Robot Springboard Technology Camp @ Drexel University is a one-week summer camp for elementary or middle school girls who will be in grades 5 to 8 in the coming school year. The camp will be held from August 8 to 12, 2016.
The cost for attending is $60, which includes all lunches, snacks and the Technology Showcase. A limited number of scholarships are available.
There are four parts to the Robot Springboard Technology Camp:
(1) “Group think" and brainstorming exercises: attendees will learn about project management, teamwork skills and leadership skills.
(2) Lego Mindstorms robotics kits and NXT programming language: students will learn about robot construction, programming and the use of digital and analog sensors.
(3) Brainstorming Social Solutions: each day the girls will work in small groups to identify a social or societal challenge in their community they can help address with a technology solution. They will then brainstorm to research and develop their solution such as an app that helps identify local recycling centers or helps the elderly order and track medications. They do not have to create the actual technology solution but they should be able to describe and define their idea.
(4) Career Exposure: each day women working and teaching in computer science and technical fields will speak to the girls at lunchtime and share with them their experiences and excitement with working in technology fields.
Participants may attend either a three hour morning session (9:00 AM - Noon) or a three hour afternoon session (1:30 - 4:30 PM). All participants will attend a lunchtime session (Noon to 1:30) where they will gain career exposure by listening to and speaking with a different woman working in technology each day. The program will run Monday through Friday and conclude with a "Technology Showcase" on Friday afternoon where attendees will be able to demonstrate their newly acquired robotics and programming skills. The "Technology Showcase" will include a light buffet dinner as well as speakers and special media presentations.
The Robot Springboard camp @ Drexel is designed to get middle school girls excited about exploring a career in technology and computer science. The goal of the camp is to empower the girls attending and help them realize they can be successful in technology. The Robot Springboard camp @ Drexel is funded in part by an NCWIT Aspire IT grant. The College of Computing & Informatics is a proud supporter and host of this program.
Visit robotspringboard.org/Drexel for more information and to apply.