July 7-11, 2025 – starts and ends in Boston, MA
Applications will open in February!
The PATHwayS Camp is a FREE 5-day, 4-night NASA STEM camp for high school (18+) to graduate school students. Through this camp, students will participate in exciting field trips and work in teams to respond to an engineering design challenge.
Camp in year 1 worked to design life support systems for a community on Mars. Year 2 camp focused on creating a fictional community free of fossil fuels.
The camp will include field trips and interesting presentations that will help guide students to design systems needed to address that year’s challenge.
This camp is FREE for all students who are accepted. A $1000 stipend will be provided to those who complete the week of camp.
More details can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Direct specific questions to Aimee.Bonanno@umb.edu
Frequently Asked Questions:
· What should I expect out of the camp?
The camp is 5 days, 4 nights, and you will work in teams to respond to the challenge question noted above. The camp will travel in a van throughout Massachusetts and visit locations for exciting field trips that will help you design your fictional life support system. You will also meet with professionals who can help answer your questions and provide feedback on your design. We anticipate trips including the wind blade testing facility in Charlestown, the Museum of Science, the Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University, a net zero and geothermal building, and a solar panel installation.
· What is the cost for the camp?
There is no cost to you. Camp is FREE, including lodging, meals, and transportation during the course of the camp.
· Where is drop-off and pick-up?
All campers need to be dropped off and picked up from the Museum of Science, Boston, MA.
How many campers will participate in the camp?
We anticipate approximately 15 campers and 2-3 group leaders.
· Do I need any special training or courses to participate in the camp?
No special training is necessary. An interest in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields (STEM) is preferred.
· Can I leave and return during the camp?
No, this is an immersive experience with carefully planned activities to develop transdisciplinary thinking. It is important to be present for the entire week.
What should I expect out of the overnight accommodations?
Campers should expect to stay in hotels and possibly cabins/yurts. Overnight accommodations will change nightly as we travel around Massachusetts. Students will share rooms with other team members of the same gender.
· I am not currently 18 but will turn 18 by the time the camp begins. Is that OK?
Yes, all camp members must be 18 by the time camp begins.
· I need special accommodations for the camp. Should I still apply?
Yes, please apply and note your needs at the end of the application. Feel free to email Aimee.Bonanno@umb.edu if you want to discuss possible accommodations ahead of time.
First year: July 24-28, 2023 – Boston, MA
During summer of 2023, we held our first PATHways Camp with 10 students. We had a great time and 7 students finished and presented their ideas to both a panel of experts and to the public at the Museum of Science.
You can link to our agenda here.
