Innovation Grove

Summer Academy · June 2027

Two themed weeks. One month of making.

In 2026 the academy ran four weeklong sessions at Next Generation School, two Technology and Engineering weeks and two Science weeks. Families picked one week, or one of each. Every day is project and collaboration based, and students move through the ideation, design, testing and improvement phases that real innovators use. The June 2027 dates will be released with pre-registration.

The academy classroom in full swing, students at the work tables building catapults
Catapult day, summer 2026
  • Hands-on
  • Interactive
  • Applied learning
  • Emerging AI exposure
  • Expert-led sessions
  • Programming
  • Science
  • Creative and critical thinking
Champaign, Illinois Summer Academy 2027

Champaign, IL

The 2027 summer academy, at a glance.

Where
Next Generation School2521 Galen Dr, Champaign, IL 61821.
When
June 2027, dates to be releasedWeekdays, 9 AM to 4 PM.
Who
Grades 5 to 8Middle schoolers, ages 10 to 13.
Tuition
$500 for one week$900 for two weeks. Per student.
Extended hours
8 AM drop-off, 5 PM pick-upAt no extra charge.
Lunch
Sumo Kitchen hibachiOpt in, at extra charge. Or bring your own.
Laptops
Bring your own, or rent oneRequired for the Technology and Engineering weeks, encouraged for the Science weeks.
Ratio
5 to 1 student to instructor ratioSmall on purpose, so every project gets a hand.

Two themed weeks: Technology and Engineering, and Science. Take both, or choose one.

Pre-registration opens January 1, 2027

Registration opens February 1, 2027

Next Generation School, our home base in Champaign
Next Generation School, Champaign
Keep me posted Register for Summer 2027
Chicago, Illinois Coming

Chicago, IL

A second city for the academy.

A new summer academy is coming to the Chicagoland area.

Full details will be released soon: the venue, the dates, and how to register. Until then, Champaign shows what a week at the academy looks like, and the field notes on the Experience page show what students actually make.

Tell me when Chicago opens

Venue, dates and tuition will be pinned here.

More locations on the way

Technology and Engineering weeks

Technology & Engineering

Things that fly, spin and launch. Robotics, aviation, energy and the engineering behind them.

  • Let’s Launch It!Design, build and test a miniature catapult, then compete.
  • Green TimeA working wind turbine from recycled materials.
  • Game Time!Build a Flappy Bird rendition in Unity.
  • Expert-led sessionsExperts from aviation, robotics and agriculture.
  • World of the DayA new continent every morning.

Science weeks

Science

Forensics, the human body, chemistry and conservation, with a mystery to solve by Friday.

  • Mystery HeistA weeklong forensic investigation.
  • DNA DomeBuild a helix, design a species with AI, then battle it.
  • Claymistry & DyenamicsNatural dyes, and the perfect clay ratio.
  • Hillside RescueBuild a hill, then stop it washing away.
  • Human Body SeriesNutrition, neuroscience, anatomy and medicine.

Tip Weeks of the same theme cover the same material. For the full experience, pick one week of each theme. They do not need to be back to back.

The rhythm

A day at the academy

Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, with an 8 AM drop-off and a 5 PM pick-up at no extra charge for families who need them. Before 9 and after 4 is free-range time: sports, games, arts and crafts, and extra time on projects.

  1. Early drop-offOptional, at no extra charge.
  2. World of the DayA game or sport from the continent of the day.
  3. Morning modulesTwo blocks: a build, a lab, or an expert-led session with a guest.
  4. LunchBring your own, or opt in to the Sumo Kitchen hibachi lunch.
  5. Afternoon modulesProject time, Green Time, Mystery Heist sessions and Innovation Mission Time.
  6. Pick-upThe day wraps.
  7. Late pick-upOptional, at no extra charge.

Summer 2027 pre-registration opens January 1, 2027, and registration opens February 1. Want the first email?

Keep me posted

Registration is open. Places are limited.

Register for Summer 2027 2026 catalog (PDF) See the summer 2026 field notes Hear from the parents

The facts on this page were last updated .