SciTech

SciTech is an after-school program exclusively designed for female and female-identifying students in grades 4–6 attending elementary and middle schools in San Diego. Our program aims to inspire and encourage them to become innovative and creative thinkers in science, technology and engineering. 

SciTech is a semester-long, afterschool program with sessions starting in fall and spring. Each participating school selects 30 students to attend the weekly two-hour SciTech program on their campus. Through our program, students engage in hands-on science investigations covering a wide range of topics, including solar car design, household chemistry and more. Through this project-based learning approach, students make concrete connections to everyday life while developing problem-solving and creative thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. 

SciTech is not limited to just classroom learning. Our program includes inquiry-based, collaborative investigations, interactions with female role models, and family engagement activities to build self-confidence and foster an interest in science, technology, and engineering careers among girls. We believe in making science accessible to girls in underrepresented communities, and our program develops connections between girls and the local scientific community. 

SciTech’s goal is to inspire and empower female and female-identifying students to achieve their full potential in STEM. SciTech students explore their interests and passions and develop the skills necessary to pursue successful careers in STEM fields.

SciTech Applications

Applications open April 22, 2024

For the upcoming session, the Fleet Science Center will be working closely with six SciTech school partners. Feel free to send SciTech-related questions at any time of the year. 

APPLICATION

CONTACT

The Tech Challenge

One of the biggest events in the SciTech program is the Tech Challenge. In the weeks leading up to the challenge, students must problem-solve and design inventions to complete a specific task. This year's challenge is to design and build a device for successfully dropping and deploying. 

The Spring Session Tech Challenge on Saturday, May 4, will have students from:

• Logan Memorial Educational Complex (Barrio Logan) 
• Los Altos Elementary School (Otay Mesa)
• Cherokee Point Elementary School (City Heights) 
• Bostonia Language Academy (El Cajon) 
• San Miguel Elementary School (Lemon Grove) 
• Washington STEAM Magnet Elementary School (Little Italy) 

Congratulations to our Fall Session Tech Challenge Participants! 

• Avondale Elementary School (Spring Valley) 
• Bayside STEAM Academy (Imperial Beach)
• Palomar Elementary School (Chula Vista)
• Vista Grande Elementary (El Cajon)

Read more about the 2023 Tech Challenge. 

Click here for information on challenge scenarios that you can try with your school!