The University of Maryland's College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences offers summer programs for kids of all ages. Many camps are offered annually, so even if your favorite option is full, refer to this list for next year. All camps are in person unless otherwise noted.
2024 Summer Camps
Advanced Physics Summer Program
Students entering grades 9-12
Participants learn about topics such as relativity, antimatter, biophysics, quantum mechanics, physical uncertainty, quantum computing and more. The two-week program is filled with hands-on lab activities, visits to cutting-edge research labs, discussions with professors and graduate students who conduct modern physics research and a project to make the discussions of modern topics tangible. Students are introduced to topics that will likely not be offered in their high school classes, from Einstein’s thought experiments to current applications in code breaking.
Amazing Science Discovery Camp
Students entering grades 3-5
Each camp day is filled with exciting experiments, interesting projects and educational demonstrations. Activities engage students in developing curiosity, building knowledge and increasing their appreciation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in their daily lives and future careers.
AI Summer Program
Students entering grades 10-12
In this two-week research experience, high schoolers apply Python skills to real-world artificial intelligence projects facilitated by university faculty. Accepted students must complete about 25 hours of asynchronous content before the start date.
Brin Maryland Mathematics Camp
Students entering grades 9-12
This two-week summer day camp is for strongly motivated high school students. Admission to the camp is competitive and requires a teacher's recommendation and good familiarity with advanced mathematics. The program is intense and challenging, with lectures, problem-solving sessions and other mathematical activities.
Bug Camp: Insects, Science & Society
Ages 7-12
Through hands-on activities and interactive field trips, campers gain science experience in the field and the lab, and come away with an understanding of the important relationship between humans and insects.
CompSciConnect
Students entering grades 6-8
During this three-year program, students learn more advanced skills each summer and meet once a month throughout the school year to maintain those skills. Students explore block-based programming (i.e., Scratch) (Yellow group); web design programming with HTML, CSS and JavaScript (Red group); and 3D game design programming (Terp group), along with cybersecurity/safety, cryptology, number bases, logic and computer use skills. The program emphasizes how these skills connect to other areas of study and to making the world a better place.
Create Tech
Students entering grades 8-12
In this interactive experience, middle and high schoolers engage in topics in Python, human-computer interaction and immersive media design while designing prototypes to address contemporary issues of their choice.
Girls Talk Math
Students entering grades 9-12
Camp activities over the two weeks involve learning mathematics outside of the standard curriculum and attending mini-lectures on math, as well as recording and publishing a podcast about a famous female mathematician. Additional events may include panels and interviews with female mathematicians.
The Physics of Quidditch
Students entering grades 6-8
Campers learn about the physical universe by exploring the magic of the world of Harry Potter and the concepts of mechanics, optics, magnetism and modern physics. Campers are sorted into “houses” and compete in a weeklong Try-Physics Tournament and Quidditch Cup. The camp culminates in a luncheon for participants and parents, a presentation of science concepts learned and the championship quidditch match.
Secure IT Summer Academy
Students entering grades 6-8
Is computing taking over the world too quickly? Do you wonder if the technology you use is safe? Who created the code behind your app? Students interested in the growing field of cybersecurity learn at this camp to think like a cyber detective and employ design thinking to protect the things they interact with daily (smart technologies, wearables, internet sites). They use creative problem-solving to design, code and protect various systems designed to help people across many fields.
Volcano Camp
Students entering grades 10-12
Do you have what it takes to be a professional volcanologist? This summer program invites Prince George's County high school students and UMD Terrapin Teachers to spend a week learning about volcanoes and experiencing hands-on volcanology research.