WISE GISE

WISE GISE is a summer day camp for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students for a hands-on STEM experience that is both fun and challenging. 

Enjoy a week in some of the most advanced labs in the world learning from our world-class students and faculty. Campers choose a “major” to focus on in the mornings and spend afternoons exploring other disciplines. Campers will have lots of fun exploring the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor!

Applications open on February 15 and close on May 15.

Camp in summer 2026 will be June 15-19. 

Camp Majors in 2026

Learn from the departments of Astronomy, Physics, Robotics, and Climate and Space Sciences about STEM in space.

Bringing together introductory Python programming, math, sociology, and more, we’ll learn how to make our own simple tabletop and computer games. How do we design rules for games to make them fair (or unfair!)? How do we teach the player to play? What even IS a game?

Try out all the different ways scientists learn about the world around us. From bench chemistry to dissections to field work, you’ll experience your environment through hands-on experiments like a real biologist.

FAQs

GISE costs $475 for a five-day session. This tuition includes five full days of program activities from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. There is not an overnight option. Lunch is not provided. Students should bring a bag lunch every day. All instructional costs, supplies, and equipment are included.

Need based scholarships are available. Please see information below.

You are eligible to apply for WISE GISE if:

  • You will complete the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in 2026
  • You have an interest in science, mathematics, or engineering
  • You want to learn how to use STEM to make the world a better place.

We welcome campers of any gender identity. No previous experience in science or engineering is necessary. Come curious and ready for fun!

Yes! If your student is in an ungraded program, or working ahead, we will consider their age instead of grade. If you are uncertain if your child is eligible, please email [email protected].

Apply early. We review applications as they come in. When camp is full, we will add you to the waitlist.

Probably! Friends who want to be together should indicate it on their application and choose the same major. Please double check with your friend what major they chose!

All applicants will receive an email an average of a week after they apply to let them know if they have been accepted.  Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so you will receive a decision much earlier if you apply early.

Please do not send money with your application.  Accepted students will be asked to send a non-refundable tuition payment of $475 by May 15 through check or credit card. If you have circumstances that require delaying payment, please email [email protected].

Yes! Need-based scholarships are available. The need-based scholarship form is included in the application. Accepted students will be contacted about their financial aid as soon as they are admitted to the camp. Aid is also available through the Center for Educational Outreach’s Watson Young scholarship on YouthHub (available soon).

If you are unable to attend camp, we will offer a full refund up through May 15th. After May 15, we will charge a $100 penalty for giving up your place in the program. If you have special circumstances, please email [email protected].

If WISE is forced to cancel summer programming, you will receive a full refund, processed within 2 weeks.

Maybe. We sometimes accept 6th graders if there is room and they feel comfortable with the other campers being older. Email [email protected] directly to ask. You can also check out Engineering OnRamp for U-M summer experiences for other age groups.

Please reach out to:

Victoria Alden

University of Michigan Women in Science and Engineering Office

Phone: (734) 763-5472

Email:  [email protected]