Invention Bootcamp 2022
Invention Bootcamp at Portland State
Invention Bootcamp is a four-week summer camp for high school students. Participants apply the skills of human-centered design, fabrication and Arduino programming to create an invention that addresses the theme of the camp. For 2022, the theme is wearable technology. On the last day of camp students present their invention to the public.
The camp is taught by PSU faculty and a team of undergraduate engineering students serving as mentors. In addition to learning invention skills, participants spend lots of time in small groups with the mentors to learn about what it’s like to pursue STEM subjects in college. Our goal is to reach high school students who may not be considering a STEM career, or who might not even consider going to college a personal option. By learning about their own potential for creativity and invention, and about the skills that make invention possible, we hope to inspire camp participants to find a path to a professional career.
Features of the 2022 camp
- Sessions are Monday through Friday, July 5 - July 29, 2022, 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
- Participants work daily with college students who are program mentors
- Training in engineering software, computer programming, microcontrollers and electrical circuits
- Participants design and fabricate an invention that they conceive
- Guest speakers show opportunities and practices of invention
- Participants show their inventions at a public Finale webinar