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Dowagiac Today
By the People, for the People
Southwestern Michigan College Announces Summer STEM Camps
Free one-day camps for students entering grades 4-6 aim to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Mar. 18, 2026 at 6:00am
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Southwestern Michigan College is gearing up for its annual STEM summer camps, which offer hands-on workshops and activities in science, technology, engineering, and math to students from across Southwest Michigan entering grades four through six. The camps, which have been running since 2017, are led by SMC faculty, students, and local teachers, and are fully funded by the Bosch Community Fund.
Why it matters
These STEM camps provide an important opportunity to engage elementary-aged students in hands-on learning experiences that can help spark their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math at a critical age. By exposing students to these fields early on, the camps aim to prepare the next generation of engineers, scientists, and problem-solvers.
The details
During the one-day camps, students participate in workshops that allow them to engage in activities like landing rovers on Mars, coding with AI, learning about fractions through a math-based zoo, and testing pH levels. The camps are designed to be high-energy, hands-on, and fun, with the goal of providing unforgettable learning experiences for the participants.
- The STEM camps have been offered by SMC since 2017.
- Last summer, 164 students participated in the camps.
- Registrations for the 2026 STEM camps will open in May.
The players
Andrew Dohm
An SMC math and science professor who helped design the STEM camp program.
Bosch Community Fund
The organization that has generously underwritten the STEM camp program for years, allowing it to be offered to students for free.
What they’re saying
“We saw there was a need for these upper elementary age students to be involved in STEM activities. There was an interest there. So we kind of put our heads together and we designed a one-day camp where students come to the campus of SMC in Dowagiac and we go into our science building and we basically have the students go through one hands-on workshop per letter of STEM.”
— Andrew Dohm, SMC Math and Science Professor
“The students love it. They get a lot out of it. It's high energy, hands-on, but it gets them excited about some fundamental STEM concepts and it gets them working in groups and it brings them to college for the day. And a lot of students have never been to our campus.”
— Andrew Dohm, SMC Math and Science Professor
What’s next
Registrations for the 2026 STEM camps at Southwestern Michigan College will open in May.
The takeaway
These free STEM camps provide a valuable opportunity for elementary students in Southwest Michigan to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through engaging, hands-on activities. By sparking interest in these critical fields at a young age, the camps aim to help prepare the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
