Discover how today's apps and games are built in the cloud! Students explore cloud-based development while building their own games from the ground up. Learn coding fundamentals like variables, functions, and game logic, then create, save, and share a cloud-powered game you can play anywhere. If you do not receive your Zoom link at least 5 days before class, please email virtual@techacademycamps.com. Home Technical Requirements: Computer: PC (Windows 10 or later) or Mac (OSX) with at least a 2GHz processor and 4GB of RAM Chromebooks, Tablets, and phones DO NOT Work. Internet: Broadband internet Webcam, Microphone and Speakers Zoom Installed on Computer, zoom link will be sent before class. Students should be comfortable using a PC, mouse, and keyboard.

Build a computer bot to compete against other coders! Whether you're new or experienced, this is the perfect way to explore competitive coding. No previous coding experience is necessary. The Code Championship Series is four online tournaments hosted on Google Meet. If you have a modern browser, no download is required. Players must be able to navigate the internet. The Google Meet link will be emailed two days before the tournament. https://www.codechampionship.com/gallery/

Learn the basics of coding by creating a Nintendo-themed game with Scratch! Students will use colorful, drag-and-drop blocks to bring their favorite characters to life. Scratch was developed by MIT and makes coding fun and visual. Nintendo is a trademark of Nintendo of America Inc. and not affiliated with this camp. If you do not receive your Zoom link at least 5 days before class, please email virtual@techacademycamps.com. Home Technical Requirements: Computer: PC (Windows 10 or later) or Mac (OSX) with at least a 2GHz processor and 4GB of RAM Chromebooks, Tablets, and phones DO NOT Work. Internet: Broadband internet Webcam, Microphone and Speakers Zoom Installed on Computer, zoom link will be sent before class. Students should be comfortable using a PC, mouse, and keyboard. Additional Technical Requirements: Scratch Website Scratch Account (sign-up information will be provided before class)

Let's play On-Line Chess! Saturday Chess is for those students who want to practice with fellow competitive chess players. Each session will include an advanced chess lesson, as well as competitive matchups against students from all over the Twin Cities. Participation on the South Washington Chess Team is not required to join Saturday On-Line Chess.

Gopher Steam is back for the 2026-2027 with 24 brand new STEM classes for kindergarten and up. Come sign up for some serious STEM fun with Gopher STEAM this fall! Topics we will explore include: Rocket Science Let’s launch into rocket science! We will learn about the forces of flight and engineering that go into rocket science by building our own flying model rocket. Explore how Newton’s third law allows rockets to fly. What goes up comes down. We will learn about the various recovery systems model rockets use to land safely. The rocket your Jr. Rocket Scientist will build is a custom 3D printed design specifically adapted for first time builders. Blast off! Are you ready to rocket? In this class we will give your Jr. Rocket Scientist a crash course in model rocketry. We will head outside and learn how to safely launch the model rockets we build. Each student will get a chance to launch their own rocket. Digging Dinosaurs Become a junior paleontologist as we explore the features and characteristics that make dinosaurs fascinating. Learn about how we know what we know as you get hands on with a collection of interesting fossils. Go on your own tabletop dinosaur dig and learn how paleontologists share their fossils as we make a cast of a T-rex tooth to take home. Bugs! Everywhere we go we are surrounded by a miniature world creeping and crawling with bugs. We will explore the amazing arthropods that make up the bugs we find all around us. Learn how insects, arachnids, myriapods and isopods are the same and different. We will discover how bugs use camouflage to hide in plain sight and mimicry to confuse predators. How do bugs around us help us and the environment? What bugs do we find here in Minnesota, other than mosquitoes? We will use what we learn to build our own bug to take home. Bubbles! Let's explore the chemistry and physics of bubbles. What is the chemistry that makes bubbles possible? How do bubbles make all those beguiling colors? What shapes can bubbles make? Students will make their own bubble wand to take home and older children can make a 3D bubble wand. We even bring our own special device that will put you in a bubble. Under the Sea We will explore the ocean from the sunlight zone to the depths of the midnight zone. What amazing animals we find as we go deeper. We will compare the features and habitats of whales, sharks, sea turtles and much more. Explore the ecosystems that cover 70% of our planet. As we explore the oceans, we will build our own ocean in a bottle. Our Solar System: Take a tour of the planets, moons, asteroids and other amazing objects that make up our solar system. Discover why Pluto is classified as a dwarf planet and discover the other dwarf planets in our system. We will explore the relative sizes and distances as we build a kid solar system using a roll of TP. Your amateur astronomer will make their own planet to take home. Shocking Science What you will learn about static electricity will shock you. We will examine how electrons move to make electricity and how static electricity is different. Students will learn how to create static electricity and how to store their charge as they build a leyden jar to take home. If weather conditions cooperate you might even make your hair stand on end and play with 50000 volts with our Van De Graaff generator.

D&D meets Minecraft! Explore a custom-built Minecraft server that brings D&D to life, plus play a mini D&D one-shot with iconic Minecraft creatures. No experience with either game required. Minecraft is a Mojang Studios trademark and not affiliated with this camp. Dungeons & Dragons is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast and not affiliated with this camp. If you do not receive your Zoom link at least 5 days before class, please email virtual@techacademycamps.com. Home Technical Requirements: Computer: PC (Windows 10 or later) or Mac (OSX) with at least a 2GHz processor and 4GB of RAM Chromebooks, Tablets, and phones DO NOT Work. Internet: Broadband internet Webcam, Microphone and Speakers Zoom Installed on Computer, zoom link will be sent before class. Students should be comfortable using a PC, mouse, and keyboard. Additional Technical Requirements: Minecraft Java Edition ($30; more information will be provided before class)