Our mission is to use science, technology and engineering to develop persistent curiosity and to show that knowledge is empowering.

IRIDESCENT SUMMER ENGINEERING CAMP

Students 6 years of age and up are invited to come build exciting models and learn about science and engineering from our engineers. Courses illustrate real-world applications of physics principles.  We have engineering camps at both of our science studios in Los Angeles and New York City. Each course is five days long.

2012 Information

2012 summer camp details will be posted in the spring of 2012.

2011 Topics

Animals as our Engineering Inspiration
When attempting to create man-made flying machines, both Leonardo da Vinci and the Wright brothers studied the way birds fly! Today, scientists and engineers continue to study animals to get inspiration for new inventions and technologies. Children will learn how animals are inspiring new technologies from airplanes to wind turbines. Hands-on projects allow children to practice bio-inspired engineering! (LA & NYC)

Musical Instrument Engineering
Musical instruments create sound by vibrating in different ways. Children will investigate the physics of sound using musical instruments that they create. They will learn how sound is made and how sound travels through different materials. (LA & NYC)

Playful Inventions
Playful Inventions is an approach to using new technologies that integrates art, science, and engineering. The goal is to enable children to create, invent, and explore. This course will teach computer programming using the PicoCricket Kit. Participants will design and program their own artistic creations with lights, sound, music, and motion. (LA)

Underwater Robotics
The underwater robotics course involves Sea Perch robots which are remotely operated underwater vehicles. The SeaPerch Program, created by the MIT Sea Grant Program allows students to build underwater robots for various research activities. (LA & NYC)

Worms vs. Robots
Discover how technology copies nature! Study nematodes (worms) with the scientists from the Bio Bus, then build and program a robot that mimics worm behavior. Engineer your robot and test how it fares in a no holds barred survival-of-the-fittest robot competition! (NYC)