UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Young students can “steam” into the summer camp season at Penn State New Kensington aboard a “space ship” as Kids in College opens its 28th year of operation at the campus.
Since 2009, the program has integrated the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into the traditional summer classes. Two years ago, a creative arts component was added, turning STEM into STEAM. A nationwide effort, STEAM prepares middle-school students for a competitive world through a strategy of enhanced education and career development opportunities.
“Creativity is a vital part of education and innovation, and classes in the arts will allow students to express their creativity in a fun environment,” said Debbie Novak, coordinator of STEM programs at the campus. “The arts teach students to interpret information, which is a necessary component in problem solving.”
The campus is working with Snapology, an educational company who specializes on melding creative arts and the STEM fields. Snapology stresses hands-on learning and teamwork, a crucial social skill for elementary students.Snapology offers a learning concept that combines play with education using Lego bricks and other materials that snap together. The four Snapology camps – Adventures with Star Wars; Minecraft Advanced; Space War Robotics; and snAPP Game Designs -- are designed to inspire creativity and promote teamwork. The classes are scheduled for two weeks in July and are appropriate for children in grades 1-4 and 5-8.
“We are partnering with Snapology to provide new opportunities for area students to experience state of the art technology programs,” said Novak, who earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Pittsburgh. “Snaplogy will provide their most popular LEGO’s classes where students can learn about design concepts while building their favorite characters and games. These classes are a good fit with the STEAM concept.”
Overall, the line-up features 31 camps, as well as an SAT prep course for high school students that runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., July 11-15. For sports enthusiasts, three camps featuring Penn State New Kensington coaches will teach youngsters the fundamentals of soccer and basketball.
The Kids in College camps, which run from June to July, are arranged by grade levels. There are three classes for first graders, 13 classes for second and third graders, and 14 classes for fourth graders. Twenty courses are available for students in grades 5-8.
“We continue to have gifted instructors who provide creative courses that enrich our students in a variety of topics,” Novak said. “The number of courses offered each year has continued to grow in size and material content. Due to the program’s success, we presently have second-generation students attending the camps.”
The dean of all the camps is Theatre Camp, a perennial favorite of the young participants. It begins a two-week run with auditions on June 9. Director Jimmy Baker, a Penn State alumnus and former campus student, will bring an adaptation of “Aladdin” to the Forum Theatre stage. The camp is split into two sections: 9 a.m. to noon (grades 2-5) and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. (grades 6-11). A grand performance is scheduled on the last day of classes, June 29 for the younger group and July 1 for the older group. The cost is $195.
Most camps meet Monday through Thursday, 9 to 11:30 a.m. or noon to 2:30 p.m. Each camp offers a unique learning opportunity for children grades 1-11. From cooking to circuit design to chess wars to cartoons and animation, there is truly something for everyone. Camp instructors come from the ranks of University faculty and local school teachers. They are aided by teams of counselors, campus students and local teens who volunteer as camp assistants.
All camps are conducted at the New Kensington campus. Classes require preregistration, and prices range from $95 to $195 per class. Scholarships are available to students who qualify for the state’s free or reduced-price lunch program.
For more than a quarter of a century, the Office of Continuing Education has offered a variety of academic and sports activities for students in grades one through 12. Each year, more than 400 youths participate in the hands-on camps.
“The camp was established to provide students with a fun learning experience, while exposing them to a college campus atmosphere,” Novak said. “Over the past 27 years, we have had more than 8,000 students participate in the program.”
For more information on "Kids in College," call 724-334-6010.
For a list of camps, visit www.nk.psu.edu/kidsincollege
Kids in College ProgramThe program is funded, in part, by a grant from the Grable Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the academic, artistic and social experiences for at-risk youth living in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The grant is earmarked for scholarships and materials. A limited number of scholarships is available. Students are encouraged to register early.
Based in Pittsburgh, the Grable Foundation supports community and youth organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania. The foundation reflects the philanthropic philosophy of Erret and Minnie Grable who were strong believers in the importance of education in helping children build productive, self-sustaining and meaningful lives.