Chippewa Valley Times

All through the summer, more than 300 elementary, middle, and high school students from around the Midwest are experiencing what it’s like to be a student at UW-Stout. In hands-on learning lab and studio experiences led by faculty and university students, they are discovering career paths in science, technology, engineering, and art and design during UW-Stout’s Summer STEAM Experience and Junior STEAM Experience.

The one- to two-week-long camps – several of them brand-new – highlight the value of creativity and critical thinking with activities in drones, genetics, construction, interior design and architecture, plastics engineering, entrepreneurship and more. Two of the new camps for high school students – Robotics-Inspired STEAM Exploration (RISE) Camp and Unspooled Cinema Camp – introduced them not only to what a career in videography and engineering would be like but also gave them a glimpse into film festivals and youth robotics organizations.

“UW-Stout put together a fantastic program. As a parent, I was thrilled with the program’s organization, communication, facilities and services. We were also thoroughly impressed with the academic portion of the camps. We recommend STEAM camps to everyone we know,” said Nicole Anspach.

Registration for STEAM and Junior STEAM Experience is still open for upcoming camps. Students showcase their projects on the final day of camp.

Meanwhile across campus in Jarvis Hall Science Wing robots roved up and down the hall. Five teams of RISE campers were led by UW-Stout engineering technology students Holly Hultman and Payton Eskildsen along with technology education student Ryder Bendixen.

Following Robits by AndyMark kit instructions similar to an advanced LEGO kit teams constructed motorized robots with retractable arms using REV Hardware block-based programming creating individually designed 3D-printed claws for better design according to Bendixen from Mukwonago.

Hultman from St. Michael Minnesota; Eskildsen from Waupaca built RISE curriculum inspired by STEPS for Girls FIRST Tech Challenge fostering curiosity innovation inclusivity in STEAM pilot-tested last spring semester by middle high school students from UW-Stout's First Robotics team STORM.

With help from Cassie Kopp UW-Stout's photo video minor adviser teams used Canva crafting branding logos learned webpage development media skills documented design journey photos videos created graphic designs social media posts marketing brands.

Bendixen designed campers’ final competition assigning five teams series color-coded game pieces placed within 12-by-12-foot arena maneuvering robots around obstacles using claws collecting depositing pieces designated bin.

One team branded The Gear Heads designed longer claw extending robot reach farther than original adding scalloped inner edge arrow-shaped point end pincer feature tested grip Aiden’s phone recorded short video success learning finesse moving programmed joystick as Aiden popped wheely robot flipped backward “I really wanted give robotics try hadn’t thought marketing before valuable skill too” Leo said

A second team Terra-Bit Foundations added color sensors rubber bands Terra-Bit’s claws added grip “Hopefully competition sensor sees color tell claw recognizes game pieces pick different color appears front sensor won’t detect piece claw won’t extend” Mathew said attending fourth summer camp first robotics experience “Block-based programming paired Java simpler visual program easier read script”

Equipped industry-standard tools techniques ten students brought short films life big screen Unspooled Film Animation Camp inspired annual festival juried event featuring regional international independent storytellers Led Assistant Professor Jonathan Wheeler writing narratives learning production fundamentals shooting editing lighting effects planning composing shots stepping green screen Motion Capture Studio Micheels Hall blending live action animation motion graphics screened last day camp

While hosting video-related past first year carried name delving deeply both production 2D animation Wheeler aimed getting think designers technical skills pursuing creative process rather waiting inspiration strike “Students need story tell interest sharing unique perspectives audience craft engaging story want make thing take potentially enter festival” Wheeler said

“I want Stout place generates creative community” he added And creative community coalesced among participants Teddy Fountain Chicago worked comedic short Hamster War owner failure feed pets leads dire consequences enjoyed learning beginning processes coming idea professional software Adobe Premiere Toon Boom “They have really nice tech room” Denim Schemenauer Eau Claire collaborating Fountain Jack Pick Eau Claire never drawn tablet drawing really nice Elsewhere another trio worked Panic Attack interpreting title blend moody live-action animation shadowy silhouetted creatures

Asher Angus-Huebner Eau Claire attended different previous summer signed explore artistic interests “Want career art don’t know thing yet wanting try animation interesting unique thing” One collaborators Emily Paul Germantown similar goal multiple fields involve art narrow down

Sponsored Menomonie Chippewa Falls Eau Claire districts Parker Xcel Energy Foundation partnership Continuing Education Conferences unit Educational Pathways Outreach Athletics offering multiple youth sports coaches staff athletes basketball football flag football gymnastics soccer baseball lacrosse track volleyball dance Adventures Youth Climbing League introductory activities empowering ages 6-12 experienced instructors lead all skill levels session scheduled Tuesdays Wednesdays July 22 Aug 27