Free Science Camp Lets To-Be 7th Graders Get Their Hands Dirty

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Most kids don't start thinking about college courses until the final years of high school, but a program at the University of St. Thomas has students planning their studies before 7th grade.

The STEPS -- Science, Technology and Engineering Preview -- camps are for the future engineers of the world. The deadline to apply ends Monday.

On the St. Thomas campus, O'Shaughnessy Science Hall is the place where 20-somethings learn the latest in science and engineering.

"One in 10 students at St. Thomas goes into engineering, so, it's a popular program," said Dr. Don Weinkauf, the dean of the school's engineering department.

In the summer months, the average age of engineering students drops considerably.

"The campus transformation between spring and summer is fantastic. There's a lot of energy in these 12- and 13-year-olds," Weinkauf said.

He will tailor his lesson plans for the STEPS camps.

In this program, science isn't found through books or exams. Instead, students learn through experiments, like using Play-Doh to conduct electricity.

There's also high tech equipment. 3D computers and laser printers let students see all facets of the engineering field.

"It's not about books, it's about getting your hands on things and getting your hands dirty," Weinkauf said.

The hope is that the hands-on learning sparks curiosity at an age when research shows interest in science falls off, especially in girls.

"The real objective is to keep them thinking of science and engineering into the early phases of their high school career," Weinkauf said.

Holding the camp in a university setting gives 7th graders the chance to visualize their future and maybe set their sights on a career path.

"What we want to do is give them that experience of seeing themselves succeed here," Weinkauf said.

The camp is free and open to all children going into 7th grade. Only 100 children will be accepted into the camp through a lottery system.

To learn more about the program, click here.