This summer, students in Manchester will have the opportunity to explore an array of cutting-edge subjects ranging from animatronics and 3D bioprinting to microbiology and bioinformatics as part of a new outreach initiative at UNH Manchester.
Running this July 22 - August 2, Manchester Tech Camp is a dynamic new program being offered at no cost to students entering grades 5-12 in the Manchester public school district. Part of the broader Manchester CREATES workforce development initiative underway at the university, the goal of the camp is to cultivate interest and expertise in subjects related to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM), as well as develop career pathways within the region’s burgeoning biotech industry.
“The bioscience industry in and around Manchester is growing rapidly and its long-term success is dependent on having access to a well-informed and engaged workforce,” says Mike Decelle, Dean of UNH Manchester. “That’s why educating middle and high school students about all the cutting-edge research happening right here in their own community is so important. There will be a wide variety of jobs related to this industry that need to be filled and the more students know, the better positioned they will be to take a leading role.”
Offered through the UNH College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Manchester Tech Camp will provide students with access
to state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology and award-winning faculty. The program is affiliated with UNH Tech Camp on the Durham campus, a popular summer program that has been inspiring curious learners for close to two decades.
“The emphasis of both camps is on collaborative, hands-on learning that emphasizes problem solving, creative thinking and having fun,” says Shannon McCracken-Barber, project director for Manchester CREATES. “In addition to the activities that students will be doing in the lab, we will also be bringing in industry experts to discuss their work.”
A related paid professional development program for middle and high school STEAM educators called the Manchester Tech for Teachers Institute is also being introduced on the UNH Manchester campus this summer. The goal of this program is to build knowledge around regenerative medicine and biofabrication, as well as the transformation of instructional practice through project-based learning. The program will run July 22-August 2 and is already full for 2024.
Funding for both the camp and professional development program is provided by the U.S. Economic Development Administration as part of a national Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant awarded to the City of Manchester in September of 2022. The focus of this grant is to create a biofabrication cluster in the Manchester Millyard and support scientific research, business development, community partnerships and an array of education and workforce cultivation initiatives.
For questions about Manchester Tech Camp, please contact Shannon McCracken-Barber at shannon.mccrackenbarber@unh.edu.