KU News Release

KU School of Engineering to host technology camps

LAWRENCE — Registration is under way for three University of Kansas programs designed to interest teens in engineering and computer science.

KU’s School of Engineering will host the SWE Weekend of Engineering Feb. 1-3; Exponent Feb. 29-March 1; and Project Discovery, a weeklong summer camp. All three programs are geared to reach girls and minorities traditionally underrepresented in engineering professions.

“Exponent, which is our newest offering, is specifically for African-American, Hispanic and Native American high school students at the junior and senior level,” said Florence Boldridge, director of diversity programs in the School of Engineering. “The participants will get a chance to meet current School of Engineering students and faculty, and learn about our degree programs as well as career opportunities in engineering and computer science. They’ll also work on some quick projects that show just how fun and rewarding these careers are.”

The cost to attend Exponent is $25 ($15 if registration is completed by Jan. 31) and covers meals, activities, lab materials and housing while at KU.

The SWE Weekend of Engineering is for high school girls at the junior and senior levels and stresses career opportunities for women in engineering. Coordinated with members of KU’s Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, the camp puts a special focus on the exclusive role women can play in technology development. Participants will work closely with female engineering students and faculty at KU and get a taste for KU’s campus atmosphere by taking in a women’s basketball game in Allen Fieldhouse, Boldridge said.

The cost to attend SWE Weekend of Engineering is $75 and covers meals, housing and all KU activities.

Registration also is open for Project Discovery, a weeklong summer residential camp for girls entering ninth through 12th grades.

“Project Discovery is a perennial favorite and has drawn students from all parts of the country,” said Boldridge. “The girls can focus on learning about a particular engineering discipline in either our June or July session. The first session will be June 8 to 14 and students can choose between aerospace engineering, chemical and petroleum engineering, and electrical engineering and computer science. The second session runs July 6 to 12 and the students can dive into architectural engineering, biomechanical engineering or civil and environmental engineering.”

The weeklong camp gives participants a chance to learn from engineering faculty as they work on more complex projects and develop teamwork skills, Boldridge said. In addition, the campers will take part in a field trip to regional engineering and computer science firms.

Cost to attend is $350 and covers housing, on-campus transportation, meals and lab materials. Some scholarship assistance is available for students with a 3.7 or higher grade-point average.

To register for any of these camps, contact Boldridge at fboldridge@ku.edu or (785) 864-3620.

To learn more about these camps and other activities, go to the School of Engineering Web site.

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