Professional Development and Summer Camps
Summer Opportunities
Summer learning and career exploration.
The following opportunities support Trade and Industry teachers and students through professional development, externships, and summer camps.
Teacher Opportunities
Teacher Professional Development
- Agricultural Robotics and Automation Technician Training
The Agriculture, Robotics, Automation, & Technology (ARAT) Project is a National Science Foundation-funded initiative that brings together community colleges, secondary educators, and industry partners to develop curriculum and professional development in agricultural robotics and automation. - Alexandria Technical and Community College (ATCC) Manufacturing Training for High School Faculty
Alexandria Technical and Community College hosts annual manufacturing trainings for high school faculty. The trainings are free, but only for Career and Technical Education teachers. Contact Amy Haggerty for more information. - America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) Composite Bootcamps
Free bootcamps that offer hands-on experience with composite technology, including carbon fiber and fiberglass. Participants must be age 17 or older. - Briggs and Stratton Field School for Small Engine Instructors
Each summer, Holdingford High School hosts a multi-day workshop for small engine instructors run by trainers from Briggs and Stratton. Contact John Roberts for more information. - Code.org Computer Science Professional Learning Workshops
Five-day summer workshops for middle and high school teachers to explore computer science curriculum and teaching strategies. - Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA) Annual Conference
A national conference that provides teachers with community support and connections. - CYBER.ORG EdCon
A national summer conference for novice and expert K-12 cybersecurity educators. - Empower{MN:CS} Conference
A summer conference designed to provide K-12 teachers with support and resources to ignite student passions for computing. - InnoCrate STEM Teacher Workshop
A free, immersive, hands-on professional development experience hosted at Winona State University for Grades 3-5 STEM teachers. - LWT (Lynnes Welding Training) Training
Year-round welding instruction offered at one location in Minnesota and two in North Dakota. - Microelectronics in the Classroom
A mini-externship and curriculum training for educators who want to bring microelectronics, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing concepts into their classrooms. - Midwest Teachers of Transportation and Industrial Areas (MTTIA) Summer Conference
Annual professional development, training, and networking for transportation instructors. - North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) Conference
An annual national event for automotive educators and professionals. - Professional Learning byDesign
In-depth International Technology and Engineering Educators Association professional learning experiences focused on engineering and technology education. - Riverland Consortium Welding Training
A summer course designed to help educators teach welding and fabrication techniques. Contact Ryan Stanley for more details. - SCSU WBL Endorsement Option/Summer Workshops
St. Cloud State University offers online and in-person courses to assist Trade and Industry teachers with licensure, including work-based learning endorsement options. - Siemens Engineering Design Summer Teacher Training
An immersive in-person professional development experience for grades 9-12 educators. - Small Gas Engine (SGE) BriefCASE
A specialization-level module in the Mechanical Systems in Agriculture series for high school teachers. - Train the Trainers
A three-day workshop for Agriculture, STEM, and Trade and Industry teachers focused on welding, plumbing, electrical, and construction.
Minnesota Teacher Summer Externships
- Minneapolis Regional Chamber Educator Externship
Educators are immersed in the day-to-day operations of key regional employers. - Resource Trainings and Solutions Teacher Externship Program
Brings career-based classroom curriculum to life and builds bridges between skill-based and knowledge-based education. - Sourcewell School-to-Business Connections
Week-long paid externships for teachers to work with local businesses and strengthen classroom-to-career connections. - South Central Service Cooperative Teacher Externships
Paid summer externships that pair educators with industry peers at participating south central Minnesota businesses. - Trades in Every Classroom
A cohort-based externship program that gives educators a behind-the-scenes look at today’s workplaces.
Student Opportunities
Student General Summer Camps
- Minnesota State Summer Career and Technical Skill Camps
Minnesota State offers a variety of summer camps for middle and high school students. - Dunwoody Design Camp
A pre-college program that introduces high school students to the world of design.
Aviation Summer Camps
- Experimental Aircraft Association (EEA) Air Academy
Aviation experiences for students ages 14-18. - Minnesota Aviation Career Education (ACE) Camp
Includes demonstrations, hands-on activities, and flight experiences with certified instructors. - Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academy
A multi-day event for middle and high school students interested in aviation. - STARBASE Summer Next Gen 2026
Four-day programs designed to inspire students entering grades 4-6. - Thunderbird Aviation Young Flyers
A summer flying camp focused on cross-country flying, navigation, weather, and communications.
Computer Science Summer Camps
- CodeNinjas STEM Technology & Coding Camps
Hands-on technology and coding experiences for children ages 5-14. - High Tech Kids LEGO Robotics Coding Camps
Campers use LEGO SPIKE Prime robots to complete missions and challenges. - Girls Who Code Pathways
A free seven-week online learning opportunity for students. - Under the Hood - Machine Learning and AI Summer Program
An immersive summer experience in machine learning, data science, and AI. - University of Minnesota Summer Computing Academy
Programs for female students in junior high and high school focused on learning programming with Python. For information about the 2026 academy, contact Professor Maria Gini. - The Works Museum Coding Camps
Coding, sequencing, and logic camps for kids ages 6-12.
Construction Summer Camps
- Herdina Construction Trades Camp
Hands-on experience and classroom instruction in specialty occupations within residential and commercial construction. - MN Trades Academy
Paid summer construction internship experiences for selected high school youth. - Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors (MSPS) Measure, Map & Model Land Surveying Summer Camp
A one-day camp introducing students to land surveying, geospatial, and measuring technology. Contact Alex Miller for more information.
Manufacturing Summer Camps
- University of Minnesota MnRI Technology Day Camp
A technology day camp for students in grades 6-8 focused on robots and robotic technology.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- University of Minnesota Discover STEM Camp
Interactive summer programs that explore research topics, academic programs, and career pathways. - University of Minnesota Rochester Summer STEAM Camp
Week-long immersive summer camps focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Transportation Summer Camps
- Minnesota State Nitro-X Summer Camps
Students explore transportation careers through hands-on activities with radio-controlled cars. - Titan Machinery Student Camps
Camps for students interested in the heavy-equipment industry, including diesel and precision options. - University of Minnesota CAV Career Pathways Camp
A one-week day camp for high school students interested in connected and automated vehicle technology. - University of Minnesota National Summer Transportation Institute
A free two-week summer day camp introducing students to transportation careers and experiences.
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