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Academies for Young Minds
Academies for Young Minds camps encourage children to be innovative and use creative problem-solving by engaging them in fun, hands-on activities.
Please be sure to read the General Information section at the bottom of this page.
Registration for these camps opens on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 at 10:00 am MST.
Summer 2023 Camps
It's Electric Grades 
in Fall 2023
When: June 5-9, 2023 (Monday - Friday) • 9:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Colorado School of Mines campus • Golden, Colorado
Maximum students: 20
Fee: $290.00
Instructor: Brian Hostetler Learn more...
Brian has more than 20 years experience leading camps and other science based programs at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the St. Louis Science Center and the University of Missouri Before and After School Programs. He has been a guest many times on local news outlets teaching anchors about some of the wonderful and weird things science can show you every day. He is currently teaching S.T.E.M. at Canyon Creek Elementary School for primary grades K-2. He holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Science Education from the University of Missouri. He's crazy excited to learn and explore with your kiddos this summer!
Use engineering principles to solve problems, get electric with electrostatics and current electricity, move objects with electricity, create power with your food, power your own light bulbs, and more in this interactive and exciting camp.
Charged Up! Grades 
in Fall 2023
When: June 5-9, 2022 (Monday - Friday) • 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Colorado School of Mines campus • Golden, Colorado
Maximum students: 20
Fee: $290.00
Instructor: Brian Hostetler Learn more...
Brian has more than 20 years experience leading camps and other science based programs at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the St. Louis Science Center and the University of Missouri Before and After School Programs. He has been a guest many times on local news outlets teaching anchors about some of the wonderful and weird things science can show you every day. He is currently teaching S.T.E.M. at Canyon Creek Elementary School for primary grades K-2. He holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Science Education from the University of Missouri. He's crazy excited to learn and explore with your kiddos this summer!
Use your engineering knowledge to create complex circuits and energy from renewable and non-renewable sources, power motors, and more. Build solar panels, play with electrostatics, and light up the room...off the grid of course!
Building Basics Grades in Fall 2023
When: June 19-23, 2023 (Monday - Friday) • 9:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Colorado School of Mines campus • Golden, Colorado
Maximum students: 20
Fee: $290.00
Instructor: Brian Hostetler Learn more...
Brian has more than 20 years experience leading camps and other science based programs at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the St. Louis Science Center and the University of Missouri Before and After School Programs. He has been a guest many times on local news outlets teaching anchors about some of the wonderful and weird things science can show you every day. He is currently teaching S.T.E.M. at Canyon Creek Elementary School for primary grades K-2. He holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Science Education from the University of Missouri. He's crazy excited to learn and explore with your kiddos this summer!
You have probably built things with blocks from the time you were very young, but have you ever thought about the forces at work? In this camp build with a variety of materials to learn more about them and how you can create buildings to stand up to those forces!
Magic of Science! Grades in Fall 2023
When: June 19-23, 2023 (Monday - Friday) • 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Colorado School of Mines campus • Golden, Colorado
Maximum students: 20
Fee: $290.00
Instructor: Brian Hostetler Learn more...
Brian has more than 20 years experience leading camps and other science based programs at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the St. Louis Science Center and the University of Missouri Before and After School Programs. He has been a guest many times on local news outlets teaching anchors about some of the wonderful and weird things science can show you every day. He is currently teaching S.T.E.M. at Canyon Creek Elementary School for primary grades K-2. He holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Science Education from the University of Missouri. He's crazy excited to learn and explore with your kiddos this summer!
Abra-ca-dabra! Have you ever wondered how the magic you see in a magic show happens? You will look at the science of some of your favorite tricks, and learn a few more. Most of the time, the magic is just science without an explanation. Join us for tricks galore, create your magical persona, and maybe learn a bit more about science in the process.
Toy Engineering Challenge Grades in Fall 2023
When: July 10-13, 2023 (Monday - Thursday) • 9:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Colorado School of Mines campus • Golden, Colorado
Maximum students: 20
Fee: $240.00
Instructor: Tiffany KaplerLearn more...
Tiffany is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education specialist and consultant. Her background and interests are in biology and informal education (think museums, zoos, nature centers, etc.). That said, she is a learner at heart and loves to stretch herself and grow. Tiffany started her science education career as an environmental education Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia. and expanded her science repertoire as an educator "Jack of all trades" at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for the better part of a decade.
Currently, Tiffany runs her own STEM education and consulting business. She has worked on various projects with organizations such as the Denver Zoo and the New York Academy of Sciences. Most recently, she has tackled robotics programming for NYC First, written curricula for NPR's Science Friday, and supported the education and public outreach efforts for NASA's Lucy Mission to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. For the past five years (and counting) she has stayed connected to her audience as a Girl Scout troop leader.
Tiffany is passionate about helping the public to understand the nature of science as a way of exploring and understanding the world. She also loves to share the concept of Design Thinking as a method of real-world problem solving. She believes that there is a little bit of scientist and inventor in all of us and thrills in guiding others through their own "why's" and "ah-ha" moments.
Have you ever dreamed of being an inventor? How about a toy inventor? Join us as we explore, experiment, and play with scientific principles. Use your new discoveries to invent and build your very own toys. Pre-requisites: a curious mind and a lively imagination.
DIY Robotics Grades 
in Fall 2023
When: July 10-13, 2023 (Monday - Thursday) • 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Colorado School of Mines campus • Golden, Colorado
Maximum students: 20
Fee: $250.00
Instructor: Tiffany KaplerLearn more...
Tiffany is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education specialist and consultant. Her background and interests are in biology and informal education (think museums, zoos, nature centers, etc.). That said, she is a learner at heart and loves to stretch herself and grow. Tiffany started her science education career as an environmental education Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia. and expanded her science repertoire as an educator "Jack of all trades" at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for the better part of a decade.
Currently, Tiffany runs her own STEM education and consulting business. She has worked on various projects with organizations such as the Denver Zoo and the New York Academy of Sciences. Most recently, she has tackled robotics programming for NYC First, written curricula for NPR's Science Friday, and supported the education and public outreach efforts for NASA's Lucy Mission to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. For the past five years (and counting) she has stayed connected to her audience as a Girl Scout troop leader.
Tiffany is passionate about helping the public to understand the nature of science as a way of exploring and understanding the world. She also loves to share the concept of Design Thinking as a method of real-world problem solving. She believes that there is a little bit of scientist and inventor in all of us and thrills in guiding others through their own "why's" and "ah-ha" moments.
Design, build and program real robots using Micro:bit processors and your own imagination. In this introductory level workshop, learn (or review) the basics of robotics, electric circuits, and block coding to create unique and completely autonomous robots that respond to external input and move around in their environment. Note: Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop, Chromebook, smartphone or tablet to access the Micro:bit coding app/website.
Build It! Grades in Fall 2023
When: July 17-21, 2023 (Monday - Friday) • 9:00am - 4:00pm
Where: Colorado School of Mines campus • Golden, Colorado
Maximum students: 20
Fee: $580.00
Instructor: Brian Hostetler Learn more...
Brian has more than 20 years experience leading camps and other science based programs at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the St. Louis Science Center and the University of Missouri Before and After School Programs. He has been a guest many times on local news outlets teaching anchors about some of the wonderful and weird things science can show you every day. He is currently teaching S.T.E.M. at Canyon Creek Elementary School for primary grades K-2. He holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Science Education from the University of Missouri. He's crazy excited to learn and explore with your kiddos this summer!
Use your design principles to create structures that are higher, stronger, and cooler looking than the rest. Create a building that can handle an earthquake, a hurricane, or an attack using materials like candy, newspaper, sticks, and more. Make and test airplanes, racecars, and zip lines because building can mean so many things!
Girl Power: Engineering for Good Grades in Fall 2023
When: July 25-28, 2023 (Tuesday - Friday) • 9:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Colorado School of Mines campus • Golden, Colorado
Maximum students: 20
Fee: $240.00
Instructor: Tiffany KaplerLearn more...
Tiffany is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education specialist and consultant. Her background and interests are in biology and informal education (think museums, zoos, nature centers, etc.). That said, she is a learner at heart and loves to stretch herself and grow. Tiffany started her science education career as an environmental education Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia. and expanded her science repertoire as an educator "Jack of all trades" at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for the better part of a decade.
Currently, Tiffany runs her own STEM education and consulting business. She has worked on various projects with organizations such as the Denver Zoo and the New York Academy of Sciences. Most recently, she has tackled robotics programming for NYC First, written curricula for NPR's Science Friday, and supported the education and public outreach efforts for NASA's Lucy Mission to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. For the past five years (and counting) she has stayed connected to her audience as a Girl Scout troop leader.
Tiffany is passionate about helping the public to understand the nature of science as a way of exploring and understanding the world. She also loves to share the concept of Design Thinking as a method of real-world problem solving. She believes that there is a little bit of scientist and inventor in all of us and thrills in guiding others through their own "why's" and "ah-ha" moments.
Explore how engineering and the design thinking process can be used to solve problems and help others. After several design challenges, the camp will culminate with a girl-led engineering design project to make the world a better place. Participation is open to all. Girl Scout Brownie and Juniors who participate will complete all of the steps to earn the Think Like an Engineer Journey (badges not included).
Girl Power: Robotics for Good Grades in Fall 2023
When: July 25-28, 2023 (Tuesday - Friday) • 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Colorado School of Mines campus • Golden, Colorado
Maximum students: 20
Fee: $250.00
Instructor: Tiffany KaplerLearn more...
Tiffany is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) education specialist and consultant. Her background and interests are in biology and informal education (think museums, zoos, nature centers, etc.). That said, she is a learner at heart and loves to stretch herself and grow. Tiffany started her science education career as an environmental education Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia. and expanded her science repertoire as an educator "Jack of all trades" at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for the better part of a decade.
Currently, Tiffany runs her own STEM education and consulting business. She has worked on various projects with organizations such as the Denver Zoo and the New York Academy of Sciences. Most recently, she has tackled robotics programming for NYC First, written curricula for NPR's Science Friday, and supported the education and public outreach efforts for NASA's Lucy Mission to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. For the past five years (and counting) she has stayed connected to her audience as a Girl Scout troop leader.
Tiffany is passionate about helping the public to understand the nature of science as a way of exploring and understanding the world. She also loves to share the concept of Design Thinking as a method of real-world problem solving. She believes that there is a little bit of scientist and inventor in all of us and thrills in guiding others through their own "why's" and "ah-ha" moments.
Design, build and program real robots using Micro:bit processors and your own imagination. As you create unique and completely autonomous robots, you will also explore women in robotics and how robots can be designed to make the world a better place. Participation is open to all. Girl Scout Junior and Cadette campers will complete the steps for all three Robotics badges at their level (badges not included). Note: Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop, Chromebook, smartphone or tablet to access the Micro:bit coding app/website.
Registration for the Summer 2023 camps
The following registration options are available:
- Register for any of the camps/sessions listed above and charge the full registration fee to your credit card online. Registration is limited to the maximum number listed for any camp/session.
- If the camp has filled, you can place your name on the waiting list. Please do not hesitate to use the waiting list as we typically get a few cancellations as summer approaches and plans change.
General Information
Camp participants must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the end of the last session for which they are enrolled on each day of the camp. Late pickups will result in a charge of $20.00 for each occurrence.
Prerequisites and Restrictions
To participate in the summer 2023 camps, students must be entering the grades indicated for each camp in the fall of 2023.
Lodging and accommodations
On-campus lodging is not available. Click here for a list of accommodations in the area.