STEM Camp for High School Students on the Autism Spectrum

This 4-day camp will be an exploration of how virtual reality works and the exciting ways it can be used to improve how we work, play, and live everyday life! The camp will take place at Penn State's University Park campus during the National Autism Conference and is designed for college-bound high school students who are on the autism spectrum. The camp is brought to you in partnership with the PA Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education, PaTTAN system. Registration will open in mid-late March and the registration fee is only $25 per camper! (Housing not included.) Please visit our website or reach out to us at sciencecamps@science.psu.edu for more information!

When is it?

Monday, August 5th - Thursday August 8th, 2019 (9 AM - 4 PM Monday-Wednesday, ending at noon on Thursday)

Who Can Attend?

College-bound students in grades 9-12 who are on the autism spectrum

What's covered?

What is virtual reality?  How is it being used now and how might it impact our lives in the future? Campers will explore the answers to these questions in this 4-day camp, and will also learn and apply foundational coding skills to get a sense of how humans are creating their own virtual worlds! Along the way, campers will meet Penn State students and scientists to learn how coding and virtual reality are used in many different kinds of exciting scientific research. This camp is designed specifically for college-bound high school students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and will include experiences to help them discover their strengths and apply them in science and the college environment.

This camp will also focus on helping our campers realize the excitement and challenges that await them in college, as well as the resources and strengths they can draw upon to succeed there! Campers will work alongside mentors who are prepared to accommodate their individual differences and learning styles. They will discover and test their own abilities in a safe, accepting environment while learning about the cutting-edge of what we know about virtual reality and where it could take us in the future. In the end, our hope is that campers leave with a invigorated sense of confidence in themselves as well as a deep appreciation for where science has taken us and where it can take us in the future!

Lunch

Lunch will be provided each day in the dining halls on campus.

Camp Times/Check-in

Check-in will be from 8:30 - 9am on Monday, August 5th. Camper drop-off on all other days will be between 8:45 and 9:00 am. Camp ends promptly at 4:00 pm Monday through Wednesday. On Thursday, there will be a closing ceremony/event from 10:30am - 12:00pm, with an optional lunch afterwards. Please arrange to pick your child up promptly at the noted times.

Registration

Please go to this site to register on-line: http://www.cvent.com/d/j6qnn8.  You will be asked to provide contact information.

Cost

Registration fee is $25 per camper and is paid at the time of registration. Financial aid is available and can be requested during the registration process.