Intermediate Unit 1 hosts Camp Tech
As summer came to a close, nearly 140 students in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties got a jump start on learning during the week of innovative hands-on activities at Intermediate Unit 1’s (IU1) Camp Tech.
“I was very impressed with the work being done at Camp Tech. It was great to see so many young students, both boys and girls, taking an interest in STEM education,” said state Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-Washington, during his special visit with students in camp.
Camp Tech began seven years ago at Washington and Jefferson College (W&J) in Washington County to provide students with summer Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning. Funded by IU1’s Center for STEM Education and camp registration fees, campers got a chance to work with new technology while gaining 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, creativity, collaboration and digital media literacy.
“At the time, STEM education was not widely available in Washington County, and Camp Tech was able to bring programs such as robotics to students who might not otherwise have had the opportunity or access,” said Nancy Tsupros, IU1 STEM Center Coordinator.
This year Camp Tech expanded to include two additional allocations, with the hope to reach more students in the IU1 service areas. In addition to the W&J site, IU1 partnered with host sites at Connellsville School District in Fayette County and Waynesburg University in Greene County. Campers were thrilled to “attend college for a week” this summer.
Camp Tech continues to add sessions that are of great interest and value to the students.
“Robotics and computer programming continue to be areas of high career growth in our economy. With our newest offering, Minecraft, a virtual world that allows students to explore science and even architecture, we offer an expressive avenue for displaying creative thinking from the students,” said Randy Kohler, IU1 Camp Tech Instructor.
Students entering 3rd through 8th grade could choose to take 2 of 3 topics offered at camp for the week: Learning through Robotics, Creating New Worlds on iPads and Designing Animation Programs on a Digital Canvas.
“It is great to see something like this offered to our students who work hard all year,” said a Connellsville parent. Students and parents are looking forward to next summer, already asking when registration will begin. “I applaud the efforts of the staff at IU1 and look forward to visiting again next year,” said Neuman.
Tsupros said IU1 is excited about the success and growth of Camp Tech and hopes that this is the first of many years for the camp at its new locations.