ODU Summer Programs are Training Future STEM Leaders
May 25, 2017
Students, faculty and staff of ODU BLAST pose for a picture at the end of their 3 days on the campus last year.
For the first time, Old Dominion University's Strome College of Business is hosting an information technology camp to encourage girls to pursue majors in information systems and technology or cybersecurity.
The camp runs from July 10- 14 from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in Constant Hall. Registration is open until June 9 and is encouraged due to the camp's limited size. For more information, or to apply, visit the Girls Geek Out website.
"The majority of our majors right now are male, so we think there are good female students out there that are not entering our field. Studies show that a lot of students are interested in studying computers in elementary school, but their interest drops off as they move from middle school into high school, so we are targeting rising 8th grader girls," said one of the camp's founders, Russell Haines, who is also an associate professor in Old Dominion University's information technology and decision sciences department.
For four days, campers will broaden their technology skills, confidence, and leadership while working in teams with mentors to put together a computer; install Windows programming; and connect to a network using cables they will make themselves.
The groups will use the computer to program an app that helps Tidewater area homeowners select native plants for their gardens. In order for the campers to understand the purpose of the project, they will visit the ODU greenhouse to hear a presentation about the importance of native plants. Campers will also explore what it's like to work in the information technology field by touring Dominion Enterprises' data center and hearing about current projects they are working on.
Although registration is now closed, the Darden College of Education is hosting the second and third annual ODU BLAST (Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology) camp from June 18- 21 and July 25- 28 for rising 9th and 10th graders from across Virginia.
ODU Blast is a three-day summer and residential, hands-on STEM program that addresses one of ODU's signature research areas: mitigation and adaptation to climate change and sea level rise. Professors from all six of ODU's academic colleges are participating in this year's event.
About 200 high school students will reside at ODU's residence halls, have meals at the Kate and John R. Broderick Dining Commons and take a campus tour with admissions staff. ODU BLAST is funded by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, SCHEV (State Council of Higher Education for Virginia) and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). Old Dominion University is one of three universities in Virginia to receive the space grant.
