UC engineering camps leave lasting impact
Hundreds of high schoolers come to campus each summer and some end up becoming Bearcats
Every summer, hundreds of local and out-of-state high school students come to the University of Cincinnati for immersive, enriching, engineering experiences through various summer camps. Hosted by the Office of Professional Development and Community Impact at the College of Engineering and Applied Science, these camps not only ignite students’ passion for STEM, but also introduce them to life on a college campus.
Camps combine hands-on design challenges, campus tours, small group instruction from faculty/graduate students, and unique mentorship and exploration from industry professionals.
“Summer camps are a great way for students to explore what life is really like as a CEAS student at UC,” said Blaire Bartish, program manager for CEAS summer camps. “We meet with students, professors, and industry professionals to get hands on in a way that doesn’t happen at a campus tour or lecture.”
For some campers, the experience spurs them to study engineering at the University of Cincinnati as college students.
Amaya Miller is a current first-year chemical engineering student at the University of Cincinnati. Photo/provided.
For Amaya Miller, first-year chemical engineering student at UC, engineering sparked her interest early on. When she was young, she liked to experiment with things she had around house, mixing them together to see what would happen. Her mom took notice and began looking into engineering programs for her to pursue this fascination. Miller went on to participate in three CEAS summer camps.
“My mom was looking for ways I could really explore STEM, and she found the camps,” Miller said. “They were so hands on and I loved it.”
Through the engineering design challenges and projects, students learn how to think and act like an engineer. Miller shared that at first, coming up with design ideas and figuring out how to adapt things was challenging, as she’d never gone through the engineering design process before. However, she realized the true benefit of these challenges when she reached the Foundations of Engineering Design Thinking course, a required course for all first-year CEAS students.
“My camp experience definitely helped me prepare for that course, I was able to work better with people I’d never met before, come up with ideas easier, and use things I learned in the camp to come up with these ideas,” Miller said.
Each camp’s project has a different area of focus. For instance, one year Miller’s project focused on water and sustainability, while another year they were tasked with making something light up using wires and circuits.
Summer campers get acclimated to UC's campus, some even stay in dorms while there. Photo/provided.
Andrea Mireles is pursuing electrical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Photo/provided.
Thanks to the cooperative education (co-op) program, UC has strong connections with numerous local companies like Procter & Gamble, L3Harris, and Woolpert. During the camps, students get an introduction to engineering industry through site visits and professional panel events.
“My favorite part was meeting the different industry professionals,” Miller said. “We had companies come speak to us about their co-op programs.”
Connection is a pillar of these camp experiences. For Andrea Mireles, current first-year electrical engineering student at UC, the fun she had with other campers is what sticks out most in her memory.
I see my camp friends on campus sometimes and it makes me very happy. It reminds me that I’m not alone here
Andrea Mireles electrical engineering student
Like Miller, she shared that her parents were who introduced the idea of the camps to her. Growing up, she was inspired by her father’s career as an electrical engineer, thinking that was something she’d be interested in pursuing, so she applied for the camp. The friendships she built during summer camp lasted far beyond her week as a camper.
“I see my camp friends on campus sometimes and it makes me very happy. It reminds me that I’m not alone here,” Mireles said.
Mireles also found a place of support on campus through the Office of Professional Development and Community Impact, which hosts the camps. She shared that she often visits PDCI staff members throughout the semester, receiving encouragement, and strengthening her sense of belonging within the college.
“I find so much joy in seeing my former campers as current Bearcats and doing incredible things in class, co-op, and research, and it reminds me of why it’s so important we offer this program,” Bartish said.
Having the experience of staying on campus for a week allows students to get a feel for what life as a UC engineering student would be like. For certain camps, they can stay in the dorms for the week and explore the campus throughout the week.
“My first year at camp, we stayed in the dorms at the Campus Recreation Center and became really good friends,” Miller said. “We all came from different backgrounds, and it was really nice to get to know people I wouldn’t normally get to.”
Featured image at top: University of Cincinnati Baldwin Hall. Photo/UC Marketing + Communications
Interested in CEAS summer camp?
Camp registration is closed for summer 2025 but visit the CEAS camps page to keep an eye out for 2026 registration.
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