USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Center Programs

USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Center Programs includes CS@SC Coding Camps, where students explore stand-alone programming, web development, mobile app creation, and robotics. It also includes Engineering Transformer with computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and more; Mission Science with hands-on, inquiry-based science and engineering activities; and summer options such as web and game design, coding, app writing, rockets, circuits, bridges, and robots.

Programs

• CS@SC Coding Camps — Grades K-5 · During the school year; virtual: Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM PT; in-person: Saturdays from 9 AM - 12 PM PT · Explores computer science topics including stand-alone programming, web development, mobile app creation, and robotics; virtual and in-person courses; school year program.
• Engineering Transformer — Participating LAUSD schools · Once a week; offered during the school year · Afterschool STEM program at participating LAUSD schools covering computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and more.
• Mission Science — 3rd-5th grade students · Once a week, typically after school; annually from September through May · After-school STEM program with hands-on, inquiry-based science and engineering activities facilitated by USC students majoring in STEM.
• MESA — Grades 6-8 · During the school year · MESA College Prep at USC with hands-on STEM activities, projects, competitions, field trips, leadership retreat, college and career preparation, advisor trainings, and parent/family sessions.
• NSBE Jr. — Grades 6-8 · During the school year
• CS@SC Summer Camps — Grades K-12 · Mondays - Fridays, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM PT or 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM PT; in-person Mondays - Fridays from 8:00 AM - 3 PM PT at USC · Summer computer science courses including stand-alone programming, web and game design, mobile app creation, and robotics; offered virtually and in-person.
• Energy Of STEM — Currently enrolled in Grades 3-4 · 5 days · Camps exploring Green Energy for elementary students and Electronics for high school students; includes demonstrations, lessons, hands-on projects, group-work, and time with peers.
• Summer Engineering Camp — Currently enrolled in Grade 5-7 · Monday to Friday · Two-week camp exploring aerospace, electrical, civil, and mechanical engineering with hands-on activities such as rockets, circuits, bridges, and robots; also includes coding and app writing.
• Discover Engineering

At a glance

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• General schedule: School year programs and summer programs are offered; some programs run once a week, some are during the school year, and some are summer camps with stated weekday schedules.

About the provider

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering has collaborated with K-12 schools, teachers, and students for 40 years to strengthen STEM pathways. The central mission of the USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Center is to expand opportunities in STEM for youth, families, and schools in the Greater Los Angeles area. The program provides STEM activities and outreach to K-12 students, teachers, families, and communities, and USC students can take part through volunteering and employment.

What families say

“First of all thank you for the time, for the energy, for the finances, and just the care that you’re bringing to the community on behalf of South LA moms like me. A big thank you. And please bring more.” — CS@SC Parent

“My SHINE experience has reinforced my interest in STEM specifically electrical engineering being able to learn about theoretical principles in electromagnetics and being able to apply them to a real-life model was very intriguing.” — SHINE Student

“I would highly recommend the BOTS program to colleagues. Computer Science has always been something I have been interested in and I have spent many hours trying to learn on my own. This program was what I needed to help me move to the next phase of my ability to implement computer science in my classroom. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.” — BOTS Teacher

Last updated October 5, 2026.