ACES Camp
Applied Career Exploration in STEM (ACES) Camp for Girls is a week-long summer camp for middle school girls from Sunnyside Unified School District held every July. The camp is designed to explore a wide variety of careers, provide a path to potential success, and lay a foundation for STEM identity in higher education and beyond. ACES facilitates teamwork, use of technology, and hands-on learning, while giving students a feel for the college experience at a critical time in their lives.
After running for over a decade, the program has had more than 500 participants. ACES camp alumni are now engineers, scientists, and young professionals. ACES focuses on the importance of math, science, and careers in technical sciences and underscores that women are essential in every career.
Some years, we are able to offer ACES Camp to other districts, including Tucson Unified School District. Keep checking back for updates on Summer 2024!
How it works
ACES Camp is open to middle school girls from Sunnyside Unified School District who have been nominated by their school.
Middle schools in Sunnyside Unified School District nominate students
- We send out a call for nominations
- Each school submits a list of 10-20 middle school girls to nominate
Nominated students submit an application
- Nominated students receive information on how to apply
- Nominees submit their application
We invite up to 50 applicants to attend the camp
- We let applicants know if they have been accepted
- Students who are accepted will attend a week of STEM Exploration workshops
100% said that they would do ACES Camp again.
88.4% said that they see themselves as a STEM person after completing the program.
Students say, “It really made me feel like I can do anything if I really put my all into it.”