Online Science Discovery Camp
This summer we are excited to be launching a new science learning opportunity: Online Science Discovery Camps!
Though they take place online instead of at The Lawrence, these new experiences will look familiar, including hands-on learning and doing the stuff real scientists do. You will also get time with our incredible and talented team of educators and camp teachers.
Rest easy knowing that necessary materials are shipped directly to you and that we are maintaining the personal touch of staff, in spite of the distance learning, by maintaining a staff-to-participant ratio of 1:6 or less.
We are really excited to be offering this new online learning experience, and feel grateful that you are considering The Lawrence among all the online offerings this summer.
If you would like to register for a camp that has a start-date within 12 days, please contact the Registration office at lhsreg@berkeley.edu. We will respond ASAP during regular business hours. Monday-Friday 8:30A-4:30P
Program Descriptions
Nature Explorers
Have you ever looked at dirt and wondered, “What’s under there? What does that bug eat? How come some of the bugs go underground, and what do they do down there?” In this interactive online camp, student explorers will create their own terrarium habitats and explore the organisms that live there through a mix of observations, read-alouds, and hands-on activities. Participants will develop their abilities to observe and explore the world around them—learning skills that can later be applied to anything they find interesting.
What You Will Need at Home:
- Materials that will be delivered directly to your home
- A large flat surface and a large tray, placemat, or tablecloth to work on
- Access to outdoors for soil, sand, weeds, leaves, and insects
- Small cup of water to keep soil moist
Please note: Limited adult help may be needed to help your children set up for activities before the start of the session.
Member: $165 / Non-Member: $195
Camp Dates
- July 6–10 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 6–10 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 6–10 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 27–31 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. PDT Registration Open
- July 27–31 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Registration Open
- July 27–31 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Registration Open
Slime Investigators
In this session, participants will have fun with the science of making slime. Through hands-on activities, they will explore the phases of matter, solid, liquid, and gas and their properties, and will learn how matter changes from one phase to another. They will practice science skills by observing, asking questions, and investigating. In the final session, they will use their newfound skills and knowledge to design a slime recipe that responds to an engineering challenge; for example, can slime be stretchy enough to make a bridge, or soft enough to protect a package, or solid enough to capture a fingerprint?
What You Will Need at Home:
- Materials that will be delivered directly to your home
- Space to store some items in your refrigerator and freezer, a sink for handwashing, and towels for cleanup
- A large flat surface and a large tray, placemat, or tablecloth to work on
Please note: Limited adult help may be needed to help your children set up for activities before the start of the session.
Member: $165 / Non-Member: $195
Camp Dates
- July 13–17 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 13–17 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 13–17 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- August 3–7 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. PDT Registration Open
- August 3–7 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Registration Open
- August 3–7 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Registration Open
Food Engineers
What makes our bodies go, grow, and glow? Healthy food, of course! In this program, participants will learn about how foods like carbohydrates make your body go, how proteins make you grow, and how vitamins and minerals make you “glow.” Throughout the week, participants will explore foods through scavenger hunts, taste testing, trivia, and hands-on activities. Along the way they will practice different scientific methods such as explaining from evidence. By the end, they will have practiced the engineering cycle and designed recipes for good-tasting, healthy treats.
What You Will Need at Home:
- Materials and a produce box will be delivered directly to your home
- Space to store some items in your refrigerator and freezer, a sink for handwashing, and towels for cleanup
- A large flat surface and a large tray, placemat, or tablecloth to work on
- 3 bowls of similar shape/size for storing and 1 large bowl for mixing
- Cutting board, kid-friendly knife, and eating utensils
Please note: Limited adult help may be needed to help your children set up for activities by measuring their ingredients and gathering materials before the start of the session.
Member: $165 / Non-Member: $195
Camp Dates
- July 20–24 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. PDT Please contact lhsreg@berkeley.edu for details
- July 20–24 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Please contact lhsreg@berkeley.edu for details
- July 20–24 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Please contact lhsreg@berkeley.edu for details
Journey Beyond Earth
Did you know that there are planets outside of our solar system, called “exoplanets,” that have the potential to support life? Participants will choose an exoplanet to investigate and then design a ship that can sustain them as they travel through space to get there. They will explore systems on Earth that are vital to supporting life, such as the water cycle and the oxygen cycle. Then, using terrestrial cycles as models, they will create blueprints of their own life-sustaining systems for their ship. At the end of the week, participants will prototype a 3D model of their ship. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of our galaxy, of exoplanets, and of what is needed for human survival.
What You Will Need at Home:
- Materials that will be delivered directly to your home
- A glass of water, a sink for handwashing, and towels for cleanup
- A collection of recycled materials for crafting with; it’s best to start collecting now!
- A large flat surface on a tabletop to work on
- A large bowl, a smaller bowl, and plastic wrap or a plastic bag big enough to cover the large bowl
- Small amount of grass and dirt, or various spices
- A few coins
Member: $165 / Non-Member: $195
Camp Dates
- July 6–10 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 6–10 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 6–10 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 27–31 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. PDT Registration Open
- July 27–31 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Registration Open
- July 27–31 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Registration Open
Crime Science Investigations
Come join us for “CSI: Crime Science Investigations” as we explore how you and other participants can be forensic scientists at home! What does it take to be a forensic scientist, and how do they operate at a crime scene? Learn to be a detective with the tools of science. You will perform hand-on activities like using chromatography to separate inks in markers, creating homemade fingerprint powder and dusting for prints, learning how to assess and analyze a crime scene, and much more!
What You Will Need at Home:
- Materials that will be delivered directly to your home
- A large flat surface on a tabletop to work on
- Access to a sink for handwashing and towels for cleanup
- Drinking glass
- One bowl
Please note: The first 15 minutes of the final session may require adult assistance.
Member: $165 / Non-Member: $195
Camp Dates
- July 13–17 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 13–17 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 13–17 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- August 3–7 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. PDT Registration Open
- August 3–7 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Registration Open
- August 3–7 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Registration Open
Quicksand Engineering
Do you have what it takes to survive a rescue mission…over quicksand? Participants will explore the properties of non-Newtonian fluids and will apply their discoveries to engineering an all-new rescue vehicle—one that can actually travel over quicksand! Throughout the week they will learn about quicksand and practice working with scientific tools and using skills. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the design cycle as they design, build, and test out their creations, resulting in both 2D and 3D concepts for their new vehicle.
What You Will Need at Home:
- Materials that will be delivered directly to your home
- A collection of recycled materials for crafting with; it’s best to start collecting now!
- A large flat surface and a large tray, placemat, or tablecloth to work on
- Access to a sink for handwashing and towels for cleanup
- Medium sized bowl
Member: $165 / Non-Member: $195
Camp Dates
- July 20–24 9:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. PDT Please contact lhsreg@berkeley.edu for details
- July 20–24 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Please contact lhsreg@berkeley.edu for details
Coding Nanosatellites
Exploring space isn’t just for astronauts—scientists on the Earth use coding to discover the secrets of space, too! In this program, participants will learn the basics of block-based programming using Microsoft MakeCode. They will build a model “nanosatellite” using office supplies and recycled materials, then will power it to do things that real-life satellites do, like respond to light and motion. Along the way, they will practice science and engineering skills such as collaborating, observing, and using a design cycle framework. Please note there are both middle-school and high-school versions of this program. Make sure to click the registration link(s) below to ensure that you register for the right program.
What You Will Need at Home:
- Materials that will be delivered directly to your home
- A Windows or Mac computer with USB ports to transfer data to the robotics kit
- A collection of recycled materials for crafting with; it’s best to start collecting now!
Member: $475 / Non-Member: $550
Camp Dates
- July 6–10 1:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 20–24 9:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Please contact lhsreg@berkeley.edu for details
Building Bridges
The Bay Area is known for its many iconic bridges. In this program, participants will learn about different types of bridges, including truss bridges like the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge, and suspension bridges like the Golden Gate Bridge. Using provided materials, participants will create and test their own bridges. They will practice using the engineering design cycle to design, build, and test their bridges. Finally, participants will showcase their “dream bridge,” using the principles they have learned and skills they have gained.
What You Will Need at Home:
- Materials that will be delivered directly to your home
- A large flat surface with newspaper or covering to work on while using the glue gun
- Access to electricity for a hot glue gun
- Access to water and a safe place to test bridges, using a bucket of water that can hang from a 50 cm bridge placed between two tables or chairs (bucket provided by The Lawrence)
- Please have at least 4 heavy objects such as textbooks
- Sturdy plastic or a 16oz paper cup
- Towel or blanket to put under a bucket of water
Member: $275 / Non-Member: $315
Camp Dates
- July 13–17 9:30a.m. – 11:30p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 27–31 1:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Registration Open
Coding for Space Exploration
Exploring space isn’t just for astronauts—scientists on the Earth use coding to discover the secrets of space, too! In this program, participants will learn the basics of Python programming. They will build model probes using construction supplies and recycled materials, then power their probes to do things that real-life probes do, like responding to light, objects, and motion. Along the way, they will practice science and engineering skills, make observations, and use a design cycle framework. Please note there are both middle-school and high-school versions of this program. Make sure to click the registration link(s) below to ensure that you register for the right program.
What You Will Need at Home:
- Materials that will be delivered directly to your home
- A Windows or Mac computer with USB ports to transfer data to the robotics kit
- A collection of recycled materials for crafting with; it’s best to start collecting now!
Member: $475 / Non-Member: $550
Camp Dates
- July 6–10 9:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 20–24 1:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. PDT Please contact lhsreg@berkeley.edu for details
Puzzles and Proofs
Making the case about your ideas and opinions, then communicating them effectively to others, is a skill you can develop! This will really come in handy when you debate political points with peers, try to persuade teachers and your parents of certain things, and especially when you want to explain concepts in areas of STEM. Through a series of fun, puzzle-like activities, you will learn how to turn your thinking into a convincing argument that others can understand. We will discover how associative thinking overlaps with the linear logical threads of proofing and its relevance to geometry, mathematics, and other fields of science. At the end of the week, you will be able to design and showcase your own proof on a subject of your choice. Join us this summer, and gain a practical life and science skill that will propel your STEM-learning career further and better prepare you for college.
What You Will Need at Home:
- Materials that will be delivered directly to your home
- Access to a camera or phone camera to take pictures
Member: $275 / Non-Member: $315
Camp Dates
- July 13–17 1:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. PDT Registration Closed
- July 27–31 9:30a.m. – 11:30p.m. PDT Registration Open
Here are a few important things you should know:
Camps take place online, so you will need a computer or laptop with a working video camera, stable internet, and Zoom. If you do not have Zoom, please download it and familiarize yourself. Some programs may use additional platforms, and that information will be shared during the program itself.
Those entering grades 1 through grade 12 are eligible for registration. Camps are 5 days long, and run the course of a single week.
Programs range in duration 1, 2, or 3 hours, depending on age and content, and have different start times. All start times are in Pacific Time. They will include online facilitated science experiences as well as extended exploration for participants offline.
Prices include all materials, which will be shipped directly to you. A package from The Lawrence will arrive via UPS a week in advance of the start date. A limited number of items that you typically have at home will be required and noted for specific programs. Adult support may be needed for setup, and some materials need to be gathered under adult supervision as they may be hazardous to younger siblings.
You will be invited to a 15-minute online orientation with both staff and all registered participants on the Thursday before the start date.
The University of California is committed to providing an electronic environment that is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Contact the Registration Office at least 7 days before the start of the program if you need to arrange accommodations.
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Hours
The Lawrence will be closed to the public until June 2021. - 1 Centennial Drive
Berkeley, CA 94720
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