Short news stories about P–16 activities on the Illinois campus.

• Current News Stories
• Archived News Stories

Directory of Urbana-Champaign campus personnel interested in STEM education, including those particularly interested in P–16 STEM education outreach.

Directory of current externally funded P–16 STEM education outreach projects on the Illinois campus.

External funding opportunities for P–16 STEM education outreach activities and research.

Opportunities for students from preschool through high school (P-12) and for post-high students (through Grade 16) from outside this campus.

P–16 Student STEM Activities on and off Campus

P–16 Summer Camps

Camp information will be updated as it becomes available. For planning purposes, most camps are held around the same time every year.

• ACES Research Apprentice Program I: Research program for high school freshmen & sophomores of under-served/economically disadvantaged groups. Dates: June 30–July 27, 2013.
• ACES Research Apprentice Program II: Laboratory Component: Research experience for previous RAP I students and other high school juniors of under-served groups and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Intensive seven-week laboratory and academic enrichment experience for students interested in further exploring careers in the food, human, and environmental sciences. Dates: June 16–August 3, 2013.
• Booker T. Washington Summer STEM Camp: BTW STEM Academy is hosting two weeks of summer camps for BTW students only. Morning activities will include math challenges reinforcing computation and problem solving; hands on science inquiry challenges in which students will work collaboratively and think critically; and written reflections about student learning. Afternoon activities will focus on physical activities including sports, games, gardening and outdoor science activities. Students should bring a sack lunch. Contact Martha Henss, STEM Coordinator, at 217-351-3901 or henssmar@champaignschools.org. Dates: June 10-14 and June 24–28, 2013.
• Camp Invention: Camp Invention, sponsored by the Orpheum Children's Science Museum, is a fun-filled adventure fostering inventive-thinking skills, science literacy, history and the arts in four activity-oriented modules created for children entering grades 1–6. Directed and taught by local teachers, children are challenged to identify solutions to real-world problems and are immersed in challenges that draw upon their sense of curiosity. In the Envision program, children travel to a faux-island called Magnetropolis™ via hand-crafted upcycled ships and build balloon bursting machines. Dates: June 17-21 and July 8-12, 2013, at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy.
• Canaan Academy Summer Enrichment Program: Canaan Academy is offering a summer of academics and camp activities daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Serving students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade, which ranges from ages 3-11, the program is open to non-Canaan Academy students as well. Afternoon camp activities include sports, crafts, museum visits, and more. For more information, contact Principal Bryant J. Tatum at 217-367-6590 or jaytatum@canaanacademy.org. Dates: June 10–July 19, 2013. Application deadline: May 1, 2013.
• Castle Quest Camp: Time to put on your armor and join this 3-day summer camp on medieval Europe. Participants construct castles, catapults, drawbridges, armor, and water wheels while learning about the technologies and cultures of the time period. This program is recommended for students entering grades 3–7 in fall 2013. Space is limited to 16 participants. For further information, contact Brook Taylor at 217-265-0474 or taylorb@illinois.edu. Dates: July 24-26, 2013. Cost: $110.
• Discover Architecture: High school juniors and seniors learn about a career in architecture. Scholarships available. Dates: Session 1: June 16–29, 2013 (deadline: May 10, 2013); Session 2: July 7-20, 2013 (deadline: June 7, 2013).
• Discover Engineering: Discover Engineering is a one-week residential camp for rising sophomores (graduating in 2016) who are interested in math and science. Students will work on several projects that will incorporate different aspects of engineering. Dates: July 21-27, 2013; application deadline: April 15, 2012. Applications will be available Feb. 1–April 15.
• Exploring Your Options (EYO): This is a week-long residential program that introduces high school rising juniors and seniors (graduating in 2014 or 2015) to the field of engineering. EYO is held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Participants will interact with engineering students and faculty members, plan and build a project, and engage in hands-on activities prepared by departments within the College of Engineering. Dates: Session 1: June 9–15, 2013; Session II: July 7–13, 2013. Applications will be available Feb. 1–April 15.
• G.A.M.E.S.: G.A.M.E.S is an annual week-long camp designed to give academically talented high-school-aged girls an opportunity to explore exciting engineering and scientific fields through demonstrations, classroom presentations, hands-on activities, and contacts with women in these technical fields. GAMES 2013 is open to academically talented girls who will enter grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 in Fall 2013. Camp topics include: Computer Science/Robotics; Bioengineering; Chemical Engineering; Environmental Engineering & Sustainability; Aerospace Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Materials; CS/App Development; and Mechanical Engineering. Mechanical Engineering's Girls Building Awesome Machines (G-BAM) is a new camp starting Summer 2013. Dates: July 14–July 20, 2013. Application deadline: April 12, 2013.
• GEMS—Girls Engaged in Math and Science: The GEMS program at the University of Illinois' National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) targets middle school girls in east Central Illinois and is one of the few sustained outreach programs that has been successfully implemented since 1994. It is intended to encourage girls to consider STEM careers, to gain confidence in using authentic computer tools for math and science, to increase their higher level thinking skills, and to encourage them to take advanced-level mathematics and science courses in high school and college. the GEMS camp this year will focus on Mathematics and Computer Science related activities. Dates: Session 1: June 17-21, 2013; Session 2: June 24-28, 2013. Register by April 20, 2013.
• GIRRRLS Exploring Science and Engineering Camp: Girls entering 5th or 6th grade will have fun with U of I women faculty and explore intriguing fields through hands-on activities, lab tours and field trips. Contact Campus Middle School at 217-344-8279. Dates: July 30–August 3, 2012. Dates for 2013 TBA.
• Illinois Aerospace Institute Summer Camp: For students entering grades 9-12 who are interested in learning about the fields of aerospace engineering and aviation. Dates: July 21–27, 2013. Applications must be postmarked by April 15. Early application is encouraged—seats are limited.
• Illini Summer Academies: Offers teens the opportunity to explore the Illinois campus and potential degree programs and/or careers. University faculty and staff plan interactive learning sessions to provide delegates an overview of actual college classes required in various majors. Dates: June 23–26, 2013. Early-bird registration ends April 15, 2013. Regular registration will be open April 16 to May 22, 2013.
• MathILy at Bryn Mawr. MathILy is an intensive residential summer program for mathematically excellent secondary students. In MathILy classes, instructors provide the framework and you get to make (and prove!) the conjectures. Students will encounter new ideas, improve your problem-solving skills, learn lots and lots of advanced mathematics, and hone your overall thinking skills. Most of all, you will find serious mathematics infused with levity. MathILy is five weeks of maximized mathematical marvelousness. MathILy is designed for students with an insatiable curiosity about mathematics, and who are creative and enthusiastic in their approaches to learning. Applications received before April 25 will receive full consideration. After that point, applications will be considered if there are space left. As of May 6, 2013, there are spaces open!
• Next Generation School Summer Camp provides opportunities for students who have completed grade K, 1, 2, 3, or 4 to learn about topics such as electricity, video games, MythBusters, magic tricks, and more. Dates: May 28-August 16, 2013. Topics vary by week. Please register by May 10, 2013. Registration/Info Flyer
• Next Generation Middle School Science Summer Camp offers a unique combination of structured and unstructured activities. With daily labs and explorations, visits to the University of Illinois campus, along with swimming and games in the afternoon, there will be plenty to keep your middle school student engaged and having fun this summer. The program is open to Next Generation School students and students at other schools in our community. You may register for the entire summer or for specific weeks. Space is limited. Ages: Students who have completed grades 5, 6, or 7. Dates: May 28–August 16, 2013. Topics vary by week. Contact: Gabi Cooper: 217.356.6995. Please register by May 6, 2013. Registration/Info Flyer
• Next Generation Summer Scholars Program provides an opportunity for students who have completed grades K–8 to explore various topics (follow above link for info/registration form. Groups limited to 15 students. Full payment due by May 10, 2013. Registration/Info Flyer
• Orpheum Children's Science Museum Discovery Field Trips and Summer Camps: The Orpheum Musem offers a variety of camps and activities for children grades K–5. For more information call 217-531-3555.
• Pollen Power: Hosted by the Institute for Genomic Biology on the University of Illinois campus, the camp will provide an opportunity for girls to study plant responses to climate change in the distant past and the coming century. Research groups of 8 to 10 campers led by a female graduate student will use million dollar microscopes to image pollen, giving the campers first-hand experience in a research environment with female mentors. The camp is designed for middle school age girls with an interest in plants and the environment. Dates: July 8-12, 2013. Apply here.
• Prairie Research Institute Science Camp: The Prairie Research Inistitute is offering its first summer camp in 2013. This camp is for high school students who will be juniors and seniors in fall 2013. During the week-long camp, students will work with scientists in labs and in the field. Applications are due by May 10, 2013. Dates: July 15–19, 2013.
• Urbana Schools District STEM Enrichment Camp: Two-week program of exciting math, science, and technology activities for students entering 1st–8th grades. View the full list of classes. Dates: June 3–13, 2013; Time: 8:30 am-4:00 pm; Location: Urbana Middle School.
• University Laboratory High School Enrichment Camp: Open to Uni students entering 5th and 6th graders, this camp offers sessions in many areas, including robotics, engineering & science, and more. 2013 dates - Session 1: June 3-7; Session 2: June 10–14. Applications due April 22, 2013. Camp brochure; Session 1 descriptions; Session 2 descriptions.
• University Primary School Summer Camp: University Primary School will offer summer camp for students with and without disabilities, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m. June 3–28 for 3- to 7-year-olds (Garden Camp) and 8- to 12-year-olds (Science/Art Camp). Older campers have space available for all four weeks. Dates for 2013: 6/3/13–6/28/13. 2013 Camp Brochure and Registration Form.

P–16 Academic Year Programs

Updates for 2012–2013 academic year programs will be added as information becomes available.

• Academic Challenge: Science/engineering test competitions for high school students. The competition has three levels: regionals (February), sectionals (March), and state finals (April) on the Illinois campus.
• Engineering Advocates: Illinois Engineering students visit K–12 schools to share their knowledge and love of engineering with @ 6000 youth per year. They conduct hands-on workshops at elementary and middle schools and make a PowerPoint presentation about engineering careers and admission to Illinois at high schools; they also conduct workshops for groups such as Girl Scouts and participate in conferences and career fairs for middle and high school students.
• Engineering Days for high school students: Engineering Days is one of the best ways for prospective engineering students to see what being an engineer is all about. During the course of the day, you will learn about the different engineering fields, visit cutting-edge labs, talk to current college students about life as an engineering student, and get a good look at one of the nation's top rated engineering universities. Feb. 15, March 15, March 29, and April 19, 2013. Register here. Dates for Fall 2013 TBA.
• Engineering Open House 2013: This annual student-led event featuring two days of exciting exhibits and captivating competitions that showcase the talent and ingenuity of engineering students. The exposition attracts thousands of visitors to the Illinois campus each year and stands as the largest event of its kind in the country. EOH brings together students, faculty, and corporate sponsors to feature cutting-edge innovation in the fields of science and technology. Dates: March 8–9, 2013.
• Engineering Information Bureau: Programs for prospective students to learn about Illinois engineering opportunities: Engineering Campus Tours; Engineering Advocates; Engineering Days: Shadow an Engineer; Women in Engineering.
• ExplorACES: A two-day event to acquaint prospective students and their families with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES): March 8–9, 2013.
• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): International competition where students explore science and technology through robotics. Illinois hosts a regional Lego Robotics competition every December. Engineering supports Robotics (ages 9–14), and Vex Robotics (high school). AP Physics teachers use Vex Robotics as a hands-on approach to physics.
• GeoJam 2013: This event invites mathematics students at Central High School and Edison Middle School in Champaign, along with their families and friends, to participate in teams and enjoy an evening of fun geometric challenges. The competition is designed for teenage students and their families from the Champaign community who may not have a history of performing well in school mathematics. May 9, 2013 from 8am to 11:30am at Edison Middle School and from 6 to 8pm at Central High School. Registration for GeoJam at Central High School will open at 5:30pm in Seely Hall.
• ICTM State Math Contest: The University of Illinois hosts the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics High School Math Contest each spring. The state finals will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2013. The 2014 regional contest will be held at Parkland College on March 1, 2014.
• NanoChallenge: Targets high-achieving students with STEM aptitude. Selected students are invited to attend orientation sessions, receive laboratory and technology training, and participate in a hands-on research project. Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, receive a stipend and work under the guidance of our team of scientists, professors, engineering students and Nano-CEMMS education staff.
• Principal's Scholars: Offers qualified students exposure to a variety of special educational, cultural, and social opportunities, including academic research modules, academic competitions, summer enrichment experiences, field trips, campus visits, and recreational activities.

Scholarship Opportunities

Updates regarding scholarships, including current application deadlines, will be added as information becomes available.

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP). NIH UGSP offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The program offers:
• Scholarship support
• Paid research training at the NIH during the summer
• Paid employment and training at the NIH after graduation
• Play the Game/Change the Game Scholarship. Up to $20,000 ($10,000 a year) scholarship for undergraduate students who want to become credentialed math teachers and teach at high-needs schools. Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to deepen their math teacher knowledge, increase their math pedagogy IQ, receive support during first years of teaching, and inspire students to choose STEM majors and careers. Online Application coming soon.

6. Miscellaneous P-16 STEM Education Resources