In this Black Rocket classic, you will go well beyond the limitations of the traditional 2D game design classes and create an immersive 3D world. Students will learn the physics behind 3D games, explore beginner event scripting, level design, controlling the flow of gameplay, and storytelling. Student projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Projects are only compatible with Windows devices. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. 

Dive into an exciting summer of creativity and innovation at our Junior Robotics Camp! This camp combines fun and learning as kids explore the world of robotics. Participants will build and program with the engaging LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential Prime Kit. Campers will tackle the FIRST® LEGO League Explore Challenge, sparking their curiosity and teamwork skills. From problem-solving to hands-on building, this camp is a perfect blend of fun, discovery, and STEM learning. No prior experience required—just bring your imagination and enthusiasm! Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Here is an exciting opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics related to veterinary medicine, including routine animal healthcare and how to properly perform non-invasive procedures. You’ll also explore pathways to a career in veterinary medicine. Note: You must wear closed-toe shoes.

Are you ready to take your game design skills to another level? With Unity, an industry-grade design software, aspiring game designers will learn level editing, 3D modeling, impactful gameplay creation, as well as how to utilize scripts and variables. Student-created games will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

In this introductory camp, you’ll design, build, and program your own LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime robot to compete in exciting sumo-style battles. Your mission? Challenge opponents and use your robot’s power and strategy to push them out of the ring, earning the ultimate title of “yokozuna” (grand champion)! You’ll explore essential programming techniques, learn how to integrate sensors for smarter robot behavior, and unleash your creativity to design a robot that dominates the competition. Perfect for young innovators, this camp blends hands-on robotics, problem-solving, and friendly competition for an unforgettable experience. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Discover the Lua coding language while designing experiences in Roblox®, an online universe where you can create anything you dream of. This class combines game design concepts, coding, and fun! New developers will learn to use Roblox® Studio software to reimagine the popular game genres with their own custom code! Student-created games will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

In this camp you’ll learn a practical and realistic self-defense system that teaches you how to prevent, deal with, and overcome all kinds of situations. You’ll prepare in the subjects of self-defense, self-protection, and environmental awareness, learning the skills necessary to defend yourself through unique and comprehensive teaching methods that are both fun and competitive. You’ll learn proper punching, kicking, falling, and ground defense techniques. Realistic scenarios are always emphasized in training and are an important part of the curriculum. Note: Please wear tennis shoes and bring a water bottle and towel to class. If possible, please bring boxing gloves to class. (The gloves are not required but would be helpful.)

Unlock the world of photography with our dynamic course, designed for both smartphone and DSLR enthusiasts. Dive into the art of capturing stunning images and master the essentials of editing to bring your vision to life. Discover exciting career paths and internship opportunities that await in the vibrant field of photography. Whether you're a budding photographer or looking to refine your skills, this course is your gateway to endless creative possibilities!

Butterflies, bees, dung beetles, and more - come explore the wild world of bugs! Did you know that insects play a crucial and often overlooked role in the environment? Join us as we trap, identify, and insects and other invertebrates in different habitats in Knoxville. You’ll learn all about the secret world of insects, from their morphology to the role they play in ecosystems. By the end of this camp, you’ll be able to tell your friends what the creepy crawly in their yard is, and you’ll have a greater appreciation for the amazing creatures you share the world with. Note: On Thursday, we’ll meet at Ijams Nature Center.

Discover the Lua coding language while designing experiences in Roblox®, an online universe where you can create anything you dream of. This class combines game design concepts, coding, and fun! New developers will learn to use Roblox® Studio software to reimagine the popular game genres with their own custom code! Student-created games will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Join us for the ultimate summer showdown at Battle Bots Camp! This highlight of our schedule invites students to design, build, and program their own competitive robots. From strategic planning to tackling challenging obstacles, participants will develop engineering and coding skills while experiencing non-stop excitement. The action-packed journey includes navigating the treacherous “Pit of No Return” as part of the challenge board, testing each bot’s strength, agility, and strategy. Only the most robust and creative designs will rise to the top in this thrilling competition. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Customize your own Minecraft world and mod the classic game in this one-of-a-kind class. Learn scripting and logic statements as you create your first mods. Students will create a wide variety of new elements, gameplay mechanics, and world-generating mods to change the way you play Minecraft. Projects will be available on a password-protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Projects from this class require the Java version of Minecraft. Tablet, phone, and game console versions of Minecraft are not compatible. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Build tall and think big in LEGO Architecture: Skyscrapers! In this hands-on camp, students will study the history of skyscrapers and explore how these buildings have evolved over time. Campers will learn about famous skyscrapers and discover what makes them stand strong—like balance, stability, wind, and weight. Using LEGO bricks, students will design, build, test, and improve their own skyscrapers while trying new building techniques and solving fun design challenges. The camp wraps up with a showcase of everyone’s skyscraper creations—perfect for kids who love LEGO, history, and big ideas! Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Delve into the world of the culinary arts and learn how to become a real chef! In this camp you’ll have the rare opportunity to work in a commercial kitchen and be trained by an American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef. Each day you’ll prepare and consume a delicious gourmet meal and learn a new set of skills to take home with you. You’ll learn about food safety and sanitation skills, knife precision and safety, stock techniques, cheese making, homemade sauces and savory soups. You’ll also learn how to build flavor profiles, be creative with prepared foods, reduce fats in a receipt and build healthy eating habits. Note: You’ll need to wear a white shirt, long black pants, closed-t shoes, and a hat or hair restraint; only single band rings on fingers are permitted by the instructor.

This is a weeklong mock trial class for middle school age students. Basic courtroom procedures will be reviewed and practiced through fictional cases. Students will demonstrate their new skills in a mock trial setting on Friday.

In this engaging camp, you’ll participate in activities that support your interest in and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Each day, you’ll be presented with different tasks that pose real-world problem-solving situations. And as you work through these tasks, guided by your peers and instructor, you’ll gain a better understanding of STEM content and processes.

Take the next step beyond simply “playing” Minecraft and become a true Redstone engineer. Expand your Redstone knowledge by constructing your own carnival with a variety of mini-games, roller coasters, and attractions powered by Redstone. Learn how to use Command and Structure blocks to incorporate them into your builds. Activate your skills and take your Minecraft structures to the next level! Projects from this class require the Java version of Minecraft. Tablet, phone, and game console versions of Minecraft are not compatible. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Jump into the exciting world of FIRST LEGO League Challenge and take your LEGO robotics skills to the next level! This hands-on program guides students through the fundamentals of building, programming, and competing with a LEGO Spike Prime Robot. Students will learn how to design and code a robot, practice completing missions on the official competition table, and explore strategies used by successful FLL teams. Along the way, they’ll build programming, engineering, problem-solving, and teamwork skills while collaborating to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges. Perfect for beginners and students preparing for an upcoming season, this camp helps build confidence and provides a strong foundation for success in First LEGO League Challenge Competition. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Calling all future coders, programmers, & designers! Learn the basics of coding languages like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS through a series of web projects and design challenges each day, and be on your way to becoming the next tech star! Whether you want to be a Silicon Valley CEO or the high school student who just made a million dollars for programming in her bedroom, this course has the essentials you need to begin your journey. Projects will be available on a Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

This one-week camp introduces students in grades 3-5 to the basics of American Sign Language (ASL) through games, movement, and interactive activities. Campers will learn to fingerspell, greet others, ask simple questions, and communicate without using their voices. Along the way, students will explore Deaf culture and discover new ways people connect and communicate. Perfect for curious learners! No prior ASL experience is required.

In this camp you’ll learn a practical and realistic self-defense system that teaches you how to prevent, deal with, and overcome all kinds of situations. You’ll prepare in the subjects of self-defense, self-protection, and environmental awareness, learning the skills necessary to defend yourself through unique and comprehensive teaching methods that are both fun and competitive. You’ll learn proper punching, kicking, falling, and ground defense techniques. Realistic scenarios are always emphasized in training and are an important part of the curriculum. Note: Please wear tennis shoes and bring a water bottle and towel to class. If possible, please bring boxing gloves to class. (The gloves are not required but would be helpful.)

Test scores are more important than ever for students desiring to receive scholarships and be admitted to the best possible college. In Tennessee, just a few points increase in scores can provide access to thousands of scholarship dollars. This highly interactive course involves both a pre-test and post-test using actual retired ACT exams. Exams are graded and analyzed for each student. Materials and assessment services are provided by Cambridge Educational Services, a premier provider of test preparation services. Class size is limited to ensure time for individual assistance. The course review is customized for the class and uses classroom lessons, practice test questions, skill reviews, and exercises in areas of English, reading, math, and science. You’ll choose one four-hour period to take the pre-test, spend four days in intensive review, and take the post-test. 

Embark on an exciting journey of discovery as we explore the amazing diversity of plants all around us. In this hands-on class, you'll visit a greenhouse, explore the dry pressed plants at the herbarium, and take walks around campus to learn about the fascinating plants that surround us every day. As part of the class, you'll create your own mini plant collection, with the opportunity to contribute your best specimens to the UT Herbarium. Along the way, you'll deepen your understanding of the diverse world of plants and grow your appreciation for the natural world. This camp is supported by a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (DEB-2046467).

Tired of your old, boring clothes? Want to jazz up your wardrobe with unique clothing, customized by you? Join us for “Wearable Print Lab: Upcycled T-Shirts and More!” a one-week workshop for grades 8-12 where students will learn how to screen print on t-shirts and more! Throughout the week students will learn how to create and print their own t-shirt designs using professional screen printing equipment. This workshop will teach students fundamental printmaking principles that are applicable within various artistic and digital processes. Note: Students are required to wear close-toed shoes and bring atleast 5 plain white t-shirts to design on. Students are encouraged to also bring any clothing items that they would like to breathe new life into, but is not required.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, The Dark Side of the Moon, Brat what do these iconic albums have in common? They are instantly recognizable because of their powerful cover designs. In this workshop, students will learn how visual design shapes the way we experience music, movies, and books. Guided by two music lovers, students will explore album covers, movie posters, and book covers, learning basic principles of design such as color, typography, composition, and visual storytelling. Using accessible materials, students will create their own original covers while developing creativity, problem-solving skills, and visual confidence. By the end of the week, each student will have a album cover, movie poster and book cover. Note: Students are required to bring a sketchbook of any size. Students may also bring old magazines and hard-cover books to use in the projects, but are not required.

This camp explores how scientists and investigators determine non-human from human remains, what bones can tell us archaeologically, and how this information is used to solve crimes. You’ll learn how to determine the age, sex, and stature of remains and discover job opportunities in the various fields of anthropology.

In this engaging and interactive camp offered as part of the Summer Writing Academies by UT's Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center, experienced tutors will guide you through brainstorming ideas, crafting a compelling story, and revising it to perfection. They will demonstrate how to elevate a college application essay from good to great. By the end of the camp, you'll have a complete essay that showcases your unique voice and sets you apart from other college and scholarship applicants.

Become an investigator by exploring scientific and chemical principles and techniques used to detect criminal acts. In this camp you’ll examine synthetic blood, trace evidence, organize and record data, think critically, conduct simple tests, and combine your data to solve a crime. Note: You’ll need to wear long pants, sleeved shirts, socks, and shoes. Guest forensic speaker.

Want to learn the world's fastest-growing programming language favored by Google and NASA? Discover how to code with Python using accessible web-based platforms that guide students through a series of daily lessons. Build fundamental tech literacy while creatively solving software engineering challenges! Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

Unleash your inner architect in our LEGO® Architecture Camp, where creativity meets engineering! Designed for students in grades 4-8, this camp invites aspiring builders to explore the art and science of architecture through hands-on LEGO® projects. Campers will recreate famous landmarks, design their own structures, and learn architectural principles like scale, balance, and structural integrity. Participants will delve into design challenges, discover architectural styles, and develop problem-solving and teamwork skills. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program.

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