Signals in the Sky: A High-Tech Communication Adventure! (6-8th Grade)
About this Event
Dates: Monday-Thursday, August 10-13
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Lunch is provided)
Location: Electronics Lab G219, Ground Floor, Donovan Hall, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY 13502
Fee: $100 per student. Includes lunch in SUNY Poly's Student Center. This camp is being supported by a local chapter of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Deadline: Register by Monday, August 3 at Noon
Grade Levels: 6th to 8th grade students
Participants: 20 (Max)
Girl Scout Badges: Cadette Think Like An Engineer Journey Award eligible (Grades 6-8)
Camp Description:
Have you ever wondered how your favorite YouTube video travels through the air to reach your phone, or how astronauts talk to Earth from the Moon? Welcome to Signals in the Sky, a four-day journey into the invisible world of waves and wireless wonders!
From the tiny signals in our pockets to the massive satellites orbiting our planet, students will become "Communication Engineers" as they unlock the secrets of the electromagnetic spectrum. It’s not just about tech—it’s about how we connect the world!
What We’ll Explore:
● Day 1: The Magic of Invisible Waves 🌈 We kick things off by making the invisible, visible! Students will build their own spectroscopes, hunt for hidden signals, and use flashlights to send secret "coded" messages to their teammates. Big Thought: Signals are just patterns of energy that we can control!
● Day 2: The Great Signal Obstacle Course 🏃♂️ Why do some radio signals travel around the world while others stop at a wall? We’ll use lasers, mirrors, and walkie-talkies to see how signals bounce, bend, and travel across campus.
● Day 3: Building the Network 📱 Ever wonder how millions of people use cell phones at the same time without crossing wires? Kids will "become" a human cellular network and build their very own radios and antennas to hear the world in a whole new way.
● Day 4: To Infinity and Beyond! 🚀 On our final day, we look up! We’ll explore how GPS and satellites work, track objects in orbit, and tackle our Capstone Challenge: designing a communication system for a base on Mars or a remote tropical island.
Features:
● Hands-On Learning: We trade textbooks for thermal cameras, lasers, and satellite trackers.
● Teamwork & Strategy: Students work together to create their own "secret codes" and solve real-world problems.
● Future-Ready Skills: We break down complex concepts like Frequency and Satellites into fun, easy-to-grab ideas that spark a lifelong interest in STEM.
Ready to join the broadcast? Let’s get connected!
Campus Map and Directions to Campus:
Where is it happening?
USD 108.55
