Take It From Your Engineering Tutor, These Summer Science Programs Rock!
These programs offer, in your engineering tutor’s humble opinion, incredible opportunities to improve your engineering skills, meet other kids psyched about engineering, and have a ton of fun this summer.
American Society of Materials Int’l – Materials Camp A one-week residential camp for high school students. Held in two locations, the West Coast Camp meets at the University of Washington in Seattle, and the East Coast Camp meets at ASM Materials Engineering Institute in Cleveland (not exactly East Coast, but who’s counting?). Each camp takes 30 students, and pays all expenses, including travel to and from camp, for accepted participants.
IBM – EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering (EXCITE) Camps Also a one-week residential camp, in this case for 6th and 7th graders. There are 13 locations in the U.S.
Junior Eng Technical Society (JETS) – UNITE (Uninitiates’ Introduction to Engineering) This US Army-sponsored camp is aimed at women and minorities interested in science and engineering. There are four locations, at universities in Florida, New Mexico, Delaware and Michigan.
NASA – Summer HS Apprenticeship Research Program (SHARP) Eight-week research apprenticeships for high school students at least 16 years of age. Choose between residential programs and commuter programs nationwide. All participants receive a salary for their work!
National Inventors Hall of Fame – Camp InventionYour engineering tutor loves this one for younger children. A one-week day camp for kids entering grades 2-6, offered at over 430 schools nationwide.
Society of American Military Engineers – Engineering and Construction Camps:Two options: a one-week US Air Force Academy-hosted camp in Colorado Springs, CO, for 60 students, and a one-week US Navy Seasbees-hosted camp in Port Hueneme, CA for 40 students. These are tough!
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) – Science Technology and Engineering Preview Summer Camp for Girls (STEPSThese one-week residential camps for middle school and high school female students are tuitino free, thanks to a national initiative put forth by the SME’s Education Foundation. Currently, the program is open to Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin residents, with the camps held in those respective states.
US Dept of Energy – Renewable Energy and Environmental Protection (REEP) Summer Academy Another regional opportunity, this time for minorities and inner city youth from Texas, Louisiana and Colorado. Three-week residential program focused on renewable energy and environmental protection. In this case, the children really are our hope for the future!
US Dept of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration – National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI)These four-week residential camps are open to middle school and high school minority students, and focus on civil and transportation engineering. Held at 41 participating colleges and universities nationwide.
As an engineering tutor, I can tell you that none of these camps are a breeze. You work hard and learn a ton. But I’m willing to bet that if you’re reading this article, you’re like me, and that’s exactly your idea of fun. And don’t worry. Someone gets thrown in a pool every once in a while. These are camps for middle school and high school students, after all.