Summer Camps
2024 Summer Camps
The Fred Otto DiscoverE program has delivered fun and engaging summer camps to youth in Edmonton since 1993. Campers will learn engineering, science and technology concepts through exciting hands-on projects and demonstrations. Our instructors are post-secondary students who act as mentors in higher education. Some of our instructors were originally campers themselves!
Our camps are held at University of Alberta's North Campus. Camp hours are from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Early drop-off occurs from 8:30 - 9 a.m.; late pick-up occurs from 4 - 4:30 p.m. For more information about camp details, visit our camp logistics page.
Most camps cost $325. On weeks with a statutory holiday, camps cost $275. Our GEM+ camps are $375. Partial and full bursaries are available!
2024 Camps Schedule and Registration
Explore Edmonton Camps Explore Off-Campus Camps
Camp Themes
We have five main camp themes and two combined camps this summer. We are also pleased to introduce our new female and gender diverse GEM+ camps and our new Grade 1 mini engineers and engineering explorers camps!
Biomedical engineering
Engineers help build the world around us, but did you know that they can build technologies for the human body too? From prosthetic limbs to nanoparticles, biomedical engineers create devices and technologies that advance the medical field. Discover how biomedical engineering improves human health!
This camp will consist of fun, engaging, hands-on biomedical engineering projects that are designed at an appropriate grade level. If your camper attended our biomedical engineering camp last year for the same grade range, they will explore similar projects to last year. If your camper has moved to a new grade range, then they will explore a whole new set of projects this summer!
Explore biomedical engineering camps »
Chemical & materials engineering
Fire! Water! Air! Soil! Chemicals and materials exist all around us. Chemical engineers operate and design chemical plants that produce things like oil, medicines and clothes. Materials engineers process and test things like metals, ceramics and plastics to create many products including toys, airplanes and power plants. Discover how chemical and materials engineering help us live a better life!
This camp will consist of fun, engaging, hands-on chemical and materials engineering projects that are designed at an appropriate grade level. If your camper attended our chemical & materials engineering camp last year for the same grade range, they will explore similar projects to last year. If your camper has moved to a new grade range, then they will explore a whole new set of projects this summer!
Explore chemical & materials engineering camps »
Electrical & computer engineering
Have you ever wondered how your computer, mobile phone or speakers work? Electrical and computer engineers use their knowledge to help us do many things, from playing games to using artificial intelligence to solve complex problems. Discover how electrical and computer engineering can be used to improve our world!
This camp will consist of fun, engaging, hands-on electrical and computer engineering projects that are designed at an appropriate grade level. If your camper attended our electrical & computer engineering camp last year for the same grade range, they will explore similar projects to last year. If your camper has moved to a new grade range, they will explore a whole new set of projects this summer!
Explore electrical & computer engineering camps »
Mechanical engineering
Marvelous, moving machines, oh my! Mechanical engineers study and design anything that moves. From simple machines to space travel, mechanical engineering can be found all around us. Discover the many ways mechanical engineering influences our lives!
This camp will consist of fun, engaging, hands-on mechanical engineering projects that are designed at an appropriate grade level. If your camper attended our mechanical engineering camp last year for the same grade level, they will explore similar projects to last year. If you camper has moved to a new grade range, then they will explore a whole new set of projects this summer!
Explore mechanical engineering camps »
Robotics
Grades 4 and up
Robotics can help us do amazing things! Robots can travel to distant planets, build cars and even have conversations with people. Learn about new discoveries and the principles of robotics by building your very own with LEGO Education SPIKE!
This camp will consist of fun, engaging, hands-on robotics projects that are designed at an appropriate grade level. If your camper attended our robotics camp last year for the same grade range, they will explore similar projects to last year. If your camper has moved to a new grade range, they will explore a whole new set of projects this summer!
Combination Engineering/Sport Camps
Biomedical sport skills combo
Sports! Sports! Sports! A medley of mechanical movement mixed with dynamic group play! Sports are an integral part of fun and campers will get to play and learn in our collaboration camp with Green & Gold Sports Camps!
Campers will partake in half a day learning about different sports and playing them! Campers will then spend half a day with the Fred Otto DiscoverE program, learning about the more in-depth biomechanics behind each sport!
Explore biomedical sport skills combo camps »
Chemical & materials sport skills combo
On your mark, get set, go!! Is your camper ready to flex their brain as well as their muscles? If so, chemical & materials sport skills combo is the camp for them! In conjunction with Green & Gold Sports Camps, this program offers a positive approach towards learning new skills in a fun, friendly and safe environment. It's a fun-filled week of experimentation, recreation and collaboration!
Campers will spend half their day learning about the exciting field of chemical and materials engineering with fun, hands-on projects. The other half of the day will be spent playing sports and exploring athletic fundamentals!
Explore chemical & materials sport skills combo camps »
NEW: Grade 1 Camps
Mini engineers
Calling all future engineers! Does your camper love to invent, create and learn through play? Then this hands-on program is for them! Campers will develop their motor and problem solving skills as they build and brainstorm like real engineers. With project themes including biomedical, chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering, this camp is anything but boring. Best of all, every day your camper will create at least one take-home project! Mini Engineers is designed to compliment Engineering Explorers; if your camper attends both camps they will not repeat projects.
Explore mini engineers camps »
Engineering explorers
Adventure awaits! Do you have a curious camper who loves to experiment and explore? Then this is the interactive program for them! Campers will embark on a week of inquiry-based learning and collaborative creation. Engineers learn by making mistakes, and we aren't afraid of campers making a mess in their quest for knowledge! With project themes ranging from biomedical to chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering, this camp has something for everyone. Best of all, every day your camper will create at least one take-home project! Engineering explorers is designed to compliment mini engineers; if your camper attends both camps they will not repeat projects.
Explore engineering explorers camps »
NEW: GEM+
GEM+ is a camp for girls and gender-diverse campers to explore all the possibilities in engineering. Campers will engage in fun, hands-on engineering projects covering a range of disciplines (including biomedical engineering, chemical & materials engineering, electrical & computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and robotics), while encouraging positive and diverse perspectives of what engineering is.
Campers attending GEM+ camps can expect a smaller class size than our other camps; this offering is capped at twelve participants per session.