Summer@IMSA – Metro East

Summer is a time to thrive!

Registration is open!

This year, camps will be held in Belleville and O’Fallon for students interested in hands-on exploration of STEM content. An Early Bird Registration Discount is available for some programs, now through March 31!

A limited number of financial need-based scholarships are available for all of our programs. For select Summer@IMSA day programs for grades 1-8 in the MetroEast region, dependents of all armed services members and DoD civilians are eligible for a Family Military Affiliation scholarship. Read more about applying and qualifying for a scholarship at this link under the “Scholarship Information” section.

Please register your student for the grade they will be entering in the 2025-2026 school year. The links below provide more information about Summer@IMSA registration and policies, and access to our FAQ.

If you have questions regarding Summer@IMSA in the MetroEast, contact our team at studentenrichment@imsa.edu or 618.791.3855.

Grades 1 – 8 Programs

Early Bird Discount Available - $25 off each registration fee for this program now through March 31st!

Did you know that the wings of a butterfly have patterns that help them blend into their surroundings? In Pattern Lab: Where Math and Science Meet!, 1st and 2nd graders will embark on a fun-filled adventure exploring the magic of patterns through math and science! Campers will uncover how patterns appear in shapes, numbers, and designs all around us. They’ll play exciting games, solve tricky puzzles, and create beautiful art, all while learning how math and science work together to form patterns. With hands-on activities and imaginative creations, kids will use their problem-solving skills to explore patterns in everything from nature to music, discovering that math and science are everywhere, just waiting to be uncovered!

*A limited number of scholarship based on either family military affiliation or financial need are available for this program. Please view our program policies here.

Early Bird Discount Available - $25 off each registration fee for this program now through March 31st!

Ready to become a junior scientist and unlock the mysteries of chemistry? In this exciting STEM-based summer camp for 3rd and 4th graders, campers will dive into the world of chemistry through hands-on experiments and cool investigations! They’ll explore basic chemistry principles, learn how to design and carry out experiments, and become real-life problem-solvers. From testing reactions to analyzing results, campers will take on the role of experts, solving fun challenges and conducting experiments to gather and interpret data. With plenty of chances to apply their new skills in simulations, kids will make evidence-based decisions and share their discoveries in a variety of exciting settings.

*A limited number of scholarship based on either family military affiliation or financial need are available for this program. Please view our program policies here.

Early Bird Discount Available - $25 off each registration fee for this program now through March 31st!

Ready to join the Fire Academy Rescue and become a hero in the world of fire safety? In this thrilling STEM-based summer camp for 5th and 6th graders, campers will explore the science of fire, rescue tactics, and the latest innovations in fire rescue! Through hands-on activities, they’ll learn how fire starts, how to control it, and how to think strategically in fire rescue situations. Campers will use math to calculate distances for rescue missions, develop problem-solving skills, and sharpen their writing as they create and analyze shift reports.

*A limited number of scholarship based on either family military affiliation or financial need are available for this program. Please view our program policies here.

Early Bird Discount Available - $25 off each registration fee for this program now through March 31st!

Get ready for a high-energy adventure where science, strategy, and teamwork come together to save the day! In this exciting STEM summer camp for 7th and 8th graders, campers will dive into hands-on, inquiry-based activities like culturing yeast, separating molecules with gel electrophoresis, and synthesizing and isolating proteins—just like real biotechnologists! Students will explore the basics of DNA, while also learning essential STEM skills like problem-solving, data analysis, and critical thinking. By the end of the camp, campers will have discovered how biotechnology is changing the world—and they’ll be ready to take on the science of tomorrow!

*A limited number of scholarship based on either family military affiliation or financial need are available for this program. Please view our program policies here.



Grades 8 – 12 Programs




Forensics Murder Mystery (for rising 10th-12th graders)


in partnership with SIU-Edwardsville, SIU-Carbondale, Saint Louis University, and SWIC Police Academy



This Murder to Trial program introduces students to the investigation of a possible crime, the processing of forensic evidence and using of the acquired evidence and the results of an analysis of evidence at trial. Students will have to process a mock crime scene where they will learn through experience as they collect evidence. They will complete laboratory analyses and conclude with a mock trial.


This program is FREE (includes lunch) thanks to the generous sponsorship from SIU Simmons Law School.


Registration deadline: April 21, 2025 (or until capacity is reached, then a waitlist will be started) 




Register Now




StellarXPlorers Summer Camp (for rising 8th-12th graders)


in partnership with Southwestern Illinois College and the Air & Space Forces Association



StellarXplorers, a STEM program by the Air & Space Forces Association, inspires middle and high school students to pursue careers in space and other critical STEM fields. 


StellarCamps are engaging, hands-on space system design camps requiring no prior experience. Participants explore satellite coverage, payload determination, and Systems Tool Kit (STK) software through teamwork and problem-solving. 


Designed for students new to aerospace or looking to expand their knowledge, StellarCamps offer four days of instruction and a final day of friendly competition. Topics include space exploration history, satellite design, rocket types, and orbit planning, reinforced through interactive activities and a mini-competition.


This program is FREE (includes lunch) thanks to the generous sponsorship from one of our partners.


Registration deadline: June 30, 2025 (or until capacity is reached, then a waitlist will be started) 




Register Now




SWIC Aviation Summer Sampler Camp (for rising 11th-12th graders)


Day 1 – 2:



Day 3:



Students will learn about the world of aviation while being led by current professionals in the aeronautics field. Students will experience flight simulators, drones, computer-aided drafting, aviation maintenance, machining, student/professional panel, guest speakers, and an optional flight in the cockpit of a real plane. Students must have their own transportation to/from camp each day and commit to attending all three days in full.


Program cost: $75


Registration deadline: June 30, 2025 (or until capacity is reached, then a waitlist will be started) 




Register Now



							

			



	


	
		

		    
Contact


Dawn Waller, M.S.


Innovation Hub Manager

618.791.3855

dwaller@imsa.edu


2300 W. Main St.

Belleville, IL 62226

		


	
		

		    
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support of our youth STEM outreach programs.