Posted: Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Openings are still available in three OPTIONS summer camps hosted by the University of Evansville’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. Thanks to a generous grant from the Alcoa Foundation, scholarships are also available for middle and high school girls attending OPTIONS, which introduces students to the vast career possibilities in engineering and computer science.

In September 2012, the University of Evansville received a $30,000 grant from the Alcoa Foundation in support of OPTIONS. The grant will provide scholarships for middle and high school girls to attend OPTIONS in 2013 and 2014, opening up STEM opportunities (science, technology, engineering, and math) to a population that is underrepresented in these career fields. Alcoa Foundation scholarships will also be available to OPTIONS graduates who enroll in a four-year degree program at UE, in addition to the scholarship UE already awards to OPTIONS graduates.

This summer’s first OPTIONS camp, OPTIONS for Middle School Boys, is a day program that runs June 3-7 and features hands-on projects and field trips. The fee of $225 includes lunches, snacks, and transportation to field trips.

OPTIONS for High School Girls, taking place June 9-14, is a residential program open to high school girls who have completed geometry. Students will stay on campus in a residence hall, complete hands-on projects, attend classes taught by University of Evansville professors, and meet professional women in the engineering and computer science fields. The cost is $500, which includes accommodations, food, transportation, and all other fees. Scholarships from the Alcoa Foundation are available for selected participants from Vanderburgh or Warrick counties.

OPTIONS for Middle School Girls, also a residential camp, will take place June 16-20.  Included in the programs are classes taught by current female students from the College of Engineering and Computer Science, hands-on projects and team-building activities, and field trips. The $300 fee includes all costs, and a limited number of Alcoa Foundation scholarships are available to program participants from Warrick or Vanderburgh counties.

Middle and high school girls interested in the Alcoa Foundation scholarships should include in the required essay a paragraph about why they believe they should be considered.

For applications and more information on this year’s camps, please visit options.evansville.edu or contact the College of Engineering and Computer Science at 812-488-2651. Registration will be accepted until camps are full.

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