Inside CAMP at The Tech, A New STEM Summer Camp for Bay Area Kids

What is CAMP at The Tech?

CAMP at The Tech is a weeklong, in-person summer program in downtown San Jose where students explore big ideas through hands-on projects and collaborative challenges.

Here’s what families can expect:

• Eight one-week sessions running June through August
• Four unique themes, each offered twice
• Two age groups
  • Gizmos, grades 3-4
  • Gadgets, grades 5-6
• Daily schedule from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with optional extended care
• Exclusive experiences, including IMAX films, expert meetups, and after-hours access to the museum

Every week blends classic camp fun with next-level STEM learning. Campers make friends, try new things, and build projects they’re proud of, all in a space designed to spark curiosity and confidence.

Learning That Doesn’t Feel Like Learning

Before joining The Tech, Liz spent 11 years teaching middle school math and science. She saw firsthand what happens when learning becomes active and personal.

One of her favorite classroom moments?

Changing the minds of students who swore they hated math.

“Kids would come into class and be like, ‘Miss, we haven’t done math in like two weeks. When are we going to do math again?’ … Funny, that’s what we’re doing right now.” - Liz O'Hare Menezes, Summer Camp Program Manager

That same spirit is baked into camp.

Here, math, science, and engineering show up as tools for solving real problems and building real things, not worksheets.

Big Ideas, Hands-On Fun

The themes alone are enough to get imaginations spinning:

• BioTinkering: Create kombucha leather, experiment with bio-inks, and explore living materials
• Ultimate Upcycle: Turn everyday materials into something totally new, then transform it again
• Kinetic Commotion: Build Rube Goldberg-style machines and explore physics in motion
• Planet Protectors: Design solutions for real-world environmental challenges

These aren’t just activities, they’re invitations to think bigger.

“It’s not science class, it's science camp, which is way more fun.” - Liz O'Hare Menezes, Summer Camp Program Director

And yes, sometimes that means making edible science, building machines that topple in spectacular ways, or experimenting with materials that feel like they belong in the future.

A Place to Try, Fail, and Try Again

Summer camp is one of the few places where kids can take risks without pressure.

At The Tech, that means:

• Trying something totally new
• Making mistakes and learning from them
• Discovering interests you didn’t know you had

It’s also about belonging. About seeing yourself as someone who can build, invent, and make a difference.

“Jump into anything that you are curious about… don’t wait for permission.” - Liz O'Hare Menezes, Summer Camp Program Manager

That mindset doesn’t just shape a week of camp. It shapes how kids see themselves long after summer ends.

It’s bold, it’s a little unexpected, and it’s exactly the kind of learning that sticks.

The Bigger Vision

This is just the beginning.

CAMP at The Tech is launching intentionally small, with plans to grow, expand access, and reach more students in the years ahead. The goal is to create a place where every kid can explore their creativity and potential.

A place they come back to.

A place where they feel like innovators.

Ready to Give Your Child a Summer of Stem?

Spots are limited for this first year, and sessions are already filling.

If you’ve got a curious kid who loves to build, experiment, or just ask “what if?”, this is their place.

Because the best part of summer might just be discovering what you’re capable of.

Register Now