In Brief: University summer camps, TLA workshop for women inventors
A Summer Engineering Academy participant flies a drone during the 2019 camp.
"Claim Your Seat" is a four-part series running each Thursday in May.
University summer camps are back for 2021
Spring is here and summer break is just around the corner for students. With the ongoing pandemic, finding activities to keep your children entertained while they aren't in school may seem daunting. Luckily, some University and Tucson-area camps have found ways to safely welcome children back this year for a summer full of fun and learning. This year's selection includes volleyball, Korean culture and language, engineering, soccer, toxicology and more.
Some camps will be held virtually this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Prices vary by camp and registration has begun for a few. Some camps have yet to finalize their plans and will release information at a later time.
For the most up-to-date information about any particular camp, please visit the camp's website or reach out to the contact listed in the camp's description.
Note: An asterisk indicates camps that offer discounts for University employees.
Arizona Youth University camps return (NEW)
This year's camps are designed for children entering grades three through eight. The camps are organized by Campus Recreation and led by University of Arizona educators and students studying mechanical and environmental engineering, early childhood education, criminal justice and more.
This year's camps include Chess, CSI Junior, Robotics 101 and s.m.ART.
Application Deadline: ASAP. Spots are available until filled (fewer spots than usual due to COVID-19 protocols).
Dates: Varies by camp. June 7-July 23.
Cost: Varies by camp. Please visit the Arizona Youth University website for more information. University employees will receive a 10% discount by using the promo code UASTAFF10. A sibling discount of 10% will be applied at checkout.
David Rubio Volleyball Camp (In Person)
University of Arizona volleyball head coach David Rubio's camps will be returning for players between the ages of 6 and 18. Rubio will personally direct each camp session. The program offers seven different camps and clinics based on skill level and age. Camps and clinics include: a mini camp for beginners, a serve and pass clinic for all players under 18 regardless of level, an intermediate and advanced all-skills camp for ages 10-18, a position camp for ages 10-18, an elite camp for upper-level club, high school junior varsity and varsity players, and a team camp to give high school teams the opportunity to practice together in a collegiate atmosphere.
Application deadline: Registration will be available on the website soon.
Dates: Varies by camp/clinic. Sessions run June 1-July 18.
Cost: Varies by camp/clinic. Visit the David Rubio Volleyball Camp website for more information. A T-shirt is included with all camps and clinics.
There will be no overnight camps this summer in order to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines.
The Critical Languages Program is partnering with the Department of East Asian Studies to offer a five-day online Korean summer camp this year. It will offer students in sixth through 12th grades the opportunity to learn about Korea's culture and language. Students will be introduced to the Korean alphabet and Korean culture.
Application deadline: May 2. Campers can be registered after May 2, but at a higher cost.
Dates: Online, June 7-11
Cost: $75 if registered by May 2, $100 if registered after May 2.
The College of Engineering will hold its Summer Engineering Academy virtually this summer. Students who have completed ninth, 10th, 11th or 12th grade (graduated seniors) can attend the camps.
In order to attend, students need internet access and a laptop/computer with camera and microphone capabilities. The camp will be held on Zoom, which is free for students and families to download and use. Activity kits and supplies will be sent to participants in advance. There will be four themed bundles – as well as the option to sign up for the entire summer. Programs take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with some optional programming on select Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer. Each day is dedicated to a specific University of Arizona engineering major, and themes are organized around the National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges for Engineering. Additional discount available when registering for all four.
Application deadline: April 30 for early bird discount. Space is limited. Programs are first-come, first-served.
Dates: Online, June 23-July 30
Cost: $250-$275, depending on bundle.
2021 camp information and dates will be released soon.
*Toxic Detectives (In Person)
This weeklong camp, being held at Roy P. Drachman Hall, 1295 N. Martin Ave., is an opportunity for students entering sixth through eighth grades to learn real-world connections to toxicology and the environment. In addition, students will explore the campus environment.
The purpose of this camp is to expose young students to the fields of toxicology and environmental health. It will provide hands-on, activity-based learning, with the goal that students will obtain the confidence to follow a science career path. Students learn about toxicology through activities, labs and professional speakers.
Application deadline: June 6
Dates: July 26-30
Cost: $225. There is a 25% discount for University employees.
The Journalism Diversity Workshop is a virtual, weeklong program for rising high school juniors and seniors who want to learn about reporting, photography, multimedia and media ethics. During the workshop, students will create stories, work with working journalists and journalism professors and produce a website. Students will be selected based on their applications. Some sophomores and graduating seniors will be considered.
Applications should include a 300-400 word essay explaining why the applicant is interested in journalism, one letter of recommendation and one or two samples of the student's work (articles, media, videos, photos).
Application deadline: May 7
Dates: May 30-June 5
Cost: Free for selected students
If your unit plans to offer a camp at the University this summer, please send the details to uaatwork@email.arizona.edu. This article will be updated as more camps are confirmed.
'Claim Your Seat': Tech Launch Arizona looks to support potential women entrepreneurs
Tech Launch
Arizona is looking to support women working at the University who are looking to make the leap into commercialization and entrepreneurship.
TLA, the University's commercialization arm, will offer a four-session workshop next month designed to connect women with mentors to help them learn to build teams, find customers, raise money and, most importantly, to think of themselves as inventors.
"Claim Your Seat at the Table" is presented by Tech Launch Arizona, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and FutureForward. The workshops are open to women working at the University who are interested in commercialization as well as participants from past cohorts looking to expand their professional network.
The workshops are scheduled for each Thursday in May from 3:30-5 p.m.
May 6 | Linking Your Passion to Impact: You ARE an Inventor!
This workshop introduces the commercialization process and encourages participants to explore their passion for research and discuss potential ideas for commercialization. The event will feature successful women entrepreneurs at the University of Arizona and other entities.
May 13 | Building a Team: No Woman is an Island
Participants will discover the importance of building an effective team to bring their innovation to market. They will identify their own role in the process and learn that they don't necessarily have to start a company or be a CEO in order to commercialize an invention or discovery.
May 20 | Customer Discovery: Who Will Pay for Your Invention?
This workshop focuses on customer discovery skills based on National Science Foundation Innovation Corps programming. Teams will assess their technology's commercial viability and put lean startup methodology techniques into use.
May 27 | Beyond Grants: Understanding the Funding Lifecycle
Participants will work with representatives from Tech Launch Arizona and potential funding sources to identify available options at each commercialization stage.
Women interested in attending the sessions can register online. Those interested in becoming a "Claim Your Seat at the Table" mentor for future events should contact Aileen Dingus, venture development coordinator for Tech Launch Arizona, at aileend@tla.arizona.edu.