Science

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Programs

Summer

jurassic island

6-11 Yr Olds

Calling all budding paleontologists! Set up camp on Jurassic Island, uncover a land forgotten by time, and unearth the incredible secrets of the dinosaurs and their ancient ecosystem. Walk in the footprints of the gentle giant brachiosaurus, race against the velociraptors, soar through the skies with the pterodactyl, and battle the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex. This STEAM-fueled camp is sure to be the learning adventure of all time! 

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Fri, July 27 (or when full)
  • Cost: $240r/$255nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Dates: Aug 3-6
  • Time: 8:30 AM-12:00 PM

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

slimetopia - shake, rattle & sushi roll

7-13 Yr Olds

Get ready to roll into a deliciously creative STEAM adventure! Campers will mix up a batch of bento box slime, test their engineering skills as they design and shake-test their very own “Ring of Fire” sushi restaurant, and top it all off by creating Rockin’ Ramen Noodle Slime. It’s a night of stretchy, squishy, sushi-inspired fun where science and imagination stick together in the most delightfully slimy way!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, Aug 3 (or when full)
  • Cost: $54r/$69nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Mon, Aug 10
  • Time: 5:30-8:30 PM

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room


Fall & Winter

lego robotics teams

4th-5th Gr

Join our Lego Robotics Team! In the FIRST LEGO® League, youth dive into hands-on STEM exploration—building and programming LEGO® robots to solve real-world challenges in an exciting, friendly competition. Participants develop critical thinking, confidence, and teamwork while learning engineering and coding fundamentals. It’s a thrilling way to grow STEM skills and habits of learning together! This program includes two practices per week (Mon & Thur) along with 1-2 Saturday morning practices in order to prepare for a Nov 21 competition at the Grandville Robotics Center. More details on that competition will be released at a later date. There are two teams available, each with 10 spots available. Please only register for one of the two teams.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 3 @ 10:00 AM)
  • Cost: $100r/$115nr 
  • Instructors: Matt Michielsen, DuAnne Masselink, Hilda Westrate, ZHS Robotics Team
  • Practice Dates: Mon & Thur | Sept 1-Nov 19 (Skip Oct 22, Nov 5) | 1-2 Additional Saturday Practices 
  • Practice Time: 4:00-5:30 PM
  • Practice Location: Creekside MS - Quack Shack
  • Competition: Sat, Nov 21 | Grandville Robotics Center

halloween science madness

5 Yr Olds-8th Gr

Join us for this one-day Halloween Science Madness, where costumes meet chemistry! Come dressed in your favorite costume and prepare for a thrilling, hands-on adventure in spooky science. We’ll dive into spooky, spectacular science experiments with our very own mad scientist, Mr. Brad Stevens. It’ll be a frightfully fun, educational experience that promises laughter, learning, and a little bit of Halloween magic!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 3 @ 10:00 AM)
  • Cost: $30r/$45nr 
  • Instructor: Brad Stevens (ZPS Science Teacher)
  • 5 Yr Olds-1st Gr: Sat, Oct 24 | 8:00-9:15 AM
  • 2nd-3rd Gr: Sat, Oct 24 | 9:45-11:00 AM
  • 4th-5th Gr: Sat, Oct 24 | 11:30 AM-12:45 PM
  • 6th-8th Gr: Sat, Oct 24 | 1:15-2:30 PM
  • Location: Zeeland West HS - Room J125

Stuper steam-io

6-11 Yr Olds

Get ready to jump into a classic arcade-inspired STEAM adventure! Inspired by the barrel-dodging, banana-chasing fun of a favorite video game gorilla, kids will put their engineering skills to the test with hands-on challenges straight out of the arcade playbook. They’ll design and build a multi-level marble run inspired by the iconic game stages, engineer a tower strong enough to support a heavy banana pop art creation, and whip up a gooey batch of Banana Split Slime. It’s a screen-free night packed with creativity, problem-solving, and playful fun! 

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 3 @ 10:00 AM)
  • Cost: $55r/$70nr 
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Sat, Nov 7
  • Time: 5:00-8:00 PM

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

steam-ing through the holidays

6-11 Yr Olds

Step into a snowy world of holiday creativity and hands-on STEAM fun! Young elves will design, build, and create their way through festive engineering challenges as they construct a magical model of Santa’s Workshop, mix up stretchy and sparkly holiday slime, and engineer and test their very own Santa’s sleighs. Filled with imagination, innovation, teamwork, and plenty of holiday cheer, this Challenge Island adventure is the perfect way to celebrate the season while learning through play! 

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 3 @ 10:00 AM)
  • Cost: $63r/$78nr 
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Mon, Dec 21
  • Time: 8:30 AM-12:00 PM

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

slimetopia: slime chefs on deck

7-13 Yr Olds

Pack your bags and grab your slime passports because Slimetopia is setting sail on the sweetest cruise ever! Your STEAM Team will become official slime sous chefs aboard the S.S. Slimetopia as you whip up wildly wacky slime creations inspired by over-the-top treats and outrageous snacks from around the globe. From fluffy Cotton Candy Slime and spicy Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Slime to Sticky Rice Slime and Banana Split Sundae Slime, every day is packed with squishy, stretchy foodie fun! Between slime recipes, campers will tackle hands-on engineering adventures like designing a candy-inspired Sweet Suite dream cabin and building an orange sorting machine worthy of the ship’s slime kitchen. This ooey-gooey voyage is overflowing with creativity, laughter, teamwork, and messy STEAM fun from bow to stern! 

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 3 @ 10:00 AM)
  • Cost: $240r/$255nr 
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Dates: Dec 28-31
  • Time: 8:30 AM-12:00 PM

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

glow crazy steam night

6-11 Yr Olds

Get ready to light up your imagination at this electrifying glow-in-the-dark adventure! Kids will explore the science behind things that glow while building, creating, and laughing their way through exciting hands-on STEAM challenges. They'll design and race a glowing Glow Coaster, create an enchanting Starry Glow Cave, and mix up their own stretchy Glow Slime. With bright ideas, bold creations, and plenty of glowing fun, this Challenge Island experience is the perfect combination of creativity, discovery, and unforgettable excitement! 

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 3 @ 10:00 AM)
  • Cost: $55r/$70nr 
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Sat, Feb 13
  • Time: 5:00-8:00 PM

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria