Learning for the Future
One of Bay Area LEEDS’ goals is to provide summer enrichment opportunities for high school students and teachers. The STEM Series of summer camps offers the opportunity to explore theory and practice in week-long experiences that blend hands-on exploration, problem-solving, and presentations by experts, combined with college credit.
In 2022, more than 90 industry partners participated in the summer work-based learning camp experiences Bay Area LEEDS provides.
In a six-week period, 250 students from 41 different high schools gathered for seven unique summer camps, listened to fascinating lectures from industry professionals, participated in high-quality lab work, went on exciting field trips, and met like-minded students from Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.
Twenty-five teachers received high-quality teacher professional development and facilitated student teams at STEM academies indirectly reaching more than 2500 students with leading-edge advances in science & technology, as well as, bringing into classrooms needed relevancy about careers, skill sets required and answers to the age-old student question, “Why do I have to learn this?”
Interested in registering for summer camps? Click the button to be notified when summer camp registration is open.
Teachers who wish to register for the summer camps: Click here.
Students tell us their academy experience makes a difference. About the Biotechnology Summer Academy:
“The Summer Academy really opened me up to the field of biology. Previously, I was set on becoming a businesswoman. However, after the camp I took more science classes. It really has changed my personal outlook on life. In my second year of UC Berkeley, I am now a declared bioengineering major and not a business major.”
To register for the STEM Series of Summer Academies you must first register your interest on-line at the link below. You will also need to submit a Student Registration Packet available here. Lastly, once you receive notification from Bay Area LEEDS staff of your acceptance into the academy(ies) of your liking, you will be asked to pay the registration fee which varies depending upon the academy and its location. A registration fee-waiver is provided for those in need.
Registration fees cover the partial costs of curriculum; field visit transportation; and breakfast, lunch & snacks.
East Bay Offerings
ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION & MANUFACTURING
Students spend the week working in teams learning about all aspects of the industry while engaging in design-build experience using the design process to create a bridge structure which is tested for highest potential weight load through a competition at the end of the week. Industry evaluates team success while providing career exploration opportunities introducing engineering innovations in action. Students develop work readiness competencies, learn about jobs in the regional economy and have fun doing it!
Date: June 12-16
Location: Cal State East Bay Concord Campus
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Registration Fee: $350
DISCOVER ENGINEERING!
Students are immersed in a 5-night 6-day rigorous engineering hands-on experience which blends lecture, laboratories, and career panels. Staying in university dorms, the week-long project begins with the review of a design brief on Sunday evening which culminates in the creation of a bridge structure and autonomous vehicle which is tested and analyzed, and results presented to industry at the conclusion of the program on Friday. Bay Area LEEDS works closely with Cal State East Bay Construction Management and Engineering faculty and Project Lead The Way teachers to design, plan and implement the experience.
Date: June25-30, 2023
Location: Cal State East Bay Hayward Campus
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: Sponsors cover the cost of fees.
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
Learn about the science and technology involved in robotic systems. Working together, students will learn about robotic system concepts and integration, safety, human interfaces, building control systems and industrial applications. A Design Challenge is woven throughout the two weeks. Working in teams, students engage in a full production-line simulation of a model car assembly. Five assembly line stations require unique programming and use of real manufacturing tools and equipment.
Date: July 10-21, 2023
Location: Cal State East Bay Concord Campus
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Registration Fee: $500
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Students spend the week working in teams conducting authentic laboratory experiments. Expert keynote speakers share cutting-edge information to help students investigate a real-world biotech topic to develop a proposal to pitch to a team of investors (industry judges). Students will consider the benefits, disadvantages and the effects on society including the ethics surrounding ‘real world’ topics that affect our society.
Date: July 24-28, 2023
Location: Cal State East Bay Concord Campus
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Registration Fee: $350
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING (Limited registration, college credit)
Students spend the week working in teams conducting authentic laboratory experiments aligned with in-the-field studies, and hearing from keynote speakers. All activities contribute to information used to create a public service announcement to be shared with a panel of industry representatives. Aspects of Environmental Engineering are emphasized throughout.
Date: July 31-August 4, 2023
Location: Cal State East Bay Concord Campus
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Registration Fee: $350
Tri-Valley Offerings
The academies offered in Tri-Valley are open to high school students from Livermore Valley Joint, Pleasanton, and Dublin unified school districts. If space is available, others may be accepted into each of the academies.
Location for the Tri-Valley summer camps will be at Las Positas College in Livermore.
Register here for the Tri-Valley Summer Camps.
GIRLS WHO DESIGN & CONSTRUCT
June 19-23, 2023, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Location: Las Positas College
For incoming 10th, 11th and 12th grade girls.
- Design and build both structures AND moving parts using Arduino programming
- Build-for-purpose aligned with ‘real world’ applications
- Become a maker completing multiple projects
Registration Fee: TBD
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
July 24-August 4, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Location: Las Positas College
Learn about the science and technology involved in robotic systems. Working together, students will learn about robotic system concepts and integration, safety, human interfaces, building control systems and industrial applications. A Design Challenge is woven throughout the two weeks. Working in teams, students engage in a full production-line simulation of a model car assembly. Five assembly line stations require unique programming and use of real manufacturing tools and equipment.
Registration Fee: TBD
DRONE CODING & FLIGHT
June 26-30, 2023, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Location: Las Positas College
For entering Engineering Pathway 9th graders.
- Learn how to program drones using block coding
- Have fun flying drones in an indoor obstacle course
- Discover the industrial applications of drones
Registration Fee: TBD
Summer ACADEMIES made possible by the following sponsors:
A chance for teachers to learn more
Bay Area LEEDS’ Summer STEM Series offers an excellent opportunity for teachers to increase their knowledge about curriculum integration, the use of project-based learning, incorporating work readiness competencies in learning, and also to expand their understanding of career opportunities available in our region in key industry sectors. It is one of the many high-quality teacher professional development opportunities available in the East Bay.
Student and Parent Testimonials
“In just a short week, I learned so much about biotechnology and developed skills that will help me with my future jobs! Along with lectures, we went on field trips and performed experiments, so we could see the science in action. The Biotechnology camp was one of the most rewarding activities I have ever done.”
— Summer Camp Student
“My boys both came home each day truly excited about meeting new students with similar interests and exploring possible careers with technical professionals. And the field trip to Big Break Regional Park was the best field trip they have ever taken!”
— Summer Camp Parent
Our sponsors make a difference in the lives of high school students each summer!
Contributing Sponsors
Bishop-Wisecarver
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Contra Costa Building Trades Council (IBEW Local 304, Carpenters Local 152, and Sheet Metal Workers Local 104)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Contra Costa Water District
Department of Justice Richmond Crime Lab
East Bay Regional Parks District
Eichleay Engineers
Manex
Marathon
Mt. Diablo Adult Education Surgical Technologist Training
Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Program
Turner Construction Company
USDA Western Region Research Center
USS Posco Industries
Interested in sponsoring?
April Treece
Bay Area LEEDS CEO
apriltreece@ba-leeds.org
(925) 672-3759
Questions about registration:
Janice Fujii
Program Administrator
jjfujii9@att.net
(925) 890-2624