Connected Science Learning For Everyone!

Teachers: Summer 2026 applications will open soon.

Choose ONE of two, three-week sessions:

Session 1: June 22 – July 16
Skyline 3rd grade Environments & Survival

Session 2: July 20 – Aug 6
Skyline 3rd grade Balancing Forces

* Session 1 will be off the week of June 29 for the 4th of July holiday.

Teachers and youth engage in inquiry-based STEM learning at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago summer camp.

TEACHER PROGRAM

Summer Practicum

School Year Support

Authentic Science & NGSS

Teachers participate in a week of workshops on the Northwestern University downtown campus, connecting the Next Generation Science Standards to the Chicago Public Schools third grade science curriculum. You’ll visit real research labs, dissect one of the new CPS curricular units with experienced science teachers, and explore what NGSS means for your classroom.

Classroom Support

It’s not always easy to bring a new curriculum to your classroom. We want to help you succeed the first year implementing Next Generation Science Standards. During the school year, we’ll help ensure you have access to the curricular supplies you need to implement one module from the CPS third grade science curriculum. We’ll also support your classroom by visiting for one lesson.

Apply Your New Skills

Teachers also participate in a two-week practicum at the Boys & Girls Clubs summer camp. Work with a teacher buddy to co-lead short science lessons with elementary school youth (ages 7-9). Get the support of experienced science teachers and Northwestern University scientists. Spend one day a week reviewing challenges, sharing ideas, and celebrating successes with your fellow teachers back at the Northwestern campus.

Professional Learning Community

We’ll organize a series of evening meetings with you, your fellow teachers and Science Club Summer Camp staff to help prepare for curriculum implementation, to review successes and challenges in your classroom, and to help you adapt the Next Generation Science Standards for your students. Meetings will occur in the weeks leading up to, during, and after your curricular unit implementation so you’ll be supported from start to finish.

YOUTH PROGRAM

Boys & Girls Clubs Summer Camp

Program Enrollment

Camp at the Club

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago summer camp is open for children and teens (ages 6 – 14) all summer long. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm. Kids get to play games, create art projects, learn dance, and go on fun field trips around Chicago. Additional registration fees are typically required for enrollment.

Eligibility

Science Club Summer Camp is open to elementary school youth (ages 7-9). Members must be enrolled in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago summer camp at either the Pedersen-McCormick or True Value locations in order to participate. Youth will be selected by Boys & Girls Club Directors. Continued enrollment in the program depends on reliable attendance and good behavior. Spaces are limited.

Real Science, Real Fun

As part of the Boys & Girls Club summer camp, approximately 100 youth will be selected for Science Club Summer Camp. Kids will participate in engaging, hands-on science and engineering investigations and will work in teams to solve real world problems. Science Club Summer Camp members are expected to attend three science sessions a week (Monday – Wednesday, six hours total).

Scholarship

Youth enrolled in Science Club Summer Camp qualify for a scholarship to the Boys & Girls Clubs summer camp. The scholarship covers the full cost of the summer camp. Science Club Summer Camp members are eligible to participate in all five days of programming and field trips.

PROGRAM LOCATIONS

Science Club Summer Camp takes place at two Boys & Girls Clubs locations- the Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club in Uptown and the True Value Boys & Girls Club in Little Village. Youth programming happens at these clubs all summer long while teachers spend two weeks at one of the two clubs. Teachers also spend one week on the Northwestern University downtown campus. Teachers will attend workshops and will also tour real research labs.

Northwestern University Evanston Campus

Location: 1801 Maple Ave
Evanston, IL 60208

Pedersen-McCormick
Boys & Girls Club 

Location: 4835 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60640

True Value
Boys & Girls Club 

Location: 2950 W 25th St
Chicago, IL 60623

Pedersen-McCormick Club

PM Club

True Value Club Title

True Value Club