Bosch Underwrites SMC's June STEM Camp

Southwestern Michigan College awarded grant for 8th annual STEM summer program

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:45pm

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Southwestern Michigan College has been awarded a Bosch Community Fund grant to host the eighth annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Summer Camp on its Dowagiac campus during the third week of June. The two-day camp will provide 120 upper elementary students (grades 4-6) with hands-on STEM experiences designed by local teachers and college faculty, with high school and college students serving as camp counselors and mentors.

Why it matters

The STEM Summer Camp aims to spark students' interest in STEM subjects and expose them to a college learning environment, ultimately inspiring them to pursue STEM education and careers. Bosch's grant funding helps make this opportunity accessible to students from across the region.

The details

The STEM Summer Camp will feature activities that stress problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaborative teamwork. Last year, 164 campers participated in activities like landing rovers on Mars, coding with artificial intelligence, learning fractions through a math-based zoo, and testing pH levels. The camp has seen a growing percentage of girl participants, reaching over 50% last summer.

  • The 8th annual STEM Summer Camp will take place the third week of June 2026 on the Southwestern Michigan College campus in Dowagiac.
  • The camp has been held annually since its inception.

The players

Southwestern Michigan College

A community college located in Dowagiac, Michigan that hosts the annual STEM Summer Camp.

Bosch Community Fund

The philanthropic arm of the Bosch Group that provided a grant to fund the STEM Summer Camp.

Andrew Dohm

A Math and Physics Professor at Southwestern Michigan College who writes the grants for the STEM Summer Camp.

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What they’re saying

“It's a great age to tap into because of their excitement. Their generosity has made it possible for us to offer a STEM Summer Camp to students in our community — an opportunity that has been truly transformative for countless young minds.”

— Andrew Dohm, Math and Physics Professor

What’s next

Registration for the 2026 STEM Summer Camp will open on the Southwestern Michigan College website at the end of May.

The takeaway

Bosch's grant funding helps make this valuable STEM education opportunity accessible to over 120 upper elementary students in the region, sparking their interest in STEM subjects and exposing them to a college learning environment at a critical age.