San Antonio Busy Kids

THE 411

• iTEC Summer Robotics Camp @ UTSA
• Session One: 3rd to 6th graders, June 15 – June 26
• Session Two: 6th to 8th graders, June 29 – July 10
• Extra info: geared for at risk and learning-challenged kids, but all are welcome
• Cost:  Free + $25 registration fee
• Register:  http://budurl.com/itec

THE STORY

I love meeting true characters. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting the real thing at the NEISD Elementary School Robotics Club Challenge.  His name is Moses Thompson.  Moses is the program manager for the Interactive Technology Experience Center at UTSA.  He’s a walking miracle, having gone through surgery that left him in a wheelchair for three years, with a disease that is slowly destroying his nerve system.  But it’s not touching his enthusiasm for his new program – the iTEC summer robotics camp for kids.

He regaled me with stories of being fascinated with rockets as a child.  He figured out how to make his own explosives, but managed to set his room on fire *only* once.  I desperately want to talk to his mom.  She must have had nerves of steel.

As his eyes sparkled with excitement, he told me all about the computers and equipment he’s purchasing for the iTEC camp. “I’m up to my eyeballs in Lego® Mindstorms NXT robotics,” he said.

He told me about working with Title 1 schools and trying to get parents involved in the process.  He wants to create a program that is not only enriching for the kids, but enriching for the family, as well.  “Parents can help with lunch or breakfast, help mentor or provide encouragement to the all the kids,” he told me.  “I don’t want it to sound like we don’t have structure, because we do. But we want it to be a time of fun, discovery and learning with no pressure.”

The camp is divided into two sections – third through sixth and sixth through eighth.  Session one is for the younger ones and runs June 15-26. Session two for the older ones is slotted for June 29 through July 10. And Moses is thinking about adding a second, overflow session later in the summer.  Best part – it’s free.  Yep – you heard it right. Free, thanks to some very generous donors.  There is a $25 registration fee, but that is waived for parents who volunteer.  Got a little scientist on your hands who likes to tinker?

What are you waiting for?  Register here:  http://budurl.com/itec