The Lancaster Science Factory, 454 New Holland Ave., Lancaster, will host hands-on camps from Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 26 to 28. Children may attend a morning camp, an afternoon camp, or both; those attending both should pack a lunch. There is a fee, and scholarships are available for families with a financial need. To sign up, visit https://lancastersciencefactory.org/daycamps/.

The Lancaster STEM Showdown will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. Children in kindergarten through grade six will come together to compete in STEM challenges such as bridge building, tower stacking, wind car races, and an egg drop.

Kids can qualify for the event by completing a hands-on STEM workshop at the Lancaster Science Factory. For details on qualifier workshops, visit https://lancastersciencefactory.org/showdown/; the workshops will be free with admission.

Qualifier workshops will also be held in select STEM outreach and after-school programs sponsored by the Lancaster Recreation Commission. Teachers interested in qualifying their class may download instruction guides at https://lancastersciencefactory.org/showdown/.

The STEM Showdown competition is free and open to the public.