WEngineer STEM Exploration Summer Camp 2025

Throughout the camp, campers immersed themselves in the exciting world of structural engineering, discovering how buildings stay strong, how structures are made safe, and the crucial role engineers play in designing for resilience.

A key highlight was the Disaster Houses challenge, where campers built model homes using arts and crafts materials, then tested their strength against simulated natural disasters using the thrilling Wheel of Fate.

A core theme of the camp was Simple Machines—lever, screw, pulley, wedge, wheel & axle, and inclined plane. Campers explored how these devices make work easier and applied the concept of mechanical advantage in hands-on problem-solving.

Creativity soared during the Rube Goldberg Machine project, where campers engineered complex contraptions to perform the simple task of squeezing toothpaste onto a toothbrush. These inventive machines incorporated multiple simple machines, at least five steps, and highlighted the roles of kinetic and potential energy.

The final day brought high-energy fun with a lesson on roller coaster design, exploring how structural engineering, energy, and simple machines ensure ride safety and excitement. Campers wrapped up the experience with SHWERK Tank, a creative pitch session where teams designed their own amusement parks. Each pitch included at least three rides, integrating everything they learned about engineering, energy, and design.

From disaster simulations to imaginative machines and amusement park innovations, this camp was a dynamic, hands-on journey into the heart of engineering!