Each summer, CREATEng provides a four-day immersion experience into design-based thinking for rising 8th and 9th graders who meet academic requirements and show a keen interest in science, mathematics and technology. Traditionally hosted by middle and high schools across the state, the camps provide students access to hands-on activities and on-site interactions with seasoned engineers in their community.
CREATEng wraps up its summer program this week (July 18-21), adding a new element to the equation by bringing campers onto a university campus. Lander University is this week's setting for these aspiring engineers.
"This is the first time we have ever held the camp at a university," said Kimberly Lyons, camp coordinator. "We are very excited to be at Lander this summer."
Working in teams, these future leaders focus on civil engineering projects, building towers, dams, and bridges; and bio-medical engineering, which involves creating optical heart-rate monitors. The heart-rate monitors are then shipped to third-world countries to train medical staff.
An exhibit of their designs will be showcased on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in the Abney Cultural Center Auditorium at Lander University.