CEMS Engineering & Design Summer Camps introduce middle-school and early-high school aged students to engineering professions with hands-on learning opportunities to help them discover and develop their own STEM identity. Students will explore different engineering and design principles through engaging experiments and projects and see examples of how engineers and scientists apply these skills to improve the quality of our lives and the environment.
In partnership with Vermont 4-H, CEMS will offer four, week-long camps in the summer of 2026:
Makers I: Design and Rapid Prototyping Camp
Water Warriors: Environmental Engineering CampRobotics Design and Testing CampMakers II: Advanced Design and Prototyping Camp
MAKERS I: Design and Rapid Prototyping Camp
Ever wonder how the things around you are designed and built? In this camp, you’ll learn to bring your ideas to life using 3D design software and real 3D printers and laser cutters! Campers will be introduced to 3D modeling software through guided activities, with groups working together to fabricate and test the performance of mouse trap cars! Learn to design your creations on the computer, and watch them transform into actual objects you can hold. No experience needed—just bring your creativity and curiosity! By the end of camp, you’ll have the skills to design and build things you never thought possible. Makers I is aimed at students entering grades 6 & 7 or who have no prior experience with 3D design.
Camp Details
- Dates: June 22 - 26, 2026
- Ages: For students entering grades 6 & 7
- Cost: $500 (excludes lunch)
- Scholarships: We are able to offer a limited number of scholarships for each camp. If you are in need of financial assistance, please submit an application by April 1. We will review them and get back to you before May 2026. Apply using our online application form. (link)
- Registration: Opens - TBD / Deadline - May 1
Note: We are offering a limited number of scholarships for each camp. If you are in need of financial assistance, please submit an application by April 1. We will review them and get back to you before May 2026. Apply here."
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the camp, students will:
- Gain proficiency with basic CAD design and assemblies
- Practice a range of measurement techniques
- Reverse-engineer simple objects
- Design, slice, and 3D print materials
- Experiment with changes to infill density of 3D-printed materials
- Understand the difference between additive (e.g., 3D-printing) and subtractive (e.g., machining) fabrication and manufacturing technologies
Activities
- Introduction to the engineering design process, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and reverse engineering
- Work through a Design Challenge beginning with hand-sketching and model mockups with simple materials (foam, cardboard, etc.)
- Develop a CAD file of their design for printing
- Learn 3D printing basics and run a series of test prints
- Iterate on the original design and make improvements before finalizing and printing the final design
- Introduction to machining (subtractive manufacturing) and demo’s in the CEMS machine shop
WATER WARRIORS: Environmental Engineering Camp
Where does our drinking water come from? When we flush the toilet, where does it go? Why is water treatment so important for Lake Champlain? How do we know if our water is safe to drink or swim in? This camp will explore water and wastewater treatment processes and the science behind it.
Camp Details
- Dates: July 6 - 10, 2026
- Ages: For students entering grades 6-9
- Cost: $500 (excludes lunch)
- Scholarships: We are able to offer a limited number of scholarships for each camp. If you are in need of financial assistance, please submit an application by April 1. We will review them and get back to you before May 2026. Apply using our online application form. (link)
- Registration: Opens - TBD / Deadline - May 1
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the camp, students will:
- Understand the important role that environmental engineers and scientists play in managing our water system and keeping us safe
- See diverse examples of environmental engineers and scientists
- Understand the concept of water quality and how it affects them in their everyday lives
- Describe where drinking water comes from and how it is treated
- Describe the typical pathway that wastewater takes and how it is treated
- Identify different physical and chemical characteristics that determine water quality
- Test water samples using a range of methods common to environmental engineers and scientists
- Design a water quality experiment of their own > modify water using common materials (sand, salt, compost), and measure to see changes; or
- Design a simple water treatment system and test
- See examples of other jobs/problems/systems that environmental engineers and scientists work on
Activities
- Experiment with adding different common materials to water to see how they affect water quality
- Learn how scientists collect and analyze water samples
- Build a water treatment column and compete against other teams to see whose filter is the best at removing contamination
- Visit a real water treatment facility
- Practice collecting and plotting data
Robotics Design and Testing Camp
How can we use robotics and electronics to improve our daily lives? How can we design machines that will improve our safety and sustainability? This camp will introduce students to the basics of robotics. By the end of camp students will be able to use a microprocessor to receive digital inputs and generate a digital output. Students will have designed a robotic device to address a problem, question, or challenge. Students will have written code, designed a mechanical system, and worked collaboratively in teams.
Camp Details
- Dates: June 22 - 26, 2026
- Ages: For students entering grades 8 & 9
- Cost: $500 (excludes lunch)
- Scholarships: We are able to offer a limited number of scholarships for each camp. If you are in need of financial assistance, please submit an application by April 1. We will review them and get back to you before May 2026. Apply using our online application form. (link)
- Registration: Opens - TBD / Deadline - May 1
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the camp, students will:
- Students will be able to use a microprocessor to receive digital inputs and generate a digital output.
- Students will have designed a robotic device to address a problem, question, or challenge.
- Students will have written code, designed a mechanical system, and worked collaboratively in teams.
Activities
- Activities coming! Stay tuned.
Makers II: Advanced Design and Prototyping Camp
Ready to take your design skills to the next level? This camp dives deeper into Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and advanced rapid prototyping techniques. You'll tackle more complex mechanical assemblies, refine your understanding of engineering design principles, and explore sophisticated reverse engineering challenges. Working with both traditional materials and cutting-edge 3D printing and laser cutting technology, campers will develop the technical skills and problem-solving strategies used by professional designers and engineers. Campers will be taught more complex CAD techniques than the Makers 1 camp and will be given the chance to design and iterate their own parts and mechanisms to fabricate and test the performance of mouse trap cars! Perfect for students with some 3D design experience or those ready for a more intensive, project-driven approach to making.
Camp Details
- Dates: July 6 - 10, 2026
- Ages: For students entering grades 8 & 9
- Cost: $500 (excludes lunch)
- Scholarships: We are able to offer a limited number of scholarships for each camp. If you are in need of financial assistance, please submit an application by April 1. We will review them and get back to you before May 2026. Apply using our online application form. (link)
- Registration: Opens - TBD / Deadline - May 1
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the camp, students will:
- Learning outcomes coming! Stay tuned.
Activities
- Construct a simple model using CAD softward.
- Reverse engineering an existing component and then transfer the design to CAD software.
- Iterate and improve the design using the tools learned at camp.
- Lab tours of the machine shop & structure lab including demos of lab machinery!