“Exposing campers to new experiences, building their confidence in their own capabilities and getting them to think creatively in their problem solving.” That’s my answer when people ask, “What’s your goal for STEM Camps?” Now it’s our goal for all the NIU STEAM camps.

One way to build confidence is through learning a new tool, whether that’s a screwdriver or photo editor. Many young people today are not using manual tools in their daily life, so we find ourselves filling that gap. Elementary through high school campers can learn to use hammers, screwdrivers, cordless drills, hand saws and sandpaper in camp. Many of our campers learn to solder and make an electronics project for the first time at NIU. These activities build skills, with an emphasis is on learning how to use the tools correctly and safely. Once tools are mastered, we can work on using them to solve engineering challenges and create art.

While many campers come to camp knowing how to use tech tools, such as their phones, tablets, and video games, very few know how to control those tools. If you are not controlling the tech tool, is it controlling you? We introduce campers to controlling a myriad of tech tools through coding in many different settings: block programming robots, coding drones, editing digital images, designing video games, learning to draw with CAD software, programming the laser cutter and 3D printers and much more. We learn the tools to be able to move forward in using them to help solve problems.

Help your son or daughter gain confidence in their own capabilities this summer. Sign them up for a camp that will challenge them.

WRITTEN BY:
Pati
Camp Director Emeritus
STEM Outreach Director

Date posted: January 23, 2020 | Author: | No Comments »

Categories: Uncategorized

You may be wondering where the STEM Divas camp session went?!

They are still here but listed differently this year. Each of the STEM Day Camp Sessions for 2nd through 5th graders can be taken as a STEM Diva track or a co-ed STEM Juniors track. You choose on the registration page. The Divas will do essentially the same skill building activities and challenges as the co-ed group, but we add a bit of pink to the mix for fun and specifically staff the track with great female role models. Our goal is to help the girls gain enough confidence in their Divas sessions that as they get older, they will not shrink back from participating in STEM activities in school but take the lead. They learn to use tools and their brains. A pink tool belt and hard hat just add to the fun!

WRITTEN BY:
Pati
STEM Diva
Camp Director Emeritus
STEM Outreach Director

Date posted: January 22, 2020 | Author: | No Comments »

Categories: Uncategorized

Every year, our NIU STEAM team has exciting ideas for new camp programs and that means tough decisions. Which become camps, and which current camps might have to go to make way. We have so much fun coming up with new activities and investigations that we must limit ourselves to just a few each year.

So, what made the cut this year? Two tech intensive middle school camps.

Drones!

About a year ago. We acquired our first drone and soon realized we needed a class set of them. With the help of our resident coding expert, a few drone fans, and an engineering faculty member researching Swarm robotics we have a great drone adventure planned, in the perfect location, Lorado Taft Field Campus. Campers will control their drones with coding, design obstacle courses for them and build attachments to solve challenges.

AR/VR

A few months after getting our first drone, we received funding from the DeKalb County Community Foundation for a few AR/VR sets for teaching teachers. We’ve added several more sets and are ready to help campers delve into augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in this exciting camp. We’ll try out the latest technologies as we engage in hands-on projects. Create a physical object and transform it into a digital one through AR technology; design a virtual museum of your own; conduct science experiments in a virtual lab. You’ll find it virtually impossible not to have fun.

WRITTEN BY:
Pati
Camp Director Emeritus
STEM Outreach Director

Date posted: January 21, 2020 | Author: | No Comments »

Categories: Uncategorized

Welcome to our new website and expanded camp offerings! NIU STEAM has pulled together our STEM Camps and the rest of the liberal arts camps offered on campus to one bigger and better program. Check out all the offerings, listed by general grade level.

Returning families will find the registration process pretty much the same whether your children previously attended Film Camp or an Engineering camp. We integrated that aspect last year. We love the fun new look to the pages and our new opportunity to share with you through this blog and through the photo gallery which will be updated each week.

If you note a problem or have a question the contact form is the way to get in touch with the correct person. We’ll call or email you shortly.

WRITTEN BY:
Pati
Camp Director Emeritus
STEM Outreach Director

Date posted: January 20, 2020 | Author: | No Comments »

Categories: Uncategorized