Virtual GEAR UP Camp Helps Students Plan for College
Game Changer Camp for middle and high school students went virtual this summer to create an interactive learning experience. The CHAOS Lab and FOCUS training combined STEM-based textiles, coding, and design lessons with leadership and public speaking. This led students to learn new things and gain confidence as they learned the importance of college- and career-readiness.
Students sewed programmable sensors into clothing, bags, and even stuffed animals while learning about circuitry, coding, engineering, and design
Elise models a light-up sensor in a hoodie that she programmed to play Beethoven's "Fur Elise"
Anna shares her notes from the online career discussion
While many camps didn't happen this summer, USU STARS! GEAR UP Game Changer camp moved to a virtual platform, and made the most of the experience. Partnering with CHAOS Lab and FOCUS Training gave students both hands-on STEM-focused activities, and soft-skills training like last year's camp. Instructors and counselors met with students many times a day over video chat. Meetings included instruction, time for individual work, along with time for discussion, sharing, and reflection.
“We wanted participants to recognize that STEM isn’t just about labs and test tubes,” said Kristin Searle, lead researcher at the CHAOS Lab. “You can also make cool light-up clothing and accessories,” and learn while having fun. Working with the CHAOS Lab gave students a new perspective on STEM, one that they could see themselves doing. Students received supply materials before the camp started. After some basic circuit instruction, the first project was to make a light up bracelet. This allowed students to get familiar with sewing using conductive thread and the principles of switches.
The main project involved making a human sensor by creating conductive patches connected to a programmable microcontroller. Students programmed their own project to light-up, created different patterns, and some even added sound. They brought their own interests and personality to the projects. One student who loves cheese and being cheesy made a cheese-themed light up bracelet. Another student, an Eagle Scout, made a light up backpack. “In the process of making these two projects, students learned about circuitry, coding, engineering, and design,” said Searle. “At the end of the week, we asked them to explore careers related to the skills learned in the projects and pick a relevant college major.”
This was FOCUS Training’s second year leading the soft-skill building sessions at Game Changer Camp. Executive trainers Alyssa Chang and Latrell Armstrong narrowed in on topics like teamwork, personal branding, public speaking, prioritization and time-management, and leadership skills. Students learned during large group webinars and individual self-guided modules while earning participation points. “The highlights of the week were the webinars, especially our graduation webinar,” said Chang. “Being able to interact with students in real-time through challenges and competitions allowed us to feel connected in the virtual environment, and we loved being able to recognize specific students for the noteworthy effort they put forth throughout the camp.”
“This camp was so fun and interactive,” said Elise from American Preparatory Academy, in West Valley City, UT. “I was surprised at how easily we were able to participate and communicate throughout the camp… this camp will probably be one of the highlights of my summer because of how fun, interesting, and challenging it was.” Elise was one of 29 students, ranging from 8th to 10th grade, from seven schools across the state. These students logged a total of 726 hours on projects and interactions throughout the week.
Students appreciated the scheduling, interactions, and time for self-paced activities during the week. One student liked returning to FOCUS training after dinner, while many commented on making connections with new friends at the Zoom meetings. Students also liked the module learning approach, especially the public speaking, prioritization, and time management sections. The combination of hands-on STEM-focused activities, and soft-skill building kept students interested and engaged. Game Changer camp helped students see that now is the time to start preparing for college and thinking about careers that might interest them.