Registration Opens In April 2026
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Bobcat Summer STEM Academy
Bobcat Summer STEM Academy (BSA) offers an exciting lineup of two-day, three-day, and weeklong workshops designed for 3rtd-12th grade students at the University of California, Merced. Created by UC Merced faculty, postdocs, research scientists, students, and staff, each workshop provides a unique, hands-on STEM experience that brings science, technology, engineering, and math to life.
BSA Dates: June 8 – July 24, 2026 (Excluding the first week of July)
Location: UC Merced Campus
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Drop-off: 8:30 AM – 8:45 AM | Pick-up: 3:30 PM
What’s Included?
- Hands-on STEM workshops
- All academy supplies
- Snacks and an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet at the UC Merced Pavilion (all dietary needs accommodated)
- Small class sizes
- Small student-to-teacher ratios
- Bobcat Summer STEM T-shirt for participants! (NEW!)
Registration Fees: (Some academies will have reduced costs!)
- 1-week academy: $160
- 3-day academy: $100
- 2-day academy: $70
- 1-day Academy: $40
Have questions? Look at our Frequently Asked Questions here
1. Elementary STEM Academy (3rd - 5th Grade)
- Week-long academies are offered (Monday - Friday)
- Students transitioning from 2nd to 3rd grade or 5th to 6th grade are eligible to attend the elementary academies.
- Unfortunately, BSA will not be offering academies to students entering 1st-3rd grade in Fall 2026.
2. Middle School STEM Academies (6th-8th Grade)
- Week-long academies are offered (Monday - Friday)
- Select 2-day academies are available to middle school students.
- Students transitioning from 5th to 6th grade and 8th to 9th grade are eligible to attend the middle school academies.
3. High School STEM Academies (9th - 12th Grade)
- Week-long academies are offered (Monday - Friday)
- Select 1-day and 2-day academies are available to high school students.
- Students transitioning from 8th to 9th grade are eligible to attend the high school academies.
Scholarship and Registration Support:
UC Merced Bobcat Summer Academies is unable to offer traditional scholarships this summer. However, select academies have no-cost registration thanks to generous grant support:
- High School Academy:
- Friend or Foe? Microbial Interactions Around Us – No-cost registration
- Middle School Academies:
- Field Curious? Sustainable Ag from Field to Lab (both sessions) – No-cost registration
We are also proud to partner with Merced City School District (MCSD). MCSD has purchased seats for MCSD students in each Elementary and Middle School academy. MCSD manages registration through 6Crickets (not BSA general registration). 6Crickets registration is expected to open in early April.
MCSD students will register on a first-come, first-served basis until seats are filled. A waitlist will be created for students who do not initially secure a seat. If registered MCSD students do not attend Day 1, Session 1, waitlisted students will be offered the open seats.
For questions about registration or eligibility, please contact Mariah Gonsalez at mgonsalez2@ucmerced.edu
To check out some of our partner programs, follow this link: CalTeach Partner Programs and CREST STEM camp, click here!
QUESTIONS?
CalTeach Contact:
Mariah Gonsalez, CalTeach Director of K12 Education and Outreach, mgonsalez2@ucmerced.edu
