How to Spend a Summer with STEM
Author: Geared4Girls
Irvine, CA - June 28, 2026 - With fewer school obligations, summer is a perfect time to get more involved with and explore many areas of STEM. Various opportunities like webinars, camps, or programs open up, and school is set aside for a bit for break. Try out some of these activities for a summer full of STEM learning!
There are countless skills you can start to learn over the summer. Try getting fluent in a new programming language, tinker around with CAD (computer aided design), learn how to build with electronics and circuits, or explore the mechanical concepts that shape our lives. Establishing a strong skillset in the summer becomes the foundation for future research projects, engineering designs and robotics competitions.
You could also use the summer to get ahead in certain STEM activities. For example, if you want to do robotics competitions, you can prototype or ideate different designs. If there are activities that hold tryouts, like Science Olympiad, you can try learning about the different events to see which one interests you the most. From there, start learning skills you need or read up on background knowledge to get ahead.
New academic research comes out daily, and it is crucial for pushing boundaries and innovation in all fields of STEM. Try reading through papers in scientific fields that interest you, and you will be able to learn beyond textbooks and see what breakthroughs are happening now. This will provide you with the background knowledge you need for contributions and discussions. Over time, you can also notice gaps or patterns in current research that you can potentially use to make your mark in the field as well.
Learn how STEM is applicable in all fields. For example, engineering can be integrated in a variety of other topics you might like. If you are interested in medicine or the physiology of the body, see how engineering devices such as bionic legs are used in those fields. STEM can also be found in art. Mathematical models and geometric structures can be used in art for design, perspective, and composition. It is surprising how many aspects of daily life are shaped by STEM, allowing you to apply that knowledge in nearly any field of interest.
Even though summer is half-way done for some of us, make the most out of it with a STEM-filled summer.