Science

Science, Robotics, Engineering

Summer

STEAM TANK ENTREPRENEUR

7-11 Yr Olds

Calling all innovative and inventive kids to an adventure in S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, Math) and entrepreneurship! You and your STEAM team will design, create and open new businesses every day: From PIZZApreneur Day to SWEETreprenur Day to SLIMEtrepreneur Day to PETrepreneur Day to HAUNTrepreneur Day. Can you convince the island sharks that your STEAM team’s business belongs in the new Challenge Island Mall? Don’t miss out on a one of a kind entrepreneurial experience!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Fri, July 26 (or when full)
  • Cost: $195r/$210nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin + Challenge Island staff
  • Date: Aug 12-16
  • Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria + ELA room

ISLAND DOLL CAMP

7-11 Yr Olds

Rollerblade on down to the dreamiest, STEAMiest camp in town! You and a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, Math) team of friends will help design and deck out our Island Doll Land, complete with cool convertibles, pink waterslides and seriously stylin’ Island Doll STEAM houses! You’ll bring downtown to life with your own doll-inspired businesses, spend a day in the sun at the island doll beach & boardwalk, camp out under the stars in your doll treehouse, and take to the slopes at the island doll ski resort. Bring on eye for design, a taste for adventure and your favorite 11.5 inch fashionable friend to this blockbuster challenge island camp!

  • Registration: Deadline was July 8. Call 616-748-3230 to inquire about late registration options
  • Cost: $195r/$210nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin + Challenge Island staff
  • Date: July 22-26
  • Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria + ELA room

SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP

5 Yr Olds-8th Gr

Join us to be a real-life scientist for a week! Participants will have fun improving their science knowledge by participating in science-related collaborative group challenges! 5 Yr Olds: Register based on age at the start of the program. K-8th Gr: Register based on 2024-25 grade level

  • Instructors: Brad Stevens (ZPS Science Teacher)
  • Dates: July 15-19
  • 5 Yr Olds-1st Gr: 8:00-9:00am
  • 2nd-3rd Gr: 9:30am-11:00am
  • 4th-5th Gr: 11:30am-1:00pm
  • 6th-8th Gr: 1:30pm-3:00pm

  • Location: Zeeland West HS - Room J125

Fall & Winter

LEARN HOW TO 3D PRINT & COMPUTER-AID-DESIGN (CAD)

9-14 Yr Olds

Join us to learn how to use technology to design a solid object using TINKERCAD, a 3D app used for design, electronics and coding! Participants will design their own small object that we will then 3D print for you to take home (ex: chess pawn, keychain, mini-figures, etc). Join us to have a blast while also learning the basics of designing, mechanics, electronics and coding. Since 3D printing takes some time, you will pick up your project at a later date from Zeeland Recreation.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Aug 5 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $19r/$34nr
  • Instructors: Amped Reality Staff
  • Session 1: Tue, Sept 24 | 7:30pm-8:45pm
  • Session 2: Thur, Jan 16 | 7:30pm-8:45pm
  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room 

INTRO TO ROBOTICS & CODING

4th-7th Gr

Join us for one of the most popular programs nationwide! “Coding” is when you give a computer instructions to perform a task, which then translates to knowing how to make apps, websites, computer systems and more. During this class, we will learn the basics of coding and ensure students know how to continue coding after class ends. Join us to develop a highly valued lifelong skill while also learning how to create something new, improve your problem solving skills, advance your computational thinking and more!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Aug 5 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $43r/$58nr
  • Instructors: Amped Reality Staff
  • Session 1: Tue | Sept 24-Oct 1 | 6:00pm-7:30pm
  • Session 2: Thur | Oct 17-24 | 6:00pm-7:30pm
  • Session 3: Thur | Jan 9-16 | 6:00pm-7:30pm
  • Session 4: Tue | Jan 14-21 | 6:00pm-7:30pm
  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room 

BUILD A CRAZY ROBOT

6-9 Yr Olds

Join us for a crazy fun robot experience while also getting a chance to improve skills like problem solving, creativity, engineering and more! Participants will build their own robot, decorate it, and play with it, while also learning all about how robots work! You even get to take home your robot at the end of the night!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Aug 5 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $26r/$41nr
  • Instructors: Amped Reality Staff
  • Session 1 (Crazy Robot): Tue, Oct 8 | 6:00pm-7:00pm
  • Session 2 (Doodle Robot): Tue, Jan 7 | 6:00pm-7:00pm
  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room 

HALLOW-STEAM

7-11 Yr Olds

Dive into the Halloween spirit with HallowSTEAM, where you can immerse yourself in a world of engineering challenges with a spooky twist! Whether you're crafting eerie slime or constructing haunted houses, this program offers a fun and educational experience for all costume-clad participants (costumes welcome). Embrace the Halloween vibes and unleash your creativity with HallowSTEAM this season!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Aug 5 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $30r/$45nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Sat, Oct 26
  • Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm 

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

STEAM-ING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

7-11 Yr Olds

Dive into the festive spirit with a variety of engaging and educational activities as we celebrate the holiday season by STEAMing Through the Holidays! From creating holiday slime to exploring Santa's Workshop and crafting a spinning snowman, there's something for everyone to enjoy and learn from! Join us in embracing the magic of the holidays through hands-on experiences that blend science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in a fun and interactive way!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Aug 5 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $30r/$45nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Sat, Dec 7
  • Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm 

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

7-11 Yr Olds

Embark on an extraordinary journey with our STEAM team to explore an enchanting island filled with wonders like the Slimy Spaghetti Tree and a thrilling Dog Skateboard Park. Brace yourself for the daring “Courageous Cave Rescue Mission”, where teamwork and innovation will be put to the ultimate test. Get ready to be amazed and inspired by the countless adventures awaiting you on this mind-blowing island!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Aug 5 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $30r/$45nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Fri, Dec 27
  • Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

MINE ISLAND

7-11 Yr Olds

Join us for a morning filled with exciting activities such as exploring the Never-Land volcano, experiencing the thrill of designing and playing a snow biome bobsled game, and creating your very own power potion! This event promises to be a fun and educational experience for all participants.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Aug 5 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $30r/$45nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Thur, Jan 2
  • Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

valentine's kids steam night out

7-11 Yr Olds

Join us for three hours of non-stop fun! Participants will dissolve some hearts, launch kisses with Cupid, fly Valentine planes and even make some friendship slime! Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity to give your kids a night to remember while parents enjoy some well-deserved time off!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Aug 5 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $30r/$45nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Sat, Feb 15
  • Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room