Opportunity Guide I Summer, Enrichment & Activities Guide

For a child interested in discovering more about the STEM subject areas - science, technology, engineering and math - there are numerous school-based, out-of-school and summer enrichment programs where she can build skills and have fun. From joining a math circle to competing in math competitions, there are many math-based extracurricular activities to discover and enjoy. If your child is tech-minded and loves figuring out how things work, look for engineering, robotics, and computer classes to engage her imagination. If her interest is in the laboratory sciences, there are many unique, hands-on after school science programs themed around particular areas of science that often include hands-on lab experiences. A child who is passionate about and excels in any of the STEM subject areas will find increasingly rigorous and selective opportunities available to her.



  1. Argonne National Laboratory Pre-College Research Participation Program
    Through awe-inspiring learning experiences, exciting programs and active outreach, Argonne is not just bringing STEM to our region—we’re welcoming every middle school, high school, undergraduate and… Read more
  2. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) - Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
    Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a direct mentor-student relationship between Department of Defense scientists and talented high school seniors; an unparalleled opportunity.… Read more
  3. Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP)
    Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) is a nonprofit organization with 40 years of experience partnering with universities, training programs, and K-12 school systems in order to… Read more
  4. Digital Youth Divas
    Digital Youth Divas is an out-of-school program that engages middle school girls, especially those from non-dominant communities, in design-based engineering and computer science activities driven by… Read more
  5. Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory TARGET Program
    The TARGET Program is a highly competitive, paid, six-week summer internship opportunity for Illinois high school sophomores and juniors who have strong interest and demonstrated aptitude for physics… Read more
  6. Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory QuarkNet Summer Research Program
    QuarkNet offers summer research opportunities in science and technology for students who have demonstrated a strong interest in and aptitude for science and mathematics. Students work with scientists… Read more
  7. Illinois Institute of Technology Bridge Building Contest
    The construction and testing of model bridges promotes the study and application of fundamental principles physics and also helps high school students develop "hands on" skills through bridge… Read more
  8. Illinois Institute of Technology Summer @ Illinois Tech
    ITT offers a wide variety of summer programs and camps for middle and high school students. Programs can include: biology, computational science, digital humanities, coding, biomedical engineering,… Read more
  9. Northwestern Pre-College Summer Programs
    College Prep: Experience college life at Northwestern University this summer in the College Prep Program. High school sophomores and juniors can take undergraduate courses for college credit, or… Read more
  10. Northwestern University Center for Talent Development (CTD)
    Talent Search Assessment - A research-validated program, Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) utilizes above-grade-level testing to identify academic ability, measure… Read more
  11. Summer Illinois Math Camp (SIM Camp)
    Summer Illinois Math (SIM) Camp is a free, week-long math day camp for middle and high school students hosted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Mathematics. Campers will… Read more
  12. University of Chicago Summer Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS)
    This four-week intensive training program is designed to expose students to a broad range of molecular, microbiological, and cell biological techniques currently used in research laboratories.… Read more
  13. University of Chicago Summer Session
    Discover the awesome course opportunities for high school students this summer at the University of Chicago. Within a supportive campus community, students from all over the globe are exposed to… Read more
  14. University of Chicago Young Scholars Program (YSP)
    The aim of the Young Scholars Program (YSP) is to strengthen the participants' mathematical powers through a deep experience in mathematical thought and effort. Our intention is to broaden and enrich… Read more
  15. University of Illinois Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) Summer Camps
    WYSE Summer Camps at Engineering Illinois are designed to provide STEM-interested students the opportunity to experience advanced curricula, world-class facilities, and an “away from home,”… Read more
  16. Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) Summer Camps at Engineering Illinois
    WYSE Summer Camps at Engineering Illinois are designed to provide STEM-interested students the opportunity to experience advanced curricula, world-class facilities, and an “away from home,”… Read more