High School Teens Explore Aviation, Engineering and Space in Embry-Riddle Summer Camps

As the world’s leading institution for aviation and aerospace higher education, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ensures its students acquire expert knowledge through faculty guidance, hands-on experience and research.

This summer, Embry-Riddle Summer Programs will offer these opportunities and more to pre-college teenagers considering a future in science, technology, flight and beyond.

"We are excited to once again welcome students to our Prescott Campus," said Summer Programs Manager Jenn Downing. "Whatever your interest, you will find the perfect mix of academics and camp fun waiting for you.”

Registration is now open for 2024 Summer Programs, featuring a diverse selection of unique courses that seek to prepare teenagers for success in higher education.

The Final Frontier

This year, Embry-Riddle is introducing its newest summer program, Astronomy Camp, which will explore the stars, planets and distant galaxies.

“Camp activities are a good opportunity to experience firsthand the kind of research professors at Embry-Riddle conduct,” said Dr. Pragati Pradhan, assistant professor of Physics and Astronomy. Citing Prescott’s clear skies and low light pollution, Pradhan endorsed Prescott as an ideal location for studying astronomy. “It is almost a crime not to gaze into the night sky here at Prescott, and this is coming from someone raised in the Himalayas!”

For students interested in rocketry, the Rocket Propulsion Engineering Camp offers a hands-on course in rocket development alongside Embry-Riddle professors and Aerospace Engineering undergraduates, in the campus’s Propulsion Laboratory & Rocket Test Complex.

A Future in Flight

From mastering aircraft ground support in Air Traffic Control (ATC) Camp, preparing for takeoff in Flight Exploration Camp, or delving into the cutting-edge technology of unmanned aircraft through Drone Flight Exploration Camp, Embry-Riddle offers programs that can ignite a lifelong passion for aviation.

“Students participating in the ATC Summer Camp get an unparalleled opportunity to control simulated air traffic using state-of-the-art air traffic control simulators,” said Kyle Wilkerson, assistant professor of Air Traffic Management.

This year’s Summer Programs also marks the return of Take Flight Camp, allowing parents, grandparents or guardians to attend flight sessions together with their student alongside Embry-Riddle’s world-class flight instructors. Participants undergo four days of immersive flight training in picturesque North Central Arizona. Instruction topics cover meteorology, air traffic management, safety analysis, night operations, cross-country operations and more.

Innovate Through Engineering

Perennially ranked among the nation’s top undergraduate engineering degrees by U.S. News & World Report, Embry-Riddle offers students practical knowledge in engineering principles through research and exploration.

Aerospace Engineering Camp provides students with experiential learning that goes beyond the classroom. Faculty guide participants through core elements of aviation, including aerodynamics, propulsion and aircraft design.

Additionally, Computer, Electrical & Software Engineering Camp invites participants into these rapidly growing industries. Embry-Riddle also offers a program for Game Design, Animation and Simulation, training students in world development, multimedia, simulation and virtual reality.

Discover Big Data & Forensic Investigation

Embry-Riddle has offered programs in Security, Intelligence and Safety for over a decade. This summer, college-bound teenagers can lay the foundations for a future in this field through introductory courses.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of data scientists is projected to grow 35% by 2032, much faster than the average for all other occupations. Embry-Riddle’s Data Science Camp delves into the dynamic fusion of mathematics, statistics, computer science, networking and machine learning, in addition to the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence.

Forensic Science Camp immerses students in criminal investigation. Expert professors provide instructions on law, crime scene investigation, chemical analysis, psychological profiling and hacking.

The Prescott Experience

Located in the Bradshaw Mountains of Arizona, Prescott offers more than 270 days of annual sunshine and a multitude of outdoor activities. Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus provides students with an intimate educational setting, small class sizes and personalized instruction from faculty with relevant industry experience.

“If anyone is ever debating whether or not to attend a summer camp, my advice is to do it,” said Christopher Sorensen, Aerospace Engineering junior and Summer Program student worker. “The experience a student will gain in a university classroom and the knowledge they will have about campus life is invaluable.”

All Summer Program attendees will reside in on-campus dormitories for one-week camp sessions under the supervision of approved Embry-Riddle staff and university student coordinators.

Learn more about Embry-Riddle Summer Programs at https://summercamps.erau.edu/camps, or contact Summer Programs by email at PRSUMMER@erau.edu or by phone at 928-777-3956.