Several camps exist at Iowa State to show kids the exciting career paths related to STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering and Math—fields. One of the most successful camps the university works with is the Engineering Kids Day Camp at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, Iowa.
Iowa State Engineering Community Outreach helped create the Putnam camp in 2009 and has been a partner ever since. During its first year, the two-day camp attracted 61 fourth through sixth grade students and was an all-around success, according to the museum’s vice president of education Nichole Myles.
With the help of Iowa State Engineering Community Outreach and the Quad City Engineering and Science Council, the program continues to grow.
In 2010 the camp offered and filled 180 spots. Expanding even more in 2011, the camp was three days for 270 students, and in 2012 nearly 350 kids attended throughout four days, with a day for second and third grade students added to the program.
Five years later, the camp is still in high demand. Held July 22–26, the Engineering Kids Day Camp offered programs for up to 450 students, including second through sixth graders, as well as a new day for girls only and one for seventh and eighth grade students.
Myles attributes the program’s success to its partnerships, including those with Iowa State Engineering Community Outreach, QCESC and John Deere Global Inspire, which is directed by Pat Barnes.
Barnes, an Iowa State electrical engineering alumnus, partnered with Camille Sloan Schroeder, who oversees the outreach program for the College of Engineering, to create more hands-on student activities in 2007. The success of those events led to the Putnam camp.
“Based on the desire to provide as many students as possible with the opportunity to have an inspiring experience with engineering, we discussed and set up the Engineering Kids Camp,” says Barnes.
Seeing it grow year after year proves the partnership is a good fit. “The collaboration is so successful because it utilizes the strengths of each group that comes together,” Myles says.
Iowa State students lead the camp’s sessions, bringing robotics expertise, fresh thoughts and energy to the program, adds Myles. Robots and a considerable number of laptops are provided by Iowa State, while QCESC and John Deere coordinate volunteers.
This year there were more than 70 volunteers, the majority of whom are professional engineers who, according to Myles, “greatly enhance the program through meaningful interactions with campers and lending their expertise.”
Schroeder agrees and says the program is a unique opportunity for young people.
This year’s camp brought exciting additions to its activities list, including Space Junk 3D on the largest screen in the Quad Cities, NASA Spaceflight Explorer kits and an exhibition called the Take Apart Studio.
“There are so many ways for students to become engaged, develop or discover a true interest in engineering and expand their understanding,” says Myles, “that no matter the student’s situation or experience before, they have an opportunity to become genuinely engaged at the Engineering Kids Camp.”
If you have questions or would like more information about the engineering outreach program, please contact Camille Schroeder at camilles@iastate.edu or email isek@iastate.edu.