May 22, 2008

Computer science enthusiasts invited to summer camps

Campers will engage in hand-on projects and learn how the field of computer science contributes to different careers.

Beginner camp runs from June 15-18. It is open to students entering sixth, seventh or eighth grades. Campers are not required to have previous programming experience but should be familiar with a computer.

Mindy Hart, Purdue Computer Science Outreach Coordinator, said beginner camp provides students a fun way to boost their programming skills.

"Campers really get involved in the Lego Robotics and Alice programming we do in the beginner camp," Hart says. "It gives them a real sense of the field of computer science, and they feel like they know a little more about the things that impact their everyday life. We build on this in the advanced camp where students learn more about the career paths and job responsibilities of a computer scientist."

Advanced camp will take place June 18-21. It is open to students entering seventh, eighth or ninth grades. Students should have attended a previous session of the computer science summer camp or have some computer programming experience. Advanced camp will focus more on computer science concepts and languages such as Python, Alice, or JavaScript.

Purdue computer science summer camps will take place in the state-of-the-art Lawson Computer Science Building, and campers will stay in Hillenbrand Hall. The fee for participation is $325. Campers who register by June 1 will receive an early registration discount.

To register visit the Computer Science Outreach page at https://www.cs.purdue.edu/external_relations/k-12_outreach/summer_camps/2008/

Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Source: Mindy Hart, (765) 494-7802, mhart@cs.purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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