Teachers who wish to work with us at the summer academies: Click here.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
JOIN OUR SUMMER 2026 STEM LEARNING!
STEM Summer Academies 2026
- Dates: June 8 – July 31, 2026
- Times: 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday through Friday
Location: Tri-Valley: Las Positas College; East Bay: Cal State East Bay Concord Campus - Program Tuition: East Bay Academies only–$500/per week (includes curriculum materials, light breakfast, snacks and lunch, field trip transportation)
What students can expect when attending a one- or two-week academy:
- Develop professional skills and work-ready essential skills
- Engage with industry experts in training and problem-based learning
- Expand knowledge of industry practices and career opportunities
- Have fun while building strong leadership and teamwork skills
- Form strong relationships with peers exploring STEM careers
For Tri-Valley students attending academies at Las Positas, confirmation of attendance will be via e-mail. There are no fees to attend due to a grant from the California Community College Strong Workforce Program funds.
For East Bay students attending academies at Cal State East Bay Concord Campus, there is a fee of $500 for one-week academies and $1000 for two-week academies. Payment is required via PayPal at the time of registration. No fee waivers are available in 2026.
| COMPLETE ON-LINE REGISTRATION | COMPLETE THE APPLICATION PACKET | PAY THE REGISTRATION FEE (IF APPLICABLE) |
|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | STEP 2 | STEP 3 |
| The first step in the Summer Academy Registration process is to complete the online registration. | Step 2 is to download the 2026 General Appllication Packet (below), complete it and email to apriltreece@ba-leeds.org or mail it to Bay Area LEEDS using the address provided on the first page of the application. | If a fee is required, you will receive Bay Area LEEDS notification of your acceptance into the academy(ies) upon payment. If you are a student from the Tri-Valley, you will be notified via email upon acceptance to the academ(ies) of choice. |
| PLEASE NOTE: Attendance for all days of each of the academy’s is required in order to participate. No exceptions. |
BIOTECHNOLOGY
July 6-10, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Location: Cal State East Bay Concord Campus
Registration Fee: $500
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 of CRISPR, a revolutionary gene editing tool, on society including the ethics surrounding these ‘real world’ topics that affect our society.
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
July 20-July 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Location: Cal State East Bay Concord Campus
Registration Fee: $1000
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.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
July 27-31, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Location: Cal State East Bay Concord Campus
Registration Fee: $500
Students spend the week working in teams conducting authentic laboratory experiments aligned with in-the-field studies, and hearing from keynote speakers. A special focus is on leading edge green technologies in use in the region. All activities contribute to information used to create a team project to be shared with a panel of industry representatives. Aspects of Environmental Engineering are emphasized throughout.
The academies offered in the Tri-Valley are made possible through a grant from the Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Program and are open to high school students from Livermore Valley Joint, Pleasanton, and Dublin unified school districts free of charge.
If space is available, students from other school districts may be accepted into each of the academies with appropriate registration fees applied.
GIRLS WHO DESIGN+BUILD with Solar Power & Renewable Resources
June 8-12, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Location: Las Positas College
Registration Fee: Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin (fee sponsored); all others $500
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
MANUFACTURING: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY & ROBOTICS
July 6-17, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Location: Las Positas College
Registration Fee: Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin (fee sponsored); all others $1000
Learn about the science and technology involved in robotic systems. Working together, students will learn about robotic system concepts and integration, safety, human interfaces, and 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.
GREEN ENERGY: DRONE FLIGHT & CODING
July 20-24, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Location: Las Positas College
Registration Fee: Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin (fee sponsored); all others $500
Learn how to program drones using block coding. Have fun flying drones in an indoor obstacle course. Discover the industrial applications of drones.
For those students attending an East Bay Offering, GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT NOW! PAY THE EAST BAY ACADEMY FEE below and your spot at the academy will be secured. Up to 40 students will be accepted at each East Bay Academy. Please note that payment in full is due at the time of registration.
REFUND POLICY:
Payment is due in full via PayPal upon submission of on-line registration form.
– Cancellation notifications received at least 7 days prior to the first day of class will receive a 50% refund.
– Registration cancellation notifications received less than 7 days prior to the first day are not eligible for any refund.
– Should your course be cancelled due to low enrollment, you will receive a full refund for the cancelled course.
– Registration is not completed until payment is received. If payment is not received within 48 hours of registration, the reserved spot will be released.
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
“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.”
— Summer Camp Student
“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!
Collaborating Sponsors
Bishop-Wisecarver
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
California State University East Bay
Cal Pine Corporation
City of Hayward
Contra Costa Building Trades Council (IBEW Local 304, Carpenters Local 152, and Sheet Metal Workers Local 104)
Contra Costa Community Health
Contra Costa Environmental Health
Contra Costa Transportation Authority
Contra Costa Water District
East Bay Regional Parks District
Eichleay Engineers
Gillig
Innovative Genomics Institute
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 302
Jacobs
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Operating Engineers Local 3
PG&E
Sheet Metal Workers Local 104
Tesla
TRB+Associates
Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Program
Turner Construction Company
USDA Western Region Research Center
Interested in sponsoring?
April Treece
Bay Area LEEDS CEO
apriltreece@ba-leeds.org
(925) 408-6373
Questions about registration:
Amy Kerns
Community Outreach
communityoutreach@ba-leeds.org
(925) 681-9149