Abington

Abington camps can help stem summer learning loss

There will be multiple sessions of Lego robotics camp at Abington Kids & Teen College this summer. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Would you allow your child to fall a month behind in school? Probably not, but a century of research documents summer learning loss — the erosion of academic skills that sets students behind as much as one month each year. This lost month forces teachers to spend valuable classroom time playing catch-up in September.

Parents and caregivers can combat summer learning loss with a variety of educational and enrichment opportunities at Penn State Abington Kids & Teen College. Abington camps include topics in the national STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education initiative as well as special topics camps such as the Harry Potter Extravaganza.

Alina Raskopin, education manager at Abington, said that a number of new camps have been created this year in addition to perennials such as Rocking with Rocketry and several Lego Robotics options.

The Design Experience camp will immerse students in the creative design process. Students will learn how people use and perceive space and how to influence those perceptions. And they will uncover the design secrets of some of Philadelphia’s most iconic places, experience the professional world of graphic design, architecture and landscape architecture, and imagine how your ideas can influence cities of the future.

The Math Options for Girls camp is a unique program that is intended to help girls explore and experience the many different career choices available in STEAM fields. Students will participate in hands-on activities and lab experiences led by instructors and professionals working in these high demand careers and prepare themselves to apply for these jobs in the future.

Math Options includes:

  • Participating in hands-on activities to encourage and expand upon skills young girls may need to enter and experience math and science options.
  • A Robotics Workshop to see engineering in action.
  • College and career preparation skills such as resume writing, interview skills, and interview preparation.

Abington’s one week camps allow third through 12th graders to explore new interests or to build on existing skills, foster self-confidence and self-esteem, and develop social skills. The programs run the week of June 25 through the week of Aug. 6.

Abington camps provide an additional, priceless benefit. Few caregivers will hear the dreaded words of summer: “I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.”

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible, and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st century public higher education within a world-class research university. With nearly 4,000 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 19 majors, undergraduate research, the Schreyer honors program, NCAA Division III athletics, and more.

Last Updated June 14, 2018