Research in the Classroom: Inside Our Summer 2026 STEM Cohorts
Date: June 4, 2026
Category: Program Spotlights / Community Outreach
Author: CMSEE Team
This week, the UNLV campus welcomed bright young minds from across the valley for our Summer STEM Program. Hosted by the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education (CMSEE), these cohorts provide a unique environment where advanced educational research directly shapes real-world learning.
Our summer sessions are built around a “research-to-practice” framework. This model serves a dual purpose: it gives local K-8 students access to evidence-based STEM concepts, while providing UNLV students with essential experiential learning opportunities as they lead, mentor, and teach the next generation.
A Look Inside the Summer 2026 Tracks
This summer’s grant-funded lineup spanned multiple age groups, targeting key developmental milestones in STEM literacy:
- Early Coding & Robotics (Grades 1-2): Young learners used Finch robots and Snap! block-based programming to explore geometric shapes and biological life cycles, reinforcing foundational math and science concepts through movement.
- Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals (Grades 3-5): Led by an AWS Top-Certified AI Professional, students utilized tools like Google Teachable Machine and NASA AI platforms to discover how technology helps scientists track wildlife and predict weather patterns.
- The Curious Chem Lab (Grades 6-8): Middle schoolers investigated the everyday chemistry behind physical phenomena, using an exploratory approach to bridge the gap between abstract science and the tangible world around them.
Looking Ahead
Because many of our community programs are made possible through rolling grant funding, our specific course offerings adapt from season to season. While the Summer 2026 cohorts have concluded their sessions, our framework remains a permanent fixture of CMSEE’s mission to strengthen regional K-12 STEM education.
We want to extend a sincere thank you to our participating families, our local school district partners, and the dedicated UNLV student mentors who made this week a success.
Stay Notified for Future Cohorts
Want to ensure you don’t miss the application window for our upcoming Fall and Spring Saturday STEM programs? Join our year-round registry notification list to receive direct updates as soon as new grant funding and registration dates are finalized.
