Bright Minds Academy
For more than two decades, UHD Continuing Education has been a trusted provider of
fun, educational summer day camps for kids and early teens in our community. Click
on the tabs at the bottom of this page for more information on the individual programs.
Registration is now open for a smaller slate of program options during Spring Break (March 9 - 13, 2026) at the University of Houston Downtown and UHD Northwest campuses. Click on the links
below (the text in blue) for more information and registration.
Summer Camp (June 1, 2026-July 24, 2026):
We're thrilled to be offering Summer Break camps at five convenient locations: UHD’s
One Main Street campus, UHD Northwest location at Lone Star College-University Park,
Sugarland Methodist Church, College of the Mainland-League City, and College of the
Mainland-Texas City, plus AP History courses at Faith West Academy in Katy. These
camps are designed to spark creativity, build skills, and provide an unforgettable
learning experience!
To learn more about signing up for our Summer Camp sessions, please contact the Office
of Continuing Education at ce@uhd.edu or 713-221-8032.
Bright Minds Academy
This summer, kids ages 6–14 can dive into a world of creativity, curiosity, and hands-on
learning through engaging courses designed to make learning feel like play. Budding
builders can explore LEGO® Architecture, turning imagination into structures while
learning the basics of design and problem-solving. Young artists will experiment with
color, texture, and mixed media in Artistic Exploration, while history and storytelling
come alive as students design and construct their own castles, complete with towers,
moats, and legends of their own making.
For curious minds who love asking “how does that work?”—or “how can I build that?”—our
STEM and architecture courses offer exciting challenges. Students will explore the
human body by learning how systems like the circulatory and pulmonary systems work
together, then shift into future-focused skills through Python programming, where
they’ll learn the fundamentals of coding, logic, and computational thinking. Older
students can step into the world of leadership and entrepreneurship with a Middle
School MBA®, gaining an introduction to business concepts such as marketing, finance,
teamwork, and innovation. Rounding out the experience, debate helps students build
confidence, think critically, and communicate persuasively. With a wide range of subjects
and age-appropriate instruction, these summer courses create a fun, enriching environment
where kids learn, lead, and grow—all while making new friends and unforgettable summer
memories.
Classes begin at 9 am and conclude at 4 pm but supervised childcare is available from
7:30 am to 9 am and again from 4 pm to 5 pm.
Not all content is available at each location. Please call the Office at 713.221.8032
or email us at ce@uhd.edu for information and registration.
Explore Spring Break and Summer Camp options
Unleash your creativity in this hands-on, studio-style camp! Dive into the world of
2-D art with drawing, painting, cyanotype printing, and collage, then bring your ideas
to life with 3-D projects like slab air-dry ceramics. Plus, explore the art of paper
crafting, including the magic of origami. Let your imagination soar!
Spring Break (March 9-13) at UHD Campus: Register here!
This hands-on, studio-focused camp invites participants to unleash their creativity
through 2-D art (drawing, painting, cyanotype printing, and collage) and 3-D projects
(slab air-dry ceramics) along with paper-crafting (including origami). Each day offers
a fresh opportunity to create and develop skills, starting with a fun and energizing
drawing session to warm up the imagination!
Architecture shapes the world around us, especially in ever-changing towns and cities.
It’s more than building, it’s a collaboration of thinkers, artists, and craftspeople
bringing ideas to life. Join us to explore drafting, blueprints, and space design
while building scale model structures from diverse materials. Discover incredible
architecture in your own community!
Spring Break (March 9-13) at UHD Campus for ages 8-10: Register Here!
Travel back in time with our Castles course! Take a trip through the rich designs
of these iconic structures as you learn the terminology, history, geometry, and construction
of medieval times! Students will gain a foundational understanding of the architecture
of castles and will put that knowledge to the test by designing one from the ground
up. Participants will learn about the various design elements that make up a castle
complex such as turrets, moats, gatehouses and more to create a sturdy structure that
will be able to withstand small scale skirmishes as well as prolonged sieges from
enemy kingdoms! Think you’ve got what it takes to make the ultimate siege-proof castle?
Spring Break (March 9-13) at UHD Northwest Campus for ages 6-8: Register Here!
Children dive into the world of science as they crack secret codes, explore the basics
of forensics, create eye-catching chemical reactions, and work together to solve the
mystery of the stolen ice cream. Along the way, campers make their own chalk, crystal
tubes, code breakers, slime, and much more—turning curiosity and creativity into hands-on
discoveries at every step.
What is Sphero and how does it work? Sphero is an adorable, durable, interactive—you
guessed it—sphere Bot. Don’t let its size deceive you! Its functionality is almost
boundless. Let’s dig in. Students will connect to the tablets provided via Bluetooth
and dive into programming on day one!
Have you heard of Bitcoin or other digital money? That’s cryptocurrency—money you
use online without a bank. Instead, it relies on secure blockchain technology to record
transactions. In this interactive course, students learn how cryptocurrency works,
how it’s traded, the most common types, and its environmental impact—while exploring
the future of money.
Designed for students of all experience levels, the Power of Debate will teach essential
skills like public speaking, critical thinking, and collaboration skills along with
argumentative and communicational techniques in a supportive environment. Through
interactive workshops, practice debates, and expert guidance, participants will gain
confidence and learn how to articulate their ideas effectively.
In this Writers in the Schools (WITS) workshop, students will explore poetry, storytelling,
and drama as they create original written pieces. Working with a professional writer,
they'll engage in writing adventures that stretch their vocabulary and their imaginations
as they discover the joy of storytelling. At the end of the session, our young writers
will invite their family and friends to an interactive celebration where they can
share their portfolio of work and guide their guests in some of their favorite writing
activities so that everyone comes away feeling like a writer!
Children take on a series of exciting challenges using everyday materials, simple
machines, and inspiration from famous inventors—but most importantly, their own creativity
and problem-solving skills. With a spark of ingenuity, they design and build catapults
and forts, create working light sticks, and assemble real circuits using batteries
and light bulbs, turning imagination into hands-on innovation.
From kites and blimps to paper airplanes and rockets, the world of flight is full
of wonder and discovery! Join us for an exciting, hands-on exploration of aerodynamics
and the incredible history of flying machines. You'll build and fly your own kite,
consider Leonardo’s designs, experiment with various paper airplane designs, launch
mini rockets, pilot a drone, and dive into the science behind how things take to the
sky.
Spring Break (March 9-13) at UHD Northwest Campus for ages 8-10: Register Here!
From Simple Cranes to Stunning Masks (6-8 and 9-12) Origami is the traditional Japanese
art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures—no scissors or glue needed!
With just a single sheet of paper, participants can create anything from simple animals
and flowers to complex geometric designs. Whether you're making a classic paper crane
or designing your full head creature mask, origami turns paper into art through the
magic of folds.
Spring Break (March 9-13) at UHD Northwest Campus for ages 9-12: Register Here!
Blast off into the future of space exploration at the Space Robotics: Galaxy Explorers!
In this hands-on session, students build and program robots, explore space science
concepts, and strengthen problem-solving skills through engaging, interactive lessons
and projects.
In this Writers in the Schools (WITS) workshop, young writers will focus on the art
of storytelling and essay writing as they discover what inspires them and drives them
to share their stories. Students will share their original work and offer feedback
on each other’s, learning the value of revision and collaboration as they become stronger
writers. Parents and family will be invited to hear students read their favorite pieces,
and participants will leave with a portfolio of their work.
The MicroBits program introduces students ages 10–14 to computer programming through
fun, hands-on exploration. Using a pocket-sized computer, learners code with platforms
such as Microsoft MakeCode, Python, and Scratch while building foundational programming
skills, strengthening critical and problem-solving thinking, and gaining an understanding
of basic electronics and hardware. Designed for creativity and play, MicroBits can
be used anytime and anywhere—just unplug it and start coding. Take-home Experience:
Each camper will receive a MicroBits computer to take home, enabling them to continue
their coding journey beyond the camp. This allows for an extended learning experience
where campers can continue practicing and experimenting with their new skills.
Embark on a journey through time and explore the fascinating history of architecture
with LEGO Architect! Inspired by Tom Alphin’s book, students will dive into iconic
architectural styles—from Neoclassicism and Art Deco to Brutalism and High-Tech design.
Along the way, they'll construct 12 different models representing these styles, then
apply what they've learned to design and build a unique LEGO creation of their own.
Spring Break (March 9-13) at UHD Campus : Register Here!
To become a Mecha-Master Builder, students must conquer the concepts of basic engineering
concepts and explore the use of gears, pulleys, wheels, axles, motors, and so much
more. This session will open new windows, leading to the fun and mechanical world
of robotics. Students will use LEGO elements and motors to explore the world of engineering
and robotics.
Discover the fascinating world inside you! Medical 101 and 201 dive into the human
body and its incredible systems. While there are 11 major systems, these courses focus
on the most essential—showing how they work together to keep us healthy and functioning
every day. You’ll explore topics like blood types, heart function, and how to interpret
basic test results. Learn to measure blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer, listen
to heartbeats with a stethoscope, and understand cholesterol, fats, and what they
mean for your health. Students will also get hands-on experience with basic CPR and
first aid, building real-world skills in a fun and age-appropriate way.
Middle School MBA is where the rubber meets the road for business, economics, and
entrepreneurship! Participants negotiate head-to-head, build products and P&L’s, pitch
to investors, optimize factories, put their own money at risk, and love every minute
of it! Along the way, they get a deep, integrated understanding of all the fundamentals:
markets, specialization, structure and evolution of economies, trade, price discovery,
supply/demand, opportunity cost, payback, capital, price structure, business cycles,
surplus, shortage, and much more! Why wait for grad school?
Ever dreamed of being an astronaut or NASA engineer on a space mission? Get ready
to blast off on an exciting journey through our solar system! We'll explore planets
and moons, imagine what it would take to live in another world, experiment with flight
and propulsion, discover how technology helps us in space, and even build our own
rover and model of the solar system. The countdown to discovery starts now—are you
ready for launch?
Get ready for a Python that doesn’t slither but sparks creativity and sharpens problem-solving
skills! Python is one of the most in-demand and beginner-friendly programming languages,
perfect for young coders eager to create their own games with cool animations.
Spring Break (March 9-13) at UHD Northwest Campus for ages 11-14: Register Here!
In this hands-on robotics camp, students learn to think in reverse by reverse-engineering
robots to understand how designs work, how they can be improved, and how to approach
challenges from new perspectives. Through space-themed projects and collaborative
challenges, campers build their own robots while developing creativity, critical thinking,
teamwork, and communication skills. As they design, assess, and refine their creations,
students are introduced to core engineering and robotics concepts and learn to problem-solve
without step-by-step instructions—just like in the real world.
Take an in-depth look at the science behind everyday machines and cool science in
this course about engineering. We’ll see how your Jr. Mad Scientist brings their inner
engineer to life while they construct an amazing kaleidoscope, learn about levers
and automatons, and create their own contraptions. In the process, we even become
architects by building our own geodesic dome that we’ll get a chance to climb inside!
This program immerses children in a fun-filled, world of secret-agent science, where
they become super sleuths. Through engaging activities, participants play detective,
explore the basics of forensic science, sharpen observation and surveillance skills,
and decode encrypted messages—all while building curiosity, confidence, and critical
thinking skills.
In the Space Out of This World – Robotics, students explore space science and robotics
through hands-on missions that simulate real astronaut challenges. As they build robots,
navigate Martian terrain, and tackle space-themed problems, students strengthen STEM
skills, practice problem-solving and teamwork, and gain inspiration through engaging,
real-world exploration.
Unleash your child’s creativity and critical thinking skills at STEMvention Robotics.
Each day, students dive into hands-on builds with LEGO Robotics Kits, engaging Mad
Science games, and practical engineering challenges that connect science to the real
world. From gears and machines to sensors, coding, and friendly robotics competitions,
every day is a new adventure in invention and teamwork—designed to grow the skills
that AI cannot replace - curiosity, creativity, systems thinking, and hands-on troubleshooting.
Writers in the Schools will explore the fundamentals - original voice, inventive word
choice, sentence fluency, and clear organization - in a fun, positive space where
each student can discover where their writing can go next. We'll also focus on the
power of revision and witness the incredible difference between our first words and
our final drafts. At the end of the workshop, they will read aloud from their favorite
pieces; and each student will take home a personal writing portfolio.
Theatre comes to life! Participants will immerse themselves in the dynamic world of
stage production, exploring everything from acting and set design to costumes and
script development. Along the way, they’ll discover the magic of live performance
and the teamwork that brings it all together. The experience culminates in an exciting
live showcase on the final day; do not miss the big performance!
Students design and build a LEGO Technic robot, then compete and collaborate to modify
it for greater speed, strength, and maneuverability. Through hands-on challenges,
students explore core engineering concepts, test structural integrity, experiment
with gear ratios, and connect simple machines to robotics—all while thinking creatively
and problem-solving as a team.
Join us on this empowering exploration of writing and emotional well-being and foster
your personal growth through the art of words. Through a series of engaging writing
exercises, reflective prompts, and group discussions, students will strengthen their
emotional intelligence, develop a deeper understanding of their own emotional landscape,
and refine their communication skills.
Explore Spring Break and Summer Camp options (At Katy ONLY)
The AP U.S. History course focuses on developing students’ understanding of American
history from approximately 1491 to the present. The course has students investigate
the content of U.S. history for significant events, individuals, developments, and
processes in nine historical periods, and develop and use the same thinking skills
and methods (analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons,
chronological reasoning, and argumentation) employed by historians when they study
the past. The course also provides seven themes (American and national identity; migration
and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the
world; geography and the environment; and culture and society) that students explore
throughout the course to make connections among historical developments in different
times and places.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be prepared to take the AP
US History exam.
The AP World History course focuses on developing students’ understanding of world
history from approximately 8000 B.C.E. to the present. The course has students investigate
the content of world history for significant events, individuals, developments, and
processes in six historical periods, and develop and use the same thinking skills
and methods (analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons,
chronological reasoning, and argumentation) employed by historians when they study
the past. The course also provides five themes (interaction between humans and the
environment; development and interaction of cultures; state building, expansion, and
conflict; creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems; development and
transformation of social structures) that students explore throughout the course to
make connections among historical developments in different times and places encompassing
the five major geographical regions of the globe: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe,
and Oceania.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be prepared to take the AP
World History exam.
