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Phoenix STEM Academy

A week-long STEM journey that ignites curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

Phoenix STEM Academy is an immersive summer camp experience designed to inspire elementary, middle, and high school students through hands-on learning, exploration, and innovation.

Hosted on the Florida Polytechnic University campus, the program introduces students to real-world STEM concepts through engaging activities led by university faculty, certified educators, and trained Florida Poly student counselors.

Register Today!

Designed to Inspire Future Innovators

Hands-on, project-based STEM learning
Faculty-led instruction & workshops
Programming for elementary, middle, & high school students
On-campus experience at Florida Poly

Who Should Attend?

Phoenix STEM Academy is ideal for students who:

  • Are curious about science, technology, engineering, or math
  • Enjoy hands-on learning and problem-solving
  • Want to explore STEM in a fun, engaging environment
  • Are considering future STEM studies or careers

No prior STEM experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to explore and have fun.

Summer 2026 Camp Sessions

All sessions welcome rising 3rd–12th graders, with campers grouped by age to ensure an exciting, age-appropriate STEM experience.

Camps meet 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily.

Pick the week that works best for you!

  • June 8–12
  • June 22–26
  • July 13–17
  • July 20–24

Cost per Camper

  • $450 for each Elementary and Middle School Weekly Camp
  • $550 for each High School Weekly Camp
  • Discounts are available for siblings, Florida Poly employees and alumni, as well as Polk County school district employees.

Elementary School

Rising 3rd – 5th Grades

Designed to spark curiosity and excitement, the elementary camp introduces young learners to STEM through fun, hands-on activities and guided exploration.

  • Interactive experiments and demonstrations
  • Group-based activities and challenges
  • Age-appropriate STEM concepts
  • Emphasis on fun, creativity, and discovery

Middle School

Rising 6th – 8th Grades

The middle school camp builds foundational STEM skills while encouraging deeper inquiry and collaboration.

  • More advanced hands-on projects
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking challenges
  • Exposure to multiple STEM disciplines
  • Team-based learning experiences

High School

Rising 9th – 12th Grades

The high school camp offers an immersive, faculty-led experience that mirrors the type of inquiry and project-based learning students encounter at the collegiate level.

  • Faculty-led instruction throughout the week
  • Discipline-specific workshops and lessons
  • A larger, multi-day project or capstone experience
  • Insight into STEM careers and pathways

High School Camp Themes

Robotics Camp (June 8-12) – Introduce your high schooler to the exciting world of robotics at the Florida Polytechnic University High School Robotics Summer Camp! Using VEX Robotics kits and the engaging Castle Crushers curriculum, students will design, build, and program robots while developing teamwork, problem-solving, and engineering skills. Campers will work alongside current Florida Poly students and faculty and connect with the Purple Fire Robotics Club to explore real-world robotics and student competition experiences. This hands-on camp offers an inspiring week of creativity, innovation, and fun for future engineers!

Aerospace Engineering Camp (June 22-26) – Introduce your high schooler to the exciting world of aerospace engineering at the Florida Polytechnic University High School Aerospace Summer Camp! Students will learn how rockets fly through interactive labs! Through interactive rocket labs, campers will explore circuit systems, rocket motor load testing, and motor redesign while learning alongside Florida Poly faculty and current students. Students will learn about Central Florida’s rich history in aeronautics. This immersive camp offers an inspiring week of experimentation, engineering, and discovery for future aerospace leaders.

Mini-Med Camp (July 13-17) – Introduce your high schooler to the exciting world of biomedical sciences and medicine at the Florida Polytechnic University High School Mini Med Camp! Through hands-on experiments, students will explore the world of medicine and how we will engineer a healthier future together. Campers will also observe current faculty-led angiogenesis research in the lab, work alongside Florida Poly faculty and current students, and meet with physicians and medical device industry professionals to learn how these concepts are applied in real-world healthcare and innovation. This immersive camp offers an inspiring week of discovery, experimentation, and future-focused medical exploration.

Automotive Engineering Camp (July 20-24) – Introduce your high schooler to the exciting world of automotive engineering at the Florida Polytechnic University High School Automotive Summer Camp! Through hands-on labs, students will investigate how we engineer the systems of a vehicle and achieve high performance. Campers will also build and test solar-powered vehicles, learning about energy transfer, efficiency, and motion through exciting engineering challenges. Working alongside Florida Poly faculty and current students, campers will learn about innovative technology in the automotive industry, such as solar powered cars making this an engaging week of innovation, design, and automotive exploration.

Meet Your Counselors

In addition to our Counselors and Faculty, we will also have Student Mentors supporting the delivery of engaging and hands-on experiences for students participating in Phoenix STEM Academy programs. Student Mentors will be assisting with interactive STEM lessons, support campers throughout the day, and help create a fun, safe, and inclusive learning environment that encourages curiosity and interest in STEM fields.

Click each counselor’s name to learn more!

Elementary - Eric Demerri

Elementary - Sabrina Hughes

Elementary - Alissa Turner

 Middle - Precious Ferguson

 Middle - Hannah Dekle

 Middle - Jennifer Barnett

High School - Dr. Lily Li

High School - Dr. Tom Jones

High School - Dr. Susan LeFrancois

Registration Information

Registration Includes

  • Daily instruction and activities
  • All materials and supplies
  • Lunch during camp days
  • Camp T-shirt

Registration Process

  • Online registration
  • Limited spots available
  • Registration will open during the spring semester
  • Pricing, session availability, and deadlines will be published prior to registration opening
  • Click to review full terms and conditions

For More Information

events@floridapoly.edu

With 23 years of experience as an elementary science educator, Eric Demeri has dedicated his career to inspiring curiosity and a love of discovery in young learners. He has successfully launched two STEM programs—one in Florida and one in Tennessee—creating hands-on, engaging opportunities for students to explore science in meaningful ways. His professional interests center around chemistry, engineering, and rocketry, which he actively integrates into his teaching to make learning both exciting and relevant. Beyond the classroom, Eric enjoys water sports and has a passion for restoring old cars, pursuits that reflect his appreciation for both adventure and hands-on problem solving.

With 16 years of experience inspiring young minds in elementary classrooms, Mrs. Hughes brings a passion for learning and innovation to everything she does. Now in her fourth year as an instructional math coach, she works closely with teachers and students to make math engaging, meaningful, and fun. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, which supports her expertise in designing effective, student-centered learning experiences. Known for her creative approach, Mrs. Hughes loves incorporating puzzles, hands-on problem solving, and science connections into her lessons to spark curiosity and critical thinking. This summer at STEM Camp, she is excited to guide students through exciting challenges, encourage teamwork, and help every camper discover the joy of thinking like a scientist and problem-solver.

Mrs. Turner is a passionate and experienced educator with nearly 20 years of teaching elementary students in grades 3–5, where she has built a reputation for creating engaging, student-centered classrooms that spark curiosity and confidence. For the past four years, she has served as an instructional reading coach, specializing in blending literacy with science to help students think critically, read deeply, and make meaningful connections across subjects. A self-proclaimed “nerd” who loves traveling and getting lost in a good book, Mrs. Turner brings energy, creativity, and a love of learning to everything she does. This summer, she is thrilled to serve as a STEM counselor, where she can combine her expertise in literacy and science to create hands-on, inquiry-based experiences that inspire students to explore, question, and discover. For Mrs. Turner, STEM isn’t just about experiments—it’s about storytelling, problem-solving, and opening doors to endless possibilities.

Precious Ferguson is currently a Senior Coordinator of Instruction who has acquired 16 years of experience serving students with diverse learning needs, abilities, and interests. Her formal education includes a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Kinesiology from Florida State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Central Florida, and a Master of Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. Through various career roles such as teacher, adult trainer, curriculum developer, and instructional coach, Ms. Ferguson’s aim has always been to build the capacity of students as well as the teachers who serve them. Her favorite field of science to engage students in learning is Chemistry! Her career passion includes meeting the needs of the whole child through community engagement, social-emotional learning and leadership, as well as providing equitable educational access and learning experiences for all students.

Hannah Dekle is a dedicated College & Career Specialist with seven years of experience in education. She is passionate about empowering students to understand the full range of opportunities available to them, both after high school and throughout their lives. Hannah strives to create an environment where every student feels informed, confident, and capable of charting a path that aligns with their goals, strengths, and dreams. Her work is driven by a belief that knowledge opens doors, and she is committed to helping students step through them with purpose.

Student education has always guided my path through life. After spending many years teaching multiple curriculars, I was able to step outside of the classroom for the past 7 years to prioritize coaching science teachers. The science/STEM focus has allowed me the opportunity to ignite student interests with inquiry-based learning while pushing their scientific thinking. I look forward to working closely with the students of Phoenix Academy this summer to maintain student intrigue in the many facets of learning through STEM applications.

Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.

Tom Jones is an assistant professor in the Industrial Engineering department here at Florida Poly. He teaches about quality, processes, and manufacturing. Before coming to Poly, he spent the last ten years in manufacturing with experience in the Automotive, Aerospace, and Defense industries.

Susan LeFrancois, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Florida Polytechnic University specializing in data science, health sciences, and organizational leadership. With a background in pharmacology and industry experience in regulatory affairs and quality assurance, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective to teaching, research, and curriculum development. Her work focuses on healthcare analytics, ethics in STEM, and developing future leaders through applied, data-driven education.

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