Techie Camp Nordson, TECH CORPS and YSU STEM offered a free Techie Camp this summer from June 29 to July 3. Techie Camp introduces the technology part of STEM to students through interactive learning experiences, including programming, robotics, web development and app development. This camp was offered to middle school students who live in the Youngstown area. STEM Explore STEM Explore is a summer program for middle school students grades six to eight. This was the fourth year of STEM Explore, and activities took place June 22-26. Participants took part in a multitude of activities each day, where they learned in a hands-on environment. Some activities included going to the Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum and the Crime Scene Condo to learn about forensics. Professors from YSU and students of the Beeghly College of Education volunteered their time to teach activities in their specialized areas. Astronaut in Training Camp Astronaut in Training Camp was held for middle school students from the Lewis School July 6-10, and was funded by America Makes as part of a research and development project called “3D Printing Multi-Functionality: Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace Applications.” This camp used 3D printing to help introduce space flight concepts to students. They were exposed to product design, computer aided drafting, team dynamics and public speaking. The students were challenged to design a space tool to be used by astronauts on the International Space Station, and they had to design and print a prototype by the end of the week. Summer Manufacturing Institute For the third summer, OH WOW! partnered with the Youngstown YWCA, First Energy and OH-PENN to offer their Summer Manufacturing Institute. SMI 2015 was open to 25 students grades 4-6 and took place June 22-26 and July 20-24. Students focused on Engineering for Space Exploration. They visited a 3D printing lab, the Ward Beecher Planetarium, VEC and Taylor-Winfield Technologies. The students were challenged to make their own miniature Mars rover, which taught them the basics of circuitry. There will be another section of SMI in July, where participants will focus on Medical Manufacturing, and will visit the daVinci robot at St. Elizabeth as well as Western Reserve Prosthetics and Orthotics. Students will experience the cast making process at Western Reserve Orthotics by making hand casts, and then they will 3D print their own articulated hands.