Engineering Summer Program for middle & high school students is June 16-July 3

Racecar and aircraft design and simulation; 3-dimensional virtual reality and video games; and visits to a museum, space center and local industry are among topics and activities awaiting middle school and high school students who participate in Purdue University Calumet’s Engineering Summer Program, June 16-July 3.

The program, scheduled weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., features a combination of hands-on laboratory activities, classroom interaction, and field trips and tours. The program is split into two tracks: one for incoming eighth and ninth graders, the other for high school students.

“This program is a great opportunity for students to explore the world of engineering,” Purdue Calumet Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering George Nnanna said. “Attendees will learn about the important roles engineers play in society and the numerous and exciting career paths available in engineering.”

Participants will explore topics relating to 3-D virtual reality and video games; voice and signal recognition and manipulation; racecar and aircraft design and simulation; bridge design construction, testing and safety; robotics; biomedical engineering; solid state electronics cooling; nanotechnology; and more. They will engage in learning activities using the latest engineering software and hardware, as well as learn more about the jobs of engineers during field trips to northwest Indiana and Chicago locations.

Additionally, attendees will learn principles of operating a moonbuggy, a human-powered vehicle of two riders. For an international competition through an obstacle course, Purdue Calumet engineering students designed and raced their moonbuggy earlier this spring.

Students with a minimum grade point average of at least 3.2 (4.0 scale) who have achieved an average grade of at least “B” in science and mathematics courses are eligible to apply for the program. The $80 student fee includes a daily lunch, transportation to and from field trips, and museum entry fees. Need-based program scholarships are available.

An application form and additional information is available on line at http://engineering.calumet.purdue.edu/summer/ or by phoning 219/989-2472 or 800/HI-PURDUE, ext. 2472. Due to limited seating, students/parents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

News Release Date: May 29, 2008