All these STEM Academy-Interactive experiences are led by top-notch Jesuit High School and St. Francis students (with full adult supervision.) 

Chemical Connections

Co-ed Chemical Connections (gr 6-8) – 1 week

• June 10 – June 14, 1:00p – 4:00p
• $165

Description

Have you ever wondered why iron rusts? Or why sugar dissolves in water and oil doesn’t? In Echelon Catapult’s fun and interactive class, students will dive into the captivating world of chemistry and discover the wonders of matter and its properties through exciting experiments, hands-on activities, and interactive demonstrations. From building molecules to conducting labs, this course offers a unique opportunity for kids to learn about the science that surrounds us in a fun, simple, and engaging way. We will explore a range of topics such as the states of matter, chemical and physical reactions, drawing molecular structures, and more! By the end of this course, students will have discovered how much chemistry truly impacts our everyday lives and uncovered the mysteries of the elements that make up the universe!

Psychology and Neuroscience

Co-ed Psychology and Neuroscience (gr 6-8) – 1 week

• July 15 – 19, 1:00p – 4:00p
• $165

Description

The human brain is one of the most complex and fascinating organs in the body. In Echelon Catapult’s Neuroscience and Psychology, students will explore the beautiful complexities of the mind on the cellular, anatomical, and behavioral level. Through a series of interactive lectures and activities, students will first learn about neurons, the fundamental cells of the animal nervous system. Then instructors will guide students through case studies and a sheep brain dissection as they explore the many subdivisions of the human brain and nervous system! Next, students will discover the intricacies of human behavior as they learn about the fundamental theories of psychology and apply them to social interaction, emotion, and behavior through fun activities and games.

Fundamentals of Flight

Co-ed Fundamentals of Flight and Rockets (gr 6-8) – 1 week

• June 24 – 28, 9:00a – 12:00p
• $165

Description

Explore the wonders of flight and rocketry in this engaging weeklong class for middle schoolers! Each day, you will dive into the fundamentals of aerodynamics, spacecraft, and the principles that make objects soar through the sky. Through classes with hands-on experiments and interactive activities, participants will gain a solid introductory understanding of flight and rockets, sparking their curiosity about the science that powers our journey into the great unknown.

Robotics Engineering

Co-ed Robotics Engineering (gr 6-9) – 2 weeks

• July 1 – 12, 1:00p – 4:00p
• $390

This camp and the wait list are full. (5/6/24)

Description

STEM. Unleash your child’s curiosity in our robotics course personally taught by the World Champions Jesuit Robotics and Saint Francis Robotics members. In this introductory course, students develop a fundamental understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering principles, applying what they learn through the creation of their own autonomous robot! This dynamic, collaborative experience encourages self-discovery, fostering understanding through teamwork and mentor guidance. By the course’s end, your child will not only gain a fundamental knowledge of robotics, but also take home their personally created robot!

This course will be taught by members from the nationally ranked St. Francis & Jesuit Robotics teams (with full adult supervision.)

CyberSecurity 

Co-ed CyberSecurity 1 (gr 6-8) – 1 week

• June 10 - 17, 9:00a – 12:00p
• $185

Description

According to a U.S. Department of Labor Blog post, the cybersecurity field is experiencing tremendous growth. As of August 2022, there were over 700,000 open cybersecurity positions in the United States alone. Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that information security analyst roles will see a significant increase from 2022 to 2032. This data underscores the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals to protect our critical infrastructure and sensitive information in the increasingly digital world. Bring your personal laptop loaded with Windows 10/11, macOS Big Sur (or newer), or the latest Linux distro. Prepare to learn concepts and dive into puzzles that test your skills in Open Source Intelligence, Cryptography, Log Analysis, and more in Cybersecurity 1.

Co-ed CyberSecurity 2 (gr 6-8) – 4 days

• June 17 – 21, 1:00p – 4:00p (Holiday: June 19)
• $170

Level up your skills in Cybersecurity 2!  This camp builds on the skills learned in CyberSecurity 1. According to a U.S. Department of Labor Blog post, the cybersecurity field is experiencing tremendous growth. As of August 2022, there were over 700,000 open cybersecurity positions in the United States alone. Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that information security analyst roles will see a significant increase from 2022 to 2032. This data underscores the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals to protect our critical infrastructure and sensitive information in the increasingly digital world. Bring your personal laptop loaded with Windows 10/11, macOS Big Sur (or newer), or the latest Linux distro. We’ll revisit key concepts from Cybersecurity I through more challenging puzzles, then advance with more problem-solving involving Linux, Network Traffic Analysis, Software Security and more concepts and tools.