MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — For many kids, summer break is the time to have fun and also to sharpen the skills they’re interested in developing, and this week, dozens of kids around the region are taking part in the annual Engineering Challenge Camps at West Virginia University’s Statler College.
“My parents say they wish they could go to it [the camp]. It’s usually my favorite week of summer vacation,” rising 7th grader Lucas Bramer said.
The hands-on learning experience includes capstone projects like building a solar-powered fan, a wheelchair for a disabled dog and a wind-powered car.
Student working on their capstone project during the 2025 Engineering Challenge Camps (WBOY image).
Student working on their capstone project during the 2025 Engineering Challenge Camps (WBOY image).
Students working on their capstone project during the 2025 Engineering Challenge Camps (WBOY image).“I like to do a lot of science camps because I just feel that they help me with my knowledge and I can expand in what I’m able to do,” 6th grader Piper Dudas said.
For some students, this was the first year they were able to attend, and for others, like 7th grader Aalya Kodali, the new challenges keep bringing them back.
”Dad signed me up when I entered a science fair and I lost, I wanted to learn more and my dad signed me up for this and ever since then, I kept coming back. […] I learned a lot about teamwork and what I can do. And just because I’m little and I’m a kid, I can still do a lot,” Kodali said.
Students working on their capstone project during the 2025 Engineering Challenge Camps (WBOY image).Harrison County dentist teams up with Humane Society to save dogs in need
“It’s critical to have these kind of outreach programs for students. Not only for the university trying to get engineers for the future, they’re important to us. But especially to help expose kids to critical thinking skills, different STEM fields,” Senior Camp Counselor Aidan Koon said.
Students working on their capstone project during the 2025 Engineering Challenge Camps (WBOY image).Some students told 12 News that STEM fields will be in their future because of this camp. “I really want to do engineering when I grow up. It is a ton of fun doing the projects and everything,” 7th grader Lily Nale said.
To learn more about the camps and programs available, you can go here.
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