Awesome STEM summer camps at UNI….and much, much more!

Science and technology camps are being offered for middle and high school students. These camps are interactive and will provide hands-on experience. Whether it’s building mini-sumo robots, learning about the physics of Mario Kart, or learning about recyclable materials for creating art, the camps promise to be engaging and a whole lot of fun! Scholarships are available.

The following is a list of camps that will be offered (click here for the flier):

• Smart Art– Students will gain an appreciation for their outdoor environment by spending time outside and creating works of art from natural “debris”. By using their creativity and innovation all students will have the opportunity to “upcycle” garbage and everyday objects into something that has both visual impact and a positive impact on their community.
  • Dates: June 10-14
  • Time: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Grades: 10-12
  • Fee: $50
• Camp Multimedia– Promotes digital skills and project-based learning. Students create their own interactive, integrated media projects with guidance and demonstrations from exceptional instructors and teaching assistants. Individual areas of focus this year are scheduled to include Animation, Video Podcasting, Video Game Design, and Advanced Video Game Design.
  • Dates: June 17-21
  • Time: 8:45 a.m.- 3:15 p.m.
  • Grades: 6-9
  • Fee: $249 ($199 before May 31)
• CSI: Cedar Falls; Crimefighting with Biotechnology– This one week workshop for high school students allows them to get a hands-on experience with the tools of biotechnology. Students will isolate DNA, analyze it, and understand how these techniques are used in gather DNA evidence from a crime scene. Other topics will include a project that asks how microbes cause disease, food safety, and understanding the role of biotechnology in the production of energy. Field trips included.
  • Dates: June 17-21
  • Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Fee: $200
• Mini Sumo Robotics– This focuses on mechanical construction and computer programming; very much like the Benny and the Jets robotics project that was in the works earlier this year.
  • Dates: June 24-28
  • Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Grades: 8-11
  • Fee: $345
• STEM’S Growing in the Garden– Enjoy a week of learning how science, math, health, and nutrition all play a vital role in growing a garden. Students will explore Botany, Chemistry, Entomology, Microbiology, Math, Technology, and Nutrition while actively gardening through the week.
  • July 8-12
  • Time: 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
  • Grades: 8-12
  • Fee: $100
• Intro to Robotics– Learn about the constructions, design, and programming of the LEGO MINDSTORMS robots. Through a series of hands-on training missions, students will learn how to navigate their robot using light, distance, and touch sensors to solve increasingly complex problems. This camp is also extremely similar to what Benny and the Jets robotics team did.
  • Dates: July 8-12
  • Time: 8:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
  • Fee: $75
• Wild Energy Adventure– Follow the path of the sun’s energy through ecosystems. Paddle a kayak to the middle of a lake and find out what organisms are harvesting solar energy in the water. Explore a prairie then figure out how much energy it stores in a week by burning samples in your own calorimeter. Wander woods and streams on a night hike, tracking down the animals to find out what they eat and how they live.
  • Dates: July 15-19
  • Time: 8:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Fee: $150
• Physics of Mario Kart– Students will build and study the physics of a life-size Mario Kart: a go kart that uses a real Wii remote to control just about everything. Also learn about Physical Computing– the use of computers to interact with the physical world. Programming, Electronics, Engineering, and Motion will all be explored.
  • Dates: July 22-26
  • Time: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Fee: $150

The camps are led by UNI faculty, staff, and current students. Check out the wide variety of camp offerings and register at: www.uni.edu/camps.

For questions, please contact Celeste Bembry at [email protected] or 319-273-2797.