The story below is from our July/August 2025 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!
STEM camps offer Roanoke Valley students pathways to future careers.
Courtesy of The Burton Center For Arts & Technology
The Burton Center for Arts and Technology robotics camp is run by the school’s FTC robotics team.
With summer in full swing, parents and students across the Roanoke Valley are exploring opportunities that combine education with engagement. Local STEM camps are emerging as popular options, offering young minds the chance to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on experiences that could shape their future career paths.
From robotics and manufacturing to materials chemistry and biotechnology, a variety of programs are providing specialized STEM experiences for different age groups, each with its own approach to fostering innovation and critical thinking.
Engineering the Future: Burton Center for Arts and Technology
For middle school students entering grades 6-8, the Burton Center for Arts and Technology offers specialized camps that provide early exposure to engineering and manufacturing in professional-grade facilities.
Courtesy of The Burton Center For Arts & Technology
The Burton Center for Arts and Technology robotics camp is run by the school’s FTC robotics team.
“Our STEM camps are unique because they are hosted at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology, giving students early access to specialized engineering and mechatronics programs, as well as hands-on experience with VEX Robotics systems and advanced manufacturing equipment,” Center for Engineering Director Sarah Gerrol says.
The Burton Center’s camps, which began in 2016, have expanded beyond their manufacturing roots to now include robotics and automotive technology. Their programs have shown measurable success in creating educational pathways.
“We’re proud to have seen students who first attended our camps as middle schoolers later enroll in Burton’s Engineering and Manufacturing programs — including one student who is graduating this year from the Burton Engineering Program,” Gerrol notes.
At the robotics camp, participants work in teams to design, build and code VEX robots that complete challenges both “autonomously (self-driving) and through manual control (driver-operated).” The manufacturing camp guides students through “the engineering design process to brainstorm, prototype and produce products, gaining hands-on experience with CAD design, 3D printing and manufacturing tools.”
A distinctive feature of the Burton camps, which normally take place in early June, is the mentorship provided by older students.
“Our environment is supportive and hands-on, with older student mentors from the Burton Robotics Team helping guide campers throughout their experience,” Gerrol explains.
The center emphasizes that technical skills are only part of what campers gain. “In addition to technical skills, students develop crucial life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication and project management,” says Gerrol.
From Classroom to Career: Virginia Western Community College
Virginia Western Community College has expanded its Career Exploration Camps program to reach high school students throughout the region after successful pilot programs with Roanoke City Public Schools.
Courtesy of Virginia Western Community College
“In 2023, Virginia Western, in partnership with the Roanoke City Public Schools, The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center and the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association, piloted two culinary boot camps,” explains Regina Cook, administrative officer for Corporate Training at Virginia Western Community College.
What began with culinary arts has grown to include STEM fields such as “biotechnology, mechatronics and manufacturing and healthcare and health sciences” for rising 9th through 12th grade students from the middle to end of July.
The college’s camps stand out for their industry connections. “Virginia Western’s Career Exploration Camps are designed and led by professors and instructors who frequently collaborate with businesses and organizations around the region to train and upskill their employees,” Cook says. “Their knowledge and experience provide students with an immersive career experience throughout the week.”
This real-world application is evident in the mechatronics and manufacturing camp scheduled for July 14-18. The five-day program progresses from shop safety and career exploration to hands-on activities with additive and subtractive manufacturing, 3D modeling and printing, CNC machine activities, laser engraving and Arduino electronics projects.
Cook emphasizes that the camps provide value whether students discover a passion or realize a particular field isn’t for them. “Campers can explore a field of interest without the fear of failure. If they find they love a certain field, these camps can serve as a foundation for their academic and professional future. Conversely, if they discover the field is not for them, they can walk away without penalty — no bad grades, no significant loss of time or money.”
Science Through a Social Lens: Hollins University
For young women entering grades 9-12, Hollins University offers “Experiment and Explore,” a program that takes a distinctive approach by combining natural sciences with social sciences.
“This girls-only camp provides a supportive environment where participants can embrace new challenges in the sciences while building confidence and curiosity,” says Tammy Moore, interim vice president of marketing and communications at Hollins University.
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Courtesy of Hollins University
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Courtesy of Hollins University
The program, which takes place in the middle of July, differentiates itself by examining scientific concepts through a societal lens. “The program offers a unique blend of natural and social sciences, engaging campers in real-world topics such as plastics and solar power. Participants explore the underlying chemistry and scientific principles behind these innovations, then shift focus to the social sciences — examining how communities perceive and respond to these technologies,” Moore explains.
This summer’s program focuses on materials chemistry and environmental impact, with students synthesizing polymers and biopolymers in laboratory settings. The interdisciplinary approach is intentional.
“STEM fields rely on natural sciences to drive innovative new technologies — but they also need the insights of the social sciences to ensure these advancements are adaptable, accessible and meaningful to the people who use them. This STEM camp introduces students to both perspectives, providing a well-rounded experience,” says Moore.
Hollins has been offering summer programs since the 1990s, adapting content annually “based on the specialties of the faculty leading the sessions, ensuring fresh, engaging content for participants.” The university offers both residential and day camp options for local students.
Elementary Exploration: Science Museum of Western Virginia
For younger students, the Science Museum of Western Virginia offers engaging summer camps running from June 9 through Aug. 15, designed specifically for children from pre-K through 5th grade.
The museum’s camps introduce foundational STEM concepts through age-appropriate activities. “Physics in Action” invites young scientists to “explore energy, motion and forces through hands-on activities, experiments, machine building and challenge solving, all while discovering the principles that govern the natural world.”
For budding chemists, the “Chemical Concoctions” camp promises “a SWEET adventure in science as we explore the world of chemistry through hands-on experiments and edible reactions.”
The museum says these programs help establish a foundation of scientific curiosity and engagement that can feed into the more specialized programs available as students advance through their education.
Choosing the Right STEM Experience
Across all programs, no prior STEM experience is required, making these camps accessible entry points for students curious about science and technology fields.
The camps serve different age ranges — Science Museum of Western Virginia for elementary students, Burton Center for middle school students, Virginia Western and Hollins for high school students, with Hollins specifically designed for young women — allowing families to find appropriate options as students progress through their education.
Beyond technical skills, all programs emphasize the development of soft skills that translate across disciplines and careers. Virginia Western’s instructors “help campers develop the soft skills needed to be successful in both their future academic pursuits, as well as the workplace. Those include teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, presentation and time management skills,” Cook notes.
For students and parents weighing summer options, these STEM camps offer structured educational experiences that could help shape future academic and career choices. Whether students are drawn to the engineering focus at Burton Center, the career exploration at Virginia Western, or the interdisciplinary approach at Hollins, the Roanoke Valley’s STEM camp offerings provide pathways to discover new interests and develop valuable skills.
As Gerrol from Burton Center summarizes: “Students should sign up for our summer STEM camps to get a true hands-on experience in engineering, robotics, manufacturing and automotive technology, explore the advanced programs offered at the Burton Center and spark their interest in future STEM opportunities — all while working with real-world equipment and being mentored by experienced student leaders.”
The story above is from our July/August 2025 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!