Elementary-aged students will have the chance to explore robotics through hands-on activities this summer.
Catawba County will be a new site of N.C. State University College of Engineering's summer camp, similar to what the college does on its own campus each summer. N.C. State is partnering with Catawba County Champions of Education and Appalachian State University to bring its program to Catawba County for a weeklong summer camp for rising third- through fifth-graders, said Jane Everson, director of the Appalachian State University Greater Hickory Partnership. The only other off-site location N.C. State offers the camp at is Rocky Mount.
"Local representatives of Appalachian State University — myself and Dr. Sid Connor — have discussed this camp for a number of years with N.C. State representatives," Everson said. "He and I partnered with Catawba County Champions of Education earlier this year and, as a team, we invited N.C. State to come to Catawba County to meet with us to discuss the possibility of hosting a camp here."
She said the goal of the engineering summer camp is to get area students interested in the field.
"We know that kids decide on a career interest at a very young age," Everson said. "If they don't know anyone or have a family member who is an engineer, they won't be exposed to the field. This generates new knowledge to technology and helps the community to grow."
After discussions with representatives at N.C. State, Everson said they decided to start with the elementary-aged group, and will accept only 40 children. They must be residents of Catawba County. Next year, she said they hope to add middle school students and children from surrounding counties. High school students are encouraged to apply to the N.C. State engineering camp, an overnight camp on N.C. State's campus.
"This is designed to expose children to careers in engineering with curricula that has been designed by N.C. State faculty," Everson said, mentioning that some of that includes playing with robotics.
Catawba County's camp, which will be held July 12-16, will have community volunteers with engineering backgrounds, as well as six area teachers. Everson said she hopes there will be a few high school students helping, and a few area students who attend N.C. State at the camp, as well.
The camp, which will be held at the N.C. Center for Engineering Technologies in Hickory, costs $300 for the week. That includes all activities, equipment and lunch. Some scholarships will be offered to students needing financial assistance.
"We really want campers and their families to see the connection between the camp and local businesses that employ engineers and technology workers," Everson said.
Applications will be accepted through April 15. Students must submit their application, as well as a teacher recommendation and a student statement.
For more information about the camp contact Lamar Mitchell with Champions of Education at 328-6000, ext 248, or Jane Everson with Appalachian State University at 324-6966, ext. 2004, or go to www.nccet.appstate.edu. Applications can also be obtained on the Web site.
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