STEM

APS encourages and supports the integration of computer science throughout the entire school year, and we dedicate the month of December to celebrating the fun of coding! Our Computer Science Education Week which provides an opportunity to participate in the worldwide celebration of the “Hour of Code!” (more info: www.hourofcode.com)

Our event offers a variety of coding and programming activities for students in grades PreK-12th grade and their families.

APS Let’s Code!

2023 Hour of code, APS Let’s Code!

Kenmore Middle School

November 30, 2023

5:30-8:30p.m.

For ways to get involved with this annual event in Arlington Public Schools, please contact the STEM Specialist: rosalita.santiago@apsva.us

Adam Nesbitt was a Technology Education teacher (Tech Ed) at Gunston and, in his memory, we are working to introduce Robotics (one of his passions) to all students across the county. Each year in April, we host a day to showcase robotics activities for all ages, as well as a robotics competition for middle and high school students.

Check back for information on the 2024 Adam Nesbitt Robotics Day!

Engineers Week 2024 will be February 18-24.

Learn More on the Engineers Week website

• Black STEM Innovators & Leaders- For More Information
• Types of Engineering for Kids’ Exploration- For More Information
• Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (Feb 23 )- For More Information 

Year-round & Summer Camp Opportunities:

• Arlington Summer Camps – List of summer camp opportunities in and around Arlington
• Boolean Girl – Offered in some APS Schools during the school year. Educating girls to code, build, invent, and animate. Providing enrichment classes, all-girl camps, special events. Preparing girls to explore computer programming and engineering
• Engineering for Kids – Kids ages 4 to 14 are introduced to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education through programs such as after-school programs, classes, camps, workshops, and birthday parties.
• iD Tech Camp– (application and fee required) Master new tech skills for ages 7-17 held at Georgetown, American, Howard, the University of the District of Columbia, Stanford, Princeton, and 150+ locations nationwide
• NOVA SySTEMic Solutions @ NVCC Summer Camps (registration and fee – scholarships available) STEM-based camps are on a variety of topics including robotics, cybersecurity and health sciences
• Rosie Riveters – Offered in some APS Schools & Libraries during the school year. Provides a fun space for girls ages 4­-14 to imagine, create and play while developing their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Our goal is to equip and empower girls to be strong, confident, and competent in the fields of STEM through hands on projects and mentorship programs
• Science Buddies – Organization offers several programs which use fun and play to help teach and introduce science and engineering concepts

Celebrations, Festivals, and Other Cool Opportunities

• Smithsonian Museums, Galleries and Zoo – (free) explore a local museum
• USA Science & Engineering Festival (Free, no registration required) X STEM DC The USA Science & Engineering Festival will return to Washington, D.C.! They are now virtual conferences that are perfect for teens, children, and families who want to inspire their curious minds

Middle School

• Girls Who Code – Offered in some APS Schools during the school year. Girls Who Code Campus offers two-week summer coding courses for girls ages 10-18 in cities across the country Link to Course Catalog
• REI – Register for a class (some are free and some have a fee)
• Smithsonian Museums, Galleries and Zoo – (free) explore a local museum
• USA Science & Engineering Festival (Free, no registration required)  X STEM DC The USA Science & Engineering Festival will return to Washington, D.C.! They are now virtual conferences that are perfect for teens, children, and families who want to inspire their curious minds
• StellarCamp 2022 -A fun space system design cam for 6th through 12th graders. Participants get to learn about aspects of space system design with no prior experience required.

High School

• Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program – 2-week virtual program or a 6-week self-paced program for current 9th-11th graders.
• Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) –  Free, three-week introduction to computer science for graduating high school seniors with a passion for technology.  CSSI is not your average summer camp. It’s an intensive, interactive, hands-on and fun program that seeks to inspire the tech leaders and innovators of tomorrow by supporting the study of computer science, software engineering and other closely related subjects.
• Naval Academy STEM Camp – Rising 9th 10th & 11th graders – STEM is all about exploring, creating, building, and making things better, and the Naval Academy STEM  Program allows you to do just that.  You will work with students from all over the country as you test your problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills
• NOVA SySTEMic Solutions STEM Camps (registration and fee – scholarships available) These STEM-based camps are on a variety of topics including robotics, cybersecurity and health sciences.  Camp start dates vary.
• REI – Register for a class (some are free and some have a fee)
• Smithsonian Museums, Galleries and Zoo – (free) explore a local museum
• Society of American Military Engineers – Camps feature hands-on activities, conducted in a competitive environment, promoting teamwork, leadership, project management, and problem solving.  Each camp has a unique curriculum with the common thread being a challenging environment and hands-on activities and are designed for high school students who excel in STEM and are interested in pursuing a degree in STEM in college.
• StellarCamp 2022 A fun space system design cam for 6th through 12th graders. Participants get to learn about aspects of space system design with no prior experience required.