Compare 31+ Science & Innovation programs in Orange County — day camps, summer programs, and university pre-college options for kids, teens & high schoolers. Free directory with prices & dates.
Refreshed weekly · Last updated Jul 14, 2026
Young scientists aged 5-11 engage in 15 hands-on STEM activities each week, including make-and-take projects, creative challenges, and games.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Multiple Locations
Phone
(888) 909-CAMP (2267
High school students engage in one-day workshops, tackling real-world design challenges and STEM projects in AI, game development, bioprinting, and 3D design with Chapman faculty.
Age Group
Middle/High School
Location
Swenson Family Hall of Engineering, Chapman University
Phone
N/A
High school students gain engineering and computer science skills in CAD, fabrication, circuitry, and programming through hands-on projects like building autonomous rovers or lab-on-a-chip devices.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of California, Irvine
Phone
N/A
High school juniors explore real careers, build professional skills, and gain insights into Orange County's innovative industries through hybrid projects, mentorship, and career readiness workshops.
Age Group
High School
Location
Hybrid (virtual and in-person)
Phone
N/A
This residential program prepares newly admitted STEM freshmen for college success through a three-week immersive experience at UC Irvine.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of California, Irvine
Phone
N/A
Students specialize in weekly cutting-edge tech camps in robotics, coding, AI, game design, and 3D printing, building skills through hands-on projects and experiential learning.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Phone
(310) 988-2968
Students build a foundational understanding of science, covering the scientific method, natural sciences, and conducting experiments with laws of motion, acid-base reactions, and sprouting seeds.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone
(714) 714-7430
Young scientists engage in fun, hands-on science through experiments, challenges, and activities, exploring various STEM topics within the science center.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone
N/A
High school and community college students explore materials research through hands-on, project-based experiences, learning techniques in materials design, synthesis, and characterization.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of California, Irvine
Phone
N/A
High school students explore interdisciplinary engineering, combining biology, chemistry, and micro-scale chip systems through foundational concepts and a structured, project-based capstone.
Age Group
High School
Location
University of California, Irvine
Phone
N/A
Students engage in structured reading, writing, and hands-on STEM learning, exploring science, debate, and leadership in an academic setting.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Irvine
Phone
N/A
Kids participate in engaging morning and afternoon sessions with themes like Chemical Chaos, Rocket Factory, and Fantastic Physics through interactive experiments.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Multiple Locations in Orange County
Phone
(818) 782-7776
High school students are matched with fisheries professionals for an 8-week paid summer internship, gaining hands-on experience in marine and freshwater settings, and learning about conservation.
Age Group
High School
Location
Multiple Locations
Phone
(301) 897-8616
Kids explore robotics, rocketry, chemistry, and engineering through creative, project-based learning and hands-on science and technology.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
Multiple Locations
Phone
(888) 864-1735
Girls engage in dynamic science, technology, engineering, and math activities to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and ignite their passions.
Age Group
Elementary
Location
Multiple Locations (Newport-Mesa, Santa Ana, Irvine)
Phone
(714) 597-8600
A prestigious program where high school students engage in independent research projects, guided by expert mentors, with opportunities for publication.
Age Group
High School
Location
Research Ignited Online Platform
Phone
+1 (919) 213-1821
Students explore astronomy, paleontology, engineering, chemistry, invention, and physics through hands-on projects like building rockets, making ice cream, and creating elephant toothpaste.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
NCCC Willinger, Newport Beach, CA
Phone
(949) 644-3151
Students explore mysterious science principles through experiments, creating magnetic levitation sailboats, building rockets, and constructing wooden catapults to learn about energy.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
NCCC Newport Coast Room, Newport Beach, CA
Phone
(949) 607-8676
Offers quality science education in an outdoor, hands-on setting, introducing science concepts through fun activities, crafts, and games.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
Environmental Nature Center, Newport Beach
Phone
N/A
Offers over 70 themed, hands-on STEM camps covering robotics, coding, veterinary medicine, astronomy, and chemistry, sparking curiosity in young minds.
Age Group
Middle School
Location
Multiple Locations
Phone
(818) 216-4042
Summer camps are great, but the real portfolio comes from competing. See every FIRST Robotics team in CA — plus pathways, deadlines, and pick lists for math, coding, science, and research competitions.
Looking for a STEM summer camp near you? This free Orange County directory lists 197+ local and online programs across the Orange County metro area — including AI, coding, robotics, science, and math camps for kids, middle schoolers, and high school students. Compare prices, dates, age groups, and formats, then filter by focus area above to find the closest match for Summer 2026.
We list 197+ STEM summer camps in Orange County, CA across AI & machine learning, coding, robotics, science, math, space, and cybersecurity. Top picks vary by your child's age and interests — use the category filters above to compare programs by price, duration, and format.
Prices in our Orange County directory range from free community programs to $3,000+ for university-hosted pre-college tracks. Most full-day weekly camps run $400–$900 per week; specialized AI and research programs typically run $1,000–$2,500 for the full program. Click any camp for current pricing.
Camps in our Orange County listings cover elementary (typically ages 6–10), middle school (11–13), high school (14–18), and selective pre-college research programs for rising seniors. Filter by age group to see only programs that match your child.
Yes — many of our listed programs offer fully online or hybrid formats, especially in AI, coding, and research. Online options are open to students nationwide, including Orange County-area kids who can't travel to an in-person camp. Look for the “Virtual Camp” filter or any program tagged Online / Hybrid in the details.
Yes. Several listings are pre-college programs hosted by universities — including residential and commuter options. These are competitive admissions with applications often closing in March/April for summer cohorts. Use the Pre-College filter at the top to see only these programs.
