Cal Poly’s EPIC Summer Camp for High School Students is Underway

photo of high school students on campus for EPIC camp TO: News Editors, Photo Editors, Assignment Editors and Reporters

WHAT: High school students are participating in an Engineering Possibilities in College (EPIC) summer camp sponsored by the Cal Poly Engineering Outreach Program. Approximately 140 students are participating in the week long camp, including many female and low-income students from Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo and out of the area.

WHEN: Now through this Friday, July 10, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Cal Poly campus

BACKGROUND:
EPIC students attend eight hands-on labs throughout the week. Labs are offered in aerospace, architectural, biomedical, bio-resource and agricultural, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, industrial, manufacturing, materials, mechanical and software engineering.

On Wednesday, students will tour local engineering companies, such as Diablo Canyon Power Plant, Spice Hunter, and Aeromech. Visitors can view all the students’ project activities at a final showcase on Friday, July 10 at 4 to 5 p.m. in Buildings 007 and 197.

Selected Lab Activities:

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE): Algae to Biofuels Production.
In this lab, students will cultivate algae in photobioreactors and learn about this unique and high-tech alternative fuel solution.
Instructor: Ilhami Yildiz
Days and Times: Thursday, July 9; 10:10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:10 to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, July 10, 9:10 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2:50 p.m.
Location: Building 8A, Lab 4

Electrical Engineering – Solar Racers!
Students will learn about solar energy by building small model electric cars that are powered by solar cells. Students test and refine their cars in preparation for a final race in the Engineering Plaza.
Instructor: Art MacCarley
Day and Times: Friday, July 10, 10 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 2:50 p.m.
Location: Engineering Plaza

Computer Engineering – Make a Difference with Computer Engineering
Students will design interactive computer-based toys that will be donated to needy children in the local community.
Instructor: Lynne Slivovsky
Days and Times: Thursday, July 9; 10:10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:10 to 4 p.m.
Friday, July 10, 9:10 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2:50 p.m.
Location: Building 20, Room 145

Aerospace Engineering - Launch Your Rocket
Each student will get to design and build their own rocket and then test their rocket's performance against predictions.
Instructor: Dianne DeTurris
Launch Times: Thursday, July 9, 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Friday, July 10, 1:30 to 2:50 p.m.
Location: H1 parking lot

For more information go online to http://epic.calpoly.edu/tracks/.

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