Pima for Youth

Ignite a passion for innovation with Pima for Youth. We bridge the gap between curiosity and career by introducing students to STEM and technical trades.

  • Design & Create: Hands-on projects in robotics, bionics, and 3D printing.

  • Problem Solve: Use engineering processes and workflows to tackle real-world challenges.

  • Launch a Career: Discover high-demand fields in Aviation and Truck Driving.

Don’t just wonder about the future—start it with Pima for Youth.

Pima for Youth ages 13-14

Summer STEM Programs

Robotics: Girl Power in Space

Empowering the Next Generation of Female Explorers: Discover a universe of possibilities in this high-energy program designed to build technical confidence through the science of space, robotics, and flight.

When: June 8 – 11 from 9 am to 1 pm

Where: Downtown Campus

Instructor: Scott Weiler

What You Will Experience

  1. Rockets & Robotics: Build and launch high-powered rockets, then learn the coding logic behind autonomous robots and robotic arms.
  2. Electronics & Flight: Design custom circuits with light-emitting tech and take to the skies to learn drone operation and aerospace missions.
  3. Meet the Pros: Chat with experts from the space and aviation industries to discover how the projects you build today become the careers of tomorrow.
*Registration for this Summer 2026 course is offered at no cost to students, made possible by external grant funding.

Manufacturing and 3D Printing

Master the Machines: Step into the shoes of a modern engineer and discover the secret life of objects by learning how to design and manufacture everything around us from scratch.

When: June 15 – 18 from 9 am to 1 pm

Where: Downtown Campus

Instructor: Scott Weiler

What You Will Experience

  1. Precision Digital Design: Learn to navigate the world of Computer-Aided Design to build complex 3D models and systems from the ground up.
  2. Hands-On Maker Tech: Get behind the controls of 3D printers and CNC machines to transform your digital blueprints into real, tangible prototypes you can hold.
  3. The Engineering Edge: Apply problem-solving strategies to troubleshoot designs and optimize the progression from initial concept to a finished prototype.
*Registration for this Summer 2026 course is offered at no cost to students, made possible by external grant funding.

Robotics and Bionics

Code the Future: Discover how automation and bio-inspired design are changing the world in this hands-on course dedicated to building technology that helps people.

When: June 22 – 25 from 9 am to 1 pm

Where: Downtown Campus

Instructor: Scott Weiler

What You Will Experience

  1. Robotics Fundamentals: Explore the building blocks of coding and mechanical systems to see how new technology is creating a world of opportunity.
  2. Coding & Future Careers: Learn the basics of automation and “helpful tech" to see how robots solve human problems and open up new career paths.
  3. Nature-Inspired Tech: Discover how animals and plants inspire modern tech by exploring “soft robotics" and designs that move like living creatures.
*Registration for this Summer 2026 course is offered at no cost to students, made possible by external grant funding.

Pima for Youth ages 13-17

Information Technology

Future Tech Lab: Coding, Cyber Safety & 3D Design

Build, test, and create at Future Tech Lab. The ultimate hands-on workshop for bringing ideas to life through real-world coding, cybersecurity, and 3D design.

When: June 1 – 4 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Where: East Campus

Instructors: Chris Bonhorst

What You Will Experience

  1. Hands-On Coding: Learn beginner-friendly programming to build, test, and launch your own interactive tech projects.
  2. Cybersecurity Basics: Discover how to defend digital spaces, protect personal data, and navigate the online world safely and confidently.
  3. Custom 3D Design: Tap into your inner engineer by learning how to digitally model and design a unique, 3D-printable object from scratch.

Pima for Youth ages 13-17

Truck Driving

Young Drivers, Big Rigs

Big Trucks. High Demand. Your Career Starts Here: Command high-tech simulators, tour professional training ranges, and turn your love for machinery into a high-paying future in transportation.

When: Choose from four one-day sessions (8 a.m. – 11 a.m.)

  1. June 12
  2. June 26
  3. July 10
  4. July 17

Where: Center for Transportation at 6680 S. Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85709

What You Will Experience

  1. Behind-the-Wheel Simulators: Get into the driver’s seat and test your skills in a high-tech driving simulator that recreates the feeling of navigating a 40-ton rig.
  2. A Real-World Range Tour: Step onto a professional training range to get up close with massive rigs and see exactly where the pros master the road.
  3. CDL Career Roadmap: Learn how to jump from high school into a high-paying career, including license types and a look at the daily driver lifestyle.

Pima for Youth ages 13-17

Advanced Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing Discovery Lab

Step into Industry: Explore the fast-paced reality of modern manufacturing environments and the cutting-edge technology driving them today.

When: June 8 – 11 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am

Where: Downtown Campus

Instructors: Gina Santaniello and Jason Deaver

What You Will Experience

  1. Spark Your Skills: Get hands-on and discover the heat, flow, and precision of welding, plumbing, and machining.
  2. Real-World Fabrication: Explore professional-grade tools to design, construct, and troubleshoot custom projects in a real workshop setting.
  3. Industry-Ready Training: Gain essential experience in safety protocols, precision workflows, and the high-tech reality of advanced manufacturing.

Pima for Youth ages 13-17

Heartsaver CPR

Get Certified. Saves Lives. Join our youth CPR class and learn the critical skills to manage cardiac arrest and airway obstructions.

When: Choose from two one-day sessions

  1. June 4 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  2. June 5 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: 29th Street Coalition Center, 4355 E. Calle Aurora, Tucson, AZ 85709

What You Will Experience

  1. Hands-On Mastery: Practice life-saving skills on manikins until you feel 100% confident in your technique.
  2. Real-World Readiness: Learn how to assess and react quickly to choking, respiratory emergencies, and cardiac arrest.
  3. Complete Certification: Master CPR for all ages—Infants, Children, and Adults—and walk away with your Heartsaver card.

Pima for Youth ages 13-17

Southern Arizona Technology & Entrepreneurship Center (SATEC)

SATEC Youth Networking & Connections Summit

Turn your passion into a plan. SATEC Youth Entrepreneurship is more than just a workshop; it’s an immersive deep-dive into innovation and leadership.

When: July 20 – 23 from 1 pm to 5 pm

Where: Downtown Campus

Instructor: Lydia Kennedy

What You Will Experience

  1. Learn Entrepreneurial Fundamentals: Dive into the core pillars of business, from initial concept and branding to navigating today’s competitive market.
  2. Cultivate a Business Mindset: Learn how to identify real-world problems and turn them into innovative business solutions.
  3. Discover Pima’s Innovation Hub: Tour our state-of-the-art business incubator and discover the entrepreneurial resources available to you at Pima Community College.

Pima for Youth ages 13-17

Automotive

Automotive Discovery Lab

Shift your passion into gear with a hands-on experience that takes you from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat of automotive maintenance.

When: June 22 – 24 from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Where: Automotive Center at Downtown Campus

Instructor: David Damiani

What You Will Experience

  1. Pro-Level Tooling: Get hands-on with real shop equipment and master industry-standard tools.
  2. Diagnostics Decoded: Learn to interpret engine signals and troubleshoot common mechanical issues.
  3. Essential Vehicle Care: Master core skills like fluid checks and tire safety to keep vehicles running at their best.

Pima for Youth ages 15-17

Digital Arts

Digital Design Studio: Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign

Stop Scrolling and Start Creating: Explore the tools that turn your ideas into visual reality.

When: July 6 – 9 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am

Where: West Campus

Instructor: Jefferey Lowry

What You Will Experience

  1. Edit Like a Pro: Dive into Photoshop to learn photo manipulation and image enhancement.
  2. Create From Scratch: Use Illustrator to craft unique digital artwork, logos, and vector illustrations.
  3. Design for Impact: Turn your ideas into polished designs by learning the art of layout and composition in InDesign.

Pima for Youth ages 15-17

Aviation

Aviation Spark, Intro to Aircraft Maintenance

Don’t just watch planes take off—learn the technical mastery required to keep them in the sky.

When: June 1 – June 4 from 12 pm to 4 pm

Where: Aviation Technology Center

Instructor: Charlie Cook

What You Will Experience

  1. Tools of the Trade: Get hands-on with real aviation hardware, from basic maintenance tools to advanced soldering projects.
  2. Systems Breakdown: Dive into the mechanics of flight, uncovering the secrets of airframes, powerplants, and complex avionics.
  3. Pro-Level Lab Time: Step into our high-tech Aviation Technology Center to gain exclusive, supervised access to structural and composites training.

Graduating Seniors

Ready for what’s next? Apply to Pima and join a community dedicated to your success.

Course Refunds

To learn more about Pima Continuing Education refund policy, visit our Information & Services page.