Outreach Programs

Alternative Energy
Offered to: Elementary School students June 19-23; Middle School NOT OFFERED in 2023; High School students July 24-28

This camp will teach students about the different types of alternative energy and its uses in the world through hands-on modules and lessons.  Students will construct wind turbines, solar cells, anemometers, and other forms of alternative energy.  Students will discuss what energy management is and how it is used in different buildings and companies.  They will then relay what they’ve learned to their schools and homes. 

Engineering Exploration
Offered to: Elementary School students June 26- 30; Middle School students July 31-August 4; High School students June 19-23

This camp is designed for students who are new to our summer camps and want to learn about the full variety of core STEM concepts. Different types of engineering are introduced each day in a hands-on, student-centered manner. Students will spend each day performing lab experiments and activities designed to give them a broad view of the different types of engineering offered here at Oakland University. For example, elementary students will write computer code in scratch and high school students will write code in Python to be introduced to coding.  Students will make slime to learn about physical and chemical reactions.  They will build roller coasters and discuss how kinetic and potential energy plays a factor in how they work.  These lab exercises are designed to be informative and fun, with a big ‘wow’ factor attached.  The types of engineering covered are industrial, mechanical, electrical, chemical, bioengineering, and computer science.

Equations in Math
Offered to: Elementary School students 
Dates: July 31-August 4

This course is inspired by and designed for elementary students (entering 3-5th grades in Fall 2023). Students will explore math concepts that are CCSS aligned and are found on the M-Step. Concepts include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions. Methods taught include multiplication arrays, story problems, input-output tables, and other math reasoning concepts. Students will work in small groups for a personal touch, with some activities completed in a large-group setting. The course includes a math-based scavenger hunt at the end of the week. Students are provided with a binder containing their explorations completed throughout the week. Students work with their instructors to tailor instruction based on their needs and desired outcomes.

Elementary Coding Camp
Offered to: Elementary School students 
Dates: June 19-23

This is an introductory coding course for elementary students (entering 3rd-5th grades in Fall 2023). Students will begin using Scratch and Tynker to learn the fundamentals of coding. They will begin with basic coding skills such as designing a maze and work their way up to learning how to design games, edit games, and also learn about possible careers in coding for the future. As the course progresses, students will have opportunities to use beginners-level HTML and Minecraft.  Students in this course will learn through activities that are both on and off the computer.  They will not be learning a specific language.    

Adventures in Coding
Offered to: Middle School
Dates: July 17-21

This camp is designed for students who have an interest in computer science. Students will learn computer programming, website coding and development, and video game design. Modules will include straight programming as well as GUI object-oriented programming.  Students will be able to unleash their creativity in open-ended exercises throughout the week, and be able to take their creations home with them on a memory stick.

Programming Electro-Mechanical Gadgets
Offered to: Middle School students
Dates: June 26-June 30

This is camp will focus on microprocessor programming.  Including binary coding, simple programming, microprocessor control, interface technology, wiring, and interfacing with simple electrical and mechanical gadgets.  It will be a project-based computer science camp.  They will be working with Finch Robots, Raspberry Pi, arduinos, binary code, and cryptography.  Each morning, students will be taught how to use and program a specific device.  Then in the afternoon, they will apply what they’ve learned and design and build a project.  On Friday afternoon, students will present to an audience of parents, peers, and camp staff one of their projects.

Ground Robotics
Offered to: Elementary School students June 12-16; July31 - August 4
Middle School students June 19-23;  July 10-14

This introductory-level camp is for students who are new to robotics.  Students will work with Ozobots, Lego Mindstorms, and VEX IQ and EDR Robots depending on grade level and capability.  The camp will focus on skills used in robots including creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.  The Mindstorm will introduce basic GUI (Graphical User Interface) programing. With VEX, students will begin by building the basic clawbot and work with the remote controlled robot to compete in a team-based activities against other teams. Students will then be challenged to adjust their VEX robot to do other types of challenges. Once the students are comfortable with building and adjusting their robot to meet a specific task, the instructors will begin teaching basic RobotC programming. Students will work as they learn. Instructors will teach concepts and ideas as needed by each group.

Bioengineering
Offered to: Elementary School students July 24-28; Middle School Students June 26-June 30;

This camp is designed for students who have an interest in Bioengineering. Students will get an overview of what Bioengineering is and how it is used in the real world.  Modules will include a model hand making and a virus simulation activity.  Students will be able to unleash their creativity in open-ended exercises and to take many of their creations home with them. 

Chemical Engineering (High School)
Dates: NOT OFFERED IN 2023

This camp is designed for students who have an interest in Chemistry. Students explore atoms and molecules, chemical reactions, batteries, and the chemistry of color.  With a degree in Chemistry, one can work in a lab (research or quality control), study the environment, prepare for a career in medicine, or become a teacher. Modules will include assembling atom models, the clock reaction, making a battery cell, and separating the colors in leaves. We will also be doing demonstrations (i.e. making edible glass and plastic from milk).

Chemical Engineering
Offered to: Elementary Students July 10-14 ; Middle School students June 12-16

 This camp is designed for students who have an interest in Chemical Engineering. Students will get an overview of what Chemical Engineering is and how to use to properly use lab equipment. With a degree in Chemical Engineering one can obtain a position in a wide array of industries (i.e. oil and gas, energy, food, plastics). Modules will include slime, volcanoes, bath bombs, and making ice cream. Students will learn about the importance of chemistry and how it can be applied to fun hands-on activities.

Analytical and Creative Problem-Solving for High School Students
Offered to: High School Students
Dates offered: NOT OFFERED 2023

This camp is for high school students who want to expand their critical thinking. Employing a “problem-based classroom” teaching approach, the instructor will encourage students to develop new tactics in approaching and solving problems. Students will spend half the day solving analytical problems, such as STEM story problems and cryptography, and creative problem scenarios, such as puzzles, riddles, and other open-ended challenges. They are encouraged to solve these problems both as individuals and in groups. On the last day, students will combine both their analytical and creative thinking by doing an Escape Room and a session of Dungeons and Dragons.

Analytical and Creative Problem-Solving for Middle School Students
Offered to: Middle School students
Dates: July 31- August 4

This camp is for middle school students who want to develop critical thinking skills. Employing a “problem-based classroom” teaching approach, the instructor will encourage students to develop new tactics in problem solving with analytical and creative challenges. Students will learn how to think analytically when solving Math story problems and playing quiz-styled games. They will also learn how to think outside the box in various creative challenges with riddles and hand-on activities. On the last day, students will combine both their analytical and creative thinking by doing an Escape Room and a session of Dungeons and Dragons.

Mathematics and Physics in Engineering
Offered to: Middle School students July 17-21 and August 7-11; High School NOT OFFERED in 2023

This camp is designed around Mechanical Engineering concepts. Students will learn various concepts of physics, such as the laws of motion, force, acceleration, velocity and energy conversion and conservation.  They will use these ideas to construct their own working static and dynamic mechanical structures such as, bridges, catapults, and hydraulic machines. They will use mathematical equations and formulas to develop and optimize their structures.

Computer Science
Offered to: Middle and High School students
Dates:  Middle School July 24-28; High School June 12-16

This camp is designed for students who have an interest in computer science. Students will learn computer programming, website coding and development, app development for mobile devices, and video game design. Modules will include straight programming as well as GUI object-oriented programming.  Students will be able to unleash their creativity in open-ended exercises and to take their creations home with them on a memory stick.

Minecraft Basic
Offered to: Elementary School (2-5) and Middle School students
Dates: July 10-14, August 7-11

This course is for students who are only somewhat familiar with Minecraft, either from using it online or in a video game. Students will spend each day in a lab playing the game, but with an educational component to each challenge. For instance, the concept of distributed loads through trusses will be introduced before a bridge-building challenge, etc. Students will be encouraged to share what they created at the end of each day. Parents and guardians will be welcome to attend this sharing.

Camp Invention
Offered to: Elementary School students
Dates: July 17-21

In this high-energy adventure, campers will build and test a launching device to overcome challenges, while exploring such physics concepts as trajectory and velocity. They will experiment with circuits and energy to create a robotic solar-powered cricket inspired by biomimicry and to build custom habitats

NEW! Augmented Reality Camp
Offered to: Middle School students
Dates: August 7-11

This camp will allow students to explore end-user experiences and to envision and create both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) environments. Students will gain an understanding of VR reality vs. AR  and learn about the differences in their programming.  Students will be able to build educational environments to foster learning and demonstrate concepts. They will utilize oculi to foster their learning and creativity and will have the opportunity to visit and engage with  OU Augmented Reality Center.

***Engineering Society of Detroit Camp
The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) created the ESD Girls in Engineering Academy (GEA) to improve academic achievement and increase the interest in engineering among girls. ESD’s overarching goal is to decrease the gender gap in engineering professions by helping girls to excel at science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and eventually pursue engineering careers.