Educational Opportunities
STEM Explorations Camps
- Location:
- Iowa State University
- Event For:
- 2nd - 5th grade students
- Cost:
- $5.00 per camp, $20.00 for all 4 camps
- Organization:
- Iowa State Women in Science and Engineering
- Contact:
- Taylor Bryan
- Email:
- tbryan@iastate.edu
- Phone:
- (515) 294-5814
STEM Explorations camps are designed to generate an interest in exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at a young age. We invite other student organizations to come present about their club and assist the students in science-based activities. * not a school sponsored event*
AIM (Awareness, Inspiration, and Motivation) – Go to College
- Location:
- 2500 University Ave, Des Moines, Iowa
- Event For:
- Freshmen, Sophomore, Juniors, Seniors
- Audience Location:
- All DMPS Students
- Cost:
- Free
- Organization:
- DMPS and Pillars of Promise
- Contact:
- Brian O Brown
- Email:
- brian.brown@hope-elim.org
- Phone:
- (573) 476-9576
All DMPS students invited to AIM, a multicultural day experience highlighted with 10 Universities/Colleges in one location with food, childcare, financial aid specialist, trade school options, and the opportunity to apply for $2,500 scholarships.
Skip the Trip with Boys & Girls Clubs (Driver’s Permit)
- Location:
- 5 metro teen locations
- Event For:
- Ages 14+
- Audience Location:
- DMPS students
- Cost:
- All costs covered by BGCCI
- Organization:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa
- Contact:
- Mallory Riesberg
- Email:
- mriesberg@bgcci.org
- Phone:
- (816) 797-2056
BGCCI can now deliver the knowledge test to students for the driver's instruction permit onsite at the student's school or club site. Additionally, all costs and transportation to obtaining the instruction permit are covered. Must be a BGCCI member - quick and easy for students to apply today.
CYC Garden Club
- Location:
- 1446 Martin Luther King Jr PKWY
- Organization:
- Community Youth Concepts
- Contact:
- Cierra Krauss
- Email:
- cierra@cyconcepts.org
- Phone:
- (515) 243-4292
Join Garden Club! Bi-weekly meetings working with plants and discussing environmental topics!
Nocturnal Science Nights at Science Center of Iowa
- Location:
- Science Center of Iowa
- Event For:
- K-12 with Families
- Cost:
- $1,300 deposit
- Organization:
- Science Center of Iowa
- Contact:
- Rob Burnett/Karen Miglin
- Email:
- sales@sciowa.org
- Phone:
- (515) 274-6868
Join us in creating lasting memories and sparking a lifelong passion for science. The Science Center of Iowa's Nocturnal Science Night is more than an event; it's an odyssey of discovery, curiosity, and wonder. Book your spot today and let the exploration begin! Spring dates are filling up quickly!
TRiO Program Director
- Location:
- 1100 7th Street Building 1, Urban Campus
- Event For:
- High School age
- Audience Location:
- DMACC/Drake
- Organization:
- DMACC Upward Bound Program
- Contact:
- Kim L Jackson
- Email:
- kljackson@dmacc.edu
- Phone:
- (515) 248-7508
DMACC Upward Bound Program - Year around program, includes a residential summer program at Drake University 6/11 - 7/4
Study Abroad Opportunities with CIEE
- Event For:
- High School Students: Grades 9-12
- Organization:
- CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange)
- Contact:
- Jasmin Nunez
- Email:
- hsabroad@ciee.org
- Phone:
- (866) 583-0332
Join us for a 3-to-4-week program over the summer in over 30+ locations across the globe! Gain real-world experience in a world language, science, government, business, art, and social change! Scholarships available! Scholarship Deadline: January 24, 2024
Drake University Voice Intensive
- Location:
- Drake University
- Event For:
- Students 14+
- Cost:
- $375, with overnight options available for additional fees
- Organization:
- Drake University Community School of Music
- Contact:
- Alyssa Becker
- Email:
- alyssa.becker@drake.edu
- Phone:
- (515) 271-3534
The annual Drake University Voice Intensive (DUVI) is a summertime camp designed for young singers ages 14+ to develop their voices and build confidence in performing and auditioning.
JA BizTown in a Day
- Location:
- 6100 Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA
- Event For:
- Going into 5th through 8th grade
- Cost:
- $100
- Organization:
- Junior Achievement
- Contact:
- Rachael Haaland
- Email:
- rachael@jacentraliowa.org
- Phone:
- (515) 279-9602
Join us for a one-day experience that develops future leaders, business professionals and entrepreneurs. Your student will experience all facets of running a business in a fun and interactive way. Students run JA BizTown and take on roles that will stay with them for a lifetime.
Young Emerging Scientist Aerospace
- Location:
- Pleasant St UNIT 216, Des Moines, IA 50314
- Event For:
- 4th grade through 9th grade
- Audience Location:
- Des Moines
- Cost:
- $95.00
- Organization:
- Jewels Academy
- Contact:
- Gena Wolgamott
- Email:
- Gena@jewelsacademy.org
- Phone:
- (641) 351-9829
This summer join Jewels Academy's Y.E.S. Program as we travel into the sky! Learn All about aerospace and the future of flight. This is a 4-week program that meets every Saturday from July 6th, 13, 20th, and 27th, scholarships available for this program as well.
JA Women in Business Summer Workshop
- Location:
- Junior Achievement of Central Iowa | 6100 Grand Ave. Des Moines, IA 50312
- Event For:
- 14 - 21 by July 11, 2024
- Audience Location:
- This event is limited to 50 female participants. Participants must be between ages 14 – 21 years of age by July 11, 2024.
- Cost:
- No Registration Fee
- Organization:
- Junior Achievement of Central Iowa
- Contact:
- Jordan Allen
- Email:
- jordan@jacentraliowa.org
- Phone:
- (515) 279-9602
Participants will engage in a variety of activities, lessons and conversations throughout the day surrounding important topics with take-aways that they can apply to their lives now; topics include leadership skills, financial literacy, career-readiness skills, goal-setting and communication.
Business Horizons: The Best Week of Summer!
- Location:
- Drake University (Des Moines, IA)
- Event For:
- High School Students (9-12)
- Audience Location:
- Des Moines Metro Area
- Cost:
- $400
- Organization:
- Iowa ABI Foundation
- Contact:
- Kendall J Antle
- Email:
- kantle@iowaabi.org
- Phone:
- (515) 235-0564
Do you enjoy taking the lead to find creative solutions? Do you like working with a team or competing on real-world challenges? If so, you won't want to miss out on this five-day summer innovation simulation opportunity! Business Horizons hosts 65+ students (grades 9-12) from across Iowa July 14-18.
Teen Summer Spanish Language and Culture Immersion Program
- Location:
- León, Spain
- Event For:
- 14-17 years old
- Cost:
- 1995€ (approx. $2214) *Early Bird Discount available until December 31st
- Organization:
- CMD SPANISH STAYS
- Contact:
- Chanda Danley
- Email:
- chanda.danley@cmd-languages.com
- Phone:
- (346) 630-1364
CMD Spanish Stays - led by Iowa native Chanda Danley (1996 graduate of Colfax-Mingo High School and 1999 graduate of Central College) as the local onsite program director - offers a 4-week summer Spanish immersion program for teens aged 14-17 in León, Spain from June 16th to July 15th.
STEM Summer Camp In The UK | London International Youth Science Forum CIC
- Location:
- LIYSF CIC, 85 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LT
- Event For:
- 14+
- Audience Location:
- London
- Cost:
- £3,095 GBP
- Organization:
- London International Youth Science Forum CIC
- Contact:
- Richard Myhill
- Email:
- lysfciic@gmail.com
- Phone:
- (020) 829-5839
The London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF) is a residential science enrichment programme for students at Imperial College London. The annual two-week science programme attracts 500 students from 70 countries aged 16-21 years old and includes lectures from leading scientists, visits to worl
Young Emerging Scientists Aerospace Summer Program
- Location:
- Robert Mickle Center
- Event For:
- 4th-9th Girls and Boys
- Audience Location:
- Robert Mickle Center Pleasant St UNIT 216, Des Moines, IA 50314
- Cost:
- $95
- Organization:
- Jewels Academy
- Contact:
- Gena Wolgamott
- Email:
- gena@jewelsacademy.org
- Phone:
- (641) 351-9829
Join Jewels Academy's Y.E.S. Aerospace Program as we travel into the sky! We will make space rovers, tour Iowa State's Space Program, and more! This is a 4-week program that meets every from July 6th, 13, 20th, and 27th, scholarships available for this program as well. Girls and Boys are welcome.
Emerald College Prep Program BizInnovator
- Location:
- Virtual
- Event For:
- 9th grade through 12th grade
- Organization:
- Jewels Academy
- Contact:
- Gena Wolgamott
- Email:
- Gena@jewelsacademy.org
- Phone:
- (641) 351-9829
The Emerald College Prep Program for Biz Innovators will be held starting the fall of 2024 (10/3 - 11/28; Thursdays from 5:00 - 7:00 PM CST). This course is for 9th - 12th graders with the option to receive three transferable college credits. The course is geared toward college-bound high schooler