college of engineering, technology, and computer science
etcs summer exploration camps
Excited about STEM.
Designed to expose young students to all the fascinating areas of STEM, Summer Explorations offers four distinct areas of exploration: computer science, math and science, engineering, and physics. Check out what’s coming up.
For those needing financial assistance, please contact Autumn Wise @ [email protected] or 260-481-4145 for more information on how to submit the scholarship application. You must apply for the scholarship and be approved BEFORE registering for a camp.
*Grade listed is for grade the student will be entering into the fall of 2026
Entering Grades 2nd-5th in the Fall 2026
Offered by: College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science
Dates: July 6 - 10, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. - 3:30p.m.
Age: Grades 2–5
Fee: $285
INNOVATION
Your camper will make a splash in the world of innovation as they ride the exciting waves of entrepreneurship! From brainstorming bright ideas to pitching their own prototypes, they’ll dive into creativity while exploring the wonders of ocean science along the way.
CREATIVITY
Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure as your young explorer will launch a mission to find and prepare a brand-new planet for human life! They’ll use their creativity to invent clever tools to handle extreme conditions, reshape the terrain and breathe life into their exoplanet, transforming it into the next Earth.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Powered by the superpowers of the I Can Invent® Mindset, your camper will join forces with the Innovation Force® – real-life superhero inventors from the National Inventors Hall of Fame®! Together, they tackle tricky problems from their own backyards to far-off places, dreaming up bold new inventions while outsmarting the sneaky Infringers who are always trying to snatch their genius ideas!
PERSISTENCE
Get ready for some mystery-solving fun! Your young detective will put their investigation skills to the test as they crack a string of silly crimes, with help from a trusty team of robotic capybaras! They’ll follow puzzling footprints, gather tufts of fluffy fur, examine curious splatters and uncover all kinds of wacky clues along the way.
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756.
Registration link coming soon!
Offered by: College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science
Dates: July 13 - 17, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. - 3:30p.m.
Age: Grades 2–5
Fee: $285
INNOVATION
Your camper will make a splash in the world of innovation as they ride the exciting waves of entrepreneurship! From brainstorming bright ideas to pitching their own prototypes, they’ll dive into creativity while exploring the wonders of ocean science along the way.
CREATIVITY
Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure as your young explorer will launch a mission to find and prepare a brand-new planet for human life! They’ll use their creativity to invent clever tools to handle extreme conditions, reshape the terrain and breathe life into their exoplanet, transforming it into the next Earth.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Powered by the superpowers of the I Can Invent® Mindset, your camper will join forces with the Innovation Force® – real-life superhero inventors from the National Inventors Hall of Fame®! Together, they tackle tricky problems from their own backyards to far-off places, dreaming up bold new inventions while outsmarting the sneaky Infringers who are always trying to snatch their genius ideas!
PERSISTENCE
Get ready for some mystery-solving fun! Your young detective will put their investigation skills to the test as they crack a string of silly crimes, with help from a trusty team of robotic capybaras! They’ll follow puzzling footprints, gather tufts of fluffy fur, examine curious splatters and uncover all kinds of wacky clues along the way.
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756.
Registration link coming soon!
Entering Grades 4th-5th in the Fall 2026
Offered by: College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science
Dates: June 15 - 19, 2026
Time: 8:30am - 12:30pm
Age: Grades 4–5
Max Enrollment: 20 students
Fee: $165
Kids entering 4th grade through 5th grade are invited to join us on campus for a week of hands-on activities to explore the world of engineering in a fun and interactive way. Led by a team of PFW professors from the College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science, campers will explore a different type of engineering each day along with industry partners and current PFW engineering students.
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756.
Registration link coming soon!
Entering Grades 6th-8th in the Fall 2026
Offered by: College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science
Dates: June 8 - 12, 2026
Time: 8:30am – 12:30 pm
Age: Grades 6-8
Max enrollment: 12 students
Fee: $145.00
Join forces with a team to master the art of combining autonomous and remote-controlled robots to tackle exciting challenges. You'll strategize on building, programming, coding, and creating custom attachments, while learning how to manipulate the VEX robots for the week’s mini challenge. Along the way, gain insights into the field of engineering.
This camp welcomes participants of all experience levels. Under the guidance of a professional engineer and experienced technology teacher, you'll engage in hands-on exploration and skill-building, with instructors sharing valuable real-world knowledge throughout the journey.
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756
Registration link coming soon!
Offered by: The College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science
Dates: June 15 - 19, 2026
Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Age: Grades 6–8
Max enrollment: 20 students
Fee: $145.00
This summer, you can grab an amazing opportunity to learn from Purdue Fort Wayne professors in engineering, technology, and computer science. Discover PFW inside engineering and computer labs when you experience a variety of projects. Each day, your camp will rotate through different sessions to meet instructors, engage in hand-on activities, and watch enlightening demonstrations. Hear from experts about subjects like artificial intelligence, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, computers and coding, and more. You will explore topics that interest you and get answers to questions about how they relate to your world and your future career. Join us and be a part of this new PFW Exploration Camp!
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756
Registration link coming soon!
Offered by: The College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science
Dates: June 22 - 26, 2026
Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Age: Grades 6–8
Max enrollment: 20 students
Fee: $145.00
Get ready for a splash of adventure at Water that Works Camp, where middle schoolers take a deep dive into the world of water! This one-of-a-kind camp is packed with hands-on activities, behind-the-scenes tours, and eye-opening discoveries about water’s journey from nature to your tap.
Over the week, campers will tour key City Utilities locations, exploring everything from cutting-edge water filtration systems to the engineering marvels of dams. Each day, a new aspect of water will be revealed—from understanding how we fight pollution and keep our rivers clean to learning how microgrids and advanced technologies ensure water is delivered efficiently and sustainably.
Camp highlights include:
- Water Filtration Challenge: Work in teams to design your own mini filtration system!
- Dams and Engineering Day: Visit a local dam and get a close-up look at how these structures help manage water flow and provide power.
- Water Pollution Solutions: Discover the impacts of pollution and learn about innovative solutions that protect our waterways.
- Microgrid Mastery: Explore how water and energy systems connect through microgrids and learn how this technology powers modern utilities.
With interactive experiments, field trips, and expert guest speakers, you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the science and technology that keeps our water clean, safe, and flowing. Join us for a summer of discovery, teamwork, and a ton of water fun!
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756
Registration link coming soon!
Offered by: Department of Computer Science
Dates: July 13 - 17, 2026
Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Age: Grades 6-8
Max enrollment: 20 students
Fee: $145.00
Do you have an interest in video game design? This week-long summer camp will go through the fundamentals of creating a game. No previous game-making skills are required. You will learn game design basics by creating analog games (card games, board games, and physical games like Rock, Paper, Scissors.) and analyzing what makes a game fun and engaging. Then we create small interactive 2D and 3D digital games using the Unity Game Engine.
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756.
Registration link coming soon!
Offered by: College of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science
Dates: July 20 - 24, 2026
Time: 8:30am – 12:30 pm
Age: Grades 6-8
Max enrollment: 12 students
Fee: $145.00
Join forces with a team to master the art of combining autonomous and remote-controlled robots to tackle exciting challenges. You'll strategize on building, programming, coding, and creating custom attachments, while learning how to manipulate the VEX robots for the week’s mini challenge. Along the way, gain insights into the field of engineering.
This camp welcomes participants of all experience levels. Under the guidance of a professional engineer and experienced technology teacher, you'll engage in hands-on exploration and skill-building, with instructors sharing valuable real-world knowledge throughout the journey.
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756
Registration link coming soon!
Entering Grades 9th-12th in the Fall 2026
Offered by: Department of Computer Science
Dates: June 8 - 12, 2026
Time: TBA
Age: Grades 9-12
Max enrollment: 20 students
Fee: $145
Are you interested in video game design? This week-long summer camp will introduce you to the fundamentals of game design—no prior experience needed! You will explore what makes both digital and analog games engaging by analyzing core elements like mechanics, storytelling, and player interaction. Then, using the Unity Game Engine, you will bring your ideas to life by creating interactive Augmented Reality (AR) games. By the end of the camp, you’ll have hands-on experience designing and developing small AR projects.
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756.
Registration link coming soon!
Offered by: Department of Polytechnic
Dates: June 8 - 12, 2026
Time: TBA
Age: Grades 9-12
Max enrollment: 8 students
Fee: $145
Explore the world of machining tools through hands-on applications in the creation of a basic project. Learn layout and measuring strategies. Operate a metal lathe and a milling machine, and in a short time, watch your materials transform from unassembled pieces into a useful item. Become familiar with CNC machining and programming through demonstrations of HAAS machines.
During the camp, you will be able to chat each day with professionals from local industry who visit the machine shop to share their work experience in the industrial field and answer questions about careers. This hands-on workshop guided by experts provides access and training on tools that you may not normally use. It is a small class so register soon and let the chips fly.
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756.
Registration link coming soon!
Offered by: Department of Computer Science
Dates: June 8 - 12, 2026
Time: 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Age: Grades 9-12
Max enrollment: 20 students
Fee: $145
"Explore the World of AI This Summer at Purdue University Fort Wayne!"
Unlock the Future with AI Ignite Camp! Dive into the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence at our week-long residential AI Ignite Camp, specially designed for rising Sophomore, Junior and Senior high school students. This unique camp at Purdue University Fort Wayne offers an immersive experience in AI, blending expert-led learning with fun campus student life and city explorations.
- Learn from the Experts: Engage with topics like machine learning, neural networks, and AI ethics taught by experts.
- Hands-On Experience: Build and develop your AI projects and learn the practical skills needed in the rapidly evolving tech world.
- Capstone Project: Showcase your newfound knowledge in a capstone project, presenting it to faculty, parents, and peers on the final day.
Explore and Enjoy Purdue University Fort Wayne!
- Balance learning with social activities as you discover the campus through group activities.
Develop lasting friendships and network with like-minded peers within our campus's vibrant setting.
Questions? Contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756.
Registration link coming soon!
Other PFW Campus Camp Opportunities
Interested in Visual and Performing Arts?
Head to Purdue Fort Wayne Community Arts Academy for more Summer Camps.
Or contact Molly Papier [email protected]
Interested in physics?
Head to Purdue Fort Wayne Department of Physics to learn more about their Summer Research Camp 2024.
Or contact Dr. Gang Wang for more information at [email protected]
Have Questions?
Please contact Janet North, ETCS Outreach Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 260-481-5756