UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Penn State New Kensington’s Kids in College program is gearing up to welcome area grade-school students to the 2015 STEAM Summer Camp season.
Kicking off June 1, Kids in College will go ‘under the sea’ with this year’s theatrical camp as they will perform “The Little Mermaid Jr.” on Wednesday, July 8, (Grades 2-5) and Thursday, July 9, (Grades 6-11). Set and prop design camps of these oceanic productions begin June 22, and are the first of 38 week-long summer camps available to area students through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics).
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 baking to video game design to sports to chess wars, there is truly something for everyone. Junior and senior high camp programs are offered as well, including an SAT Prep Course. 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 $90 to $195 per class. Scholarships are available to students who qualify for the state’s free or reduced-price lunch program. For more information, contact the Continuing Education Office at 724-334-6010.
STEM and the Kids in College Program
Since 2009, the program has integrated the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields into the traditional summer classes. Last year, Kids in College added a creative arts component, turning STEM into STEAM. STEAM is part of a nationwide initiative working to prepare students for a competitive world through a strategy of enhanced education and career development opportunities.
The Kids in College 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. Interested 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 to build productive, self-sustaining and meaningful lives.
For a list of camps, visit www.nk.psu.edu/kidsincollege.