Engineering Summer Camps Inspire Future Innovators Across Arkansas

Submitted

Computer science student Paul Tribble, a student ambassador for the College of Engineering, poses for a selfie with campers at the Inside Engineering camp in Morrilton in July.

In summer 2024, the College of Engineering welcomed 475 enthusiastic participants from first to 11th grade to its engineering summer programs. Held in eight locations across Arkansas — Batesville, Bentonville, Camden, Fayetteville, Harrison, Morrilton, Newport and Springdale — these camps provided a diverse and enriching experience for young students eager to delve into the world of engineering.

By organizing camps in various locations, the college ensures that students from different regions have access to these transformative experiences. The camps aim to foster a passion for engineering and technology among Arkansas' youth, emphasizing the importance of STEM education in shaping the future.

This year saw a remarkable 31 percent increase in camper participation compared to 2023 (475 vs. 365), reflecting a growing interest and excitement surrounding STEM education. The growth underscores the college's efforts to expand its reach and impact.

Notably, the program expanded to new locations in Springdale and Bentonville. In Springdale, the college partnered with The Jones Center, and in Bentonville, it collaborated with Bentonville Parks and Recreation. These new partnerships played an important role in accommodating more students.

The engineering summer programs are designed to create a seamless educational pipeline, guiding students in their introduction to engineering concepts and on to advanced studies. Starting with First Lego League, students learn basic engineering principles through hands-on robotics challenges. As they progress through camps offered for fifth to eighth graders — such as Discover, Explore, Inside Engineering, GirlTREC and Soaring High in Engineering — they delve deeper into engineering concepts, building on their knowledge and developing more advanced skills.

The capstone is the Engineering Summer Academy, an intensive and immersive experience for high school students seriously considering a career in engineering. This academy provides advanced projects, mentorship from college faculty and exposure to cutting-edge research and technology to prepare students for higher education and professional careers.

The overarching goal of the programs is to inspire students to pursue STEM education, with a particular focus on engineering, at the U of A. This effort aligns with the college's strategic plan, Vision 2035, which aims to cultivate a robust pipeline of future engineers and computer scientists.

By engaging students early and providing opportunities for growth, the college seeks to nurture interest in engineering and draw talented students into its programs. The college is able to offer these opportunities because of the generous support of sponsors including Aerojet Rocketdyne, Arconic, Endless Summer, Energizing AR, Future Fuel, Lockheed Martin, MarTREC, Phillips 66, Toro Intimidator and multiple private donors.

More information about College of Engineering summer camps can be found here.