2023 High School Summer Camps

Our Summer 2023 Camp Schedule is set! Registration will open at NOON on February 24, 2023.

  Food Science Camp

OSU Campus * Entering Grades 9–12 * June 21-23 * 9AM-12PM * $110 * Needs-based scholarships available

Did you know that a food scientist has had a role in every food you see in the supermarket? Food scientists come up with the recipe, figure out how to make it, keep it fresh and make sure it is safe to eat! In this 3 day camp, students will learn:  the science of making excellent ice cream from the folks at the Portland Food Innovation Center (helped launch Salt & Straw), formulate their own product and then test to see if the public likes it, and finally, delve into culinary chemistry and come to understand the role fats, protein and carbohydrates play in our foods.  Embedded in each activity, students will also learn safe food handling practices and optimal conditions for keeping foods safe. Definitely a camp for foodies!

    “Blender” Camp

OSU Campus * Entering Grades 9-12 * June 26-30 * 9AM-NOON * $160 * Needs-based scholarships available

Are you in awe of the 3D computer graphics you see in movies, TV shows, and games?  Do you wonder what it takes to do that?  Do you think that you can be creative like that too, if only you could just get started?  Have we got a camp for you!  Blender is a totally awesome software package that allows you to do your own 3D modeling, rendering, and animation.  In this camp, you will use it to learn 3D viewing, moving objects in 3D, creating 3D geometry, coloring, lighting, rendering, and animation. It’s demanding computer work, but the results will amaze you! Best of all, Blender software is free, so you can keep using it long after the camp is over. This camp will cover a large variety of fun Blender topics and is designed for those students who will enjoy a high-intensity creative experience.

   Toxicology Camp

OSU Campus * Entering Grades 9-12 * June 26-28 * 1-4PM * $110 * Needs-based scholarships available

What is toxicology? It is the study of how chemicals and substances affect people, animals, and the earth! In this camp, students will explore what it means for a chemical or substance to be "toxic" or "safe." We'll also learn about ways to protect humans and the environment from toxins. Our student scientists will get to conduct their own toxicology experiments and analyze their data. Activities will reflect real-world challenges that scientists in toxicology and environmental chemistry face. We will go into “the field” to sample the environment, test chemical effects in daphnia, and explore molecular mechanisms in glowing zebrafish.

  Color Innovation Workshop

OSU Campus * Entering Grades 9-12 * June 29 & 30 * 1-4PM * $80 * Needs-based scholarships available

Do you want to learn about color trends and forecasting, color symbolism, and color schemes in the design sphere? People make decisions about purchasing products primarily based on product color. In this hands-on workshop, students will learn and apply design concepts and color strategies that designers and marketers use to develop and promote products that consumers love. Students will brainstorm color schemes and apply color theory to develop Mood Boards and Flat Lays that focus on color and branding.

  Microbiology Camp

OSU Campus (plus travel by bus) * Entering Grades 10-12 * July 10-14 * 9AM-4PM (M-Th) & 8AM-5PM (F) * $300 (Lunch Provided) * Needs-based scholarships available

During this week-long immersive science camp high-students will learn about three subfields of microbiology including, Food System Science, Human Health and Disease, and Aquatic Microbiology. Students will conduct microbiology focused laboratory experiments, learn critical science skills, go on field trips, including a day trip to the Oregon coast to visit Hatfield Marine Station, and hear from diverse speakers across the field of microbiology about career avenues and opportunities in science, technology, and education. Not only will we provide this hands-on experience, but we will also host informational sessions where students can learn how to look for scholarships or research opportunities, as well as discuss non-traditional paths to higher education. The aim of this camp is to provide students with an introduction to microbiological concepts and laboratory techniques relevant to college level curriculum. Please note: optional transportation starting and ending at Corvallis, South Albany, Lebanon, or Harrisburg high schools will be provided to and from camp between 8:00-8:30AM and 4:00-4:30PM (M-Th) and 7:30-8:00 and 5:00-5:30 (F). Optional snacks, beverages, and conversation available at OSU each morning from 8:30-9:00.

  OSU Summer Transportation Institute

OSU Campus (plus travel by bus) * Entering Grades 9-12 * July 17-21* 9AM-4PM (M-Th) & 9AM-2:30PM (F) * No Charge (Lunch Provided)

Have you ever wondered how transportation systems are planned, designed, constructed, operated, and maintained? In this camp, students will engage in a combination of hands-on learning and local field trips that emphasize the importance and breadth of the transportation engineering discipline. Activities, including lunch, may include local walking tours, drone flights, operation of driving and bicycling simulators, and a design session in which students will have the opportunity to propose solutions to real-world transportation challenges. Field trips may include tours of the Eugene Airport and the OSU Marine Studies Building in Newport and presentations on topics including transportation resilience, distracted driving, engineering ethics, and emerging modes of transportation. Note: This program has received substantive external funding from FHWA and ODOT and will be offered at no cost to participating students. ONLY Oregon residents are eligible for this camp. Acceptance into this camp will depend on their application. The first step will be to complete the online registration for this camp, after which students will submit short answers to a few questions to be considered for acceptance.

  Cyber Camp

OSU Campus * Entering Grades 9-12 * July 24-28 * 10AM-4PM (M, Tu, W, F) and 10am-2PM (Th) * NO CHARGE

Cybersecurity is an increasingly important field as technology continues to play a major role in our lives. From protecting personal and sensitive information to securing critical infrastructure, cybersecurity is a crucial aspect of modern society. This makes it an excellent career choice for those who are interested in problem-solving, technology and security. In this exciting camp, you’ll be introduced some of the skills and techniques needed to solve a cyber crime. Join us and you’ll trace the path of cyber attackers through a network, dig up clues by performing digital forensics, and hopefully nab the hacker before they get away.  Taught by cybersecurity professionals, with guest speakers with various areas of expertise, this cyber camp will be a great introduction to the field of cybersecurity and an opportunity to meet new friends and have fun while developing skills that will be valuable in the future. Our goal is to provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment where participants can explore their interest in cybersecurity. No prior background in cybersecurity is needed.  Please Note: The camp will also include an optional industry-led banquet organized in collaboration with the Technology Association of Oregon, providing an excellent opportunity for networking and learning more about the field. This is expected to take place in Portland (Sylvania Campus of Portland Community College) on Thursday, July 27th (tentatively 5PM – 7PM) and is included in the camp cost (transportation options and other details will be available soon).

  Virtual “Blender” Camp

Virtual * Entering Grades 9-12 * August 14-18 * 9AM-NOON * $160 * Needs-based scholarships available

Are you in awe of the 3D computer graphics you see in movies, TV shows, and games?  Do you wonder what it takes to do that?  Do you think that you can be creative like that too, if only you could just get started?  Have we got a camp for you!  Blender is a totally awesome software package that allows you to do your own 3D modeling, rendering, and animation.  In this camp, you will use it to learn 3D viewing, moving objects in 3D, creating 3D geometry, coloring, lighting, rendering, and animation. It’s demanding computer work, but the results will amaze you! Best of all, Blender software is free, so you can keep using it long after the camp is over. This camp will cover a large variety of fun Blender topics and is designed for those students who will enjoy a high-intensity creative experience. Please note: please go to blender.org and load the Blender software onto your computer and make sure it runs before signing up for this camp.

  Virtual "Processing" Camp

Virtual * Entering Grades 9-12 * August 14-16 * 1-4PM * $110 * Needs-based scholarships available

Have you ever wanted to learn to program a computer without a lot of the jargon and buzzwords? Have you especially wanted to use it for loops, swirls, colors, and painting? Well, then, this opportunity is for you! This course is a non-threatening introduction to programming a computer for all-things-visual. We will learn to program in a simple "real language" called Processing (http://www.processing.org). We will use it for both 2D and 3D. We will use it for static pictures, painting, and animation. Programming this way will be fun, creative, and will have a beauty that will surprise you! Please note: please make sure that you can access Processing on your device by either downloading the software (http://www.processing.org) or by using the online version (https://editor.p5js.org) before signing up for this camp.