READING, Pa. — Penn State Berks offers a variety of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) related Middle School Discovery Camps in a fun and relaxed environment. The camps are for students entering fifth through eighth grades in fall 2018. Camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Movie Making: Storylines and iMovie
Students will embark on a story-telling journey and learn the technology that will enable them to create avatars, animated characters, explosions and other film-making fun. They will use stop-motion sets, a green screen, 360 video, and other resources to tell a story worthy of sharing, resulting in the creation a movie using iMovie software. This camp runs June 18-22. The cost is $285.

Science of Technology Camp
Engineering technology is an outstanding way to introduce the young scientific mind to the high-technology world. Using hands-on learning, campers will explore the engineering design process and the various fields within engineering such as civil, mechanical, aerospace, and structural. Topics include bridge building, flight, motion, and structures. Campers will learn about 3D design, communication, and collaboration skills. This camp runs June 25-29. The cost is $285.

Junior Nittany Criminal Investigative Science Camp
Does your student have an interest in becoming a crime fighter? If so, Penn State Berks invites him or her to join our NCIS (Nittany Criminal Investigative Service) team. Campers will learn the science and the chemical techniques that can be used to solve puzzling crimes, such as how to analyze blood splatter, use footprints to estimate height, use Excel to analyze FBI crime data, and more. This camp runs July 16-20. The cost is $285.

Tinkering with Tinker Bell
The Tinkerbell Camp engages female campers in activities designed to unleash their creativity, innovation, and problem solving skills in fun and exciting ways. Campers will have the opportunity to explore and enhance tech skills or master those already familiar to them. Camp offerings focus on LEGO EV3 robot building and programming, exploring circuits, designing a wearable, learning how to design 3D objects, observing 3D printers in action, and using Scratch to learn programming. This camp runs July 16–20. The cost is $285.

Camp Shakespeare: Theater Camp
Students will explore the superlative language of the plays of Shakespeare through daily workshops in voice, movement, analysis of text, and acting. Students of Shakespeare learn by doing, and the focus of the workshops will be on performing. The week will culminate with a live performance in which campers are encouraged to invite family and friends. This camp runs July 23-27. The cost is $285.

Engineering for Generation Z
Children born after 2010 are considered part of the Z Generation: they have never known a world without technology. With their tech savvy, our generation expects a lot from them, especially regarding innovation and entrepreneurship. The camp encourages development by showcasing nontraditional engineering fields, including agricultural engineering, green engineering/urban landscapes, and bioengineering. This camp runs July 23-27. The cost is $285.

RoboCamp: Where minds and technology meet
This camp will take students on a journey where imagination and the mind meet to make technology fun. RoboCamp focuses on problem-solving as students sharpen skills in spatial reasoning and computational thinking. Campers will learn to design, program, and control fully functional EV3 robots, build circuits, and learn 3D design and printing and simple programming. This camp runs July 23-27. The cost is $285.

Full STEAM Ahead: Building an Idea into an Invention
This camp will help your student embrace his or her creative side. Campers will take original ideas and turn them into inventions using STEAM principles: ingenuity, design and engineering and construction basics. Projects will be showcased on Friday. This camp runs July 30-August 3. The cost is $285.

Minecraft Designers: Code your own adventures camp
Campers will develop a game concept that goes well beyond the limitations of the traditional 2D design. Students will learn the physics behind 3D games and explore beginner event scripting and level design, controlling flow of gameplay, and storytelling. Then they will have a chance to  apply those skills to design their own Minecraft game. The camp runs from July 30 to Aug. 3. The cost is $330.

Enrollment in the Middle School Youth Camps is limited and early registration is recommended.

For more information or to register, visit berks.psu.edu/middle-school-summer-camps or call 610-396-6230.