March 9, 2006

Infrastructure camp for high schoolers

June 26-30 camp is geared for students with an interest in basic physical infrastructure

Perennial summer camp offerings include basketball, tennis, sailing, drama and arts camps. But this year there is a new one on the block: Infrastructure Camp at Northwestern June 26 to 30.

The residential camp, sponsored by the University’s Infrastructure Technology Institute (ITI), is targeted to high school juniors, although seniors and sophomores may be considered. An engineering orientation is not required — simply an interest in the basic physical infrastructure that supports society.

The five-day camp will consist of a series of field trips, team exercises and educational sessions dealing with the substance, role and importance of the constructed environment, including roads, bridges, transit systems, air and water ports, potable water and sewer systems, energy and telecommunications, drainage and flood control. Field trips may include visits to an airport and a highway construction project, a boat cruise on the Chicago River and a trip on a chartered Chicago Transit Authority rapid transit train.

Participants will be housed in a residential hall on the University’s Evanston campus, and costs for housing, meals and field trips will be paid by ITI. Costs for transportation to and from Northwestern’s campus will be the responsibility of the students.

ITI, an interdisciplinary center within the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, is active in research, technology commercialization, education, management and policy studies, and community service related to the nation’s infrastructure.

Applications are being taken now. Interested students should apply electronically to David Schulz, director of ITI, at dschulz@northwestern.edu. Applications should include contact information (address, telephone and e-mail address) plus a 500-word essay on why infrastructure is important to our communities and the nation.

The deadline for submittal is March 15. Applicants will be notified by April 3.

For more information on the program, call (847) 491-8165 or (847) 467-2049.