STEM

Engage your child’s creativity with our STEM programs!

STEM programs are under the direction of Christopher Stone. Chris is the Director of STEM Academy. For more information contact him at cstone@meridenymca.org .

A Y membership is not required to sign up for the STEM programs listed below, except for summer STEM camps.

ROBOTICS

This program is designed for participants who would like to continue robotics exploration through a creative program that merges engineering and robotics. Participants are encouraged to engage in critical thinking, problem solving, and communication while creating mazes and vehicles that will be enhanced by coding Ozobots and Sphero Robots.

Ages: 8 to 14
Dates: November 16, 23, 30, December 7, 2026
Day and Time: Mondays, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Meriden YMCA Downtown Location
Cost: $40 for all participants
Contact: For more information, please contact Chris Stone at cstone@meridenymca.org or by phone at (203) 626-2280.

SATELLITE DESIGN CHALLENGE

Design and build a prototype model satellite using craft materials while learning how satellites help us observe and communicate with Earth.

Ages: 8 to 14
Date: December 14, 2026
Day and Time: Monday, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Meriden YMCA Downtown Location
Cost: $10 per participant
Contact: For more information, please contact Chris Stone at cstone@meridenymca.org or by phone at (203) 626-2280.

Contact: For more information, please contact Chris Stone at cstone@meridenymca.org or by phone at (203) 626-2280.

FAMILY PLANETARIUM NIGHT

Planetarium Night at the Mahan Planetarium

Join us for a planetarium show that will highlight Winter Constellations and a full dome movie Season of Light. This program is presented by the Wallingford Public Schools Mahan Planetarium and Center for Innovation & Design. Families must provide their own transportation to Sheehan High School. Families will be checked in at the Senior Courtyard entrance. No materials required. Each person should register individually. Please contact Chris Stone, cstone@meridenymca.org for more information.

Date: Wednesday, December 9 , 2026
Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Ages: All Ages
Location: Sheehan High School, 142 Hope Hill Road Wallingford, CT
Cost: $7 per person (please register each person in your family that is attending)
Contact: For more information, please contact Chris Stone at cstone@meridenymca.org or by phone at (203) 626-2280.

STEM AND/OR NATURE THEMED FIELD TRIPS AT THE MOUNTAIN MIST OUTDOOR CENTER

We are now offering STEM and Nature themed school day field trips for local classrooms and educators through mid November. For more information, a personalized program and pricing tailored to your school group, please email Chris Stone at cstone@meridenymca.org or call/text at (203) 626-2280.

STEM Summer Camps

Click here to learn more about our Mountain Mist STEM Camps. Y membership is needed to attend camp.

GUS ROBOTICS HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS

Location: Meriden YMCA Exploration Station
Contact: For more information, please contact Laura Juarez at ljuarez@ctstemacademy.org or by phone at (203) 859-4343

How To Register for Programs:

1. If you already have an up-to-date membership, you can register online, by phone at 203.235.6386, or in-person at the Meriden YMCA.

2. If you do not have a membership yet or need to update your membership, please register in-person at the Meriden YMCA.

Our STEM Academy programs have been recognized and awarded these very special grants. We are grateful for the support of these organizations:

2023 Cox Communities Charities Grant
2022 Tech Boost Grant
2021 Cox Charities Community Grant
2020 Cox Charities Community Grant
2019 Cox Charities Community Grant
2018 Cox Charities STEM Education Grant
2016 Cox STEM Education Grant
2015 3M STEM Education Grant
2012 Napier Foundation STEM Education Grant
2011 NASA Summer of Innovation STEM Education Grant