Future STEM Innovators Engage in Hands-On Learning at Empa’s 2024 Summer Camp

Future STEM Innovators Engage in Hands-On Learning at Empa’s 2024 Summer Camp

(IN BRIEF) The Empa Summer Camp 2024 in Zurich offered 24 children of Empa employees a week-long immersive experience in STEM education. The camp featured hands-on workshops in engineering and materials science, encouraging creativity and problem-solving. The program balanced scientific exploration with physical activities, making it a well-rounded and highly popular event.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜBENDORF, 20-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Empa Summer Camp, an eagerly anticipated event in Zurich, provided an immersive educational experience for 24 children of Empa employees during the first week of summer vacation. This unique initiative, designed to spark interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects, allowed primary school-aged participants to step into the roles of engineers and materials scientists, mirroring the work of their parents at the renowned research institute.

Over the course of the week, the children participated in a variety of hands-on workshops that introduced them to the fascinating world of scientific discovery. Activities ranged from constructing environmentally friendly balloon-powered cars to assembling rocket engines and safely working with nitrogen. The young attendees also marveled at the wonders of an electron microscope, which offered them a rare glimpse into the micro-universe, revealing details invisible to the naked eye.

One highlight of the camp was the Upcycling workshop, where children learned that discarded items can be repurposed rather than wasted. Under the guidance of Peter Ebschner, they designed and built an insect hotel, a project that required them to think critically about how each part could be measured and assembled to create a cohesive final product.

While the mornings were dedicated to intense scientific exploration, the afternoons offered a much-needed balance of physical activities. A scavenger hunt across Empa’s expansive new campus allowed the children to unwind and engage with their surroundings in a fun and interactive way.

The Empa Summer Camp not only provided a platform for young minds to explore STEM subjects but also fostered creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork—essential skills for future scientists and engineers. The event was met with great enthusiasm, with all available spots quickly filled, highlighting the camp’s popularity and the growing interest in STEM education among young students.

Media Contact:

Remigius Nideröst
Communications
Phone +41 58 765 4598
redaktion@empa.ch

SOURCE: EMPA