will learn how to program Ozobots using color codes and apply their skills to create their own Ozobot games! They will craft their names in binary code, create a light-up circuit board, play coding games on the lawn, make a bristlebot or colorbot and more! At the end of each day, children will take home their creations (Ozobot not included). This class is offered twice per summer, and each class will have its own fun theme.
Ages: 9+
Dates: August 11 - August 13
Afternoons 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Get ready to bring your coding skills to life in our three-day mini-course! Perfect for beginners, this hands-on experience uses the Scratch application to teach students how to build amazing projects using block programming and navigate the digital stage with x-y coordinates.
Scratch coding is a beginner-friendly visual programming language designed to help kids learn how to code by creating games, animations and interactive stories. Instead of typing code, students drag and snap together colorful blocks that represent commands—like motion, sound, loops and events. This makes coding easy to understand and fun, even for first-time programmers.
Young coders will unlock the secrets of loops to create animations and games that repeat with precision, turning concepts into reality. It’s a fun, creative journey designed to transform kids into confident digital creators!
