STEP Academies

STEP students can participate in experiential, learning-based academies. Academies take place during the fall, spring, and summer times. Please refer to the information below, and feel free to contact the Director for more information.

 

 

2024 Summer Sessions

Please note the variety of summer programming we are offering this summer. We have the Summer Academies taking place from the middle of July through the beginning of August. Students can sign up for as many academies as they would like! Then, in the month of August, we have a very special Robotics Course planned by popular demand. See below for more details!

 

Summer Academies

Forensic Science July 15th - July 18th	Unleash your inner detective in our hands-on forensic science class! Dive into the thrilling world of crime scene investigation as you learn essential techniques in fingerprinting, DNA analysis, and evidence collection. Discover the secrets behind solving mysteries through real-life simulations and interactive experiments. Join us and uncover the science behind cracking cases!
Cyber Security July 22nd - July 25th	Join us and dive into the dynamic world of cybersecurity with our interactive class! Explore the fascinating realm of digital defense as you delve into topics like encryption, network security, and ethical hacking. Get hands-on experience honing your skills to protect against cyber threats in today's interconnected world. Join us and become a guardian of the digital frontier!
Fun with Physics July 29th - August 1st	Step into the captivating world of physics with this exciting and dynamic class! Discover the fundamental principles of the universe through hands-on experiments, interactive demonstrations, and thought-provoking discussions. From the mysteries of motion and energy to the marvels of electricity and magnetism, this class will ignite your curiosity and inspire your imagination. Join us as we explore the forces that shape this world and make physics an engaging and memorable experience for all!

If you are interested, but not already enrolled in the STEP Program, please note you must first be accepted into the STEP program by filling out our program application. Once enrolled in STEP, you can register for the Saturday Academies by filling out our registration form.

 

Coding and Robotics Battle Bots Competition

Embark on an exhilarating eight-day adventure into the world of robotics, designed for enthusiasts of all levels, no coding experience required! Immerse yourself in the thrill of building, programming, and customizing your own robot using intuitive tools like Arduino and an array of sensors. Each day is packed with exciting challenges, from navigating obstacle courses to engaging in sumo bot battles, all culminating in a grand robotics showdown. This program is not just about learning—it's about having a blast while diving into the fascinating world of robotics. Whether you're maneuvering your bot through a maze or cheering on your team in a friendly competition, you're in for a fun-filled journey of discovery and creativity. Join us and transform your curiosity into capability, all while having the time of your life in our dynamic robotics playground!

 

We propose an engaging eight-day program centered on robotics and coding, where participants will learn to build, program, and modify robots for various challenges. Using Arduino and diverse sensors, this program is designed to provide hands-on experience in robotics, fostering skills in engineering, programming, problem-solving, and creativity.

 

Day 1 - August 5th Introduction and Robot Assembly	Program overview, Arduino basics, and introductory robotics concepts. Start building the robots, focusing on assembly and basic motion control programming.
Day 2 - August 6 Sensor Integration and Control	Introduce ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection and navigation. Integrate and program line-following sensors for path tracking.
Day 3 - August 7 Sumo Bot Modification	Modify robots for sumo wrestling, focusing on design and strategy. Implement programming adjustments for sumo bot tactics.
Day 4 - August 8 Claw Modification and Object Manipulation	Adapt robots to include a functional claw for grabbing objects. Program the claw for object manipulation and control.
Day 5 - August 12 Sumo Bot Competition	Host a sumo bot tournament to test design, strategy, and programming.
Day 6 - August 13 Line Following and Autonomous Navigation	Conduct a line-following race, emphasizing speed and accuracy. Challenge robots to autonomously navigate through a course using integrated sensors.
Day 7 - August 14 Manuel Control and Object Manipulation	Engage in a manual control challenge, focusing on precision and skill. Include an object retrieval and placement task using the robot's claw.
Day 8 - August 15 The Ultimate Robotics Challenge and Closure	A comprehensive challenge that combines elements from the entire program. Conclude with a showcase of robots, an awards ceremony, and a discussion on the lessons and experiences throughout the program.

 

The competition will end with a presentation session for participants to showcase their robots and a ceremony to acknowledge achievements across various categories. If you are interested, but not already enrolled in the STEP Program, please note you must first be accepted into the STEP program by filling out our program application. Once enrolled in STEP, you can register for the Saturday Academies by filling out our robotics registration form.