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Boston's Best Summer Educational Programs For Kids

Summer educational programs for kids are offered at museums, schools, and universities in and around Boston. There are fun and innovative ways to learn new things during the relaxing summer months. Whether looking to learn about animals, history or science and technology, Boston has lots of summer educational programs to offer for children of all ages.

'e' Inc. The Environmental Learning And Action Center
(Photo Credit: 'e' Inc. The Environmental Learning And Action Center)

'e' inc.–The Environment Discovery & Action Center
114 16th St., Suite1030
Boston, MA 02129
(617) 242-4700
www.einc-action.org

'e" inc.-The Environment Discovery & Action Center is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, along the Harborwalk. This end of summer, August program is packed with great, hands-on science discovery for kids ages 6 to 12 years. Energy Makes the World Go 'Round, where kids will investigate renewable versus non-renewable energy and bake a cake without electricity, and On Safari: Africa's Big 7 Animals, where kids will learn about the animals and their habitats, are the mainstay topics this summer.

Franklin Park Zoo
(Photo from Franklin Park Zoo)

Zoo Camp At Zoo New England
Franklin Park Zoo
1 Franklin Park Rd.
Boston, MA 02121
(617) 541-0300
www.zoonewengland.org

Zoo Camp at the Franklin Park Zoo provides children, ages 3 through 13 years, many opportunities to enjoy arts and crafts, nature games and activities and the study of zoo animals. There are behind-the-scenes tours with the zoo keepers as part of the summer Zoo Camp program, where campers are up close and personal with the animals. Specialized Jr. Zoo Keeping sessions are available for 12 to 13 year old campers. 

GreenApple Campus
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering

1000 Olin Way
Needham, MA 02492
(857) 574-0567
www.greenapplecampus.org

This unique science enrichment program at the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering offers independent, small group and teamwork projects while campers work on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Learning and enrichment at this challenging program is done through robotics, LEGO, video game design, Minecraft, and more. Children in kindergarten through 8th grade are welcome to participate in this GreenApple Campus program.

Related: Boston's Best Summer Day Camps

Harvard Museum of Natural History
(Photo Credit: Harvard Museum of Natural History)

Science Weeks
Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-3045
www.hmnh.harvard.edu

Harvard Museum of Natural History is a blend of three research museums: the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the Harvard University Herbaria and the Mineralogical & Geological Museum, which offers a wealth of information about natural world discoveries. The Summer Science Weeks are offered for students in grades 1 through 8 with a special Under the Sea class for ages 4 to 5 who are accompanied by an adult. The weekly science program subjects include: Oceans Alive, Impressions of Nature, Prehistoric Worlds, Budding Botanists, Native American Technologies, Earth Explorers, Animal Naturalists, Ocean Week, Amazing Animals and Under the Sea.

Explore Japan Summer Exchange
(Photo Credit: Explore Japan Summer Exchange)

Explore Japan Program
Pierce Middle School
451 Central Ave.
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 996-0622
www.americanlearning.com

This program teaches attendees about every facet of Japanese culture through hosting and spending time with Japanese exchange students. It is a unique 2 1/2 week experience in Milton, a suburb just south of Boston. Participants are immersed in the Japanese culture all morning and then spend the afternoons exploring the city of Boston with trips to Plymouth Plantation, Canoe Lake Park, Boston Tea Party Museum, and more. This program makes participants feel like they have traveled to Japan without leaving the city.

Related: Boston's Best Family Activities To Do Before The Summer Ends

Nancy is a native Bostonian. She enjoys the sights, sounds and tastes of Boston while exploring the city by day or night. Nancy is also a school nurse at an independent middle/high school. Her work can be found on a variety of websites, including Examiner.com.
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