UTSA has started taking applications for its iTec Robotics summer camp.

New for this year is a program for high school students. Also new is the $70 fee per student. Last year, the program was free. Still, at under $100 for two weeks, daily free breakfast and lunch and an amazing robotic experience, it’s well worth every penny. I blogged about the camp last year here and here.

One of the elements I loved about this camp is that the kids are divided into groups of four with a mentor…so everybody has a chance to share their two cents worth in building the robots. Teamwork is emphasized, but at the end of the day, it’s the competition that captures everyone’s attention. I never had so much fun watching Legos with wheels try to push each other off a table.

You can easily register online at itec.utsa.edu. But be prepared. Your child will need to type in a short essay on why he or she wants to be in the camp. The second hardest part: making sure you’ve got them signed up for the right one! There are five options this year:

• June 14 – 25: grades 3 – 6 using NXT platform
• June 28 – July 10: grades 8 – 11 using the VEX Robotics System
• June 28-July 9: grades 6-8 using the NXT platform
• July 12 – 23: grades 6-8 using the NXT platform
• July 12 – 23: grades3-6 using NXT platform

All camps run 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with no early or late stay available.

And a WORD OF WARNING: If your child is accepted into the camp – do not park where you are not authorized to park and pay before you walk away to drop off or pick up your child. Those campus police are tough cookies and won’t hesitate to ticket you.

If you’ve got a future engineer on your hands, this is the camp to attend. Extremely well-run. And great fun for the kids.

Inside the CAR Lab

And that is what I was reminded of when I opened my mail today and found the application for archaeology camp at UTSA’s Center for Archaeology Research (CAR). Because this year’s theme is Ancient Egypt…pyramids, mummies and King Tut.

I love this camp. Each year, they introduce the kids to the mysteries of the past and share their depth of knowledge about human existence, culture and society. That – and their lab is just really, really, really cool.

Only 15 campers are allowed in each session. It fills up fast, so if you want your kid in, now’s the time to sign up.

• Dates: July 5-9, July 19-23, August 2-6 and August 16-20
• Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost: $200 includes supplies, snacks and a t-shirt

The website hasn’t posted yet (not until March 15), but you can call Lynn Yakubik, 458-4462 or 458-4378 to request an application. Tell her King Tut sent you.

• 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