UBCO Geering Up Engineering Outreach is offering camps for curious STEAM learners of all ages!
UBC Geering Up Engineering Outreach is a team within the School of Engineering with the mandate of promoting science, engineering, and technology to youth across British Columbia.
Geering Up Celebrates 10 Years of STEM Fun in the Okanagan
How is a bird’s nest different from a beaver’s dam? How do you make an edible water bottle? Can art and science team up to create video games? And what exactly is an engineer anyways?
If you have kids in your life who love asking big questions like these, then you’re in luck. UBC Geering Up Engineering Outreach’s summer camps are back, and you can now register for your favourite themes!
Summer Fun for Curious Minds
This year, Geering Up Okanagan is running 10 exciting camps for youth in Grades 1 through 12 from June 30 to August 28. Whether your child is just starting to explore science and technology or already dreaming of becoming an engineer, they will find something to tap into their potential.
A Year of Milestones
“We are ‘geering up’ for another incredible summer with some exciting new camp opportunities during what is a special milestone year for us,” explains Adam Cornford, who is the Assistant Manager of Geering Up and the programming lead for the organization’s Okanagan portfolio.
“This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Geering Up in the Okanagan and the 30-year anniversary in Vancouver,” says Cornford. “Over the years, these camps have provided thousands of youths with interactive learning experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence and open doors to future careers in STEM fields, and we’re very excited to celebrate and build on that legacy this year.”
Over the years, these camps have provided thousands of youths with interactive learning experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence and open doors to future careers in STEM fields, and we’re very excited to celebrate and build on that legacy this year.
Jen Garner, Geering Up’s Coordinator, says the best part of the summer is seeing the campers’ curiosity firsthand.
“This summer, I am excited to see the energy and enthusiasm as our instructors, who are current UBCO students, share their knowledge and passion for STEM with our young participants. Watching kids explore STEM through hands-on activities is always a highlight for me.”
This summer, I am excited to see the energy and enthusiasm as our instructors, who are current UBCO students, share their knowledge and passion for STEM with our young participants. Watching kids explore STEM through hands-on activities is always a highlight for me.
Alice Xie, a Geering Up programming instructor during this past winter club season, echoes that enthusiasm. “I’ve observed the transformative impact these camps have on young learners. Whether it’s the joy of solving an engineering challenge, the excitement of coding a first program or the thrill of discovering new scientific concepts, Geering Up fosters a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime. I also learn tons from the students themselves! They always amaze me with all the unique ideas they come up with.”
Whether it’s the joy of solving an engineering challenge, the excitement of coding a first program or the thrill of discovering new scientific concepts, Geering Up fosters a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime.
Why STEM, Why Now?
Dr. Will Hughes, Director of UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering, says these camps are more than just summer fun; they’re a great way to show kids what’s possible.
“Simply put,” Hughes emphasizes, “the world needs engineers, and we want students to hear the message that engineering is for everyone. We are so excited to welcome students of all ages to campus to learn and create with us. Whether you are in Grade 1 or Grade 12, we hope that the immersive STEM experiences that Geering Up offers sparks real inspiration for students.”
Simply put, the world needs engineers, and we want students to hear the message that engineering is for everyone. We are so excited to welcome students of all ages to campus to learn and create with us.
Camps for Teens!
Do you have a teen who’s curious about engineering? Geering Up is bringing back 2 fan-favourite camps for older students: Intro to Engineering (Grades 8–9) and Explorations in Engineering (Grades 10–12).
These camps are perfect for students starting to think about their future. They’ll get to dig into real-world engineering problems, try out hands-on projects, and explore what excites them most about the field.
At UBC Okanagan, all first-year engineering students start in a general program before choosing their engineering discipline. Geering Up gives high schoolers a greater head start in figuring out what path might be right for them if they decide to pursue engineering, whether it’s computer, mechanical, civil or some other engineering or STEM discipline entirely.
Growing With Our Community
There’s even more on the horizon: Geering Up recently teamed up with FortisBC to expand our programming across the province. Thanks to this partnership, we’ll be able to bring more fun, hands-on STEM opportunities to even more communities in B.C., and that’s just the beginning.
Don’t Miss Out!
As camps season approaches, Geering Up encourages families to explore our diverse range of programs and register early since space is limited. A summer of igniting your young scientists’ STEM curiosity awaits!
Stay connected with us and spread the word on social media as we share updates, stories and behind-the-scenes moments from Geering Up.
- Geering Up Okanagan on Instagram
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- Geering Up on LinkedIn