Due to ongoing COVID safety protocols and a focus on the health and safety of our campers, faculty, and staff, and our local community,  Penn State Mont Alto will not be hosting in-person STEM and Teen Entrepreneur Camps in summer 2021 and will be offering a series of engaging and educational virtual programs to middle and high school students over the summer months.

Summer programming is suitable for middle school and high school students (depending on individual strengths and level of experience). If you have any questions regarding the suitability of any of these programs for your child, please email ceclassinfo@ma.psu.edu or call (717) 749-4117.

New programs will be added over the coming weeks, please check back often for updates. 

SUMMER 2021 VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
Please review the schedule closely as some programs are stand-alone, one-day sessions, and some are grouped in a series of sessions that are scheduled over multiple dates.

STEM Challenges and Experiments (ages 8-11 and 12-15)
Do fun challenges and experiments come to mind when you think about summer camp? If so,  then join our daily live Zoom session to receive your challenge of the day. This program offers exciting and innovative ways to get hands-on experience with important Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical concepts and projects. 

• Dates: June 28 to  July 2, 2021
• Times:
  • noon to 1 p.m. for ages 8 to 11
  • 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 15
• Price: $125
• Delivered via Zoom 
• Registration for 8 to 11-year olds 
• Registration for 12 to 15-year olds 

The program fee includes a kit with supplies needed for each daily lesson. Families will need to provide some supplies (ex. an empty water bottle). Kits will be shipped to the address provided during registration. Please register by 6/21 to ensure timely delivery.
 

Explore Your World from Anywhere (Ages 11-15)
Are you interested in exotic wildlife, ancient civilizations, or people in far-away countries? SPend the summer virtually exploring new places using Google Earth. In this session, you'll learn how to find information, pictures, and maps and put them on your own Google Earth map, and we'll show you some existing maps to help you get started on your own explorations. 

• Dates: July 12 and July 19 
• Times: Monday, 1 p.m. to  2 p.m. 
• Price: $40
• Delivered via Zoom (will also use Google Drive)

No materials are needed, but a Google account and the Chrome browser are required. Curiosity is a must. 

Online registration is now open. 

Astronomy Edutainment (Ages 11-15)
Immerse yourself in a fun and educational trip to space guided by Penn State Mont Alto Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy Kim Herrmann. Explore five online astronomy resources: SkyMaps.com, Stellarium, Kurzgesagt videos, APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day), and the Digital Universe. Participants will have a chance to explore some of the resources in breakout rooms before reconvening to share their findings. 

• Dates: July 8 and 15
• Times: 10:30 a.m. to noon
• Price: $50
• Delivered via Zoom 

Online registration is now open. 

Scratch Gaming and Programming (Ages 11-15)
Using the program language Scratch, you will create and program your own animations, games, and interactive stories. You will learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively which are all essential skills in today?s world.

Participants will be required to sign up for a Scratch account prior to the first day of camp. Upon registration, you will receive an email with your classroom link and instructions on how to create a Scratch account.

• Dates: July 13, 20, 27, and August 3
• Times: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 
• Price: $80 (includes 4H membership through Sept. 30, 2021; current 4H members receive a $20 registration discount)
• Delivered via Zoom 

Online registration is now open. 

Cryptography: The making (and breaking) of secret codes (ages: 10-14)
Every time you send a text you?re creating coded information that is decoded as it's read. Codes are everywhere: websites, online games, and digital photography. In this session, we will learn how some codes work and how to use them to send secret messages. 

• Date: July 7, 2021
• Times: Wednesday 10:30 - 12:00 p.m.
• Price: $30
• Delivered via Zoom

Online registration is now open. 
 

Bird Brain Finch Robots (Ages 11-15)
Code masters and novices alike will love programming our Finch robot from a distance in this fun, interactive camp session. Participants will use NetsBlox, Python, or Javascript coding language to control our Finch robot from afar.  We?ll even ?hack? the special robots at the Birdbrain Technologies lab. Designed for those with more advanced coding experience, this session will help participants take their coding skills to the next level and create connections to real-life coding and computer science careers.

• Dates: July 14, 21, 28, and August 4
• Times: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 
• Price: $80 (includes 4H membership through Sept. 30, 2021; current 4H members receive a $20 registration discount)
• Delivered via Zoom 

Online registration is now open. 

Game Changineer (Ages 11-15)
Game Changineer is a way to learn coding concepts using plain, object-oriented English.  Participants will program a game using the Changineer coding platform, learning and utilizing logical reasoning, problem-solving, algorithm formation, and critical thinking skills.  Designed for a lower-level coding experience, Game Changineer will deliver entry-level computer science and coding concepts while creating a fun and unique video game that can be shared with friends and family.  Begin your coding journey and become a Game Changineer. 

• Dates: July 15, 22, 29, and August 5
• Times: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 
• Price: $80 (includes 4H membership through Sept. 30, 2021; current 4H members receive a $20 registration discount)
• Delivered via Zoom 

Online registration is now open. 

STEM Career Exploration (Ages 11-15)
Explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math topics through demonstrations, research, activities, and presentations by professionals in a variety of STEM fields. Students will engage with the material in an interactive way and learn about the various career options available in STEM.

• Dates: August 2 - 6
• Times: 9 a.m. to noon 
• Price: $200
• Delivered via Zoom (will also use Google Drive)

Any supplemental materials will be shipped to the address provided during registration. Please register by July 19 to ensure timely delivery.

Online registration is now open. 

Parents and/or guardians, please familiarize yourself with the Penn State Youth Program policies that are in place to ensure the safety of youth participating in our programs, activities, and services.