Days 1-4
Electrical Engineering
Building Safe Systems
- Circuit building with breadboards
- LEDs, resistors & electronic components
- Light & motion sensor integration
- Emergency alarm systems
- Prototype testing & iteration
Innovation
Summer Camp
Powered by Motorola Solutions Foundation
A week-long STEM adventure at MSU Denver exploring Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Fire & Emergency Response Administration through hands-on smart city projects.
July 20-24, 2026
MSU Denver Campus
Rising Grades 6-8
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About the Camp
Where innovation meets inspiration
The Innovation Summer Camp is a week-long, immersive STEM experience for middle school students, aimed at introducing them to key disciplines that shape our modern world.
Through hands-on, team-based challenges, students will design and prototype "smart city" solutions that promote community safety and equity. Led by MSU Denver faculty and supported by university students and industry partners, this camp provides a unique opportunity for early STEM engagement while fostering mentorship, innovation, and real-world problem-solving.
Hands-On Learning
Build real projects with coding, circuits, and safety systems you can demonstrate.
Expert Mentorship
Work alongside MSU Denver students and faculty who guide you every step of the way.
Smart City Theme
Explore how technology makes cities safer and more efficient for everyone.
Final Showcase
Present your cross-disciplinary project to families and industry professionals.
5
Days of Fun
3
STEM Tracks
∞
Possibilities
What You'll Learn
Three exciting STEM disciplines in one unforgettable week
Days 1-4
Computer Science
Coding for Safer Communities
- Smart city simulations with Block Coding
- Traffic light & emergency vehicle routing
- AI & machine learning for safety
- Sensors & real-time data
- Build Your Own Mini City
Day 5
Fire & Emergency Response Administration
Leadership, Operations & Community Safety
- Emergency response leadership & operations
- Community risk assessment & safety planning
- Hands-on fire suppression demo
- Emergency response technology & equipment
- Design a community safety plan
New to STEM? You Belong Here!
No coding or engineering experience needed. Our mentors will guide you every step of the way. All you need is curiosity!
Daily Schedule
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM each day, lunch provided
Welcome & Kickoff
Monday, July 20
Getting Started with Code & Circuits
9:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Session
Kick off camp with introductions, meet your teammates and mentors, and hear what the week has in store.
9:20 AM
STEM Kickoff Workshop
A hands-on warm-up to get everyone thinking like an engineer.
10:00 AM
Intro to Coding with Games + The Human Circuit
Students split into Blue and Red groups, rotating between game-based coding and hands-on electrical circuit activities so everyone experiences both.
12:30 PM
Lunch
Provided
4:10 PM
Guest Speaker: Genomic STEM Activity
A special guest activity exploring genomics through hands-on STEM.
5:00 PM
Pickup
Parent/guardian pickup
Motors, Games & Team Spirit
Tuesday, July 21
Circuits Meet Code
9:00 AM
Opening Session
Get ready for the day's activities.
9:20 AM
T-Shirt Handout & Group Photo
Grab your official camp t-shirt and gather for the group photo!
10:00 AM
Smart City Quiz Game + Electric Motor & Paper Circuits
Blue and Red groups rotate between building a coding-powered quiz game and constructing a simple electric motor with paper circuits.
12:30 PM
Lunch
Provided
4:10 PM
Guest Speaker: Physics STEM Activity
A guest-led activity bringing physics to life through hands-on exploration.
5:00 PM
Pickup
Parent/guardian pickup
Hello micro:bit! & Traffic Lights
Wednesday, July 22
Programming Meets Hardware
9:00 AM
Opening Session
Get ready for the day's activities.
9:20 AM
AES Building Tour
Explore the Aerospace and Engineering Sciences building where camp lives.
10:00 AM
Hello micro:bit! + Traffic Lights & Smoke Detector
Groups rotate between coding with the micro:bit and building working traffic light and smoke detector circuits.
12:30 PM
Lunch
Provided
4:10 PM
Guest Speaker: Math STEM Activity
A guest-led activity that shows math in action through hands-on STEM challenges.
5:00 PM
Pickup
Parent/guardian pickup
Smart Street Light & Soldering
Thursday, July 23
Building Real Systems
9:00 AM
Opening Session & Safety Briefing
Start the day with a safety briefing to get ready for soldering.
9:20 AM
STEM Game: Robot Bug
A hands-on game to get the morning rolling.
10:00 AM
Smart Street Light + Soldering
Blue and Red groups rotate between coding a smart street light and learning soldering fundamentals with hands-on projects.
12:30 PM
Lunch
Provided
4:10 PM
Guest Speaker: Cybersecurity STEM Activity
A guest-led introduction to the fundamentals of cybersecurity.
5:00 PM
Pickup
Parent/guardian pickup
Fire & Emergency Response Administration (FERA) + Camp Finale
Friday, July 24
Emergency Response & Celebration
9:00 AM
Check-in & Welcome
Kick off the final day of camp with a welcome from the FERA team.
9:20 AM
Safety Briefing & Introduction to FERA
Learn what emergency response leaders do and how MSU Denver's nationally-recognized FERA program prepares them.
10:00 AM
Fire Dynamics + Create a Fire Model
Explore how fires behave and build a model to demonstrate the science of fire.
12:00 PM
Lunch
Provided
1:00 PM
Station Rotations: Fire Truck, Safety Trailer & Drones
Rotate through hands-on stations with the Denver Fire Department fire truck and drones, plus a fire safety evacuation simulation from the Colorado DFPC safety trailer.
3:00 PM
Certificates & Group Photos
Celebrate the week with your camp completion certificate and group photos to remember it by!
4:00 PM
Star Student Awards & Closing Remarks
Wrap up camp with awards and thank-yous.
5:00 PM
Pickup
Parent/guardian pickup
Our Partners
Bringing together education and industry expertise
Founding Partners
Metropolitan State University of Denver
MSU Denver is Colorado's urban university, providing quality, accessible education to over 17,000 students. Faculty, staff, and undergraduate student mentors from the Computer Science, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Fire and Emergency Response Administration departments lead the camp curriculum and instruction.
Visit MSU Denver
Motorola Solutions Foundation
The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, partnering with organizations to build safer cities and thriving communities. Their generous grant makes this camp possible, helping to expand and diversify the STEM workforce on Colorado's Front Range through meaningful educational experiences.
Visit Motorola Solutions FoundationProgram & Supporting Partners
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
DFPC supports the Fire and Emergency Response Administration (FERA) track with hands-on training resources, including an on-site training trailer for camp week.
Visit DFPC Fire & Life Safety
Keep Beating CPR
Keep Beating CPR provides CPR and first aid care services for the camp, generously offering a discount to support student safety.
Visit Keep Beating CPR
MSU Denver Center for Advanced STEM Education
The Center for Advanced STEM Education (CASE) at MSU Denver supports programming that advances STEM education and expands access to hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Visit MSU Denver CASE
Denver Fire Department
Established in 1866, the Denver Fire Department serves the City and County of Denver with over 1,000 professional firefighters across 39 firehouses. DFD supports the camp with hands-on fire safety demonstrations and education programming for students.
Visit Denver Fire DepartmentGet Involved
Help shape the next generation of STEM leaders
Donate
Make a financial gift to help provide scholarships, supplies, and hands-on experiences that make this camp accessible to every student.
Donate NowPartner With Us
Is your organization interested in sponsoring or collaborating on future camps? Let's work together to grow STEM opportunities for Colorado students.
Contact Us to PartnerVolunteer With Us
Share your expertise and inspire middle schoolers as a mentor, workshop helper, or guest speaker during camp week.
Contact Us to VolunteerRegistration
2026 registration is now closed. Thank you for your interest!
Eligibility Requirements
- Rising 6th-8th graders
- Denver Public Schools students have priority enrollment
- All Colorado students welcome to apply
- No prior STEM experience required
Registration Fee
$50 (Financial assistance available)
Includes
All materials, lunch daily, water bottle, and camp t-shirt
Limited Spots
Space is limited — apply early
2026 Registration Closed
Thank you for your interest in the Innovation Summer Camp! Registration for the 2026 session is now closed. Please check back for future camp announcements.
Questions about registration?
innovation-camp@msudenver.eduFrequently Asked Questions
Everything parents and students need to know
The Innovation Summer Camp is open to rising 6th-8th graders. Priority is given to Denver Public Schools students, but all Colorado students are welcome to apply.
The registration fee is $50, which covers all materials, lunch each day, a water bottle, and a camp t-shirt. Financial assistance is available for families who need it.
Students should bring a water bottle, comfortable clothes suitable for hands-on activities, and their curiosity! All materials, equipment, and lunch are provided.
Yes! Lunch is provided every day. Please note any dietary restrictions or allergies on the registration form.
Camp runs Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Drop-off begins at 8:30 AM and pickup is at 5:00 PM.
No prior experience is required! Our curriculum is designed for beginners while also engaging students who may have some background. MSU Denver student mentors work with small groups to ensure everyone can participate fully.
The camp takes place on the MSU Denver campus in the Auraria Campus. Specific building and room information will be sent to registered families before camp begins.
We follow MSU Denver and local health guidelines. Current protocols will be shared with registered families before camp. Students should stay home if they feel unwell.
Absolutely! Families are invited to the Friday afternoon showcase where students present their projects. It's a highlight of the week!
Email us at innovation-camp@msudenver.edu with any questions. We typically respond within 2 business days.
Still have questions?
Contact UsContact Us
We're here to help with any questions
Camp Overview
July 20-24, 2026
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Grades 6-8
Camp Location
MSU Denver
Auraria CampusDenver, Colorado