About the STEM summer camps

One of the CCEP's goals is to provide summer enrichment opportunities for high school students and teachers. The STEM summer camps offer the opportunity to explore theory and practice in week-long experiences that blend hands-on exploration, problem-solving, field visits to industry workplaces, and presentations by experts, combined with college campus exposure and college credit.

Last summer, more than 85 industry partners participated in the summer work-based learning camp experiences the CCEP provides.

In a five-week period, 226 students from 41 different high schools gathered for five different exciting science camps, listened to fascinating lectures from industry professionals, participated in unique lab work, went on exciting field trips, and met like-minded students from Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.

The reviews of our camps are enthusiastic:

"Thank you so much for organizing this program. My boys learned so much. Every day they came home enthusiastic to share about what they had learned. They talked about it for hours! This was an amazing camp and the hands-on learning and field trips on top of the classroom learning combined really engaged my boys like I’ve never seen from their regular course work at school. It opened up their eyes to a lot more than they could have imagined. Thanks again."

There are still plenty of spaces available in our upcoming camps. Come join us! Instructions for registration are below.

All summer camps are now open for registration.

Students must be in high school to participate in these camps.

Engineering, Construction, and Manufacturing Camp (College Credit)

Students spend the week working in teams to build and program a robot, create a solar panel array, construct a wooden shed, and work with metal. Expert keynote speakers present renewable energy concepts and teach proper designs and tool use in construction trades. Career exploration field visits to businesses introduce engineering innovations in action. The week culminates with the “Battle of the Robots.”

Date: June 10-14, 2019
Location: Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily

Environmental Engineering Camp (College Credit)

Students spend the week working in teams conducting authentic laboratory experiments aligned with in-the-field studies, and hearing from keynote speakers. All activities contribute to information used to create a public service announcement to be shared with a panel of industry representatives. Aspects of Environmental Engineering are emphasized throughout.

Date: June 17-21, 2019
Location: CSU East Bay, Concord Campus
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily

Note: The registration fee is $300.00. Fee waivers are available; please indicate your interest on the General Application Packet.

West county SOLAR ENERGY ACADEMY (Limited registration)

Students spend the week working in teams, exploring through authentic learning and in-the-field research, hearing from expert keynote speakers, and designing a residential solar solution. The culminating experience includes industry-juried student presentations.

Date: July 8-12, 2019
Location: Contra Costa College, San Pablo
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily

TRI-VALLEY SOLAR ENERGY ACADEMY (LIMITED REGISTRATION)

Students spend the week working in teams, exploring through authentic learning and in-the-field research, hearing from expert keynote speakers, and designing a residential solar solution. The culminating experience includes industry-juried student presentations.

Date: July 15-19, 2019
Location: Las Positas College, Livermore
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily

Biotechnology Camp

Students spend the week working in teams conducting authentic laboratory experiments and in-the-field research. Expert keynote speakers share cutting-edge information to help campers develop arguments for a formal debate of ethical issues judged by industry representatives.

Date: July 22-26, 2019
Location: CSU East Bay, Concord Campus
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily

Note: The registration fee is $300.00. Fee waivers are available; please indicate your interest on the General Application Packet.

A chance for teachers to learn more

CCEP's Summer STEM Series offers an excellent opportunity for teachers to learn more about key industry sectors as well as career opportunities available in our region. It is one of the many high-quality teacher professional development opportunities available in the East Bay.

Teacher registration

Testimonials

““In just a short week, I learned so much about biotechnology and developed skills that will help me with my future jobs! Along with lectures, we went on field trips and performed experiments, so we could see the science in action. The Biotechnology camp was one of the most rewarding activities I have ever done.””

— Summer Camp Student

““My boys both came home each day truly excited about meeting new students with similar interests and exploring possible careers with technical professionals. And the field trip to Big Break Regional Park was the best field trip they have ever taken!””

— Summer Camp Parent