Summer Labs

New for Summer 2026!

San Diego Youth Science is excited to launch our first Summer Labs—a new way for students to continue exploring science beyond the school year! Traditionally, SDYS programs take place during the academic year, but this summer we’re bringing hands-on, immersive science experiences to students in a fun and engaging camp setting.

Learn by Doing

SDYS Summer Labs are hands-on, interdisciplinary science experiences that let students learn by doing and engage directly in the process of science. Incorporating ecology, chemistry, physics, geology, engineering, animal behavior, and more, students investigate real phenomena, ask questions, test ideas, and explore the natural world with curiosity and creativity.

The Process of Science

Science is not a collection of facts—it’s a way of thinking about the world through curiosity, observation, and evidence. SDYS Summer Labs encourage hands-on investigations, data collection and analysis, collaboration, and learning from trial and error, using setbacks as opportunities to generate evidence-based explanations.

By engaging in this authentic process, learners don’t just complete activities; they are scientists, making connections between what they observe and how systems work. This approach fosters creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation for the ecosystems and communities around them.