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 the fall and spring. Each participating school selects 30 students to attend their campus's weekly two-hour SciTech program. Through our program, students engage in hands-on science investigations covering various 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 for the 2025-2026 School Year open in April 2025.
For the upcoming Winter session, the Fleet Science Center will work closely with five SciTech school partners. Feel free to send SciTech-related questions at any time of the year.
The Tech Challenge
One of the most significant 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 designing and building a device to clean the Pacific Garbage Patch.
The Fall Session Tech Challenge on Saturday, January 25, will have students from:
- Avondale Elementary School (Spring Valley)
- Cherokee Point Elementary School (City Heights)
- Johnson Elementary School (El Cajon)
- Bayside STEAM Academy (Imperial Beach)
- Carlton Oaks Elementary (Santee)
Congratulations to our 2023-2024 School Year Tech Challenge Participants!
- Avondale Elementary School (Spring Valley)
- Bayside STEAM Academy (Imperial Beach)
- Palomar Elementary School (Chula Vista)
- Vista Grande Elementary (El Cajon)
- 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)
Read more about the 2023 Tech Challenge.
Click here for information on challenge scenarios you can try with your school!
SciTech is currently funded in part by