This year's Drexel University Digital Development Camp, held from Monday, July 8 to Thursday, July 25, was an exciting and enriching experience for all participants. The three-week, in-person summer program, led by College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) faculty and student leaders, welcomed 76 high school sophomores, juniors, seniors and accepted CCI first-year students. These young minds had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of technology through hands-on activities, workshops and lectures on various cutting-edge topics.
Campers engaged in a variety of workshops and lectures led by CCI faculty on gaming, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cybersecurity and data science. They also explored topics like socially relevant computing, quantum computing and AI security. The program featured panel discussions on tech careers and nearly 20 workshops on programming, web design, game coding and more. Teams applied their skills in projects and concluded with a final presentation to demonstrate their work and learning.
Enrichment speakers from the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center, Drexel Center for Autism & Neurodiversity, and various student organizations contributed to the camp, providing valuable insights and resources to the campers.
Scholarships That Support Camp Fees and Further Studies
A highlight of the camp is the Auerbach Cybersecurity Camp Scholarship, which provides funding for students passionate about cybersecurity. This scholarship covers the camp registration fee, making the camp program more accessible for those eager to further their education in this critical field.
Additionally, the Isaac L. Auerbach Cybersecurity Scholarship offers up to $5,000 to students who complete the camp and enroll in the BS in Computing & Security Technology program, supporting their continued education and career goals in cybersecurity.
Top: Five Campers received the Isaac L. Auerbach Cybersecurity Scholarship;
Bottom: 27 Campers received the Auerbach Cybersecurity Camp Scholarship.
This year, we had the pleasure of interviewing three remarkable students who were past campers, recipients of scholarships, and are now back as camp counselors and CCI students.
Alex Williams, Isaac L. Auerbach Scholarship Recipient
I attended camp because I wanted to get more familiar with Drexel’s campus and the CCI building. It was a great experience overall, offering valuable development opportunities, and I’m very grateful for the scholarship that made it possible.
The team aspect was incredibly helpful, too. When you're starting out, especially in classes, things can feel very individualized. However, the actual field is very team-based. Having that team experience at the camp was extremely beneficial. There were definitely more benefits than I thought were possible.
Camp reinforced my passion for a career in technology. The lectures given by CCI faculty were highly motivating, showcasing the diverse career paths available. It definitely strengthened my desire to pursue a professional career in technology.
Dheekshu Senthanmilselvan, Isaac L. Auerbach Scholarship Recipient
The camp was a great opportunity to refresh my skills and collaborate with others coming into CCI. It also helped me get familiar with the building and the campus before starting college. The scholarship made it much easier to say yes, as it relieved my parents from having to pay for it, which was a big help.
I have had doubts about pursuing a career in technology, but attending the camp reinforced my passion for the field. It reminded me why I love technology and why I want to major in computer science, even if I'm not entirely sure about my future. The camp helped solidify my feelings and boosted my confidence in my career choice.
Chantelle Faria, Auerbach Camp Scholarship Recipient & Three-Year Camp Attendee
It would have been financially challenging to attend camp this year. Thanks to the scholarship, I was able to attend the camp and get all the resources needed to pursue a field in technology.
I attended a high school with very few technology education opportunities, so coming to this camp definitely opened my eyes. It showed me the various technology fields I could potentially pursue.
This camp was extremely beneficial, giving me hands-on experience with web development and data-related projects. Without the help of this camp, and the Auerbach scholarship, I don't think I would have ended up in a tech-related field. I really appreciate the experience.
About Isaac L. Auerbach
Isaac L. Auerbach, a distinguished Drexel University trustee, alumnus and donor from Philadelphia, was a trailblazer in computing technology. He held 16 patents, established the International Federation for Information Processing and was inducted into the National Academy of Engineers and the National Academy of Sciences. He was also honored as a Distinguished Fellow of the British Computer Society.
After earning his electrical engineering degree from Drexel in 1943, Auerbach served in the Navy during World War II, which sparked his interest in electronics and computing.
As an inventive entrepreneur and philanthropist with an eye on the future, Auerbach, along with Carol Auerbach, founded the Isaac L. Auerbach Professorship at Drexel's College of Computing & Informatics. He chaired the College’s Advisory Council, and Carol Auerbach plays a key role in selecting the Auerbach Professors and the Dean, continuing to support the College significantly.
The College of Computing & Informatics is profoundly grateful for Isaac Auerbach’s visionary contributions to the birth and maturation of our disciplines and for his family’s on-going commitment to the College’s aspirations to invent the best future for society through technology.