UW-River Falls Offers Engineering Camp for Teens

January 13, 2016 -- Wisconsin and Minnesota teenagers with an interest in math and science can explore engineering when they attend a week-long summer camp on the University of Wisconsin-River Falls campus. The UW-River Falls and University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Engineering will host Camp Badger Exploring Engineering© on June 19-25 for students entering eighth grade in the fall and who apply by March 7.

The camp provides an introduction to the jobs and careers of various engineers with the goal of sparking an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines (STEM). Participants live in the UWRF residence halls and eat in the campus cafeteria.

"Experience has taught us that this is the best way to help young people understand engineering," said Camp Director Phillip O'Leary, a professor of engineering professional development at UW-Madison. "Campers are directly involved in the learning process and they leave with a better idea of what engineers do in real-life situations."

Each day campers follow a 12-hour schedule of activities, all facilitated and chaperoned by university faculty and college students. Popular activities are field trips to local companies and engineering facilities. Activities also include project-based exploration, hands-on exercises, team-building projects and small-group discussions. All campers receive a workbook with questions designed to guide journaling and discussion of their experiences. There are no tests.

"Through hands-on problem solving and working in teams students act like real-life engineers," said Dean Olson, associate dean of the UWRF College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science. Olson serves as the faculty coordinator for the camp on the River Falls campus.  "Exposing campers to a wide range of careers in engineering is a great way to spark their interest, whether their passion is computers, bridge building, medicine or the environment."

This summer marks 18 years of successful camp sessions in Madison and the sixth summer on the UWRF campus. In addition to the camp session held in River Falls, there are five sessions held on the UW-Madison campus, and one at UW-Oshkosh. Interested students should submit their application materials no later than March 7 to be considered for the limited spots available in each camp session. Successful applicants will demonstrate determination, creativity, problem solving and time management skills, as well as the ability to get along well with others in a team environment. Cost for the full week, including lodging, meals and field trips, is $595 per student. Campers are responsible for transportation from their homes to campus and back. Need-based scholarships are also available.

For additional information, including application forms, visit the website or contact Angela Whitaker in the UWRF Outreach and Continuing Education Office at 715-425-3261 or email to angela.whitaker@uwrf.edu.

UWRF provides lifelong learners with academic, professional development and enrichment programs that are practical, flexible, convenient and affordable. A complete list of courses, course descriptions and online registration information is available here.