For 13 years, EX.I.T.E. (Exploring Interests in Technology and Engineering) Technology Camp has been inspiring Toronto area young girls to take an interest in math, science, technology and engineering by participating in a dynamic and interactive program run entirely by IBM volunteers.
From July 15 to 19, 26 girls aged 11-13 will be participating in 5 days of learning and discovery at IBM’s EX.I.T.E. Camp in Markham. The majority of participants are from York Region schools including:
•William Berczy Public School
•Woodland Public School
•Sir Wilfred Laurier Public School
•St. Kateri Tekawitha Catholic Elementary School
Under this year’s theme of “Mystery and Crime Solving” campers will be building and programming Lego Mindstorm robots for a Secret Covert Mission, extracting DNA from bananas, designing shoes based on a suspect’s footprint, building computer programs, learning about online safety, and more.
Designed to inspire young girls to take interest in technology and explore the endless career possibilities within technical fields, this camp is sure to inspire future innovators to help Canada retain a competitive position in the global digital economy.
The camp will take place at the IBM Toronto Lab located on 8200 Warden Ave. in East Toronto. The camp runs 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.
Some of the things girls will be looking forward to doing at the camp are:
- The ‘If the Shoe Fits’ activity will give the girls an overview of the engineering process and background on the biomechanics of the foot and how shoes are made. They will then design and build their own shoes in teams using craft supplies.
- Campers will learn about online safety and the science of fingerprinting when a York Region police officer will visit the lab. Afterwards, the campers will learn how to extract DNA from bananas (2:45 to 3:45 p.m.)
- Campers will showcase their Lego robot’s detective skills during a robot competition, as well as participate in a round of geocaching around the lab from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.