The Child and Family Studies Laboratory provides several weeks of summer enrichment camps focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). We offer an engaging, hands-on science and math curriculum based on the Utah Science State Core for children entering kindergarten through 5th grade in the fall (unless otherwise noted).
The application for our 2026 Stem program will open at 9AM on Monday, March 2nd, 2026.
Registration Procedures
- Our camps are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Full payment for each camp must be received at the time of registration to officially enroll.
- Classes operate Monday - Friday (except when there is a holiday). The morning session is offered from 9:00 - 11:30 and the afternoon session is offered from 12:00 - 2:30.
- Classes are capped at 20 children and taught under the direction of a master teacher and 3-4 BYU college students.
- If a session is full, you may be added to our waitlist.
Payment Procedures
Due to the financial dependency of the lab school on tuition to pay teachers, we kindly request your assistance in registering for those sessions you are certain you can attend.
As the start date of each session approaches, it becomes increasingly difficult to fill any open spots if a child withdraws.
- Payment must be made immediately following the registration process.
- Please do not pay for camps for which you have not registered. All excess monies will be refunded to you.
- The University will send a receipt immediately upon completion of your payment.
- Additional information on your specific STEM camp(s) will be sent to you from the CFSL office within 1 - 2 business days to finalize your enrollment in our STEM program(s).
Refund Policy
We understand that sometimes plans change and you may need to cancel your registration for our STEM camp(s). To provide fair and consistent treatment to all our participants, we have established the following refund policy:
- Notice of Cancellation: To be eligible for a refund, you must provide written notice of your cancellation at least two weeks prior to the start of the camp. Email the CFSL office at cfsl@byu.edu with your written notice.
- Refund Amount: If you withdraw from a camp prior to two weeks before the start, we will issue a full refund of tuition, minus a $25 processing fee (per camp).
- No Refunds for Late Cancellations: If you do not provide written notice of cancellation at least two weeks prior to the start of a camp, no refund will be given.
- Medical Emergencies: In the event of a medical emergency, we will make every effort to accommodate your needs and may provide a full or pro-rated refund based on your specific situation.
Below are a list of possible STEM camps that have previously been offered. Specific camps with exact dates will be posted by February 16, 2026.
Click on the camps or arrows below to find out more about each camp!
Kitchen STEM
This camp is for the kitchen scientist who wants to know “what if?” or how playing with food can teach us about key scientific principles! Students will learn how different foods like citrus, candy, or various baked goods are impacted by temperature, the type of tool used to cook them, or how it interacts with other food items to create something amazing – or not! Students will investigate yeast’s impact on baked goods by using it in different amounts and by combining it with a variety of ingredients to see just how important it is to get it right! We will look at how food changes when frozen or cooked – all the while learning the ‘what’, ‘why’, and ‘how’ behind the science of cooking!
Film Making and Digital Media
Over the week, children will learn about and become the film crew, writers, directors, producers, and actors as they explore photography, stop motion, animation, and green screens! In this camp, students will be given challenges such as deciding between animation vs. live action; how best to use lighting or sound effects; the effects of sequencing; and which editing tools are most effective for the challenge given. Children will learn about good storytelling principles, the different genres of film, and how sound effects and music enrich the story! Throughout the week, children will write their own scripts and then work with their friends to create a digital product and see their ingenious ideas come to life!
Coding, Little Bits, and LEGO WeDo
For children who are entering grades 2-5
Get ready to dive into the exciting world of coding with our Level 1 introduction class! Using the LEGO WeDo system,
each day will bring a new adventure as students build and program their very own robots. Together, we'll master basic
programming skills, explore simple engineering concepts, and tackle fun challenges like navigating mazes or racing through
obstacles. But that's not all - students will also get hands-on with Little Bits, unleashing their creativity with
magnetic circuits that power everything from fans to voice-activated appliances. Throughout the week, teamwork will be key
as we brainstorm, problem-solve, and bring our ideas to life with a new creation or project every single day!
Investigate and Explore Chemical and Physical Changes
Children will become scientists as they experiment every day with different types of physical and chemical changes! Students will learn about physical and chemical properties, reversible and permanent changes, and the different types of acids and bases we use every day. Children will experiment with different types of foods, metals, ooblick, and slime as they perform their own chemical experiments (safely, of course!). Further, students will explore how chemical and physical changes work together in our everyday world to build things such as bath bombs, balloons filled with baking soda, lemon volcanoes, and soda rockets! Come prepared to investigate, make messes, and have fun as we learn the science behind chemical and physical changes!
Things That Move
Rolling, floating, and flying! In this camp, students will investigate why we use simple machines to make the world go round! Speed, accuracy, and durability of everyday materials will be considered and examined as students create the most efficient design for boats, planes, catapults, parachutes, and rockets. Students will explore and experiment with levers, pulleys, ramps, gears, wheels, and axles as they solve a variety of real-world problems. From brainstorming to designing to doing test runs and races, students will learn how to move over any obstacle to accomplish their final mission: The Rube Goldberg Machine!
Space is Out of this World
Prepare for an astronomical journey like no other! Calling all budding astronauts and astronomers, join us as we embark on a thrilling expedition to the far reaches of space. Dive headfirst into the cosmos through a variety of interactive activities designed to ignite curiosity and fuel imagination, setting the stage for liftoff! Throughout this camp, students will delve into the mysteries of our solar system, unravel the forces of gravity and inertia, and chart the course of past space explorations while setting our sights on the boundless possibilities of the future. Assemble as a dynamic crew of explorers, primed to tackle any mission with curiosity. Prepare to launch into an unforgettable adventure where science truly is out of this world!
Construction and design
Students will put basic construction and design principles into action as they build different creations to fit specific challenges. They will discover howto build the best towers for a given height, bridges that bear the most weight, boats that float (or don’t!) and houses that can survive an earthquake! Children will learn about erosion and the impact of weather on their construction creations! They will study basic geometry and other tools civil engineers use to determine the best design for their project before implementing these construction principles in their own creations! Throughout the week, they will draw on the world around them to see how construction impacts and shapes their everyday lives!
Have questions?
Please contact the CFSL Receptionist at cfsl@byu.edu or call 801-422-3219