TechVenturers

Open to students entering grades 8-12

Students entering grades 8–12 will take part in an immersive, weeklong learning experience centered on a single topic in science, engineering or technology. Participants will spend the week developing expertise, honing critical thinking skills and gaining a deeper understanding of their topic. Guided by expert mentors and collaborating with like-minded peers, students will work through the engineering design process, strengthen problem-solving skills and immerse themselves in hands-on learning. The week concludes with a camp-wide presentation, giving students the opportunity to share their work, build confidence and reflect on their growth. All levels of STEM experience are encouraged to attend! Specific age ranges for each project are specified below. Read the full description here.
 

• RC Cars: Trail to Track (Grades 8-10) Get behind the controls in this fast-paced, hands-on project! In RC Cars, campers use professional-grade off-road RC crawler trucks and on-road drift cars to explore remote-control engineering, design and performance. Campers design and build custom routes—complete with bridges, obstacles, balancers and terrain challenges—then put their creations to the test. Using RC crawler trucks, students navigate rock, dirt, river and mud environments, solving problems and adapting their driving strategies as conditions change. The challenge continues on the track as campers transition to RC drift cars, learning advanced driving techniques such as throttle control and tandem drifting on a fun yet demanding course. Along the way, students gain practical experience tuning, maintaining and caring for RC vehicles using professional tools and accessories. This program emphasizes creative thinking, problem-solving and hands-on technical skills—all while delivering high-energy fun from trail to track!
• Regenerative Medicine: The Planaria Project (Grades 8-10) Scientists are unlocking the secrets of how to regrow damaged human tissues and organs by studying organisms that naturally possess remarkable regenerative abilities. One such organism is the planarian, a commonly found flatworm with the ability to regenerate again and again. In this program, students will explore the foundations of regenerative medicine through hands-on laboratory investigations using planaria as a model system. They will examine the biological mechanisms that enable regeneration and apply the scientific method to design and conduct their own experiments. By manipulating and analyzing environmental conditions, students will investigate how external factors influence regenerative outcomes, gaining practical experience in experimental design, data collection, and scientific analysis while engaging with a cutting-edge area of biomedical research.
• Optics: The Science of Light (Grades 8-10) So much of how we experience the world is shaped by light. Over 70% of our sensory input comes through our eyes, but there is far more to light than just what the eye can see (yes, pun intended)! In this hands-on project, students will explore how light behaves as it reflects, bends, and passes through different materials, and how these ideas are used in everyday tools and cutting-edge technology like telescopes, cameras, and advanced microscopes. Campers will work with mirrors and lasers in safe, guided activities to see how light can be directed and focused. They will also use special filters to study how light waves line up (polarization) to reveal hidden stresses in materials and learn how scientists identify gases by studying the colors of light they give off. Through active experiments and real-world connections, students will build a deeper understanding of how light shapes both everyday life and scientific discovery!
• Regenerative Medicine: The Bioinformatics Project (Grades 9-12) This program introduces students to bioinformatics—the fast-growing field where biology meets computer science. Participants will discover how scientists use computers, databases, and code to answer real-world biological questions. Students will explore what it means to “do biochemistry with a computer” by analyzing proteins, DNA, RNA, and even entire genomes using the same tools employed by researchers today. Through hands-on exploration, they will learn how biological data is obtained, stored, visualized, and interpreted to support advances in regenerative medicine, personalized medicine, and biotechnology. This project highlights career pathways in fields such as biomedical research, bioinformatics, data science, genetics, and computational biology—ideal for students interested in combining life sciences with technology to tackle tomorrow’s medical challenges.
• Make It Glow: Molecules That Shine Inside Living Cells (Grades 9-12) Have you ever wondered what makes a glow stick glow? In this project, students will use organic chemistry to create molecules that can emit light and explore their ability to “glow,” a property known as fluorescence. Fluorescent molecules are used across many areas of science and are especially valuable for making biological processes visible. Using these glowing molecules, scientists can observe details smaller than a single cell and even visualize entire organs, guiding surgeons during operations. Many modern fluorescent tools were inspired by the discovery of glowing proteins in jellyfish, which scientists have studied and modified to produce molecules that shine in every color of the rainbow. Participants will gain hands-on laboratory experience by preparing a series of molecules that resemble parts of these fluorescent proteins. Using instrumentation found in a chemistry laboratory to measure how molecules absorb and emit light, students will learn the process of fluorescence and how scientists use glowing molecules to study and understand biological processes. This experience introduces key concepts in chemistry and biology that are essential for developing cutting-edge technologies in academic research, industry, and medicine.
• Regenerative Medicine: Molecular Visualization Project (Grades 9-12) This project offers an exciting introduction to the invisible world of molecules! Instead of viewing molecules as flat diagrams in a textbook, participants will render them in 3D using a variety of modeling tools to explore how atoms and molecules move, bend, collide, and interact in real time. Over the course of the week, students will learn how molecular structure influences behavior by creating and analyzing models with hands-on tools, advanced software, and immersive virtual reality. Campers will deepen their understanding of molecular geometry, bonding, and structure while developing powerful visuospatial thinking skills that are essential in fields such as chemistry, biomedical research, materials science, and medicine.

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• The Bridge Project (Grades 8-10) Put your engineering skills to the test in this high-demand Tech Camp favorite! In the Bridge Project, students step into the role of a civil engineer and take on the challenge of designing and building a bridge for a real New Hampshire community. Through hands-on building, research, and site visits, campers explore how bridges are designed, constructed, and tested. Working in teams, students analyze real-world site challenges, choose a location, and design a model bridge using data to guide decisions about materials, foundations, construction methods, and environmental impacts. The week culminates in a presentation where students defend their design choices and showcase their solutions. Campers build practical engineering skills, strengthen teamwork and problem-solving abilities, and gain a meaningful introduction to civil engineering—all while being the engineer in charge. Let the challenge begin!
• Space Camp (But Way Cooler): Mars Edition (Grades 8-10) Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut and exploring the red planet? Blast off into a week-long adventure where you'll become a Martian pioneer! Build and launch your own model rockets, learn how astronauts live and work in space, and the unique challenges of a world without up or down. Strategize landing your rover safely and prepare for your first steps on the red planet. Design and construct a habitat suitable for long-term living on Mars and figure out what you'll need to survive and thrive there. Throughout the week, you'll meet real scientists and engineers who are working on making the dream of colonizing Mars a reality. You'll participate in hands-on activities, solve problems like a real space explorer, and make new friends who share your passion for space. So, are you ready to be a Martian pioneer? Blast off with us and take your first steps towards an out-of-this-world adventure! 
• Ripping Rocketry (Grades 8-10) Launch into an exciting, hands-on exploration of rocketry and aerospace science where participants will design, build, and launch paper-based rockets. Each day brings a new design challenge, such as maximizing height, accuracy, speed, or distance and encourages students to test ideas, analyze results, and refine their designs. Students will explore the history of rocketry and gain an introduction to the fundamental principles that govern rocket flight, including thrust, stability, and aerodynamics. Participants will also learn how to measure and evaluate performance by collecting data on how high, how far, and how fast their rockets travel. Blending creativity, teamwork, and scientific inquiry, this program offers a fun and engaging entry point to engineering and physics—perfect for students ready to take their curiosity to new heights!
• Data Detectives (Grades 9-12) Have you ever wondered how your favorite streaming service recommends new shows or movies tailored to your tastes? Or how advertisements that align with your interests consistently pop up in your social media feeds? Welcome to the world of data science! In this program, participants will learn how personal data collected from a wide variety of sources is used to predict trends, preferences, and behavior, as well as solve complex scientific questions and real-world problems. Data analytics is not unlike being a detective sifting through huge amounts of information to find hidden clues and patterns. Come learn how to gather, interpret, model and present data to understand and decode the world’s mysteries!
• Code, Create, Play (Grades 9-12) Unleash your creativity and see your ideas come to life on screen by creating interactive games, amazing animations, and eye-catching art—all while mastering real-world coding skills! In this exciting program, you’ll learn JavaScript (JS), the essential programming language behind interactive web pages and apps; explore P5.js, a tool for designing visual media; and dive into Phaser, a game development framework that lets you bring your game ideas to life. Gain hands-on experience with text-based coding, build skills that transfer to other programming languages, and create original projects you can share with family and friends. This program offers an incredible mix of fun and skill building, helping you to develop creativity, critical thinking, and the technical skills essential for today’s world. No prior coding experience needed—just bring your curiosity and excitement to learn something new! 

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