NAU summer camp helps young women step up to engineering

Northern Arizona University will host its second STEP UP summer engineering camp from July 16 to 22 for high school girls entering grades 10 through 12.

The camp helps its 25 participants discover engineering, computer science and construction management careers, as well as the wider college experience.

Participants work on teams to develop Legos robotics solutions to challenges posed to them by instructors. Other technical activities include bridge design workshops using computer simulations and breakout sessions with professional engineers to learn about the various engineering disciplines.

The weeklong camp culminates in a robotics competition and showcase for parents, family and friends. Recreational activities include nature walks, evening social events and disc golf.

A $100 fee covers the student's cost for room, board, social and educational activities for the week. Enrollment fees are due with applications unless a brief statement is submitted describing the need for a scholarship. A limited number of scholarships are available.

The enrollment period closes May 1.

Fonda Swimmer, director of the Multicultural Engineering Program, explained that the camp is open nationwide to high school girls who are U.S. citizens. "We especially encourage applications from minorities and first-generation college-bound students," she said.

Swimmer encouraged anyone interested to submit an application well before the May 1 deadline.

NAU's Multicultural Engineering Program, part of the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, directs the camp.

Additional information about STEP UP, including hard copy applications, can be obtained by calling the Multicultural Engineering Program at (928) 523-2087 or e-mailing STEPUP@cens.nau.edu. Applications can be found online.

STEP UP is sponsored primarily by the Hewlett/NAU Engineering Talent Pipeline, funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.