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STEM Journey: Elevate

An immersive leadership and STEM experience for Grades 7–8 that builds confidence, curiosity, and teamwork through hands-on projects, outdoor learning, and mentorship.

*Yearly cohort registration windows opens as early as March and September

A timeline shows four stages: Middle School, Jr. High, Sr. High, and Post-Secondary with students in each stage.

A flowchart shows diverse students at each stage: Middle, Jr. High, Sr. High, and Post-Secondary & Career.

Program Overview

Elevate introduces youth in Grades 7–8 to leadership, teamwork, and STEM exploration through immersive learning experiences. Anchored by two leadership camp experiences, the program blends outdoor activities, social-emotional learning, and hands-on STEM projects that encourage curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.

Through mentorship, role model engagement, and team-based challenges, youth build confidence and begin to see themselves as capable STEM learners and leaders. Elevate is designed as a cohort experience that supports youth through this early stage of the STEM Journey and prepares them to transition into Empower.

Program Registration Dates

Applications typically open in the spring, as early as March, with most registration taking place between April and May.

If no programs are listed, the application window may not be open yet. Please check back regularly for updates.

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What To Expect

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Leadership camps combining STEM exploration, outdoor learning, and team-building challenges.

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Hands-on STEM projects where youth collaborate to solve real-world problems creatively.

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Mentorship and role model engagement that introduce diverse STEM pathways and careers.

Opportunities for returning participants to develop leadership through peer mentoring roles.

What Participants are Saying

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“I have a hard time in science but STEM [Elevate] helped me a lot in school."

Elevate Participant

A child draws a rocket diagram labeled Wings on a whiteboard with names written at the side.

“[The program] made me see that I could be the one who cures cancer."

Elevate Participant

Young person focused on playing a computer game at a gaming setup with keyboard and monitor.

“I love the experiments we do. It is fun to make things and see the result. It boosted my curiosity with experiments."

Elevate Participant

Smiling kids playing on computers in a gaming room, sitting in large black gaming chairs.

“I have more knowledge and a thorough understanding of STEM careers and different career pathways because of the different sessions we had where the guest speaker would share their ideas and experiences. I was able to learn more about STEM careers thanks to the [Elevate] program.”

Elevate Participant

Program FAQs

Common questions from youth and families interested in STEM Journey: Elevate.

Who can participate in Elevate?

Is there a cost to participate in this program?

Participation in this program is offered at no cost. Through partnerships with specific communities, programs are designed to provide depth of support, consistency, and meaningful long-term impact. We intentionally remove financial barriers so participants can fully access these experiences and focus on building skills, confidence, and pathways into STEM, with additional supports provided where needed.

How long does the Elevate program last?

Do participants need prior STEM experience?

What happens after Elevate?

When do youth usually join a STEM Journey program?

Many STEM Journey programs begin during the summer months. Youth often join programs during the summer between school grades (for example, the summer between Grades 7 and 8). Because of this, grade ranges on program pages reflect the stages youth participate in throughout the program, not just the grade when they first apply.

Applications for summer cohorts usually open in the spring, as early as March, with most registration windows taking place between April and May.

If you do not see a program currently listed, it likely means the application window is not open yet. Please check back regularly for updates.

Register for Elevate

Start your STEM Journey through leadership, hands-on learning, and immersive camp experiences.

Applications open in the spring (as early as March). Summer is the primary entry point, with limited intake at other times of year.

A girl examines a beaker with yellow liquid; STEM Visions of Science text is in the background.

STEM Journey: Elevate

Program Overview

Program Registration Dates

What To Expect

What Participants are Saying

Program FAQs

Who can participate in Elevate?

Is there a cost to participate in this program?

How long does the Elevate program last?

Do participants need prior STEM experience?

What happens after Elevate?

When do youth usually join a STEM Journey program?

Register for Elevate

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