Innovation Camps
Started in 2010, the Innovation Camps (formerly Future Engineers Camps) are a program of the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies (NCCET) and Appalachian State University. Open to rising first through sixth grade students every summer, the camps offer a fertile and fun learning environment for those interested in engineering, robotics, coding and other STEM-related concepts. The camp curriculum is supported by North Carolina State University and is led by teachers from multiple school districts from across the Greater Hickory Metro Area.
The primary areas of focus for the camps are to:
- introduce engineering concepts and activities to students in elementary, middle and high school in an effort to encourage future training and educational opportunities in related fields and
- to provide local teachers with activities and programs that they can incorporate in their classrooms to engage their students in engineering and other STEM related concepts and activities.
For more information about the Innovation Camps and how to register, please contact Camp Manager Gina Houston at 828-827-6187 or nccetcamp@appstate.edu.
Upcoming Innovation Camps
This summer we will host three amazing Innovation Camps at the NC Center for Engineering Technologies in Hickory, NC. Each camp is held during two unique sessions/weeks and each session has different projects and activities. View our 2025 Innovation Camps flyer for more information.
Engineering Pioneers
Rising 1st – 3rd Grade
Instructor: Jenna Harris
This camp is designed for younger students, introducing them to STEM concepts during the formative years of their educational journey. Tailor-made for younger students, this camp is educational, hands-on, and FUN!
- Session 1: June 16th – June 20th, 2025
- Session 2: July 7th – July 11th, 2025
Photos from 2024 Engineering Pioneers – Session 1 and Session 2
Future Engineers
Rising 4th – 6th Grade
Instructor: Karen Brown
Students imagine, collaborate, explore, and create, all while learning STEM skills that will set them up for classroom success.
- Session 1: June 16th – June 20th, 2025
- Session 2: July 7th – July 11th, 2025
Robotics
Rising 4th – 6th Grade
Instructor: Angel Johnson
Your student’s creativity and imagination will be brought to life as they learn how to build and program a LEGO EV3 robot utilizing award-winning software.
- Session 1: June 23rd – June 27th, 2025
- Session 2: July 14th – July 18th, 2025