Compare 52+ 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 Jul 12, 2026
High school students immerse themselves in chemical sciences, gaining hands-on lab experience and exploring various career pathways in chemistry, biology, physics, and medicine.
Age Group
High School
Location
Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL
Phone
N/A
Middle school campers explore relationships between animals, humans, and ecosystems through team building, immersive learning, meeting zoo scientists, and field trips.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
Phone
(312) 742-2322
Students engage in hands-on STEM experiences, building robots, designing climate solutions, exploring microelectronics, and asking big questions about the world.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
Southside STEM Station, 1520 E. Harper Court, Chicago, IL 60631
Phone
(773) 702-8628
Girls explore science, engineering, and biotechnology through interactive experiments, teamwork, and real-world problem solving, with a 'Case Breakers' theme focusing on forensic and epidemiological science.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
Resurrection College Prep High School, 7500 W. Talcott Ave., Chicago, IL 60631
Phone
N/A
A pre-college program for high school students to explore STEM fields and experience a research institution with a strong liberal arts curriculum.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of Chicago campus, Chicago, IL
Phone
N/A
Campers act as citizen scientists, exploring local ecosystems, environmental connections, and pollution through nature walks, habitat observation, and maintaining a class garden.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
1362 E. 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637
Phone
N/A
High school students explore science and engineering through hands-on experiments, research lab visits, and trips to scientific institutions like Argonne National Laboratory, with a focus on quantum science.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Phone
N/A
A free summer math program for high schoolers focusing on advanced mathematics topics and their applications to science, technology, and society.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of Illinois Chicago
Phone
N/A
Elementary school youth engage in inquiry-based STEM learning and explore science concepts through hands-on activities at Boys & Girls Clubs locations in Chicago.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Multiple Locations
Phone
N/A
An intensive two-week program for incoming UIC freshmen, providing hands-on experiences, math preparation, and innovative project-based activities to build a strong academic and social foundation for college.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of Illinois Chicago campus, Chicago, IL
Phone
N/A
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
Field Explorer Camps invite curious kids to step into the role of scientist for a week of hands-on discovery inside the Field Museum, exploring exhibitions and interacting with real specimens.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone
(312) 922-9410
This seven-week paid program allows underrepresented Chicago-area high school students to perform novel research in Materials Science and Engineering, mentored by professional researchers.
Age Group
High School
Location
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Phone
N/A
This one-week enrichment program introduces high school students to quantum science, exploring future careers and academic opportunities in the field.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of Chicago campus, Chicago, IL
Phone
N/A
This online program for high school students explores the foundational concepts of modern artificial intelligence through engaging video lessons and expert mentorship.
Age Group
High School
Location
Virtual
Phone
(847) 467-6703
This interactive program offers high school students experience with real astronomy research, focusing on Python programming, data analysis, and astronomical concepts.
Age Group
High School
Location
1800 Sherman Avenue, 8th Floor, Evanston, IL
Phone
(847) 467-6703
An 8-week paid research program where high school and undergraduate students work with data science mentors on rigorous, applied, interdisciplinary projects.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Phone
N/A
Offers hands-on STEM experiences blending science, fun, and creativity through experiments and innovation activities for young scientists.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
Multiple Locations
Phone
N/A
High school students explore career paths in molecular engineering, computer science, or physical sciences through academic and practical learning activities.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of Chicago campus, Chicago, IL
Phone
N/A
Offers hands-on maker experiences where campers design and build creations, engaging in challenges with vehicles, miniatures, and robots.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
Multiple Locations
Phone
N/A
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.
Looking for a STEM summer camp near you? This free Chicago directory lists 264+ local and online programs across the Chicago metro area — including AI, coding, robotics, science, and math camps for kids, middle schoolers, and high school students. Compare prices, dates, age groups, and formats, then filter by focus area above to find the closest match for Summer 2026.
We list 264+ 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.
