Have you ever wondered what all the parts of a desktop computer do? How a computer is put together, configured, and setup to run? This camp is for youth who want to build and test their own computer. We will be posting the specs of the computer by the end of May. We will be checking with prices this spring to maximize performance for your build (within our budget). ​ Each camper will use surplus and new parts that will be provided in order to build a fully functional personal computer.

Included in the computer will be: Case and power supply; motherboard and CPU; CPU fan; 8 GB of RAM; keyboard and mouse; WiFi adapter; monitor; hard disc; DVD player; and the Linux operating system or a functional, but unlicensed Windows 10. These are solid desktop or mini-tower computers. If you are looking for a great gaming computer, these probably aren't them... but you'll learn what you can do to upgrade these or build a new one to meet your needs. Remember a really good gaming computer can cost over $2,000, so don't expect to get one at our camp. BUT, it will play most games in a reasonable frame rate and at a reasonable resolution, so don't despair. This program is an excellent opportunity for the youth to learn about computer architecture and to understand how all the different parts of a computer fit together, both physically and electronically. Each camper will get to take the computer home when they are finished!

Open to ages 12 to 16.

Additional Information:

Click here to see the 2021 Camp FAQ

Click here to see the Camp Policies and Forms

Click here to see the Shipping Options

This camp is for any level of LEGO Roboteer! So if you are a rookie or a veteran this camp can take you and help move your skills forward. We start off with some basics since even the veterans have often forgotten a lot since last year, and of course some beginners are more advanced. Our camp staff try as quickly as possible to figure out which you are. Usually one staff member will be working primarily with the beginners and one primarily with the advanced, with the third floating as needed.

Open to ages 9 to 13, no experience needed. 

2021 ALL CAMPS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR IN-PERSON WITH THE OPTION OF ONLINE ATTENDANCE. IF REQUIRED DUE TO STATE OF THE PANDEMIC, THE CAMP WILL BE ONLINE THIS SUMMER.

Click here to see the 2020 Online Camp FAQ

Click here to see the Camp and Privacy Policies

Have you ever wondered what all the parts of a desktop computer do? How a computer is put together, configured, and setup to run? This camp is for youth who want to build and test their own computer. We will be posting the specs of the computer by the end of May. We will be checking with prices this spring to maximize performance for your build (within our budget). ​ Each camper will use surplus and new parts that will be provided in order to build a fully functional personal computer.

Included in the computer will be: Case and power supply; motherboard and CPU; CPU fan; 8 GB of RAM; keyboard and mouse; WiFi adapter; monitor; hard disc; DVD player; and the Linux operating system or a functional, but unlicensed Windows 10. These are solid desktop or mini-tower computers. If you are looking for a great gaming computer, these probably aren't them... but you'll learn what you can do to upgrade these or build a new one to meet your needs. Remember a really good gaming computer can cost over $2,000, so don't expect to get one at our camp. BUT, it will play most games in a reasonable frame rate and at a reasonable resolution, so don't despair. This program is an excellent opportunity for the youth to learn about computer architecture and to understand how all the different parts of a computer fit together, both physically and electronically. Each camper will get to take the computer home when they are finished!

Open to ages 12 to 16.

Additional Information:

Click here to see the 2021 Online Camp FAQ

Click here to see the Camp Policies and Forms

Click here to see the Shipping Options

Campers will use programmable sensor packages and 3D printed cases to build their own CubeSat modules. CubeSats are designed to be nanosatellites and while ours won't be going into space, they are very similar in design as the 1200 CubeSats that have gone into space so far. 

Each CubeSat is 10cm x 10cm x 10cm and contains a sensor pack, a controller, a power supply, and a data storage unit. Each camper will be able to design a sensor mission for their CubeSat and we will be bench testing them and then at the end of the week, weather allowing, the campers will go to a nearby airfield and their CubeSats will be taken up to a high altitude (14,000 feet) and the CubeSats will collect data that the students will then be able to analyze when the CubeSats are returned to Earth.

Campers will be able to keep their CubeSats at the end of the camp and the programming language is free so they will be able to continue using it and reprogramming it on their own.

This program will be running on the Portland campus of USM, but students can attend virtually. We will just need to collect the CubeSats from campers so they can be launched to height for their mission.

If weather is bad during the camp week, a rescheduled launch will be performed and campers will be able to come out to the launch field and do the launch at that time.

Ages: 13-17
Campers will need to bring their own lunch, but snacks are provided.

This camp includes a field trip, weather permitting, to the Skydive New England Airport in Lebanon, Maine.

2021 ALL CAMPS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR IN-PERSON WITH THE OPTION OF ONLINE ATTENDANCE. IF REQUIRED DUE TO STATE OF THE PANDEMIC, THE CAMP WILL BE ONLINE THIS SUMMER.

Click here to see the 2021 Camp FAQ

Click here to see the 2021 Camp Policy and Form Pages

Click here to see the 2021 Shipping Options

This camp is for any level of LEGO Roboteer! So if you are a rookie or a veteran this camp can take you and help move your skills forward. We start off with some basics since even the veterans have often forgotten a lot since last year, and of course some beginners are more advanced. Our camp staff try as quickly as possible to figure out which you are. Usually one staff member will be working primarily with the beginners and one primarily with the advanced, with the third floating as needed.

Open to ages 9 to 13, no experience needed. 

2021 ALL CAMPS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR IN-PERSON WITH THE OPTION OF ONLINE ATTENDANCE. IF REQUIRED DUE TO STATE OF THE PANDEMIC, THE CAMP WILL BE ONLINE THIS SUMMER.

Click here to see the 2021 Online Camp FAQ

Click here to see the Camp Policy and Form Pages

Click here to see Shipping Information

Did you ever wonder how people made all those cool 3D objects? Whether board game pieces or parts of a machine, these parts start as an idea in your imagination, then turned into a 3D object on a computer, and finally are printed on a 3D printer.   At the 3D Design and Printing Camp you’ll do all of these things AND build and take home your own 3D printer! Learn the basics of 3D design using SketchUp or TinkerCAD; save your designs and then export them to the 3D printer.

For 2021 we're looking at either the Ender 3 Pro with the auto leveling kit or the Ender 3 Pro V2, but it's too early to see which one will in budget come the spring. Maybe we'll get lucky and be able to do the Ender 3 Pro V2 AND the auto leveler.

Learn about calibrating the machines; starting and finishing the print; fixing errors; and all the details that make 3D printing both challenging and rewarding.  At the end of the week you get to take home your new printer, all the cool things you’ve created, even some 3D filament to use!

Open to ages 12 to 16.

2021 Camps are being scheduled for in-person, but realize that will depend on what the CDC, the State of Maine, USM, and the condition of the pandemic at that time will be. Most camps will allow for ONLINE attendance for youth who are not close to one of our sites or who cannot attend due to other reasons, it worked in 2020 and we know we can pull it off again for 2021 if we have to.

Additional Information:

Click here to see the 2021 Online Camp FAQ

Click here to see the 2021 Camp and Forms Page

Click here to see the Shipping Options 

This camp is for any level of LEGO Roboteer! So if you are a rookie or a veteran this camp can take you and help move your skills forward. We start off with some basics since even the veterans have often forgotten a lot since last year, and of course some beginners are more advanced. Our camp staff try as quickly as possible to figure out which you are. Usually one staff member will be working primarily with the beginners and one primarily with the advanced, with the third floating as needed.

Open to ages 9 to 13, no experience needed. 

2021 ALL CAMPS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR IN-PERSON WITH THE OPTION OF ONLINE ATTENDANCE. IF REQUIRED DUE TO STATE OF THE PANDEMIC, THE CAMP WILL BE ONLINE THIS SUMMER.

Click here to see the 2020 Online Camp FAQ

Click here to see the Camp and Privacy Policies

Click here to see the Shipping Information

Learn about underwater ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) as you build your own SeaPerch ROV. Spend the week building, testing, water testing, and modifying your very own SeaPerch.
Skills include design and planning; building and soldering; assembly; and testing of your ROV.
- Not available for online in 2021
- Ages 13-17

2021 ALL CAMPS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR IN-PERSON WITH THE OPTION OF ONLINE ATTENDANCE. IF REQUIRED DUE TO STATE OF THE PANDEMIC, THE CAMP WILL BE ONLINE THIS SUMMER.

Click here to see the 2021 Camp FAQ

Click here to see the 2021 Camp Policy and Form Pages

Click here to see the 2021 Shipping Options