STEAM@XU 2026
Step onto Xavier University’s campus for an unforgettable one-week residential or commuter day camp experience exploring the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). At STEAM@XU, passionate high school students become real researchers, diving into hands-on projects led by Xavier’s expert faculty! STEAM@XU participants can choose from a variety of exciting research projects to bring to life. Whether they spend the week exploring proteins in virtual reality, computer modeling fungal networks, or decoding literary patterns, students will see the world in a new way. Beyond research, the week is full of opportunities to sharpen critical thinking, build college readiness, and experience campus life. Residential program participants will additionally experience life as a Musketeer through living in a residence hall, experiencing the campus dining hall, and collaborating with peers who share a passion for learning.
About the Camp
- July 19/20-24, 2026
- Open to incoming 9th-12th graders
- Commuter Day Camp: $495 per student (includes daily lunch, exclusive Xavier Basketball Jersey, and all research supplies)
- Standard day: 9a-4p
- First day of camp: July 20th
- Price increases to $545 per student on May 1, 2026
- Residential Overnight Camp: $1095 per student (includes daily meals, exclusive Xavier Basketball Jersey, residential accommodations, Cincinnati excursions, and all research supplies)
- Residential camp move-in will take place on Sunday, July 19th in the afternoon.
- Price increases to $1195 on May 1, 2026.
- Held on Xavier’s campus in Cincinnati, OH
- Spots are limited, and preference for research group placement will be given to early registrants!
Residential Camp Registration Here
Get more at Xavier University
- Select your research experience based on your interests (see example projects below from previous years)
- Work directly with college professors to complete and present a research project to level up your college application
- Participate in workshops on college readiness, interview skills, and more
- Network with college students and professors to learn more about the college experience and your desired major
Please contact summerprograms@xavier.edu with any questions.
2026 Research Projects:
Synthesize nucleic acids with Dr. Schmahl
Interested in biology, chemistry, or medicine? Develop hands-on laboratory skills by synthesizing DNA and introducing it into a living organism, designing your own experiment to see how the protein responds to environmental changes.
Deep dive into literature and history with Dr. Yandell
A good book can change your life, but just how did the great authors of literature choose their words? It’s your job to find out! You’ll use historical context, word frequency, word origins, and the context of individual words to discover how authors' language choices made their works stand the test of time.
Explore the great outdoors with Dr. Mitchell
Get out into nature and discover how science can be done in our own backyard! You’ll travel to field sites in our community each day to develop and test hypotheses about how plants and animals in our area interact with their environments.