News

Building water filters, robotics and making computer apps and games are just a few things students got to do at last week’s School of Engineering Summer Camp. 

“The camp is designed to open up the world of engineering to students and also give them a taste of campus life at SIUE, said Chris Gordon, associate dean of the SIUE School of Engineering and Engineering Summer Camp director.

Twenty-two students, from grades 9-12, participated in Session I of the School of Engineering Summer Camp. High school students stayed in Bluff Hall as part of the residential camping experience.

Upcoming Engineering Summer Camps are scheduled as follows:

Session II – June 21-26

Session III – July 5-10

“More than 60 students are expected to participate in all three camps this summer,” Gordon said. “As we grow, we want to make sure the camps maintain hands -on experiences for all the students.”

Newly added this year is the partnership with Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery, according to Gordon. Phillips 66 sponsored scholarships, equipment, camp activities, and provided some professional opportunities for camp attendees.

Camp goers toured the 2,200-acre Refinery during a field trip. “The students learned how the Refinery makes gas, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt and more,” Gordon said. “Students also spoke with recently hired engineers to talk about their day-to-day work as engineers. It has been an excellent partnership with Phillips 66.”

 Those wanting to participate in the School of Engineering Summer Camp are required to fill out an application, which includes an essay and a recommendation from a teacher or a counselor.

 “We have great campers. They have lots of enthusiasm and curiosity,” Gordon added. “Through this camp, we hope to cultivate their enthusiasm and help them find the areas of engineering that they are most passionate about.”

 The summer camps have also translated into more students for SIUE.  

 “We are seeing a lot of campers come back as freshmen,” he said. “In 2014 we had about 10 summer campers to enroll in SIUE. This year, we had about 35 former campers apply to the University for the fall.”

The SIUE School of Engineering offers one of the most comprehensive and affordable engineering programs in the St. Louis region with eight undergraduate degrees, five master’s degrees and a cooperative doctoral program, all housed in a state-of-the-art facility. Students learn from expert faculty, perform cutting-edge research, and participate in intercollegiate design competitions. Companies in the metropolitan St. Louis area provide students challenging internships and co-op opportunities which often turn into permanent employment. All undergraduate programs are accredited by their respective accreditation agencies.

Photos:

Shown in a robotics class are (from left to right) Kevin Roberts of Elgin and Jake Noll of Columbia, Ill.

Working on setting up the robot are (from left to right) Alexis Cushshon of St. Louis and Max Smidowicz of Edwardsville.