TechVenturers
Summer 2023 Programs || Open to Students Entering Grades 8-10
Week 1: July 10-14 - ALL PRograms Full
TechVenturers A. Participants in this program will choose a single, in-depth, weeklong project focused on either bridges/civil engineering or electrical engineering.
- Bridge Project - Program FULL, Waitlist Only - How many times a week do you walk or drive over a bridge? How difficult would it be for you to access things like school, stores, or even your friends and family if bridges were not safe and reliable? Bridges are a critical piece of infrastructure that we often take for granted, but without them life as we know it would look very different! Students in this program will design and model a bridge to meet the specific needs of a New Hampshire community. Activities will include testing engineering materials and analyzing data to determine optimal materials; discovering the physics behind existing New Hampshire bridges; and exploring the interaction between bridges and their surrounding environments. Campers will serve as the civil engineer in charge. Let the challenge begin! This program is offered at no cost to participants. All levels welcome!
- The Internet of Things - Join the Smart Tech Revolution! Everything seems to be connected by the internet these days—from cars and security cameras to gaming devices and pet trackers—and the technology is evolving at a rapid pace. What makes it all possible? What will our tech-enabled future look like? How can you play a role? In this fast paced and dynamic program, campers will engage in a wide variety of hands-on activities and games to gain an understanding of smart technology and the computer sensors, software, networking devices, and other technologies that are rapidly transforming almost every aspect of human existence. The term "Internet of Things" refers to the network of physical objects connected via the internet and other communication networks that now surround us in daily life. All skill levels welcome! Application deadline extended to May 8!
Please note: The Dinah Whipple STEAM Academy is also offering a program this week for grades 7-10 that explores science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM), as well as the Black experience. Students will learn pre-engineering concepts through a series of hands-on activites. They will also delve into African history and Black-American history in the United States.
Week 2: July 17-21 - all programs full
TechVenturers B. Participants in this program will choose a single, in-depth, weeklong project focused on either forensic science, RC cars, virtual reality game design, or regenerative medicine.
- Forensics Project - Welcome detectives! In this program, we have a high-priority case to solve — a cold case from 30 years ago. We’ve compiled what evidence is left from a murder that took place in the town of Bedrock. Two seemingly close friends and their husbands are involved. Fred Flintstone was found dead in his house and we need to find out what happened! We’ll be using techniques such as blood stain analysis, hair fiber analysis, fingerprinting and a little bit of criminal psychology to crack this case!
- 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!
- Regenerative Medicine: The Planaria Project - Program FULL, Waitlist Only - Scientists are beginning to understand how to grow parts of the human body by studying organisms that already have this ability, such as the 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. This program is offered at no cost to participants. All levels welcome!
- Virtual Reality Game Design Project - Program FULL, Waitlist Only - Want to change the world? Let’s build one of your very own! Using an online toolkit, students in this program will create games, escape rooms and interactive stories that others can interact with and experience. Participants will learn how to code/create/test virtual worlds and how virtual and augmented reality is being used in the world today.
Week 3: July 24-28 - all programs full
TechVenturers C. Participants in this program will choose a single, in-depth, weeklong project focused on cybersecurity.
- Cybersecurity: Learn to Crush Computer Crime! How do you prevent computer hackers from taking over your personal cell phone, laptop, or gaming system? How do you protect a digital security system or the controls of a smart car? There are countless ways that hackers can steal personal information, attack critical computer networks, and disrupt daily life. Learn how these cybercriminals think and ways they can be stopped! In this fun, interactive program you will learn how to protect personal computer data, digital devices, and networks through a series of collaborative cyber defense/attack games, competitions, and activities focused on uncovering clues, coding, and debugging exercises. Fast paced and fun, like a video game in real life! All levels welcome! Application deadline extended to May 8!
- Hack the Tracks: Build a Digital City… Then Attack! In this dynamic program, campers will design and build a digital city then hack into its critical communication and transportation systems! Where are its weaknesses? How could a cybercriminal take control and spread chaos? How can it be protected from a cyberattack? Through a variety of hands-on games, puzzles, and exercises, students will learn basic computer programming skills and explore concepts related to computer networking, cybersecurity, circuit construction, and electrical engineering. Over the course of the week, campers will create a remote-controlled robot, build a music player, learn how to encrypt secret messages, and more! All skill levels welcome! This program is hosted by UNH’s world-renowned Interoperability Lab. Application deadline extended to May 8!
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. All levels of experience are encouraged to apply!
The regenerative medicine projects are part of a broader workforce development initiative at UNH called NH CREATES, which is focused on regenerative medicine and biofabrication and funded by a National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership grant. Students will be working alongside teacher participants also learning about regenerative medicine and how to incorporate it into their classrooms. All necessary COVID-19 health & safety protocols will be followed.