College for Kids (Summer Youth Programs)
College for Kids is a summer program at STCC that exposes participants between ages 11 and 16 (unless otherwise specified) to engaging learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fields. College for Kids will give tweens and teens the chance to have fun while learning in a college environment!
Summer 2026 Program Details
June 22 – August 14, 2026
Weekly sessions | Students enroll in one course per week
Monday – Friday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Full-day, immersive learning experience
- Tuition is $260 per week
- Courses offered during the week of June 29–July 2 will run for four days due to a campus closure in observance of the July 3 federal holiday. Tuition for this week is $208.
- Seats are limited, and courses require a minimum enrollment to run. Early registration is encouraged.
- Complete the registration form linked at the bottom of this page to choose your courses and sign up.
Summer 2026 Courses
I Want to Start My Own Business
Ages: 13-16
Offered: June 22-26 | June 29–July 2
Future CEOs start here. This interactive course introduces students to the exciting world of entrepreneurship and business creation. Participants will explore what it truly takes to launch and manage a business — from marketing and branding to finance, operations, and customer engagement.
Students will learn the foundational principles behind successful businesses while developing their own original product or service concept. Throughout the week, they will build their brand, identify their target audience, outline costs and pricing, and prepare a simple business plan.
The program culminates in a final presentation where students pitch their business idea - building confidence, creativity, and real-world thinking skills. Blending practical knowledge with innovation and imagination, this course empowers teens to think like entrepreneurs and envision their future as business leaders.
Custom Design Studio: Airbrush and Print Lab
Ages: 13-18
Offered: June 22–June 26 | July 6–July 10 | July 13–July 17
This hands-on creative studio introduces students to the dynamic world of custom design and wearable art. Participants will explore professional airbrushing techniques, learning how to control color, create smooth blends, and transform their ideas into original works of art.
Students will then elevate their designs through dye sublimation and vinyl printing using industry-standard techniques to produce custom apparel, merchandise, and branded products. Using professional design software and studio equipment, each student will create a personalized T-shirt and custom tumbler to take home.
Blending creativity with real-world production skills, this course empowers students to express themselves while gaining hands-on experience in modern design and print technology.
My Journey, My Purpose, My Plan: Creative Writing and Story Development
Ages: 11-16
Offered: June 22-26
This creative writing course invites students to explore storytelling as a way to reflect on personal experiences, express ideas, and imagine their future. Through guided writing prompts, group discussions, and creative exercises, participants will learn how to organize thoughts, develop characters, and structure a compelling narrative.
Students will build their own original short book that explores their past experiences, present strengths, challenges they have overcome, and goals for the future. Along the way, they will strengthen writing skills, develop confidence in communication, and discover how storytelling can be a powerful tool for self-expression.
All in Your Head: The Biology of You
Ages: 11-16
Offered: June 29–July 2 | July 6–July 10
This course introduces students to the fundamental biology of the brain and nervous system. Participants will examine how neurons communicate, how the brain coordinates movement and sensation, and how emotions and memory shape daily life.
Students will explore how information travels between the brain and body, how we process experiences, and how learning occurs. Through interactive models and guided activities, participants will strengthen scientific vocabulary while building a foundational understanding of human biology.
This course is ideal for students curious about psychology, biology, or medicine who want an early introduction to brain science.
Creative Coding
Ages: 13-16
Offered: June 29–July 2 | July 6-10
This course introduces students to the creative side of computer programming by combining coding with art, animation, and interactive design. Participants will learn how simple code can be used to create digital drawings, moving graphics, games, and interactive experiences.
Using beginner-friendly programming platforms, students will experiment with color, motion, patterns, and user interaction while learning fundamental coding concepts such as sequencing, loops, and logic. The course emphasizes creativity and experimentation, showing how technology can be used as a tool for artistic expression.
Fashion Design 101 by JUS10
Ages: 12-17
Offered: July 13–July 17 | July 27–July 31
Step into the world of fashion design and creative styling in this immersive program led by a professional designer and tailor.
Students will explore the foundational elements of fashion, including silhouette, fabric selection, construction basics, and personal styling techniques. Participants will develop mood boards, experiment with textile materials, and learn how designers transform inspiration into wearable concepts.
Throughout the week, students will refine their creative vision while gaining practical exposure to basic sewing techniques and garment styling. Emphasis is placed on design thinking, presentation, and developing a distinct aesthetic voice.
Creating Mobile Apps
Ages: 12-14
Offered: July 13–July 17
This course introduces students to the process of designing and developing a mobile application—from idea to interactive prototype. Participants will learn how successful apps are structured, how user experience influences design, and how digital products are built to solve real-world problems.
Throughout the week, students will generate an original app concept, define its purpose and target audience, design screen layouts, and create a working prototype using beginner-friendly development tools. Emphasis is placed on problem-solving, logical thinking, and thoughtful digital design.
Digital Photography and Visual Storytelling
Ages: 10-16
Offered: July 20-24 | August 3-7
This course introduces students to the creative and technical foundations of digital photography. Participants will learn how photographers use composition, lighting, perspective, and timing to capture compelling images and communicate ideas through visual storytelling.
Through guided photo walks, hands-on exercises, and creative challenges, students will practice capturing portraits, action shots, and everyday scenes while developing a stronger understanding of framing, movement, and visual narrative.
Students will also explore how photographers use images to tell stories, express emotion, and document the world around them.
Design and Science in the Landscape
Ages: 11-16
Offered: July 20-24
Be in landscape architecture and plant science for a week! Step into the world of landscape design and plant science! In this fun, hands-on week, students will explore how outdoor spaces are created and cared for. From learning about trees and gardens to designing their own landscapes, kids will get to think like real landscape professionals.
Throughout the week, students will:
- Discover how trees grow and even learn a simple way to measure a tree’s height
- Practice pruning shrubs using real hand pruners (with guidance)
- Dig up and divide plants to grow new ones
- Design their own flower garden and small front yard landscape
- Mix concrete and create a custom birdbath to take home
- Build and plant a small garden on campus
- Select flowers and assemble their own planter box
This class is perfect for curious kids who love being outdoors, getting their hands dirty, and creating something from scratch!
Web Wizards: Create Your Own Website
Ages: 12-14
Offered: July 20-24
In this interactive course, students will learn how websites are designed and built while creating their own personalized website from start to finish. Participants will explore the fundamentals of web development, including page layout, navigation, visual design, and user experience.
Using beginner-friendly tools and web design platforms, students will learn how to organize content, design visually engaging pages, and publish a functional website that showcases their interests, ideas, or projects.
Along the way, students will also gain insight into how websites support businesses, communication, and digital storytelling in today’s online world.
Art & Design Basics
Ages: 10-16
Offered: July 27–July 31
Great design starts with strong fundamentals. In this studio-based course, students are introduced to the core principles of two-dimensional (2D) design. Through structured projects and guided practice, participants will study how artists use line, shape, color, pattern, texture, and space to create balanced and compelling visual compositions.
Students will build technical drawing skills, strengthen visual problem-solving abilities, and develop an understanding of design as a powerful form of communication. Projects may draw inspiration from historical and cultural movements, helping students see how art connects to the world around them.
Throughout the week, students will refine their ideas from concept to completion while learning proper studio techniques and safe material use.
Snake Byte: Intro to Python Programming
Ages: 12-14
Offered: July 27-31
Learn how to code with Python, one of the world's most popular coding languages. There is no coding experience necessary for this class. Begin learning by developing a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts of coding: input/output, variables, calculations, conditional and looping statements. Students will code various projects, including their own Mad Libs and rock, paper, scissors games using Python.
Wired for Action: The Roots of Behavior, Emotions, and Memory
Ages: 11-16
Offered: August 3–August 7 | August 10–August 14
This academically focused course introduces students to the biological foundations of human behavior. Participants will examine how the brain and nervous system influence the way we think, feel, remember, and respond to the world around us.
Students will study the structure and function of neurons, explore how different regions of the brain communicate, and analyze how signals travel throughout the nervous system. The course also examines how emotions are processed, how memories are formed and retrieved, and how genetics and hormones influence behavior.
Through interactive models, guided discussion, and applied activities, students will gain a foundational understanding of neuroscience concepts typically introduced at the high school or early college level.
Basketball and Physics
Ages: 11-16
Offered: August 3-7
The Springfield Ballers will help players of all abilities develop their athletic skills and enhance their skill set in all positions. Our staff of college basketball coaches will provide players with personalized instructions, defensive/offensive instructions, participation in scrimmages, proper warm-ups/cool-down techniques, and health and nutrition fun facts. The Springfield Ballers' core values are a focus on academics, respect, community, and leadership. We will work with your child by enriching their intellectual and social skills through sports in a challenging and safe environment. Each child will walk away from this summer program with drills and skill development routines to progress their individual basketball skills with the purpose of creating a complete and well-rounded student-athlete.
The Great Debaters: Civic Conversations, Media Literacy, & Public Speaking
Ages: 11-16
Offered: August 10-14
This engaging, high-energy course introduces students to discussion, respectful disagreement, and persuasive communication. Participants will explore civic issues, current events, and age-appropriate global topics while learning to research information, evaluate sources, and express opinions with confidence. Through guided conversations, structured debates, and interactive activities, students will examine news, sports, social media, and community topics while learning to support their ideas with facts and evidence.
Students will work in teams, rotating through roles such as debater, researcher, analyst, and presenter. Activities focus on building listening skills, teamwork, media literacy, and respectful communication. Throughout the week, students will practice public speaking, develop arguments, and ask thoughtful questions. The program culminates in a Great Debate, with an optional Oratorical Showcase for individual speakers.
The course concludes with a judged debate, certificates, and a team celebration, helping students build confidence, leadership, and skills for academic success.
On The Mend: Repair, Reinforce, and Restyle!
Ages: 11-16
Offered: August 10-14
In this hands-on course, kids will learn how to fix and refresh their clothes and accessories using fun and creative mending techniques. Students will explore simple ways to repair rips, holes, and worn-out areas while also making their clothing stronger and more unique. Through demonstrations and guided practice, they’ll document their ideas in journals with drawings and notes. Along the way, students will create useful items and build confidence in caring for their belongings. By the end of the course, they’ll be able to spot common problems and choose the best way to fix them—helping reduce waste and give their favorite outfits a longer life.
Registration
The form includes a section for student information and a section for parent/guardian contact details. Each student must be registered individually using their own name, Social Security number, and a unique email address.
After you submit a registration form for each child, a member of our team will contact you to confirm participation and provide payment instructions for each course. Once payment is completed, you will receive a confirmation email verifying the student’s enrollment.
Lunch
Lunch will not be provided. Parents are responsible for providing lunch, and students should come prepared with a packed lunch. Peanut products are not allowed.
Contact
For questions, please call 413-755-4300 or email:
Mary Deangelo
medeangelo2301@stcc.edu
Stacy S. Duquette
ssirkissoon2401@stcc.edu