Future Lab:
The Science of How Things Work
June 8th - July 31th, 2026
Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM; Extended Care: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM
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Session 1: 6/8 - 6/19
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Session 2: 6/22 - 7/2
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Session 3: 7/6 - 7/17
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Session 4: 7/20 - 7/31
Grades TK - G8
Camp Site: Berkeley Academy, 43475 Ellsworth Street, Fremont CA
An 8-Week Exploration in Chemistry, Energy & Engineering
From kitchen chemistry to clean energy systems, from materials science to engineering innovation — students don’t just learn science. They investigate how the world works, and design what comes next.
Future Lab operates in four structured 2-week laboratory sessions across Summer 2026. Students may enroll in individual sessions or progress through the full 8-week engineering pathway. All sessions are differentiated by grade band (TK–K, G1–2, G3–5, G6–8) to ensure academic rigor and developmental alignment.
Why Future Lab?
TK–K
At Future Lab, children explore how things work through hands-on discovery.
They:
• Observe exciting reactions
• Build simple models
• Test what happens when they change something
• Share their ideas with confidence
This is playful, guided STEM designed to nurture curiosity and problem-solving.
Aligned with:
✔ Careful observation
✔ Cause-and-effect thinking
✔ Early design skills
✔ Confidence in expressing ideas
Grades 1–2
At Future Lab, students begin thinking like young scientists and builders.
They:
• Conduct guided experiments
• Compare results
• Build and improve simple designs
• Explain what they learned
This is structured, hands-on STEM designed to build foundational reasoning skills.
Aligned with:
✔ Fair testing
✔ Beginning data recording
✔ Design-and-improve cycle
✔ Logical thinking
Grades 3–5
At Future Lab, students move beyond worksheets and into applied experimentation.
They:
• Conduct controlled experiments
• Design functional prototypes
• Test, measure, and refine
• Present evidence-based conclusions
This is inquiry-driven STEM that builds analytical confidence.
Aligned with:
✔ Scientific method
✔ Engineering design process
✔ Data analysis
✔ Critical reasoning
Grades 6–8
At Future Lab, students engage in structured applied engineering and scientific analysis.
They:
• Design controlled experiments
• Conduct quantitative testing
• Evaluate system performance
• Defend design decisions using data
This is rigorous, inquiry-driven STEM aligned with pre-engineering and research pathways.
Aligned with:
✔ Experimental design refinement
✔ Engineering trade-off analysis
✔ Systems modeling
✔ Structured scientific argumentation
WHAT MAKES FUTURE LAB DIFFERENT?
TK–K
✔ Small, supportive learning groups
✔ Real materials children can explore safely
✔ Guided discovery through hands-on building
✔ Time to observe, test, and share ideas
This is not passive learning. This is curiosity in action.
Grades 1–2
✔ Small group cohorts
✔ Real materials — not just demonstrations
✔ Structured experiments and simple design challenges
✔ Guided reflection and explanation
This is not passive learning.
This is learning by doing.
Grades 3–5
✔ Small lab cohorts
✔ Real materials — not toy science
✔ Engineering + inquiry approach
✔ Data recording & structured reflection
✔ Iteration and improvement cycles
This is not passive learning.
This is applied STEM.
Grades 6–8
✔ Small, high-focus cohorts
✔ Real laboratory materials
✔ Engineering + research-based inquiry
✔ Formal documentation & data analysis
✔ AI as a structured thinking mirror (Advanced Track)
This is not passive learning.
This is applied science and pre-engineering training.
Session | Theme | TK -K | G1 - 2 | G3 - 5 | G6 - 8 | Field Trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Session 1: 6/8 - 6/19 | Chemistry in the Kitchen
Students explore reactions, acids & bases, emulsions, and food chemistry. | Exploratory Chemistry
Focus: Observation & Sensory Discovery | Guided Investigation
Focus: Beginning Experimental Structure | Structured Experimentation
Focus: Data & Variable Control | Quantitative Chemical Analysis
Focus: Precision & Scientific Reasoning | TBD |
Session 2: 6/22 - 7/3 | Electrifying Tomorrow: Clean Energy Design
Students investigate circuits, renewable energy systems, and power storage. | Discovering Energy & Light
Focus: What makes things light up and move? | Building Basic Energy Systems
Focus: Simple circuit structure & renewable sources | Renewable Energy Engineering
Focus: Efficiency & Energy Transfer | Energy Systems Modeling & Optimization
Focus: System Efficiency & Engineering Trade-offs | TBD |
Session 3: 7/6 - 7/17 | Earth Lab: Nature as Engineer. Understanding how natural systems inspire material strength, flexibility, insulation, and conductivity.
| Exploring Natural Materials
Focus: Touch, compare, observe | Nature-Inspired Design
Focus: Comparing material properties | Materials Testing & Structural Design
Focus: Measuring strength & performance | Applied Materials Science & Systems Engineering
Focus: Quantitative testing & design refinement | TBD |
Session 4: 7/20 - 7/31 | Innovation Studio: Design the Future. Students integrate chemistry, energy systems, and materials science into a final engineering challenge.
| Invent, Build, Share
Focus: Guided invention & creative problem solving | Design & Improve
Focus: Guided engineering cycle | Engineering Challenge Studio
Focus: Structured design process | Applied Innovation & Engineering Defense
Focus: Independent engineering project | TBD |
Daily Schedules
Below is a sample schedule for what students will experience on the day-to-day at camp
AM Time
Activity
9:00AM - 12:00PM
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Team Building Activities
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Core STEM Activity
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Math Kangaroo Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking Challenges
PM Time
1:00PM - 4:00PM
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Reading & STEM Story Discussion
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Creative Design & Maker Projects
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Reflection, Group Sharing, & Cleanup
Extended Care
Activity
4:30PM - 6:00PM
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Art for Kids
Food
10:30 - 10:45
12:00 - 1:00
4:00 - 4:30
AM Snack
Lunch
PM Snack
Fee:
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Full Day Camp: $1,200/session (Camp Shirt, Field Trip, Snack, Lunch, and PM Snack included);
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Half Day Camp: $700/session (AM/PM)
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Field Trip: $100 per trip (for Half day campers only)
Discount:
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$100/50 session off (full/half day): sign up before April 1, 2025
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$50/20 session off (full/half day): sign up before May 15, 2025
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$20/session off (full day only):sign up multi-sessions
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$50 registration fee will be credited to Afterschool students (new and existing)