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.
Looking for summer STEM fun? Check out our STEM Camps at Camp Thundermoon.
A Y membership is not required to sign up for the STEM programs listed below.
OUTDOOR STEM ADVENTURES FOR
Join us for a program filled with nature walks, building structures with natural materials and a make and take project.
- Dates: 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6/25
- Day and Time: Mondays, 6:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m.
- Location: Meriden YMCA Mountain Mist Outdoor Center (Meet at Lower Pavilion)
- Cost: $35 for all participants
- Contact: For more information, please contact Chris Stone at cstone@meridenymca.org or by phone at (203) 626-2280
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
This hands–on enrichment program is designed for students interested in learning more about the structures and inventions that shape the world we live in. Students will explore new ways to build, grow and create solutions
to various building challenges.
- Ages: 8 to14
- Dates: 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8/25
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Location: Meriden YMCA Mountain Mist Outdoor Center (Meet at Lower Pavilion)
- Cost: $35 for all participants
- Contact: For more information, please contact Chris Stone at cstone@meridenymca.org or by phone at (203) 626-2280
STEM AND 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.
STEAM EXPLORATIONS
This hands–on enrichment program is designed for students interested in deepening their knowledge of STEAM concepts through weekly engineering challenges that include Art connections. Students will get to explore all areas of STEAM, with projects that can be taken home!
- Ages: 8 to 14
- Dates: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10/25
- Day and Time: Mondays, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Location: Meriden YMCA 110 West Main Street
- Cost: $35 for all participants
- Contact: For more information, please contact Chris Stone at cstone@meridenymca.org or by phone at (203) 626-2280
SPOOKTACULAR STEM
Participants will design and build a spooky haunted house model using craft materials, incorporating creative engineering features like trapdoors and secret passages
- Ages: 8 to14
- Date: 10/29/25
- Day and Time: Wednesday, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Location: Meriden YMCA 110 West Main Street
- Cost: $10 per participant
- Contact: For more information, please contact Chris Stone at cstone@meridenymca.org or by phone at (203) 626-2280
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 to14
- Dates: 11/17, 11/24, 12/1, 12/8
- Day and Time: Mondays, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Location: Meriden YMCA 110 West Main Street
- Cost: $35 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 to14
- Date: 12/15/25
- Day and Time: Monday, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Location: Meriden YMCA 110 West Main Street
- Cost: $10 per participant
- Contact: For more information, please contact Chris Stone at cstone@meridenymca.org or by phone at (203) 626-2280
How To Register for Programs:
1. If you already have an up-to-date membership, you can register online, by phone at 860.229.3787, or in-person at the New Britain YMCA.
2. If you do not have a membership yet or need to update your membership, please register in-person at the New Britain 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