GEMS 2024 Dates

Information about GEMS 2025 dates are as follows

Program dates: June 23- June 27, 2025

The GEMS 2025 application will open in early January. The deadline to submit the application will be Monday March 3rd.

The safety of your child/camper is the top priority for us. Covid-19 vaccines will be required for all counselors and campers at this time. We will continue to adapt and monitor the Covid-19 guidelines, and implement the most up to date safety protocols as instructed for Summer 2025. We will continue to share additional information on this page.

Want to see what we did at GEMS in past years? Check out our videos and pictures!

Penn GEMS Activities

Please note that the activities below are subject to change and not all participants will necessarily get to do all activities. Students will be broken into groups and will participate in a variety of activities. We’re still in the process of planning this year’s program but here’s some of things we have done in the past:

GLOW IN THE DARK SCIENCE
What does a cell in your body look like up close? Through hands-on labs, you’ll learn how cells travel throughout your body and how engineers are actually making body cells that fight disease!

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING IN ACTION!
Mechanical Engineers create everything from cell phones and toys to medical devices and cars. You’ll get to try your hand at the exciting design process by working in a team to build your own structure or vehicle.

IT’S A ROBOT
What do NASA’s Mars Rover and Honda’s ASIMO need to do interact and react in their environments? Learn the basic electro-mechanical principles behind robotics technology and more when you get to play with your own robot.

WHAT IS COMPUTER SCIENCE?
Computers, iPods, cell phones, websites, video games, animated movies, and robots are just a few things created by computer scientists. Learn how to think like a computer scientist and maybe even create a few things of your own!

IMAGINATION TO ANIMATION
Love animated movies and video games? You’ll learn some basic computer programming skills that any animation or game maker needs and leave with something to show your friends and family.

NANOTECH 101
What is nanotechnology and why is everyone talking about it? You’ll experiment with nano-materials, and study how these teeny tiny structures can change our
everyday lives.