Kids
Whitaker Center offers an exciting and educational experience for kids and schools, making it an ideal destination for field trips and group outings.
With its dynamic and immersive approach to education, Whitaker Center helps cultivate a love of learning and exploration in students of all ages.
Camps
Grades PreK–12
Calling all young explorers, budding scientists, and creative minds! Are you ready for an epic summer adventure filled with discovery, hands-on learning, and endless fun? Then prepare to blast off with Whitaker Center’s out-of-this-world Summer Camps!
Girls in STEAM
Grades 3–8
Join us for workshops designed for girls in 3rd – 8th grade who will participate in activities that connect with real-world applications of STEAM through design, programming, coding, engineering, and more. Participants will be able to explore all aspects of STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math – to see what interests them.
Little Learners
Ages 3–6
Little Learners: Adventures in STEAM is an interactive preschool-aged (Ages 3 yrs to 6 yrs) program with lots of fun and hands-on activities! We will sharpen our science process skills as we experiment, read, explore, sing, and create! Learners will have time for structured weekly themed activities as well as time to explore our KidsPlace exhibit.
Tiny Tots
Ages 2 and younger
Tiny Tots: Adventures in STEAM is a “Grown up and Me” Toddler program (Ages 2 yrs and younger) that encourages a child’s first science exploration. We will sing, read and explore our way through themed activities designed for interaction between the tots and their grown ups. There will be time at the beginning and end of the program to explore our KidsPlace exhibit as well.
Code Bytes
Grades 3–8
“Code Bytes” is a series of hands-ons workshops where we use the fun and creativity of video games to teach about coding, computer science, and other STEAM topics. Participants will explore programming concepts, game mechanics, and problem-solving skills through interactive sessions, turning gaming into an educational experience. Perfect for aspiring coders and gaming enthusiasts alike!
Girls Who Code
Grades 6–12
Join a sisterhood of STEM with Girls Who Code, a place to make new friends and learn about computer science. Computer science is an expansive field that includes a way of thinking, planning, and problem-solving in addition to programming. This approach, called computational thinking, is the foundation of the Girls Who Code curriculum. Club students don’t just learn how to code, but also cultivate strengths that help them succeed in whatever they pursue, including bravery, activism, curiosity, resilience, passion, and resourcefulness.
How to Build a PC
Ages 12+
Plan your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping early for the gamer on your gift list!
Attendees will have the chance to learn what parts make up the computers we use every day and how PCs are put together. Innovators will be instructed on the basic function of a PC’s parts, including the CPU, motherboard, RAM, cooling systems, PSU, graphics card, hard drive/SSD, and case.
Summer Science
At Whitaker Center, we think fun and learning go hand-in-hand! When school is out for the Summer, it is crucial to keep children engaged to prevent the “summer slide”, where children lose some of the academic skills they’ve learned during the school year. Engaging in activities, like at-home science experiments, can foster curiosity and reinforce scientific principles in a fun and hands-on way.
Sensory Saturdays
Exhibit lights and sound effects are adjusted, and additional hands-on activities are included to foster a safe, welcoming, and most importantly – FUN – environment for all visitors. Quiet spaces are available during Sensory Saturday events for visitors needing a break. Additionally, sensory borrow backpacks will be available at our Market Street Box Office on a first come, first served basis.