IMSA Innovation Hub – Metro East
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy has moved beyond the walls of its internationally recognized Aurora, IL, campus to expand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs and services across Southern Illinois. IMSA’s Belleville and Edwardsville offices offer STEM enrichment programs for area students and professional development programs for educators.
Saturday STEM
Explore hands-on STEM activities in a variety of topics. Students of all ages participate in group activities where they learn teamwork and problem-solving skills while exploring engaging STEM content.
All About Animals, Organisms, and Adaptations
April 12, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $30 (includes snack)
Scott Elementary School, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
1st & 2nd Grade
Students will investigate how young animals are similar to their parents while learning about the unique differences that make each one special. Using storytelling, animal family cards, and hands-on materials, kids will have fun exploring the amazing diversity of animal life. They’ll also uncover how cells help build animal bodies and investigate different types of animal waste, including owl pellets, to understand how animals stay healthy by getting rid of what they don’t need.This event encourages curiosity and creativity as students explore science through stories, investigations, and problem-solving.
3rd & 4th Grade
This program is designed for aspiring biologists curious about the natural world and its diverse creatures. Participants will investigate key interactions among living organisms, including plants, insects, and birds. By stepping into the role of pollinators, they’ll uncover the vital role insects play in the success of flowering plants. Students will also examine bird beak adaptations, testing different beak models to see how they function with various food types. Through engaging hands-on activities and simulations, students will be buzzing with excitement!
Summer Programs
Registration is open!
This year, camps will be held in Belleville and O’Fallon for students interested in hands-on exploration of STEM content. An Early Bird Registration Discount is available for some programs, now through March 31st!
A limited number of financial need-based scholarships are available for all of our programs. For select Summer@IMSA day programs for grades 1-8 in the MetroEast region, dependents of all armed services members and DoD civilians are eligible for a Family Military Affiliation scholarship. Read more about applying and qualifying for a scholarship at this link under the “Scholarship Information” section.
Please register your student for the grade they will be entering in the 2025-2026 school year. The links below provide more information about Summer@IMSA registration and policies, and access to our FAQ.
If you have questions regarding Summer@IMSA in the MetroEast, contact our team at studentenrichment@imsa.edu or 618.791.3855.
Grades 1 – 8 Programs
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Belle Valley School Belleville | (no camp on June 19) Gr. 1-4 - Ellis Elementary Gr. 5-8 - Harmony-Emge Belleville | Fulton Junior High School O'Fallon |
Grades 1-2 - Pattern Lab: Where Math and Science Meet!
Early Bird Discount Available - $25 off each registration fee for this program now through March 31st!
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BelleValley School, Belleville | June 9 - 13, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $150.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship* -
Ellis Elementary, Belleville | June 16 - 20, 2025 (no program on June 19)
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $120.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship* -
Fulton Junior High School, O'Fallon | June 23 - 27, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $150.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship*
Did you know that the wings of a butterfly have patterns that help them blend into their surroundings? In Pattern Lab: Where Math and Science Meet!, 1st and 2nd graders will embark on a fun-filled adventure exploring the magic of patterns through math and science! Campers will uncover how patterns appear in shapes, numbers, and designs all around us. They’ll play exciting games, solve tricky puzzles, and create beautiful art, all while learning how math and science work together to form patterns. With hands-on activities and imaginative creations, kids will use their problem-solving skills to explore patterns in everything from nature to music, discovering that math and science are everywhere, just waiting to be uncovered!
*A limited number of scholarship based on either family military affiliation or financial need are available for this program. Please view our program policies here.
Grades 3-4 - Chemistry Quest: Science Detectives
Early Bird Discount Available - $25 off each registration fee for this program now through March 31st!
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BelleValley School, Belleville | June 9 - 13, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $150.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship* -
Ellis Elementary, Belleville | June 16 - 20, 2025 (no program on June 19)
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $120.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship* -
Fulton Junior High School, O'Fallon | June 23 - 27, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $150.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship*
Ready to become a junior scientist and unlock the mysteries of chemistry? In this exciting STEM-based summer camp for 3rd and 4th graders, campers will dive into the world of chemistry through hands-on experiments and cool investigations! They’ll explore basic chemistry principles, learn how to design and carry out experiments, and become real-life problem-solvers. From testing reactions to analyzing results, campers will take on the role of experts, solving fun challenges and conducting experiments to gather and interpret data. With plenty of chances to apply their new skills in simulations, kids will make evidence-based decisions and share their discoveries in a variety of exciting settings.
*A limited number of scholarship based on either family military affiliation or financial need are available for this program. Please view our program policies here.
Grades 5-6 - Heat Seekers: Fire Science and STEM
Early Bird Discount Available - $25 off each registration fee for this program now through March 31st!
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BelleValley School, Belleville | June 9 - 13, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $150.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship* -
Harmony-Emge, Belleville | June 16 - 20, 2025 (no program on June 19)
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $120.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship* -
Fulton Junior High School, O'Fallon | June 23 - 27, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $150.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship*
Ready to join the Fire Academy Rescue and become a hero in the world of fire safety? In this thrilling STEM-based summer camp for 5th and 6th graders, campers will explore the science of fire, rescue tactics, and the latest innovations in fire rescue! Through hands-on activities, they’ll learn how fire starts, how to control it, and how to think strategically in fire rescue situations. Campers will use math to calculate distances for rescue missions, develop problem-solving skills, and sharpen their writing as they create and analyze shift reports.
*A limited number of scholarship based on either family military affiliation or financial need are available for this program. Please view our program policies here.
Grades 7-8 - Lab Rats: Experimenting with Biotechnology
Early Bird Discount Available - $25 off each registration fee for this program now through March 31st!
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BelleValley School, Belleville | June 9 - 13, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $150.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship* -
Harmony-Emge, Belleville | June 16 - 20, 2025 (no program on June 19)
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $120.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship* -
Fulton Junior High School, O'Fallon | June 23 - 27, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | $150.00, Register Now or Apply for a Scholarship*
Get ready for a high-energy adventure where science, strategy, and teamwork come together to save the day! In this exciting STEM summer camp for 7th and 8th graders, campers will dive into hands-on, inquiry-based activities like culturing yeast, separating molecules with gel electrophoresis, and synthesizing and isolating proteins—just like real biotechnologists! Students will explore the basics of DNA, while also learning essential STEM skills like problem-solving, data analysis, and critical thinking. By the end of the camp, campers will have discovered how biotechnology is changing the world—and they’ll be ready to take on the science of tomorrow!
*A limited number of scholarship based on either family military affiliation or financial need are available for this program. Please view our program policies here.
Grades 9 – 12 Programs
Check back soon for more information!
Forensics Murder Mystery – Registration details coming soon!
in partnership with SIU-Edwardsville, SIU-Carbondale, Saint Louis University, and SWIC Police Academy
Grades 10 – 12
Belleville, IL | June 9 – 13, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This Murder to Trial program introduces students to the investigation of a possible crime, the processing of forensic evidence and using of the acquired evidence and the results of an analysis of evidence at trial. Students will have to process a mock crime scene where they will learn through experience as they collect evidence. They will complete laboratory analyses and conclude with a mock trial.