Summer camps fill the pipeline with future engineers and leaders
Now in its eighth year, the summer camp program introduces 4th-12th grade students to engineering, and inspires them to pursue an education in science, technology, engineering or math. Through scholarships, university funding, grants and industry donations, the camps are offered at a low cost to students who have strong interest in science and technology.
This past summer, almost 300 students from across Kansas participated in eight full- and half-day, weeklong camps held on the WSU campus. "The response is always huge," said Karen Reynolds, director of recruiting and retention.
The camps play a vital role in fostering children's interest in engineering. "Most of these kids have absolutely zero concept of what an engineer does. Many have never met an engineer," said Reynolds.
Through activities, projects and experiments, students experience what being an engineer is all about. And the camp leaders -- including WSU professors and area Project Lead The Way teachers -- put a real face on the profession.
Summer camps include learning how to build and program LEGO robots, designing computer games, learning about sustainable engineering and more. There is a special camp for girls, and a residential camp for middle schools students from southwest Kansas.
"Experience-based education" doesn't only happen for College of Engineering students. Summer camps provide kids with fun, unique and hands-on opportunities to experiment, invent, design, build and dream -- and experience the real work of engineers.
For the most up-to-date 2014 summer camp schedule, please visit http://www.wichita.edu/engineeringcamps.