Young Explorers
The Michigan Science Center’s Young Explorers Program invites our youngest scientists (ages 2-5, not yet enrolled in kindergarten) to dive into a range of STEM topics based on the theme of the week. These classes incorporate elements of literacy, social-emotional learning, play, pattern-recognition and improving motor skills to engage our guests in the world of science and design.
Program Details
Ticket price includes one child and one adult participant. General admission must be purchased separately. The adult participant may be a parent, grandparent, babysitter or any other adult excited about exploring with their Young Explorer. All classes include activities and crafts designed to be completed with the assistance of the caregiver.
Additional adults and children may not attend due to space constraints and program design. Infants may be brought, but are asked to be in a carrier so adult hands are free to assist their Young Explorer with activities.
Discounts are available for Mi-Sci members only. Consider purchasing a Family Membership today to enjoy discounts on Young Explorers and so much more!
Class Schedule and Descriptions
| Class Name | Dates | Class Description |
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Wednesday, July 5, 2023 Sunday, July 9 , 2023 |
Energy is all around us, running through our homes and our favorite toys. Young Explorers will safely investigate electricity and how we use it to power up our lives! |
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Wednesday, July 12, 2023 Sunday, July 16 , 2023 |
Is it a mess to be left outside? Or is it full of life and wonder? Young Explorers will dig in to learn what makes soil so important for life to survive. |
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Wednesday, July 19, 2023 Sunday, July 23 , 2023 |
Ooey gooey slimy fun is ahead as Young Explorers experiment with textures and ingredients. In this sensory chemistry workshop, Young Explorers will learn through touch and follow a recipe to make their own slime! |
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Wednesday, July 26, 2023 Sunday, July 30, 2023 |
Bees are our friends! Young Explorers will learn to recognize shapes, colors, and patterns; plus see how pollinators help out people and the planet. |
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Wednesday, August 2, 2023 Sunday, August 6, 2023 |
Cool off the summer heat by learning what makes things chilly. Young Explorers will test how adding energy, or taking it away, makes things hot or cold.
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Wednesday, August 9, 2023 Sunday, August 13, 2023 |
Is it a plant? Is it an animal? No, it’s a fungus! Young Explorers will learn all about what makes some mushrooms extraordinary and others dangerous.
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Wednesday, August 16, 2023 Sunday, August 20, 2023 |
Soap is important for keeping us healthy, and bubbles are important for having fun! Young Explorers will stretch their knowledge of how bubbles work while seeing who can make the biggest bubbles of them all.
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Wednesday, August 23, 2023 Sunday, August 27, 2023 |
Climb aboard our imagination rocket ships, as we explore our solar system and beyond! Young Explorers will put on their astronaut helmets to discover their love for outer space.
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Select Grade Level
Grades 1-2
Grades 3-4
Grades 5-7
Select Grade Level
Camper groups are determined by the grade a camper will ENTER in the fall. Click the tabs to explore camps by grade and register.
Grades 1-2
- June 26-30 | Outdoor Adventure
We’re going green this week as we explore the flora and fauna of our beautiful planet Earth! Campers will get out into nature to learn about native plants and animals, design solutions to protect endangered species, and tackle challenges that test their wilderness survival skills.
REGISTER
- July 5-7* | Science Spectacular
During this special, three-day camp we’ll be showing off the “best-of” Mi-Sci where campers experience a highlight reel of fun, whacky science experiments and activities, plus special access to our favorite theater and stage shows. From slime-making, to rocket science, to animal encounters – this week will leave you wanting more.
*Science Spectacular camp runs Wednesday to Friday (no camp Monday or Tuesday) and will be automatically discounted during checkout.
REGISTER
- July 10-14 | Master Builders
It’s time to tinker! This week is all about engineering and exploring what’s possible while bringing our wildest ideas to life. Campers will visit the Smithsonian Spark! Lab to design, build and test new ideas and participate in building challenges designed by the LEGO Foundation to imagine a brighter, more sustainable future.
REGISTER
- July 17-21 | Mission to Mars
Campers will put their astronaut skills to the test to see if they have what it takes to survive and thrive on the Red Planet. Learn how scientists are planning to grow food, find water, and create a home for humankind on our nearest neighboring planet. Could YOU be the first to step foot on Mars?
REGISTER
- July 24-28 | Lost in Space
All systems go for launch! Campers will put their astronaut skills to the test to launch rockets, see gravity in action, and solve problems in space. Adventure beyond the solar system and learn about the stars, planets, and galaxies that make up our universe.
REGISTER
- July 31-Aug 4 | Science by Design
We’re blending science and art to create colorful masterpieces and engineering marvels! Campers will experiment with pigment, light, and different building materials to learn about the many ways science makes art possible during this colorful week of camp.
REGISTER
- August 7-11 | Fizz Bang Science
Get ready, get set, get messy during chemistry week at Spark! Camp. Campers will create chemical reactions, experiment with states of matter, design their own custom slime, and learn what makes things go KA-BOOM (safely, of course!).
REGISTER
- August 14-18 | Game On!
Experience all the ways that games help us to develop new skills in a week that’s all about learning through play! Campers will learn basic game design as they play and create a variety of game types. From board games, to extreme sports, to virtual reality; campers will be “Leveling Up” their STEM skills all week long.
REGISTER
Grades 3-4
- June 26-30 | Outdoor Adventure
We’re going green this week as we explore the flora and fauna of our beautiful planet Earth! Campers will get out into nature to learn about native plants and animals, design solutions to protect endangered species, and tackle challenges that test their wilderness survival skills.
REGISTER
- July 5-7* | Science Spectacular
During this special, three-day camp we’ll be showing off the “best-of” Mi-Sci where campers experience a highlight reel of fun, whacky science experiments and activities, plus special access to our favorite theater and stage shows. From slime-making, to rocket science, to animal encounters – this week will leave you wanting more.
*Science Spectacular camp runs Wednesday to Friday (no camp Monday or Tuesday) and will be automatically discounted during checkout.
REGISTER
- July 10-14 | Master Builders
It’s time to tinker! This week is all about engineering and exploring what’s possible while bringing our wildest ideas to life. Campers will visit the Smithsonian Spark! Lab to design, build and test new ideas and participate in building challenges designed by the LEGO Foundation to imagine a brighter, more sustainable future.
REGISTER
- July 17-21 | Mission to Mars
Campers will put their astronaut skills to the test to see if they have what it takes to survive and thrive on the Red Planet. Learn how scientists are planning to grow food, find water, and create a home for humankind on our nearest neighboring planet. Could YOU be the first to step foot on Mars?
REGISTER
- July 24-28 | Lost in Space
All systems go for launch! Campers will put their astronaut skills to the test to launch rockets, see gravity in action, and solve problems in space. Adventure beyond the solar system and learn about the stars, planets, and galaxies that make up our universe.
REGISTER
- July 31-Aug 4 | Science by Design
We’re blending science and art to create colorful masterpieces and engineering marvels! Campers will experiment with pigment, light, and different building materials to learn about the many ways science makes art possible during this colorful week of camp.
REGISTER
- August 7-11 | Fizz Bang Science
Get ready, get set, get messy during chemistry week at Spark! Camp. Campers will create chemical reactions, experiment with states of matter, design their own custom slime, and learn what makes things go KA-BOOM (safely, of course!).
REGISTER
- August 14-18 | Game On!
Experience all the ways that games help us to develop new skills in a week that’s all about learning through play! Campers will learn basic game design as they play and create a variety of game types. From board games, to extreme sports, to virtual reality; campers will be “Leveling Up” their STEM skills all week long.
REGISTER
Grades 5-7
- June 26-30 | Outdoor Adventure
We’re going green this week as we explore the flora and fauna of our beautiful planet Earth! Campers will get out into nature to learn about native plants and animals, design solutions to protect endangered species, and tackle challenges that test their wilderness survival skills.
REGISTER
- July 5-7* | Science Spectacular
During this special, three-day camp we’ll be showing off the “best-of” Mi-Sci where campers experience a highlight reel of fun, whacky science experiments and activities, plus special access to our favorite theater and stage shows. From slime-making, to rocket science, to animal encounters – this week will leave you wanting more.
*Science Spectacular camp runs Wednesday to Friday (no camp Monday or Tuesday) and will be automatically discounted during checkout.
REGISTER
- July 10-14 | Master Builders
It’s time to tinker! This week is all about engineering and exploring what’s possible while bringing our wildest ideas to life. Campers will visit the Smithsonian Spark! Lab to design, build and test new ideas and participate in building challenges designed by the LEGO Foundation to imagine a brighter, more sustainable future.
REGISTER
- July 17-21 | Mission to Mars
Campers will put their astronaut skills to the test to see if they have what it takes to survive and thrive on the Red Planet. Learn how scientists are planning to grow food, find water, and create a home for humankind on our nearest neighboring planet. Could YOU be the first to step foot on Mars?
REGISTER
- July 24-28 | Lost in Space
All systems go for launch! Campers will put their astronaut skills to the test to launch rockets, see gravity in action, and solve problems in space. Adventure beyond the solar system and learn about the stars, planets, and galaxies that make up our universe.
REGISTER
- July 31-Aug 4 | Science by Design
We’re blending science and art to create colorful masterpieces and engineering marvels! Campers will experiment with pigment, light, and different building materials to learn about the many ways science makes art possible during this colorful week of camp.
REGISTER
- August 7-11 | Fizz Bang Science
Get ready, get set, get messy during chemistry week at Spark! Camp. Campers will create chemical reactions, experiment with states of matter, design their own custom slime, and learn what makes things go KA-BOOM (safely, of course!).
REGISTER
- August 14-18 | Game On!
Experience all the ways that games help us to develop new skills in a week that’s all about learning through play! Campers will learn basic game design as they play and create a variety of game types. From board games, to extreme sports, to virtual reality; campers will be “Leveling Up” their STEM skills all week long.
REGISTER