2025 Summer Academies
Registration opens: Tue. April 1st, 2025
Registration opens: Tue. April 1st, 2025
We are excited to offer 29 career exploration Summer Academies to students 6th-12th grades.
Academies are typically one day programs designed to provide a unique opportunity for students to explore a variety of careers.
We believe in giving students options to make informed decisions about their future.
Local professionals will share their expertise and career journey.
With increasing interest in our free program, we ask that participants limit their selections to 3, and check their calendar before committing to academies.
Registration opens Tue. April 1st
Program Registration: Lottery System
(registration submission does NOT guarantee acceptance)
Admissions FAQ | Lottery
Registration
Partner:
Instructors:
Kristy Crocker
Kris Marklein
BTC utilizes a state-of-the-art simulation lab with medical and public safety scenarios to replicate real pre-hospital and clinical events.
This academy will provide for multiple interactive and hands-on experiences to allow students the opportunity to learn and practice skills in a controlled environment using life size robotic patient simulators.
The scope of information and practice provided to students, will range from infant to adult patient age groups and conditions. Simulations will have a realistic affect.
Partner:
Instructor:
Melissa Dix
Students will hear a brief history of programming that includes Python, and will explore the way it is used in IoT (Internet of Things).
They will set up an environment of free interpreter software that can be used at home to further learning. They will write a simple program and then advance to more complicated scripting as time allows.
Students will leave with some resurces they can use to continue learning to program in Python on their own.
Partner:
Instructor:
Chef Robert Patrick
Chef Hakim Salaam
Middle school students!
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and step into the world of cooking!
In this exciting summer academy, students will dive into the craft of culinary arts while creating delicious dishes that they will get to enjoy!
From learning kitchen basics, to mastering fun and creative recipes, students will have a hands-on experience in the kitchen that’s both educational and delicious.
Partner:
Instructor:
Steve Jones
Diesel technicians possess the necessary skills to become specialized mechanics in the construction, agriculture, and railway transportation sectors.
The Diesel academy offers students a glimpse into the daily life of a diesel technician, where they will engage in a brakes project involving one of our large diesel rigs.
REQUIREMENTS
Partners:
Instructors:
American Red Cross Staff
Courtney Urbanek
Designed to prepare students to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. The Instructor-led class is filled with fun games and role-playing exercises. Students even get to use mannequin to practice rescue skills like choking rescue!
SafeSitter registration form is required to be filled out by a parent prior to class starting. Please send this form to the academy with your child or email it ahead of time.
Partner:
Instructor:
T.B.A.
People are more likely to follow the footsteps of people they identify with.
Investigate many facets of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) through the lens of water science and meet role models of different backgrounds.
Over the course of this week, students will get their feet wet to collect chemistry and freshwater macroinvertebrate data to study causes and propose solutions to water quality issues.
They will also engage with local water scientists and learn more about these careers.
Students gain confidence in their science skills, learn more about the quality and health of the Rock River, and have a better understanding of how they can make a difference in their world.
Participants must bring old shoes for use in the water, a change of clothes, a towel, and a plastic bag for wet and dirty items as we will be exploring wetlands!
Partner:
Instructor:
Chef Robert Patrick
Chef Hakim Salaam
High school students, are you ready to take your cooking skills to the next level?
Join our culinary summer academy and master the craft of cooking and food preparation while creating delicious dishes you can actually enjoy!
This class is perfect for those who want to explore the world of culinary arts, learn new techniques, and have fun making meals from scratch.
Whether you’re a beginner or have some kitchen experience, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to become a pro in the kitchen.
REQUIREMENTS:
Closed toe shoes required, no sandals or Crocs etc.
Partner:
Instructor:
Francisca Reyna
Susan Day
Kelly Bosen
Now is the perfect time to take control of your finances and set yourself up for success!
In this summer academy, teenagers will learn the essential skills to manage money effectively and make informed financial decisions. From creating a realistic budget to setting achievable goals and building your savings, this course will provide you with the tools you need to succeed financially.
You’ll also discover how taxes, interest rates, and charitable donations impact your financial journey.
Partners:
Students will spend the day with professionals from various parts of the medical field.
Hands-on activities will accompany each focus of healthcare including dental care, vet care, respiratory therapy, and more!
Instructor:
Will Davis
Embark on a creative journey where imagination meets fabrication! In this hands-on course, you’ll delve into the exciting world of board game design and bring your unique vision to life. Through a blend of traditional game design principles and cutting-edge digital fabrication techniques, you’ll learn to conceptualize, design, and build your very own playable board game.
During this summer academy, students will use CAD to create precise 2D and 3D models of game components, game pieces, and game boards. Using a CAM software, they will learn how to translate CAD designs into machine readable instructions. Students will also be given instruction and training on a CNC router and Laser Cutter. This will allow students to precisely cut, mark and shape game board pieces and components from various materials. Finally, students will explore various types of materials and how they can be used in their designs. Once all pieces are machined, students will learn techniques for finishing and assembling their game boards and pieces.
Partner:
Instructor:
Julio Negron
Students will have fun collabrating as they perform critical thinking to solve problems using diagnostic techniques.
They will become familiar with tools and equipment that are used in the automotive industry, and will experience fun, hands-on activities. Student teams will compete to rotate tires in a specific order with each student taking a tire off and remounting the tire in a different position on the vehicle.
Using a scan tool, students will retrieve an engine code from a vihicle and diagnose the code. Student will receive a tour of an Electric Vehicle build and take a ride in the high torque, tire spinning vehicle as it rolls around the track
REQUIREMENTS: