Looking for STEM activities in Greenville, SC for kids? You’re in luck. Around here, hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math experiences are easy to find and surprisingly fun.
Girl Scout Troop 160 reached out and asked us to round up the best STEM opportunities in and around Greenville. They shared some great ideas, and we’ve pulled them together into one helpful list. So pack up the kids, and get ready for STEM fun!
Hi, we’re Girl Scout Troop 160! We love to go rafting, caving, camping, play outdoor games, and do art together. Through Girl Scouts, we’ve done lots of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities. We’ve attended a Cathy Novinger Center event where we learned about the effect of wildfires on trees, attended an event at Clemson University where we made elephant prosthetics, toured BMW, and created and programmed a VEX robot.
When we found out that girls gain interest in STEM subjects around age 11 but typically lose it around age 15, we became upset. We love STEM activities! So we decided to TAKE ACTION and create a list of STEM opportunities for girls (and boys) of all ages to help kids learn about all of the cool activities available to them.
Editor’s note: Traditionally, STEM refers to activities that incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math. Readers may note the often-used acronym “STEAM” which simply adds art alongside the STEM subjects.
There are a ton of educational things to do near Greenville, SC. Be sure to check out our full list!
The Best STEM Event In Greenville, SC!
iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival
Held in downtown Greenville, this annual festival is a place for kids to learn about all things STEAM. They can run on oobleck (a mixture of cornstarch and water), build creatures out of insulation foam, and watch robotics! The 2026 iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival is on April 4th from 11 am to 5 pm.
Check out the Kidding Around article on the iMAGAINE Upstate STEAM Fest.
STEM Attractions in and Near Greenville, SC
Need a family outing this weekend? Kids driving you crazy on a rainy afternoon? Looking for summer camp or field trip ideas? These locations offer ongoing programs, camps, homeschool days, and field trips throughout the year.
Duke World of Energy
Duke World of Energy explores the different ways electrical power is generated. Open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, Duke World of Energy also offers school field trips.
Read our Kidding Around review of Duke World of Energy.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate (TCMU) offers 80,000 square feet of fun and learning just for kids. They host classes, afterschool programming (pre-K through 5th), summer camps, and field trips.
Read our Kidding Around review of The Children’s Museum of the Upstate.
Roper Mountain Science Center
The Roper Mountain Science Center is a year-round STEM Hub.
Afternoon Explorations are available on Thursdays and Fridays from 1:30-5:00 pm throughout the school year. Explore the Environmental Sustainability Building and the Dinosaur Trial.
On Fridays, you can also visit Harrison Hall of Science. Additionally, Afternoon Adventures offers special science programming every third Thursday!
Friday Starry Nights is a planetarium show with a special showing for younger kids and a more in-depth one for older teens and parents each Friday.
Finally, Roper Mountain hosts Summer Adventure from June to August. You can dig for gems, explore the farm, touch creatures in the marine biology lab, and so much more!
Homeschool groups and schools can also arrange field trips.
Learn more about the Roper Mountain Science Center
Spartanburg Science Center
The Spartanburg Science Center offers programs for K-12 including field trips, nature walks, STEM events, and school education programs.
Bob Campbell Geology Museum
This beautiful museum at Clemson University features dinosaur skeletons, gemstones, archeology, and geology exhibits.
Clemson Botanical Garden
Clemson Botanical Gardens has over 295 acres of walking trails, plants, and nature-based sculptures. Pair it with a visit to the Geology Museum for a full STEM day.
Learn more about the SC Botanical Garden at Clemson University
After-School STEM Programs and Clubs
Looking for fun STEM things for your children to do after school? This list of clubs and structured enrichment programs is for you!
Girl Scouts Mountains to Midlands Council
Our local Girl Scout Council offers STEM-focused troop activities including 3D printing, space science, and math in nature.
FIRST LEGO League
LEGO League gives children ages 4-16 a chance to explore and express their creativity through LEGO robotic challenges. Search their site for a team near you!
VEX Robotics
VEX hosts robotic teams and competitions for grades 4th-12th. Many local schools participate.
Ignite Learning Center
Ignite offers STEAM afterschool classes, camps, and open exploration for K-12th graders.
Challenge Island
Challenge Island offers STEM-based afterschool programs, birthday parties, and camps.
Sylvan Learning Center
Sylvan Learning offers coding, programming, robotics camps, and engineering-focused workshops.
Summer STEM Camps and Travel Opportunities
Kidding Around Greenville creates an extensive list of local summer camps each year, so check the site for more! Here are a few summer camps with a clear STEM focus.
BJU EDUcamp
Bob Jones University’s EDUcamp is a fun and friendly summer camp for 5th-12th graders. Campers develop life skills and consider possible careers, including those in STEM.
Clemson Summer Scholars
Clemson University Summer Scholars teaches rising 7th to 12th graders about many different subjects (including STEM!), as well as college life.
Clemson Science Outreach Center
The Clemson Science Outreach Center offers lab field trips (3rd-12th grades), summer camps (3rd-6th grades), space exploration camps (6th-12th grades), and homeschool programs (3rd-12th grades).
Clemson Project WISE
Project WISE is an engineering summer camp for 7th and 8th graders.
NASA Robotics Alliance Project
With programs for students in grades K-12th, NASA’s Robotics Alliance Project offers STEM camps based on coding, robotics, and technology. Most camps are virtual, but there are some in-person options.
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)
Located in North Carolina, PARI offers residential summer camps focused on astronomy, radio telescopes, and space science for grades 6th–12th.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center Space Camp
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Hunstville, AL offers a variety of summer and family camp programs. There’s Space Camp, Aviation Challenge, Space Camp Robotics, and U.S. Cyber Camp.
Girl Scout Destinations
Girl Scout Destinations offers a fantastic adventure for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts (those in 6th-12th grades, including just graduated). From Marine Research to Space Camp to Biomedical Engineering, there are STEM options of every flavor. They also offer national and international trips.
One girl in our troop spent a week on the Connecticut shore studying marine science. She was able to visit two aquariums, kayak, go seining, and do conservation work. Her experience was, without a doubt, the best week of her life!
High-School STEM Internships
Is your high schooler seriously interested in science or engineering? These internship opportunities will help fuel their interests and look great on college applications and resumes!
Clemson Summer Program for Research Interns
This summer program is for 11th and 12th graders who are serious about science research. Students are paired with a research mentor in bioengineering, parks, recreation and tourism management, plant environmental, and electrical and computer engineering fields.
Michelin Youth Apprenticeship
Students ages 16+ will gain 2,000 hours of onsite experience in mechatronics and electronics. They work with a mentor from the school district.
BMW Rising Scholars
High-school seniors participating at a career and technical education center can apply for a one-year apprenticeship working at BMW.
Homeschool STEM Opportunities
Homeschoolers in Upstate SC have so many opportunities to explore STEM subjects. We found ongoing classes, one-day programs, and request-your-own homeschool group field trips all over!
TR Makers Co. Arts Lead Learning
TR Makers Co. focuses on teaching history and science using art. It teaches homeschooled kids ages five to 15.
South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) Bus
GSSM Bus is a free onsite school program for students grades K-5th. It offers different science courses for each grade level. Homeschool co-ops are welcome to arrange visits! Request a visit using the link above.
Clemson Biology Merit Exam
Any middle or high school student who has completed or is currently enrolled in a biology or life science course can take this free exam. The top three participants in three categories win an award
STEM-Focused Schools
Did you know you can go to a school focused on STEM subjects? Not all of us did! Some of the schools are local, and you can request a change in assignment or apply to a magnet program. But South Carolina also has two STEM-based Governor’s Schools! We focused on local public schools, but there are also local charter, local private, and virtual STEM options.
South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics
Located in Hartsville, SC, this tuition-free merit-based boarding school is for 11th-12th graders. Students apply and are able to take extensive science coursework.
South Carolina Governor’s School of Agriculture
Located in McCormick, SC this tuition-free merit-based boarding school is for 11th-12th graders interested in agricultural sciences. Students take coursework that includes horticulture, plant and animal systems, agriculture management and technology (drones!), and environmental and natural resources management.
Carolina High School and Academy of Engineering and Health Professions
Carolina High School teaches Greenville County students in grades 9th-12th about engineering and health professions. This is an application-based magnet school.
J. L. Mann High School Academy of Mathematics, Science, and Technology
J.L Mann High School is a STEM-based academy for 9th-12th graders who are interested in learning more about STEM. This is an application-based magnet school.
Hughes Academy Middle School of Science and Technology
Hughes Academy is a school for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders more interested in science and technology. This school offers a magnet program for students who are interested but not zoned for the school district. This is an application-based magnet school.
Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School
Fisher Middle prides itself on having the largest selection of middle school-related arts courses in Greenville County, many of which are STEM-based. Students can apply for a change in assignment for this school.
East North Street Academy of Mathematics and Science
East North Street Academy is an elementary magnet School in Greenville County. The school focuses on making real-world connections with math and science. This is an application-based magnet school.
Bonds Career Center
Bonds offers STEM programs in automotive technology, diesel technology, machine tool technology, mechatronics, and welding technology.
Golden Strip Career Center
Golden Strip offers STEM programs in emergency medical technician (EMT), heating ventilation and air conditioning, automotive technology, diesel technology, machine tool technology, and welding technology.
Donaldson Career Center
Donaldson offers STEM programs in construction technology, automotive technology, diesel technology, machine tool technology, and welding technology.
Enoree Career Center
Enoree offers STEM programs in automotive technology, machine tool technology, mechatronics, and welding technology.
Innovation Center
Located at Roper Mountain, this Career Center offers programs in emerging automotive research, aerospace technology, emerging cybersecurity/networking, clean energy technology, and automation/robotics. Students in grades 10th-12th are welcome to apply!
