PacSci Campers Learn from Real-World Experts

Each summer, Pacific Science Center’s award-winning Camps for Curious Minds offers PreK-8th grade students the chance to explore the world of science in hands-on, exciting ways.  

This summer, 4,177 youth participated in 281 camp sessions across multiple locations in King County. These campers ignited their curiosity, created new friendships, and, most importantly, had fun! 

A huge thank you to the incredible guest speakers who shared their expertise and passion, inspiring our campers and making this summer extra special.

2024 Summer Camp Highlights

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow through STEM education, regardless of their background.   

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion extended to every aspect of our camps program. This summer, we proudly awarded scholarships to 327 youth, ensuring they had access to engaging STEM experiences regardless of their financial background. We held 27 girls-focused camp sessions and 18 sensory-friendly camp sessions to create experiences that were empowering and accessible to all campers. 

We aimed to provide every camper with role models they could relate to by inviting a diverse range of guest speakers from various STEM fields. By showcasing professionals with different backgrounds and careers, we helped campers see themselves represented in the world of science. 

We are proud to foster a space where every camper can thrive and envision their future in science. 

Thank You to Our Inspiring Guest Speakers!

We want to extend a special thanks to the guest speakers who spoke to our campers and showcased how their lessons were applicable in real life careers. This summer, 157 campers were impacted by a guest speaker’s presentation. 

These guest speakers included professionals from various STEM fields at cutting-edge companies throughout Seattle, and their stories served as inspiration for our young campers who are eagerly kickstarting their STEM journeys. 

🥼 Seattle Children Hospital’s Dr. Kenisha Campbell joined What’s Up Doc to share her journey to becoming a doctor and utilized a creative bingo game to teach campers about medical concepts.  

🍬 University of Washington’s Jessica Fagerstrom (who is also one of the innovators featured in our Science for Everyone exhibit) used candy to teach our Ready, Set, Physics campers’ concepts in physics.  Jessica also joined our Dissection Lab and Young Physicians camp speakers to share her love for science with even more campers.  

💻 English Teacher turned Software Developer Megan Jones, shared her incredible journey into computer science, teaching campers at Itsy Bitsy Coders that there are many ways to find your engineering career path if you have a passion for problem-solving.  

🍫 Seattle Chocolate Company’s Ruby Shrestha delighted campers at Candyology with a tasty and interactive lesson on the production of their unique chocolates. The students impressed Ruby with their sophisticated chocolate palettes!  

🍌 Afua Yorke from the University of Washington School of Medicine and Ethan Cohen from the Northwest Medical Physics Center led Dissection Lab campers in a hands-on practical medical imaging activity using bananas and squash. Yorke shared that “Exposing young minds to other medical professions is key. It gives them a better understanding of what other careers are available.” 

🧬 Bristol Myers Squibb’s Daniella Cohen taught campers at Chem Lab how research in chemistry and cell therapy is leading to innovative solutions in fighting cancer. “I was excited to hear the kids’ questions, and how they related the questions to their personal experiences. I loved the examples they shared with me and to see their eyes sparkle when they talked,” Daniella shared.  

🥘 PCC Community Markets’ Adrienne Chamberlain had a cooking adventure with our Food Labs campers, showcasing the art of selecting fresh ingredients for recipe perfection. The kids enjoyed the hands-on cooking lesson, each getting to contribute to the final pasta dish.  

🍴 Brock Johnson from Tom Douglas Restaurants visited our Cooking up Science Camp and shared insight on the science of flavorful food, showcasing how the five taste sensations play a role in creating yummy flavors.  

🪐 Blue Origin’s Tammy Eydelman and Katelyn Wentworth encouraged our girls-focused Mission to Mars camps to shoot for the stars by teaching them of the various careers that are helpful in outer space.  

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Camps for Curious Minds is presented by Bristol Myers Squibb, First Tech Federal Credit Union, and PEMCO Insurance with additional generous support provided by Pam Merriman & Sonja Ross and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.