ARE YOU HOSTING THE CAMPS FACE-TO-FACE OR ONLINE THIS YEAR?

We are hosting ITECH-STEM 2022 Summer Technology Camp “face-to-face” (at the University of Houston at Sugar Land) and also “virtually” (online) for interested parents. When you fill out our registration form, you will have an option to choose which “instructional format” you would like. We have been preparing to teach both face-to-face and online and believe that our kids need normalcy and continue to learn in spring and summer, bond and be exposed to emerging STEM and Computer Science topics in a fun and safe setting together with their peers and a great team of UH faculty members, graduate/undergraduate students as mentors and coaches.

We are hosting our LEADERS Spring 2022 camp “virtually” this year. 

WHAT IS THE LEADERS & ITECH-STEM PROJECT?

Both LEADERS spring and ITECH-STEM summer technology camps are part of a larger research project called Innovative Technology Challenges for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (ITECH-STEM) at the College of Education, University of Houston. The main purpose of ITECH-STEM is to develop an innovative program promoting/teaching computer science (CS) and technology (T) topics that are popular and emerging with a STEM focus. Besides the technology camps, the ITECH-STEM activities include STEM Scouts and year-around hack-a-thons/contests/challenges.

The LEADERS (Learn, Engage, and Develop Efficiently through Research and Service) project consists of three weeks of intensive Saturday “workshop labs” consisting of learning sessions in the spring semester with UH faculty, industry experts, and UH students supervising, instructing, and mentoring students. ITECH-STEM develops this project at the University of Houston.

The ITECH-STEM summer camp involves teaching the following Domains:

• Digital Storytelling/Video Production
• 3D-Printing and Modeling
• Coding with Scratch
• Roblox Game Design and Development
• Fun STEM Games and Experiments (Face-to-face camp only)

The LEADERS project involves teaching the following Domains:

• Digital Storytelling/Video Production
• Coding with Scratch
• Roblox Game Design and Development
• Web/HTML/CSS (Middle School Students only)
• Introduction to Python Programming (Middle School Students only)

WHO IS ORGANIZING THIS CAMP?

ITECH-STEM is sponsored by UH STEM Center and Cougar Initiative To Engage (CITE), hosted at UH Sugar Land by the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at College of Education, University of Houston, and directed by faculty at the Department of Curriculum & Instruction.

WHO ARE THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS?

• UH-STEM Center
• Department of Curriculum and Instruction (CUIN)
• Teacher Education Program at College of Education (COE)
• ITECH-STEM, and CodeCougars
• DISTCO (Digital Storytelling Curriculum, Workshops, and Challenges)
• Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS Program (Outreach to underserved populations),
• ACES Institute at COE (Reaching out to 3rd Ward students),
• Local school districts (Recruitment)
• Faculty from Learning Design and Technology program at COE (Program Development)
• TEACH Houston (Recruitment)
• Computer Science Department at NSM (Undergraduate and STEM Experts).

WHO ARE THE CAMPS FOR AND WHAT ARE THE GRADE LEVELS?

We believe in young kids’ ability. They can learn knowledge and skills associated with STEM once they are properly guided and supported.

• We enroll elementary students entering (rising) grades 3 to 6 in the fall semester for the ITECH-STEM summer camp.
• We enroll both elementary and middle school students in grades 3 to 8 in the spring semester for the LEADERS project.

IS THERE A RESEARCH ASPECT OF THIS PROJECT?

Yes, we look at students’ STEM attitudes and their willingness to follow a career in STEM fields. We also measure students’ spatial thinking ability, self-esteem, and growth mindset in these programs. We also contribute to educational research in these areas. ITECH-STEM applies to national grant programs such as National Science Foundation to support STEM education for young kids.

WHAT ARE THE DATES?

• The ITECH-STEM Summer Camp is scheduled between June 6-10, 2022 for 5 consecutive days, Monday through Friday, between 9 am and 3 pm.
• The LEADERS Spring camp will run “virtually” from April 16– 30, 2022. The camp will be held on 3 consecutive Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1 pm, with optional lab time available between 1 – 3 pm. The optional lab time is included in the fee. Students may choose to join this session.

WHAT ARE THE CLASSES AND TOPICS COVERED IN THE LEADERS/ITECH-STEM?

The LEADERS Project involves teaching the following Domains in spring 2022:

• Digital Storytelling/Video Production
• Coding with Scratch
• Roblox Game Design and Development
• Web/HTML/CSS (Middle School Students only)
• Introduction to Python Programming (Middle School Students only)

We focus on the following Domains in the ITECH-STEM camp in the summer of 2022:

• Game Design and Development (Roblox Studio)
• 3D- Modeling & Printing
• Coding with Scratch
• Digital Storytelling/Video Production
• Fun STEM Games and Experiments (Face-to-face camp only)

The camp includes intensive and fun instruction on these domains. Our philosophy is based on project-based learning and hands-on projects. Students complete daily tasks and work on interconnected/interdisciplinary projects.

WHAT IS SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION?

Your child will be assigned to a small group of 5 -7 students supervised and taught by one or two Mentors. Mentors will instruct and help each student individually with their daily tasks and projects during each class period.

WHO ARE MENTORS?

We have undergraduate or graduate students serving as “Instructional Assistants and Mentors” at the camp. These students major in education, computers, science, technology, and other STEM fields. Mentors are responsible for the instruction and supervision of the students. Mentors will also be in direct touch with the parents of the students. A high school volunteer may be assigned to your students’ group as a helper/aid to assist Mentors, depending on the availability.

WHAT IS YOUR STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO?

We are proud to have a 3:1 student to teacher ratio in our small groups allowing us to teach students 1-0n-1 during the majority of activities.

HOW MUCH IS THE CAMP FEE?

The camp fee is $350 per child. There are discounts for siblings, teachers, and UH Employees. The camp fee includes all classes and other camp activities. In addition, we are able to provide partial and full scholarships towards registration fees this year for students with financial needs (LEADERS Spring 2022 Camp only)

WHAT ARE DISCOUNTS?

• Siblings can receive $50 off for each sibling.
• Teachers can receive $50 off for each child.
• UH Employees are eligible for $75 for each child.
• Discounts may be combined. You need to send proof of documentation (ID or pay-stub with registration form) for Teacher and UH Employee discounts. You can find out how much you will need to pay when you complete your registration form at http://www.itechstem.org/register

WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP AND WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

(LEADERS Spring Camp only) Limited Scholarships are available for students with financial needs. We understand that 2021-2022 have been especially hard on some parents due to the pandemic. We provide up to $200 towards your registration fee as a partial scholarship and $350 towards your registration fee as a full scholarship. Parents need to provide the following documents when they apply for scholarships: Documentation showing participation in Free and Reduced Lunch at student’s school, an income statement, and a short essay written by the student.

——–Please note that we are UNABLE to provide scholarships for the ITECH-STEM program in Summer 2022———

SCHOLARSHIP DOCUMENTS

FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM: Student applicants should be current recipients of the Free and Reduced Lunch program at their school (A document proving free and reduced lunch status will be needed. You may need to contact your school to receive a document if you don’t have it already. A screenshot of “free and reduced lunch” status on an official school lunch payment website may be acceptable documentation)

INCOME: If you have a low income as defined by Federal Poverty Guidelines (…), you may qualify for financial assistance. You will need to provide a document showing your income.

STUDENT ESSAY: Students who are applying for scholarships will need to write a 75-100 words short essay explaining why they would like to join this camp, how they would benefit from the camp, their academic performance in school, and their experience and interest in camp topics.

A committee will review the submitted documents and let you know if you qualify for a partial or full scholarship for the registration fee.

HOW CAN I PAY?

We accept payment using major credit/debit cards. There is no fee for paying with a credit/debit card. We are unable to accept checks or cash. Once you fill out the Registration Form, it will redirect you to a separate payment website. Your seat/space in the camp won’t be reserved until you make the final payment by the registration deadline on April 12, 2022, for the LEADERS project and June 2, 2022, for the ITECH-STEM.

CAN MY CHILD PARTICIPATE ONLY FOR A FEW DAYS?

While we strongly encourage students to attend a full week of activities, in some cases, we could allow only a few days of camp participation. The normal camp activities are scaffolded and built upon each other from day 1 to day 5. If you need to start the camp a day late or leave early, please talk to the camp director after you register.

HOW ARE CLASSES/SUBJECTS ARRANGED?

We implement our unique curriculum which builds upon interconnected and interdisciplinary projects throughout the camp. That’s why we offer all four classes (Digital Storytelling, 3D-Printing, Programming and Coding, Microbit Programming) as a package and can’t allow children to choose between the classes. Students will be taking these classes similar to a mini school schedule where they take some classes on certain days and times. Classes will alternate each day to keep students engaged. A full daily schedule will be available during the orientation day for parents and students.

WHAT MATERIALS DO I NEED FOR MY CHILD?

Virtual students— will need to have access to a “desktop” or “laptop computer”. We are unable to provide any computers to our campers. Additionally, students will need a reliable internet connection, microphone, and webcam to participate in the camp. Chromebooks and iPads don’t work with our camp and are not recommended. Virtual students will need to be able to install the software on their computers if needed. Windows or Mac operation system is required. The Linux system doesn’t work with our camp software.

Face-to-face students —may bring a small backpack with a notebook and a pocket folder/binder (not more than 1 inch). Face-to-face students will also need to bring a packed lunch and drink to the camp.

DO YOU PROVIDE ANY MATERIALS FOR CAMPERS?

Prior to the camp, we plan to provide a camp t-shirt to each participant. For the ITECH-STEM summer camp only, students will be provided at least one 3D print design of their choice upon completion of the camp.

HOW DOES THE LUNCH WORK FOR STUDENTS?

Virtual students will take a break to eat their lunch. They may leave the session and come back or eat their lunch together with their group and mentors online.

Face-to-face students will be taken to a classroom designated as a lunchroom to eat their lunch together with their group and mentor at the UH Sugar Land. We are unable to purchase lunch for our students, however, if students forget to bring their lunch, we can provide snacks.

DO YOU PROVIDE SNACKS?

(Face-to-face students only) Yes, we will be able to provide snacks including juice and water during our breaks. We will serve pre-packaged snacks. We will try our best to provide kosher and halal snacks with healthy options such as fruits during the camp day. If you have dietary restrictions for your child, you can let your child’s mentor know of those restrictions.

ARE THERE OTHER ACTIVITIES BESIDES CLASSES?

Yes, students will take recess between classes (10 min- 15 min) during the day. In our face-to-face camps, we go outside for fun activities such as playing summer games and do fun STEM activities such as “watermelon explosion” or “flying drones,”

Virtual students take breaks as well. We have exercises and virtual activities for the break time for our students.

DO YOU HAVE REWARDS?

We are unable to provide physical rewards to our Virtual students. We may have some small rewards available for face-to-face students. However, we will provide certificates to all students who complete their individual tasks and projects at the award ceremony.

We may also offer the University of Houston’s “Digital Badges” to our participants through “Creedly”.

WHAT IS THE AWARD CEREMONY?

We will gather on the last day of the camp to recognize the success and achievements of our students. Students will get certificates and awards and also showcase their completed work. Virtual ITECH-STEM students may attend the Award Ceremony online.

LEADERS Spring camp will feature a Virtual ceremony.

WHAT CAN STUDENTS TAKE HOME THIS YEAR?

Students will be able to take their technology projects home. We will try our best to print 3d models designed by students and to make them available for pickup at a later day.

WHAT ARE OTHER POLICIES?

Parents and Students will need to sign on “Consent to participate in the camp,” “Student Online Code of Conduct & Acceptable Technology Use Policy,” “Work Permission,” “Liability Form,” and “Media Release” when they register.

Face-to-face parents will also need to read and agree with “Drop off/Dismissal/Late Pick Up Policy”.

All policies are available through the registration form. You may read them when you fill out the form.

HOW DO YOU PROTECT THE PRIVACY AND RIGHTS OF CHILDREN ONLINE?

We protect the privacy and rights of children online. We follow The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) in our program. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) imposes specific requirements upon websites and online services that are directed toward children (https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule). We provide a safe environment for the highest protection available with respect to participant’s personal information. We do not collect any individually identifiable information from students whom we know are under the age of 13. To register your child to participate in our activities, we collect certain personal identifiable information and request parental consent.

IS THERE ANY ORIENTATION SESSION FOR PARENTS?

Yes, we will hold an orientation session for parents in the second week of April for the LEADERS project and ITECH-STEM on the first week of June prior to the camp start. Dates will be announced later. Parents will be notified of the details of the orientation session after they register.