TechVenturers

Open to Students Entering Grades 8-10

TechVenturers A. Participants in this program will choose a single, in-depth, weeklong project focused on either bridge engineering, RC cars, space, or physical computing. All levels of STEM experience are encouraged to apply!

• Bridge Project - In this long-standing Tech Camp project, led by a geotechnical engineer, students will be immersed in the world of bridge engineering! Through hands-on activities, research, and site visits, students will gain a deep understanding of the design and construction process. They will learn to analyze site-specific challenges, collaborate with peers to select a suitable location, and design and build model bridges using data-driven decision-making to meet the specific needs of a New Hampshire community. Students will also present their work, justifying their design choices regarding foundation, materials, and construction methods while considering environmental factors. This program fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, providing a valuable introduction to the field of civil engineering where campers are the civil engineer in charge. Let the challenge begin!
• Cosmic Explorers - Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and wanted to know more? Well, get ready to launch your mind into the cosmos! This course will explore everything from comets and asteroids, to planets, stars, cosmological phenomena, and the science behind them. It's not your average class – we're diving deep into the coolest stuff in the universe! Get ready to explore exploding stars, massive gas giants, distant galaxies, and mind-bending nebulas. You’ll be building models, doing research, and getting a first-hand look at some of UNH’s impressive space science technologies! If you're looking for a hands-on, totally engaging adventure that's way beyond the textbooks, this is it. Join us on this exciting journey and discover the wonders that lie beyond our planet!
• RC Cars Project: Trail to Track - In this fast-paced program, campers will be using professional grade off-road RC crawler trucks and drift cars to explore remote control engineering, design and usage. We will build routes, bridges, balancers and more to challenge the drivers with their trucks. Problem-solving and creative thinking are emphasized. We will be using the RC trucks to rock, dirt, river and mud climb our way out of tricky paths and challenges. In the afternoon, campers will take their skills to the road to practice driving on-road RC drift cars in a fun, but challenging, course; the techniques of throttle control and tandems will be explored. This program will also teach students how to tune and care for RC vehicles using various tools and accessories. Come join the fun!
• Space Camp (But Way Cooler): Moon Edition - Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut and exploring the moon? Maybe even living there?! Blast off into a week-long adventure where you'll become a lunar pioneer! Build and launch rockets, learn how astronauts live and work in space, and the unique challenges of a world without up or down. Strategize landing your rover safely and prepare for your first journey on our moon. Design and construct a habitat suitable for long-term living on the Moon and figure out what you'll need to survive and thrive there. Throughout the week, you'll meet real scientists and engineers who are working on making the dream of colonizing the Moon a reality. You'll participate in hands-on activities, solve problems like a real space explorer, and make new friends who share your passion for space. So, are you ready to be a Lunar colonist? Blast off with us and take your first steps towards an out-of-this-world adventure! 
• Physical Computing: From Code to Creation! Journey into the tech-citing world of physical computing, where you'll learn to blend the magic of software with the power of hardware. Using a diverse range of development environments like IDLE, Makecode, and Arduino IDE, you’ll learn to program a Raspberry Pi Pico with MicroPython, bring your creations to life on a Micro:Bit with Makecode, dive into the world of Arduino with C/C++, and unlock the full potential of the Raspberry Pi with Python. At the end of week, bring all your knowledge together to design your own incredible project to showcase your new talents! With these powerful tools at your fingertips, the possibilities are endless!

TechVenturers B. Participants in this program will choose a single, in-depth, weeklong project focused on either forensic science, rocketry, or regenerative medicine. All levels of STEM experience are encouraged to apply!

• Forensics Project - Calling all investigators! The UNH Tech Camp Forensic Crime Lab has a high-profile case and we need your help to solve it! Employ cutting-edge professional techniques from fingerprinting, bloodstain pattern analysis, hair/fiber analysis, and forensic anthropology to digital code breaking, cryptography, and cipher cracking. Work collaboratively with your fellow investigators to collect intricate evidence and decipher clues to build a rock-solid case that your team will present to a jury and judge. Will you rise to the challenge and bring the perpetrator(s) to justice? 
• Ripping Rocketry Project - In this high-flying program, you’ll become a rocket scientist! We'll design, build, and launch amazing paper-based rockets that zoom through the air. Every day brings a new challenge – hitting targets, reaching for the sky, or testing speed and distance. We'll uncover the history of rocketry and learn to measure how high, far, and fast our rockets fly. Get ready for a thrilling adventure in rocket science!
• Regenerative Medicine: The Planaria Project - Scientists are beginning to understand how to grow parts of the human body by studying organisms that already have this ability, such as planaria. Planaria are free-living flatworms that can regrow any lost body part. Students in this program will learn about regenerative medicine and planaria through a variety of hands-on activities in the lab. They will also design and perform an experiment that will determine the environmental factors that influence the ability of planaria to regrow missing body parts. Part of a grant-funded workforce development initiative at UNH called NH CREATES, this program is offered at no cost to participants. All levels welcome!

TechVenturers C. Participants in this program will choose a single, in-depth, weeklong project focused on regenerative medicine. All levels of STEM experience are encouraged to apply!.

• Regenerative Medicine: Decellularization – Uncovering Nature’s Hidden Structures - Every part of your body—your skin, muscles, and organs—relies on a special construct that holds all of your cells together. But did you know that plants have their own version of this? Using common foods such as spinach, cucumbers, and bell peppers, we can remove their cells (a process called decellularization) to reveal this hidden structure. In this hands-on course, you’ll use everyday items—hand soap, dishwasher detergents and more—to decellularize plant tissues, discovering what holds them together and why scientists are now studying this technique for tissue regeneration. You will also learn about and create hydrogels – a squishy, stretchable biomaterial – that scientists are using to develop wound-healing technology. This program combines science and creativity to tackle real-world challenges, from growing new heart tissue to developing innovative materials for healing. Part of a grant-funded workforce development initiative at UNH called NH CREATES, this program is offered at no cost to participants. All levels welcome!

Apply Now!

Students are welcome to sign up for multiple sessions, however enrollment in sponsored (no cost) projects will be limited to one sponsored project per camper in order to ensure these program spots go to as many students as possible.