Diversity: Undergraduate Recruitment Programs: Summer Camps

Summer camps provide opportunities for middle and high school students to find out about nanotechnology and to become interested in careers in nanotechnology. The Nano-CEMMS Center develops and delivers instructional modules for University of Illinois and North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University summer camp programs. Each year, Nano-CEMMS delivers approximately 20 camp sessions, reaching around 250 middle and high school students who are interested in math, science, and engineering.

The camp sessions are designed to interest students in the emerging field of nanotechnology. The sessions include a rich combination of multimedia, hands-on activities, role-playing exercises and interactive discussions. The Nano-CEMMS Center has developed various instructional modules that can be configured in many ways to serve varying grade levels, numbers of participants, and allotted timeframes.

The following camps are targeted to reach a diverse population of students:

• Discover Engineering
  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Discover Engineering is a one-week residential camp for rising sophomores who are interested in math and science. Students work on several projects that incorporate various aspects of engineering.  Participants interact with engineering students and faculty members to build a project that incorporates various aspects of engineering, and engage in hands-on activities prepared by departments within the College of Engineering.  Throughout the school year, the camp communicates with the students, providing continuous encouragement and invitations to attend subsequent College of Engineering programs. 

• G.A.M.E.S.
  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Girls’ Adventures in Mathematics, Engineering and Science (G.A.M.E.S.) holds two one-week camps for academically talented young women in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.  Grade reports, student statements and recommendations are required for application.  The camp provides an opportunity to explore math, engineering, and science through demonstrations, classroom presentations, hands-on activities, and contact with women in these technical fields. 

• Upward Bound
  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Upward Bound is a federally-funded program that works to increase minority student enrollment at major universities across the country.  This program has existed on the UIUC campus since 1966 and serves high school students throughout the academic year.  The intensified summer component includes courses in reading, writing, mathematics and science.  Project Upward Bound places more than 90% of its graduates at major universities.  Nano-CEMMS educators deliver nanotechnology sessions in this camp.

• Engineer Starter’s Program
  North Carolina A&T State University
  The Engineer Starter’s Program provides instruction, career awareness and motivational activities for students who are rising 7th through 12th graders.  The program is geared toward identifying middle school and high school students with interests, aptitudes, and demonstrated ability in science and math and to provide them with academic training in all disciplines of engineering early in their career preparation.