From Blocks to Breakthroughs: How Self-eSTEM’s 2025 STEM Exploration Camp is Shaping the Future of Robotics & AI

{3 Minute Read} From Blocks to Breakthroughs: How Self-eSTEM’s 2025 STEM Exploration Camp is Shaping the Future of Robotics & AI

At Self-eSTEM, our mission has always been clear: prepare the next generation of innovators by empowering girls to explore, lead and innovate in STEM. This summer, we took that mission to new heights with our 11th annual STEM Exploration Camp, themed “From Blocks to Breakthroughs: The Future is Autonomous and Code Your Way to Robotics & AI.” Held at Oakland Technical High School from July 14–19, 2025, the camp was a six-day immersive experience that challenged and inspired.

This wasn’t just any summer programming—it was a launchpad into the future. Through real-world problem-solving, robotics programming and AI ideation, our Innovators weren’t just playing with tech, they were engineering it.

Key Takeaways: Innovation in Action

1. Real-World Project-Based Learning:
   Innovators designed autonomous (self-driving) robots to navigate their custom-built micro-cities, complete with mobility and automation challenges that reflect real urban planning issues.
2. Interdisciplinary Curriculum:
   Through hands-on coding, engineering design and city planning, participants applied computer programming, engineering, math, AI/automation and arts into one cohesive experience.
3. Critical Thinking Meets Collaboration:
   Innovators developed solutions through the engineering design cycle, strengthened their communication and decision-making skills, and presented their capstone creations to peers and STEM professionals.
4. STEM Exposure at The Tech Interactive:
   A powerful highlight of the week was the field trip to The Tech Interactive in San Jose, where students explored interactive exhibits on robotics, biotechnology and engineering design. 

From hands-on learning experiences to real-time demonstrations of STEM in action, Innovators deepened their understanding of how classroom concepts connect to real-world innovation. 

Impact in Numbers: What Closing the STEM Gap Really Looks Like

• 100% of participants showed increased confidence in core technical skills like coding, design thinking and engineering.
• 95% used brand-new tech tools or software for the first time—gaining hands-on experience with robotics kits and programming languages like Python and block-based code.
• Every single surveyed skill area showed gains in comfort, confidence and ability by the end of the week.
• 90+ hours of structured, tech-forward learning took place in just 6 days.
• Dozens of Innovators, ages 7–17, are now one step closer to becoming our next generation of engineers, designers and change agents.

This is the measurable impact of equitable access to STEM.

This is what closing the STEM opportunity gap looks like.

Why It Matters—And Why We Need You

At Self-eSTEM, we cultivate leadership, innovation and purpose. Access to this kind of transformational experience doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of intentional investment from donors, corporate partners, family foundations and visionaries like you.

Whether you’re a philanthropist, an impact investor in future-forward talent, or an organization committed to STEM access, there’s a place for you in this mission.

Watch the Recap: See Our Innovators in Action

For those who couldn’t attend—or anyone wanting to relive the incredible camp—our recap video is now live! (The video captures the energy, passion, and progress of our Innovators.)

[Watch the 2025 STEM Camp Video Recap here]

Support the Mission

Let’s build a future where girls not only participate in STEM—they innovate within it.

• Donate or partner to support future summer camp programming and future training.
• Join our board, giving time, talent and treasures to sustain impact.
• Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and program announcements.
• Share this post with your network to amplify our mission.
• Watch and be inspired by our Innovators in the recap video.

Act now: Join us in investing in leaders of the technology-driven future. Let us build the future together through vision, action and support.