Compare 14+ Science & Innovation programs in Chicago — day camps, summer programs, and university pre-college options for kids, teens & high schoolers. Free directory with prices & dates.
Refreshed weekly · Last updated May 17, 2026
A prestigious program where high school students engage in independent research projects, guided by expert mentors, with opportunities for publication.
Age Group
High School
Location
Research Ignited Online Platform
Phone
+1 (919) 213-1821
Mad Science offers hands-on science summer camps for children ages 5-12. Their camps explore various scientific themes through interactive experiments, demonstrations, and activities. They aim to spark curiosity and inspire a love of science.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Various locations in Chicago
Phone
(847) 656-1000
The Museum of Science and Industry offers a wide range of summer camps for children and teens. Camps cover various STEM topics, including space exploration, robotics, engineering, and health science. Students participate in hands-on activities and explore exhibits.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637
Phone
(773) 684-1414
Camp Invention is a nationally recognized STEM summer camp program for children entering grades K-6. Their camps focus on creativity, innovation, and problem-solving through hands-on activities and challenges. They have locations throughout Chicago and its suburbs.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Various locations in Chicago and suburbs
Phone
(800) 968-4332
Destination Science offers hands-on science summer camps for children ages 5-11. Their camps explore various scientific themes through interactive experiments, demonstrations, and outdoor activities. They aim to provide a fun and educational experience.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Various locations in Chicago
Phone
(888) 909-2822
This camp, hosted by the Libertyville School District, offers a variety of STEM-focused programs for students in grades 1-8. Programs include coding, robotics, engineering challenges, and science experiments.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Various locations in Libertyville
Phone
(847) 362-5000
The Naperville Park District offers a variety of summer camps, including some with STEM components. These may include nature exploration, environmental science, and basic engineering activities.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Various locations in Naperville
Phone
(630) 848-5000
The Arlington Heights Park District offers summer camps with various themes, some of which may incorporate STEM activities, such as building challenges, simple machines, and science experiments.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Various locations in Arlington Heights
Phone
(847) 577-3000
The Schaumburg Park District offers a variety of summer camps, including some with STEM components. These may include science experiments, nature exploration, and technology-based activities.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Various locations in Schaumburg
Phone
(847) 985-2100
The Glenview Park District offers a variety of summer camps, including some with STEM components. These may include outdoor science activities, nature exploration, and technology-based programs.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Various locations in Glenview
Phone
(847) 724-5670
STEM Kids Chicago offers a variety of STEM-focused summer camps for children ages 4-14. Their camps cover topics like robotics, coding, engineering, and science experiments. They have locations in various Chicago suburbs.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Various locations in Chicago suburbs
Phone
(847) 783-2633
The Chicago Botanic Garden offers a variety of summer camps for children and teens, with some camps focusing on plant science, ecology, and environmental education. Students participate in outdoor activities, explore the gardens, and learn about the natural world.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
Phone
(847) 835-5440
The Morton Arboretum offers a variety of summer camps for children and teens, with some camps focusing on tree science, ecology, and environmental education. Students participate in outdoor activities, explore the arboretum, and learn about the natural world.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532
Phone
(630) 968-0074
Mad Science offers fun and educational science camps for kids. They cover a wide range of science topics through hands-on experiments and activities. They have locations throughout the Chicago area.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Various locations in Chicago and suburbs
Phone
(847) 729-0770
Summer camps are great, but the real portfolio comes from competing. See every FIRST Robotics team in IL — plus pathways, deadlines, and pick lists for math, coding, science, and research competitions.
We list 44+ STEM summer camps in Chicago, IL across AI & machine learning, coding, robotics, science, math, space, and cybersecurity. Top picks vary by your child's age and interests — use the category filters above to compare programs by price, duration, and format.
Prices in our Chicago directory range from free community programs to $3,000+ for university-hosted pre-college tracks. Most full-day weekly camps run $400–$900 per week; specialized AI and research programs typically run $1,000–$2,500 for the full program. Click any camp for current pricing.
Camps in our Chicago listings cover elementary (typically ages 6–10), middle school (11–13), high school (14–18), and selective pre-college research programs for rising seniors. Filter by age group to see only programs that match your child.
Yes — many of our listed programs offer fully online or hybrid formats, especially in AI, coding, and research. Online options are open to students nationwide, including Chicago-area kids who can't travel to an in-person camp. Look for the “Virtual Camp” filter or any program tagged Online / Hybrid in the details.
Yes. Several listings are pre-college programs hosted by universities — including residential and commuter options. These are competitive admissions with applications often closing in March/April for summer cohorts. Use the Pre-College filter at the top to see only these programs.
