Discover the Center for Future Innovators
The Center for Future Innovators (CFI) is a Chicagoland nonprofit dedicated to hands-on STEAM education. Our experienced instructors, including certified head teachers, focus on sparking creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking. Each week features expert guest speakers, visits to local parks (weather permitting), and engaging projects designed to excite budding innovators.
Meet the CFI Camp Staff
CFI Summer Camps
Class A – Engage and Energize:
Jumpstarts each day with an exciting introduction, sparking curiosity for deeper STEAM exploration.
​
Class B – Hands-On Exploration:
Immerses campers in practical tasks, letting them actively experiment and learn through building or coding.
​
Class C – Creative Problem Solving:
Challenges students to collaborate, brainstorm innovative ideas, and refine solutions to real-world problems.
​
Class D – Deep Dive:
Focuses on advanced topics, encouraging research, presentations, and culminating projects to enhance STEAM mastery.
FLL – Submerged
June 23 – 27
FULL CAPACITY
Intro to FLL Table Missions & Robot Base Design
Driving & Maneuvering / Water-Themed Obstacles
Attachment Building & Testing
.png)
Presentation Prep & Mission Strategy
STEAM Camp - Space
July 7 – 11
Class A
STEM Lab
Experiments on rocket propulsion and crater formation. Younger students create simple rocket models, while older groups test trajectory and propulsion systems.
Class B
LEGO Robotics
Build and program rovers to navigate challenging terrains. Younger students handle basic assembly, while older students incorporate sensors and advanced programming.
Class C
Minecraft 3D Modeling
Design planets, spacecraft, and space stations. Younger students stick to block-based creations, while older students tackle detailed modeling and structure planning.
Class D
3D Printing
Create tools for astronauts or model space habitats. Younger students learn 3D basics, while older students design functional prototypes.
STEAM Camp
SPace
July 7 – 11
Get ready to blast off into a world of astronomy, coding, and creative engineering! Campers will experience hands-on rocket experiments, design robotic rovers, and even build futuristic 3D-printed tools for space exploration.
​
Camp Details:
-
Dates: July 7 – 11 (Monday – Friday)
-
Times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily
-
Location: CFI Bridgeport Center
-
Cohorts & Grades: STEAM (1st – 3rd & 4th – 6th)
-
Friday Presentations: On Friday at 2:00 PM, families are welcome to see students present their space-themed projects and discoveries.
STEAM Camp
Ocean Exploration
July 14 – 18
Class A
STEM Lab
Hands-on experiments with ocean currents, buoyancy, and marine biology. Younger students explore water properties, while older students tackle sonar simulations and sinking ship challenges.
Class B
LEGO Robotics
Design and build sea-inspired robots to clean oceans. Younger students tackle simpler builds, while older students program advanced obstacle-navigation features.
Class C
Scratch Coding
Create programs to track pollution or code ocean conservation games. Younger students learn drag-and-drop basics, older groups add interactive features.
Class D
Research project
Collaborate with NOAA resources to investigate coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Younger students discover basic habitats, while older ones propose environmental solutions like artificial reef designs.
STEAM Camp
Ocean exploration
July 14 – 18
Plunge into marine biology, underwater robotics, and sustainable practices at this ocean-inspired camp. Campers explore buoyancy, ocean currents, coding challenges, and more—building a passion for environmental stewardship along the way.
​
Camp Details:
-
Dates: July 14 – 18 (Monday – Friday)
-
Times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily
-
Location: CFI Bridgeport Center
-
Cohorts & Grades: STEAM (1st – 3rd & 4th – 6th)
-
Friday Presentations: Parents are invited Friday at 2:00 PM to watch campers showcase robotics demos and ocean-themed research projects.
Minecraft Camp
July 21 – 25
FULL CAPACITY
Class A
STEM Lab
Introduce Redstone circuits and basic electrical principles. Younger campers focus on simple circuits; older ones simulate complex systems.
Class B
Redstone Engineering
Build functioning machines like elevators or automated farms. Younger students tackle simpler builds; older groups design intricate mechanisms.
Class C
3D Modeling Class
Create and print Minecraft-inspired models. Younger campers explore basic 3D creation; older ones produce detailed, scalable designs.
Class D
Collaborative Challenge
Work in teams to build themed projects—cities, amusement parks, or interactive worlds. Younger students focus on simple designs; older ones manage large-scale planning
FLL – Super Powered
August 11 - 15
Energy & Robotics Fundamentals
Attachment Prototyping for Power Missions
Coding & Strategy Sessions
Presentation Practice & Iteration
FLL Super powered camp
August 11 - 15
Focus on energy solutions in this FIRST LEGO League camp! Rising 4th to 8th graders investigate renewable power, develop specialized robot attachments, and refine strategies to overcome electricity-themed missions.
​
Camp Details:
-
Dates: August 11 – 15 (Monday – Friday)
-
Times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily
-
Location: CFI Bridgeport Center
-
Cohorts & Grades: Rising 4th – 8th graders
-
Friday Presentations: Join us Friday at 2:00 PM to watch campers share their robot designs, team collaboration, and energy-saving ideas.
