The SUNY Poly Spotlight Series is a robust collection of camps for kids and teens as well as events and workshops for people of all ages. Showcasing the expertise of SUNY Poly faculty and staff and our Mohawk Valley community, the series provides opportunities for fun and learning in the areas of STEM, the arts, athletics, wellness, and more.
Have an idea for an event? Email us at events@sunypoly.edu and let us know!
Spring 2025 Events and Workshops
The gold listings are workshops or camps for middle and/or high school students with specific age ranges.
The blue listings are events and workshops for community members of all ages.
| 🏀 Boys and Girls Basketball Camp: 6/30/25 - 7/3/25 (Athletic Camp, Ages 7-14) |
Date: Monday, June 30 – Thursday, July 3
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Wildcat Field House, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Coaches: Rob Schoener and Jessica Skelton, Head Men's and Women's Basketball Coaches for SUNY Polytechnic Institute Wildcat Athletics
Description: Come join the SUNY Poly Men's & Women's Basketball Coaches for four days of basketball fun! Days will consist of small group instruction in areas such as shooting, passing, defense & other skills. Team games will take place culminating in camp championships and there will be various contests & competitions throughout the week. Lunch in the Student Center is included in the cost of registration. If you have more than one child that you’d like to register, please contact Rob Schoener at schoenr@sunypoly.edu for a discount.
Fee: $200.00 per person (Eventbrite Fees: 3.7% & $1.79 per ticket + 2.9% Credit Card Processing Fee)
Deadline: Register by Friday, June 27 at Noon
Age Range: 7 years old - 14 years old
Participants: 120 (Max)
Register Now!
| 🖨️ Dream Builders: 3D Printing: 7/7/25 – 7/10/25 (Pre-Collegiate Camp, Ages 11-14) |
Date: Monday, July 7 - Thursday, July 10
Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Donovan Hall, Ground Floor, Room G244, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Presenter: Kevin Volo, Instructional Technologist at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Description: Join us for an exciting hands-on summer camp where middle schoolers become inventors, designers, and creators! Our 3D Printing Summer Camp introduces kids ages 11–14 to the world of 3D modeling and printing through fun, interactive projects. Campers will learn how to design their own objects, bring their ideas to life using real 3D printers, and explore the basics of engineering, design thinking, and problem-solving.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (Thanks to the generous support of the Liberty Partnerships Program at SUNY Polytechnic Institute)
Deadline: Register by Monday, June 30
Age Range: 11 years old - 114 years old
Participants: 20 max, 15 spots will be reserved for students enrolled in LPP, 5 spots will be open to the public.
Register Now!
| 🧬 Griffiss Institute STEM Circuit4 Biology Camp: 7/7/25 – 7/11/25 (Pre-Collegiate Camp, Ages 8-12) |
Date: Monday, July 7 - Friday, July 11
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Donovan Hall, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Description: Scientific method, plant science, movement of water in plants, seed germination, photosynthesis, plant cells, bugs and other small creatures, elements of nature, outdoor exploration, and retrieval of artifacts and examination. Light snacks and a lunch will be provided. If you have questions, email STEM@griffissinstitute.com. For more information please visit https://www.griffissinstitute.org/stem.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (Thanks to the generous support of Griffiss Institute, Empire State Development, and M&T Bank)
Deadline: Registration opens on Monday, May 19 at Noon and will close at Midnight on Wednesday, May 21. If capacity is exceeded during the open application period, camp placements will be made by lottery. Applicants will be notified via email by Griffiss Institute of their registration status.
Age Range: 8 years old - 12 years old
Participants: 25 (Max)
Register Now!
| 🏡 Mission: Smart Home: 7/7/25 – 7/10/25 (Pre-Collegiate Camp, Ages 11-14) |
Date: Monday, July 7 - Thursday, July 10
Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Donovan Hall, Ground Floor, Room G129, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Presenter: Dr. Jiayue (Joyce) Shen, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Description: At "Mission: Smart Home" camp, students will dive into the exciting world of technology, creativity, and engineering. Through hands-on building, coding, and problem-solving missions, participants will create real smart devices - lights that sense movement, alarms that protect treasures, and sensors that predict the environment. Every day offers a new opportunity to invent, experiment, and transform imagination into reality. Students will explore how simple coding and clever design can bring everyday spaces to life, discovering the magic behind smart living.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (Thanks to the generous support of the Liberty Partnerships Program at SUNY Polytechnic Institute)
Deadline: Register by Monday, June 30
Age Range: 11 years old - 114 years old
Participants: 20 max, 15 spots will be reserved for students enrolled in LPP, 5 spots will be open to the public.
Register Now!
| 🧑🏻🎨 Arts & Sciences: Connect, Integrate & Imagine: 7/14/25 – 7/17/25 (Pre-Collegiate Camp, Ages 11-14) |
Date: Monday, July 14 - Thursday, July 17
Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Donovan Hall, Ground Floor, Room G172, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Presenter: Dr. Kristina Boylan, Associate Professor of History at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Description: Discover the exciting intersection of creativity and innovation, where campers explore hands-on projects that blend artistic expression with scientific discovery. Through collaborative activities, participants will uncover how imagination fuels both the arts and sciences in shaping the world around us.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (Thanks to the generous support of the Liberty Partnerships Program at SUNY Polytechnic Institute)
Deadline: Register by Monday, June 30
Age Range: 11 years old - 114 years old
Participants: 20 max, 15 spots will be reserved for students enrolled in LPP, 5 spots will be open to the public.
Register Now!
| 🛸 Griffiss Institute STEM Circuit4 Drone Camp: 7/14/25 – 7/18/25 (Pre-Collegiate Camp, Ages 8-12) |
Date: Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Field House, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Description: Flight and drone programming, blocking, basic measurement techniques, define flight elements, execute flight tests, and experience controlled, drone free-flight. Light snacks and a lunch will be provided. If you have questions, email STEM@griffissinstitute.com. For more information please visit https://www.griffissinstitute.org/stem.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (Thanks to the generous support of Griffiss Institute, Empire State Development, and M&T Bank)
Deadline: Registration opens on Monday, May 19 at Noon and will close at Midnight on Wednesday, May 21. If capacity is exceeded during the open application period, camp placements will be made by lottery. Applicants will be notified via email by Griffiss Institute of their registration status.
Age Range: 8 years old - 12 years old
Participants: 25 (Max)
Register Now!
| 👩🏻⚕️ Wellness Warriors: 7/14/25 – 7/17/25 (Pre-Collegiate Camp, Ages 11-14) |
Date: Monday, July 14 - Thursday, July 17
Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Donovan Hall, First Floor, Room 1140 (Nursing Lab), SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Presenter: Dr. Francia Reed, Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Description: Step into the shoes of a nurse and explore the exciting world of healthcare. Learn about the roles of health care workers - who they are and what they do. We'll also cover ideas on how to stay healthy and how your body works. Students will practice basic first aid skills, explore human anatomy, and understand how nurses help people every day all while building teamwork, empathy, and communication skills.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (Thanks to the generous support of the Liberty Partnerships Program at SUNY Polytechnic Institute)
Deadline: Register by Monday, June 30
Age Range: 11 years old - 14 years old
Participants: 20 max, 15 spots will be reserved for students enrolled in LPP, 5 spots will be open to the public.
Register Now!
| 🦎 UZ&U: The Utica Zoo Classroom Experience: 7/19/25 (Pre-Collegiate Workshop, Ages 11-18) |
Date: Saturday, July 19
Time: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Student Center, Multi-Purpose Room, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Presenter: Zak Hughes, Education and Conservation Manager at the Utica Zoo
Description: Discover the wonders of wildlife with “UZ&U,” an engaging classroom-style program presented by the Utica Zoo. Expert educators will lead you through interactive presentations on fascinating animal-themed topics, featuring live animals that bring each lesson to life. A portion of the program’s proceeds supports vital conservation efforts, making every visit a step toward protecting our planet’s wildlife.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (Thanks to the generous support of NYSTEC, this camp is free for all participants)
Deadline: Register by Friday, July 18 at Noon
Age Range: 11 years old - 18 years old
Participants: 30 (Max) and 10 (Min)
Register Now!
| 🧪 Griffiss Institute STEM Circuit4 Chemistry Camp: 7/21/25 – 7/25/25 (Pre-Collegiate Camp, Ages 8-12) |
Date: Monday, July 21 - Friday, July 25
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Donovan Hall, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Description: Scientific method, batteries and chemical composition, lemon battery, potato battery, squishy circuits, basic measurement chemicals to form new materials. Light snacks and a lunch will be provided. If you have questions, email STEM@griffissinstitute.com. For more information please visit https://www.griffissinstitute.org/stem.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (Thanks to the generous support of Griffiss Institute, Empire State Development, and M&T Bank)
Deadline: Registration opens on Monday, May 19 at Noon and will close at Midnight on Wednesday, May 21. If capacity is exceeded during the open application period, camp placements will be made by lottery. Applicants will be notified via email by Griffiss Institute of their registration status.
Age Range: 8 years old - 12 years old
Participants: 25 (Max)
Register Now!
| ⌨️ Griffiss Institute STEM Circuit4 Coding Camp: 7/28/25 – 8/1/25 (Pre-Collegiate Camp, Ages 8-12) |
Date: Monday, July 28 - Friday, August 1
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Donovan Hall, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Description: Scientific method, batteries and chemical composition, lemon battery, potato battery, squishy circuits, basic measurement chemicals to form new materials. Light snacks and a lunch will be provided. If you have questions, email STEM@griffissinstitute.com. For more information please visit https://www.griffissinstitute.org/stem.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (Thanks to the generous support of Griffiss Institute, Empire State Development, and M&T Bank)
Deadline: Registration opens on Monday, May 19 at Noon and will close at Midnight on Wednesday, May 21. If capacity is exceeded during the open application period, camp placements will be made by lottery. Applicants will be notified via email by Griffiss Institute of their registration status.
Age Range: 8 years old - 12 years old
Participants: 25 (Max)
Register Now!
| 🧱 Griffiss Institute Lego Robotics Camp: 8/4/25 – 8/8/25 (Pre-Collegiate Camp, Ages 10-14) |
Date: Monday, August 4 – Friday, August 8
Time: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Donovan Hall, Ground Floor, Room G172, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Description: Students learn how to command robots to do their bidding. But first, students must speak their robot’s native language. Over the course of 5 days, students will design and build their robot, program it to solve challenges on a LEGO game board and fix their robot’s code, or even attachments when it inevitably does not do what they expected it to do the first time.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (This STEM program is funded and led by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate, located in Rome, NY.)
Deadline: Registration opens on Monday, May 19 at Noon and will close at Midnight on Wednesday, May 21. If capacity is exceeded during the open application period, camp placements will be made by lottery. Applicants will be notified via email by Griffiss Institute of their registration status.
Age Range: 10 years old - 4 years old
Participants: 12 (Max)
Register Now!
| 🏐 Women’s Volleyball Camp: 8/11/25 – 8/14/25 (Athletic Camp, Ages 15-18) |
Date: Monday, August 11 – Thursday, August 14
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Wildcat Field House, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Coaches: Dan Short, Head Men's & Women's Volleyball Coach for SUNY Polytechnic Institute Wildcat Athletics
Description: Come join the SUNY Poly Men's and Women's Volleyball Coaches for four days of volleyball learning and fun! Days will consist of small group instruction in areas serving, passing, hitting & other skills. Plenty competitive games will take place throughout the four days ending in a large amount of six-on-six play. If you have more than one child that you’d like to register, please contact Dan Short at shortdk1@sunypoly.edufor a discount.
Fee: $180.00 per person (Eventbrite Fees: 3.7% & $1.79 per ticket + 2.9% Credit Card Processing Fee)
Deadline: Register by Monday, August 4 at Noon
Age Range: 15 years old - 18 years old
Participants: 60 (Max) and 20 (Min)
Register Now!
| 🏐 Men’s Volleyball Camp: 8/11/25 – 8/14/25 (Athletic Camp, Ages 15-18) |
Date: Monday, August 11 – Thursday, August 14
Time: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Wildcat Field House, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Coaches: Dan Short, Head Men's & Women's Volleyball Coach for SUNY Polytechnic Institute Wildcat Athletics
Description: Come join the SUNY Poly Men's and Women's Volleyball Coaches for four days of volleyball learning and fun! Days will consist of small group instruction in areas serving, passing, hitting & other skills. Plenty competitive games will take place throughout the four days ending in a large amount of six-on-six play. If you have more than one child that you’d like to register, please contact Dan Short at shortdk1@sunypoly.edufor a discount.
Fee: $180.00 per person (Eventbrite Fees: 3.7% & $1.79 per ticket + 2.9% Credit Card Processing Fee)
Deadline: Register by Monday, August 4 at Noon
Age Range: 15 years old - 18 years old
Participants: 60 (Max) and 20 (Min)
Register Now!
| 🥾 Ecosystems Explorers Camp: 8/16/25 (Pre-Collegiate Workshop, Ages 11-14) |
Date: Saturday, August 16
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Donovan Hall, Ground Floor, Room G172, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Presenter: Justin Jablonski, Adjunct Lecturer at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Description: Come join us for a two-hour adventure in the wild side of science! Participants will become ecosystem explorers by investigating local habitats, identifying common plants and animals, and discovering how everything connects in a living food web. The experience blends biology, environmental science, and ecological education, offering a fun and educational morning perfect for curious minds ages 11 and up. Whether your student loves science, nature, or just getting outside, this camp is a great way to explore STEM in action. As a hands-on highlight, each attendee will create and take home their own terrarium—a miniature ecosystem they can continue to observe and care for. The event will begin and end indoors, with outdoor exploration depending on weather conditions. Please bring a water bottle, appropriate footwear, and clothing for being outside.
Fee: FREE/RSVP Required (Thanks to the generous support of NYSTEC)
Deadline: Register by Friday, August 15 at Noon
Age Range: 11 years old - 14 years old
Participants: 20 (Max)
Register Now!
| 🌲SUNY Blooms Campus Beautification Day: 10/17/25 |
Date: Friday, October 17
Time: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Location: Student Center, Multi-Purpose Room, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Team Leaders: Facilities at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Description: Join us, a day before "National Community Clean-Up Day," for SUNY Poly’s Beautification Event, a day dedicated to enhancing the beauty and spirit of our campus! Volunteers will take part in a variety of projects, including painting, landscaping, and assisting Facilities and Grounds with maintenance and cleanup efforts. Together, we can create a vibrant and welcoming environment that reflects our pride in SUNY Poly!
Fee: Free/RSVP Required
Deadline: Register by Wednesday, October 15 at Noon
Participants: 30 (Max)
Register Now!
| 🐒 Leaping into the Wild: The Secret Life of Lemurs: 10/27/25 |
Date: Monday, October 27
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Student Center, Multi-Purpose Room, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Presenter: Adam T. McLain, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Description: Join us for a wild adventure into the treetops of Madagascar as we explore the fascinating world of lemurs – leaping, lounging, and laughing all the way! From their quirky behaviors to their fight for survival, this playful presentation shines a spotlight on why these unique primates deserve our attention and protection.
Fee: Free/RSVP Required
Deadline: Register by Monday, October 27 at Noon
Participants: 30 (Max)
Register Now!
