An undergraduate student in Drexel's School of Computer and Information Sciences (SCIS) spent last summer as a counselor in Drexel’s middle-grade STEAM summer camp Young Dragons, also helping to bring in a session of the Dance, Design & Code workshop developed by Drexel professors, including SCIS Associate Professor Michelle L. Rogers, PhD.
In this article, SCIS computer science student Greeva Yava reflects on what inspired her to take on the role, describes how the DDC workshop sparked the young campers’ curiosity, and encourages fellow students to take advantage of opportunities, especially those that may push them outside their comfort zone.
Surrounded by summer campers during a workshop about dance, design, and technology, Drexel computer science and finance student Greeva Yava recognized something about her own experience in theirs.
Greeva Yava
“Watching them reminded me of why I fell in love with computer science and technology in the first place—that sense of discovery and the joy of creating something new,” she said.
Finding the Way to Young Dragons
Last summer, Yava became a counselor for Drexel University’s Young Dragons camp, a free summer-camp program for middle-grade students living in or going to school in West Philadelphia.
According to SCIS Associate Professor of Information Science Michelle L. Rogers, PhD:
“These camps, offered by the ExCITe Center at Drexel University, provide an opportunity for students to explore various Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) topics through hands-on projects and activities. The program aims to support the development of creative problem-solving skills, computational thinking and digital literacy. Coding and more specifically, computational thinking, is an excellent candidate for forming a STEAM identity.”
Yava said she was initially drawn to participate in the Young Dragons camp after working with middle-school girls as part of a University club that organizes educational, social and service events (Drexel Graduate Women in Science and Engineering).
That experience “opened my eyes to the impact you can have when you create engaging, accessible pathways into technology for young students,” Yava said.
With the Young Dragons opportunity, Yava jumped at the chance to work with students again, “this time in an even more hands-on capacity,” she said.
Young Dragons campers working and playing together
Days would start with camper check-in, followed by morning activities. Yava said she made sure to set a positive tone at the start and continue it through activity set-up, one-on-one interaction and class management. Lunch gave campers and counselors alike a chance to socialize and relax before returning to their scheduled activities in the afternoon.
“Taking on the role of camp counselor allowed me to be more directly involved in the day-to-day experience of the students and really shape the learning environment,” said Yava.
STEAMing Through Dance, Design, & Code
Each week of camp was devoted to a new topic, and with week six in 2025 focused on movement, creativity and coding, it was the perfect time for Professor Rogers and her team to run their STEAMing through Dance, Design & Code (DDC) workshop for the campers. The workshop is a part of Black Girls STEAMing Through Dance (BGSD), a research initiative founded by Drexel professors Michelle Rogers (SCIS); Ayana Allen-Handy, PhD (School of Education); Valerie Ifill, (Westphal); and Raja Schaar (Westphal); and funded by the Spencer Foundation.
Dance, Design & Code, as its name suggests, offers students multiple entry points to STEAM. They can find inspiration in Code (computational creation, where students prototype with code, VR environments, and AI/ML tools); Design (making wearables, costumes, and e-textiles, which turns coding and circuitry into expressive, student-owned artifacts); or Dance (improvisational movement and choreography that make abstract computational ideas tangible through embodied exploration).
“The DDC initiative was particularly appealing because it aligned perfectly with my interests in computer science education and creating inclusive spaces for girls in STEM,” said Yava.
BGSD and DDC began in 2017 and continue to receive support from Drexel graduate and undergraduate students, who volunteer for the after-school and co-curricular programming. Rogers credits Yava with connecting her team with the camp last year.
Michelle L. Rogers, PhD
“Greeva approached us about working with the program and helped us make a connection with Young Dragons. She participated as a student volunteer and assisted in the instruction of the camp and campers,” Rogers said.
Campers were quick to absorb the workshop’s lessons.
“I noticed that kids engage most deeply when activities involve them being on their feet, thinking through every step,” said Yava.
Choice plays a big part in the DDC’s connection with participants, and campers could pick music, take the lead on choreography or visuals, and design their take-home T-shirts.
“You could see the energy in the room shift when the girls realized they weren't just following instructions but actually creating something unique that reflected their own vision and creativity,” Yava said.
Watch a video from last year’s DDC workshop:
Learning, Opportunity and Putting Yourself Out There
Through her work with the Young Dragons camp and Dance, Design & Code program, Yava has come to see computer science education as a means to open doors. The experience deepened her belief that anyone can find their place in technology when given support and encouragement.
It also strengthened Yava's commitment to community engagement, inspiring her to give back to the Philadelphia community that supports her. Drawing on lessons from Drexel’s SCIS courses, Yava brought a collaborative, exploratory approach to her camp counselor role—prioritizing communication, adaptability and ownership, with students steering their discoveries. In doing so, she helped create tangible learning experiences, defining success as both technical skill and the ability to use it to foster access and opportunity.
As Yava, also a resident of the Laurence A. Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship at Drexel’s Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, looks ahead, she sees opportunities to possibly combine this experience with her drive to “build something from the ground up,” she said.
“I know I want to create something meaningful that combines my technical skills with my passion for community impact and inclusive education,” Yava said.
As she reflected on Young Dragons and Dance, Design & Code, Yava offered a piece of advice that captured both her growth at Drexel and her outlook:
“Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. It's easy to talk yourself out of opportunities because you don't feel ‘qualified enough’ or because something is outside your usual comfort zone. But, those are often exactly the experiences that teach you the most about yourself and help you grow in unexpected ways.”
Applications for the Young Dragons camp in 2026 are open (as of June 12, 2026; subject to change). Follow the link below to learn more.
Learn About the Young Dragons Summer STEAM camps
Visit the Dance, Design & Code website