Editor’s Note: Because camp participants are minors, reporters and photographers should work closely with camp organizers to identify participants who have completed personal information release forms.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – More than 60 middle and high school students from the Pikes Peak region will participate in a weeklong camp designed to spur interest in science and technology careers.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 18 to 22 on the UCCS campus, the students will participate in the First in Leadership, Innovation, Technology, and Engineering camp. The camp’s sessions allow students to design a smart phone application, create assistive technologies, design and build a water data collection probe, or design a new computer game. The sessions are intended to be fun while immersing students in the experience of what it’s like to be a scientist or engineer.
“The process of science inquiry is a messy endeavor fraught with problems, setbacks and failures. The answers don’t come easy,” Kathleen Fitzpatrick, program manager, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education, said. “This camp gives students a chance to explore science and technology in an open-inquiry, project-based learning environment. Students learn how science, technology, engineering and math relate to everyday things and situations and why they might want to continue their studies in college.”
Brief descriptions of the sessions follow:
“Tech That Helps.” Terry Garrett, a 2012 graduate of the UCCS College of Engineering, will help teach the session designed to help students identify problems and solutions to aid individuals with physical challenges. Garrett, who is blind, will demonstrate how he uses technology and will help students identify challenges and design devices to assist people with disabilities. One of the participants in the session is a high school student with cerebral palsy.
“High Tech Water Science – Underwater Rovers.” Students will design, build and test their own unmanned water vehicle to collect water quality data on a Black Forest lake. As part of the session, the students will learn how to scuba dive in a UCCS swimming pool.
“There’s an App for that.” Rory Lewis, assistant professor, College of Engineering, will instruct students in creating a smart phone application from initial concept through the marketing of a successful product.
“Aspire Computer Game Design.” Students with little or no computer programming experience will be introduced to basic software engineering. Using computer programming, physics and geometry, the students will design a virtual robot and compete in challenges and tournaments.
For more information about the programs, visit http://www.uccs.edu/pipes/flite2.html or contact Fitzpatrick, (719) 255-5124 or [email protected].
Working with UCCS as partners are Aviture, Inc., an Omaha, Neb., software development company, and Underwater Connection, Colorado Springs.
The UCCS Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education is a research institute that is partially funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to study what attracts students to careers in science, technology, engineering and math. For more information, visit http://www.uccs.edu/pipes/welcome2.html.
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs, located on Austin Bluffs Parkway in Colorado Springs, is one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. The university offers 36 bachelor’s degrees, 19 master’s and five doctoral degrees. The campus enrolls more than 9,300 students annually. For more information, visit www.uccs.edu.