Ask Slashdot: Tech-Related Summer Camps For Teenagers? 177
First time accepted submitter jcreus writes "I am a teenager (aged 14, though turning 15 before summer), and I've recently been looking for summer camps in the USA. My interests include physics, mathematics (to a lesser extent) and computer science (I already know several programming languages). However, I haven't been able to find anything really exciting. The difficulties I've found include the fact that most are general-oriented, whereas I'm seeking something specific. Furthermore, some are USA-student-only (and I'm European), and most computer-science oriented camps seem to be for non-programmers. What are your experiences with such camps?"
My daughter did a great course last year.. (Score:5, Informative)
You might want to look into something like [internaldrive.com] this or this [mtu.edu] .
My daughter took one out of this one [umich.edu], specifically one on Physics [umich.edu]. She loved it and we plan to do another. My other daughter is looking forward to this one.
Shad Valley (Score:5, Informative)
If you're open to considering locations in Canada, then Shad Valley [www.shad.ca] is a great program that a lot of my friends have gone to. It's hosted by a university in Canada and is well suited for someone interested in tech. I'd recommend the University of Waterloo location as it probably provides the best exposure to the tech companies in Canada.
Look at the list from John Hopkins University (Score:5, Informative)
In the mid-1990s, I went to a Civil Engineering "summer camp" as a 8th grader (about 14) at Michigan Technological University. It was mostly geared towards fun applications of things and not the math/calculation part of it. Unfortunately, as you've found out, many programs are going to be pretty lightweight.
However, John Hopkins University has put together a decent list of summer programs for people about your age. http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/linka4.htm
Many of them don't require US citizenship because they aren't funded by USgovernment money. The Penn Summer Science Academy has a set for Experimental Physics which could be interesting.
My best advice would be to email the contact people and explain what you are looking for, focusing on what your experience is and your desired challenge level. Ask them if they think their program would be a good fit.
CTY (Score:3, Informative)
If you want to do just one course for three weeks, find out if you're eligible for CTY [jhu.edu], which does do an international talent search [jhu.edu], though you may be too late for Summer 2012
I used to go to tech camps (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Look at the list from John Hopkins University (Score:4, Informative)
As for the Michigan Technological University program here is more info: http://youthprograms.mtu.edu/ [mtu.edu]
I went there in early high school for some of the CS camps and came away with a lot of interest and a great head start for college.
Speaking of US and Canada, I recommend: (Score:5, Informative)
I disagree. Camps are a about a lot more than just learning material - there is a huge social interaction component that goes along with them that you're just not going to get on a summer job. And frankly, the social skills are the more important aspect of the program than the academic material for many of the participants (myself having been one of them.)
I strongly recommend:
http://youthprograms.mtu.edu/explorations.php [mtu.edu]
Summer Youth Programs at Michigan Tech University. I suppose it's been 16 years since I've been, but they were excellent then and a quick perusal of their site leads me to believe they are excellent now, especially if you're interested in Engineering.
There are just not many opportunities for High School students to get exposure to real engineering, but this program definitely offers them.
Oh, and there are girls there.
Anyway, I went 2 or 3 summers and always had a great time. It's not just tech class stuff, there's a strong social program associated with it as well.
Great for those of you who are in HS, and those of you who now have HS-aged children yourselves. I'm honestly not aware of another program in the US like it.
I also did the Illinois Math and Science Academy program as an incoming freshmen or sophomore (it's been a while), but their program focuses more on straight math/science and not so much on practical engineering application, so I definitely preferred Tech. Then again, I don't remember much from the IMSA camp other than the girls and the pinball machine (much time spent on both, although probably more on the pinball machine) so take that as you will. Depending on your age, you could do both; IMSA as an incoming Freshman and Michigan Tech after that.
One other difference is the IMSA program was loaded with a lot more math/science nerds (I recognized a lot of people at IMSA from math competitions), while Tech had a more well-rounded group of people and programs (a lot of participants are Tech alum who just think it's a good idea to get their kids exposed to engineering), so I also liked Tech as an opportunity to work on social skills with non-nerds in a low-pressure environment (nobody knows you when you start and you're leaving in a week or two, so no permanent damage) - and I needed the practice.
Oh, one more I did:
http://engage.illinois.edu/entry/5785 [illinois.edu]
Now called "Exploring Your Options", back in my day it was S.I.T.E., student introduction to engineering. I was pretty sure at that point I was going to Illinois though (summer prior to senior year) so it was double-helpful for me in just learning the engineering department and campus, and a lot of the people I met in the camp ended up attending Illinois as well so it was a leg up on meeting people. I'd say this is a good program if you're a Senior and did the others, but if I was picking ONE, I'd still probably go with Michigan Tech. IMSA vs. UofI will just depend on age. I think the UofI program would have been less interesting if I were not already sure I were goingto UofI.
Caveat: I was in high school 16-20 years ago, so my info is a bit dated. :)