SUMMER CAMP ON TECHNOLOGY

Next Summer Camp:
Site to be Determined                    June 22-July 24, 2009

General information:   Patriots has, for several years, conducted a five-week Summer Camp on Technology. The program operates six hours per day. This is a great opportunity for students to get some in-depth knowledge about technology and enjoy interesting workshops and outside activities. 

Program:  The Summer Camp provides the following types of activities:

• Hands-on learning classes on information technology on four days each week, for four of the five weeks;
• Guest speakers and presenters from government agencies and high-tech corporations;
• Field trips to high tech firms and Federal agencies ;
• Job shadowing with professionals at participating high tech firms for one week, usually in the third week of the program.

Classes cover important technology skills such as: creating databases and designing Web pages, including use of Flash and Animation software; hardware skills such as building PCs, performing PC troubleshooting.  Additionally, workshops engage the building of underwater robots, programming and designing Lego robots, construction of a “launching” rocket, developing an alarm systems, and competition using an “egg-drop” experiment.  Discovering of the world of forensics is provided through workshops that demonstrate how DNA affects our world.

The skills learned during this program contribute to improved academic performance and college preparation; improve career prospects by providing young people with some of the same knowledge used by high-tech professionals; provide inside knowledge of high-tech careers through the field trips and job shadowing; and give students an increased confidence in their abilities and career potential.

Business and government support:   Area high-tech firms offer opportunities for job shadowing with professionals in their firms and/or serve as destinations for field trips.  Participating organizations have included Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon, plus NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the NIH Center for Information Technology.  Volunteers from the Carderock and Indianhead Divisions of the Naval Sea Command (NAVSEA) have provided three weeks of technical support in producing hands-on workshops on building underwater robots, programming and designing Lego robots, creation of  “launching” rockets, developing an alarm system, and preparation on an “egg-drop” experiment.  Patriots is always looking for additional agencies and firms interested in helping.

Fees:   Tuition fee is $500 for members and $550 for non-members for the entire five weeks.
Phased payment plans can be arranged.

Information and registration:   Call Patriots at 301-925-9350.