Welcome to the World's #1 STEAM Program

Where Engineering Meets Imagination©

Challenge Island® is the Official Home of STEAMbuilding® and STEAM Teams®
The Challenge Island Difference

Our Results Show in Our Awards

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Palm Tree Pillars

The Foundational Pillars of our Program that Make Challenge Island the Go-To Choice for Millions of Parents and Educators

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STEM + ART = STEAM

"To develop a complete mind, study the science of art; study the art of science; realize that everything connects to everything else." - Leonardo DaVinci

21st Century Skills

We foster the fundamental skills kids need to thrive today and tomorrow including creativity, collaboration, communication, flexibility and leadership.

Higher Level Thinking Skills

Our programs promote deep, critical, analytical and creative thinking abilities in kids which help ensure their long-term academic and professional success.

Project Based Learning

Our STEAM Teams® engage in collaborative, inquiry-based, student-driven learning grounded in real world connections and meaningful problem-solving.

Island Destinations

Whimsical island ambience combined with cross-curricular themes make the Challenge Island experience an unforgettable adventure.

Social-Emotional Learning

We foster the social and emotional intelligence children need to form healthy relationships, make positive choices and find fulfillment in life.

Resilience

Research shows that a Challenge-Island-palm-tree-like ability to be flexible and strong through life’s ”storms” is far more essential to future success than IQ.

Steam Teams

No child is an island which is why kids tackle our hundreds of proprietary challenges by combining their strengths with those of a STEAM Team of friends.

Screen Free Fun

Our programs provide digital native kids the precious opportunity to connect with their peers face-to-face and discover the wonders of the world, undeterred by devices.

"One thing that makes Challenge Island a standout is what it lacks. You’ll find no screens or digital devices in a Challenge Island after-school class, camp or family night. Instead, kids working together in STEAM Teams, are encouraged to use imagination, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to come up with creative solutions to challenges using a treasure-chest full of low-tech supplies."

ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE

Award-Winning STEAM Programs



Hi, I’m Stephanie!

Owner of Challenge Island Cincinnati

Stephanie Kramer Murphy is the Director/Owner of Challenge Island - Cincinnati. After more than a decade of building a career in Sales and Marketing, Stephanie knew a change-in-focus was required to better accommodate the needs of her growing family. While searching for enrichment for her own children, Stephanie came across the Challenge Island’s Global program and recognized its uniqueness and strength as a program emphasizing both STEM/STEAM enrichment and “softer” 21st-century skills (collaboration, communication, and peer-based problem solving). At the time, Challenge Island programming wasn’t available locally. Stephanie saw an opportunity to bring the business to Cincinnati and VOLIA! - Challenge Island Cincinnati was born.

During a time when our children are inundated with screen-based learning, Challenge Island provides an unparalleled opportunity for them to disconnect from traditional technology and to experience interpersonal connectivity and collaborative problem-solving at a basal level all while gaining exposure to STEM concepts. Challenge Island is fun. It’s engaging. It reinforces the “art and expectation” of both kindness and respect which when welded in conjunction with competency, truly set apart the most talented among us.

Challenge Island is special because it teaches our children how to think both strategically and creatively while encouraging the type of top-notch citizenship that, as parents and educators, we’ve come to deeply admire in our own peers and colleagues.

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STEAM + Reading = STREAM!

Combine the Magic of Challenge Island Programs with the Magic of Reading with our Bestselling Book Series!

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The Power of Cross-Curricular Learning with Challenge Island Programs

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Elevate After-School Enrichment with Challenge Island: Don’t Miss Out on Next Year’s Lineup!

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Screen-Free Summer Learning & Fun with Challenge Island

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Challenge Island Secures Prestigious Spot on Franchise 500 for the 7th Consecutive Year

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Make Sharktooth Island Shark Bait Sushi Snacks to Celebrate Our Bestselling Book Series and Shark Camp!

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Challenge Island is Included on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 for the 6th Year in a Row!

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Challenge Island Featured in IFA Oscar Ad During the 2023 Academy Awards!

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Challenge Island is Included on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 for the 6th Year in a Row!

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Challenge Island Ranks #188 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Global Franchises List

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Ride the Wave of Excitement with Challenge Island’s Sports-Themed Field Trips

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