Programs That Turn Interest Into Mastery
Project-based cohorts, weekend intensives, summer camps, and competition teams — each engineered to build confidence, technical skill, and portfolio-ready work.
Program Formats
Multiple entry points. Every format is hands-on, project-based, and designed to meet students where they are.
After-School Cohorts
Semester-length programs that run weekly after school. Each cohort follows a structured curriculum that takes students from fundamentals to a final portfolio project over 10–14 weeks. Small groups ensure every student gets personalized guidance and hands-on time with equipment.
- 10–14 week sessions
- Weekly meetings after school
- Structured curriculum with milestone projects
- Culminates in a showcase presentation
Weekend Intensives
Two-day deep dives into focused topics. Intensives are perfect for students who want to explore a new skill, try a lab before committing to a full cohort, or build on existing knowledge with a concentrated sprint.
- Saturday & Sunday sessions
- Single-topic focus for rapid skill-building
- Take-home project by end of weekend
- Great for first-time participants
Summer Camps
Week-long immersive camps running June through August. Extended daily sessions give students the time to go deeper, build bigger projects, and form lasting connections with peers and mentors in a high-energy environment.
- Full-week immersive experiences
- Extended daily sessions for deeper learning
- Capstone projects and team challenges
- Friday showcase for families and community
Competition Teams
Represent The Ember Alliance in regional and national S.T.E.A.M. competitions. Competition teams build advanced skills, teamwork, and leadership through structured practice, strategy sessions, and tournament participation.
- Ongoing practice and team development
- Regional and national competition entry
- Advanced skill-building beyond standard cohorts
- Leadership and teamwork under pressure
Programs for Every Age
All programs are beginner-friendly and calibrated to meet students at their developmental level.
Elementary (Ages 7–10)
Introduction to S.T.E.A.M. concepts through play-based, guided exploration. Students build foundational curiosity, motor skills, and creative thinking using age-appropriate tools and supervised activities.
- Block-based coding and simple robotics
- Guided science experiments
- Creative design and building challenges
- Emphasis on exploration and fun
Middle School (Ages 11–13)
Structured project work that builds technical skills and teamwork. Students begin working with real tools, software, and equipment while developing problem-solving strategies and project management habits.
- Text-based programming introduction
- 3D modeling and printing projects
- Video production and digital media
- Collaborative team challenges
High School (Ages 14–18)
Advanced projects, portfolio development, and career exploration. High school students work on industry-relevant projects, build professional portfolios, and gain exposure to workforce pathways and post-secondary opportunities.
- Advanced coding and software development
- Engineering design and fabrication
- Portfolio-ready capstone projects
- Career mentorship and pathway guidance
What Students Build
Every program produces tangible, portfolio-ready artifacts that students own and can showcase.
Functional Prototypes
Physical products built through the engineering design process — from concept sketches to working models fabricated with real tools and equipment.
Code Demos & Applications
Interactive programs, games, websites, and applications that demonstrate logic, creativity, and technical skill in software development.
Digital Designs
Graphic design pieces, 3D models, product mockups, and visual projects created with industry-standard creative tools and workflows.
Media Projects
Short films, edited videos, podcasts, storyboards, and multimedia content produced with professional production techniques and equipment.
Science Documentation
Experiment logs, research presentations, and demonstration materials that showcase scientific reasoning, observation, and analytical skills.
Competition Records
Tournament results, team accomplishments, and competition documentation that highlight advanced skills, teamwork, and achievement under pressure.
Scholarships & Access
No child should be excluded from a S.T.E.A.M. program because of financial barriers.
The Ember Alliance is committed to making every program accessible to every young person in our community. Through donor-supported scholarships, grant funding, and community partnerships, we work to eliminate the financial barriers that prevent participation.
All equipment, materials, and tools are provided on-site at no cost. Students never need to purchase supplies to participate. For families who need additional support, scholarship applications are available for every program format — cohorts, intensives, camps, and competition teams.
All Equipment Provided
Every tool, device, and material students need is available on-site. No purchases required to participate in any program.
Donor-Supported Scholarships
Generous donors and community partners fund scholarships that cover program fees for families who need financial assistance.
No Child Excluded
Our commitment is simple: if a young person wants to learn, we will find a way to make it possible. Every time.
Ready to Build Something?
Whether your student is brand new to S.T.E.A.M. or ready to take their skills to the next level, there is a program waiting for them.