Discover Robotics! Youth Summer Camp

Join us at Shippensburg University’s campus in Summer 2025 for an exciting Robotics Integration and Software Foundations camp! This immersive program, developed by the renowned Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy, offers students a hands-on opportunity to dive into the world of robotics. 

Participants will learn to identify and integrate multiple components of a robotics system, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how these systems function. Through engaging lessons and practical projects, students will also develop programming skills to enable their robots to execute specific tasks with precision and efficiency. 

The camp will utilize the wheeled ShieldBot robotic platform controlled by an Arduino module, providing an accessible yet powerful tool for exploring robotics concepts. By the end of the program, students will have built and programmed their own robots, gaining valuable experience in robotics design, integration, and problem-solving. 

The Robotics Integration and Software Foundations camp also includes field trips to Schreiber Foods (Shippensburg, PA) and Volvo Construction Equipment (Shippensburg, PA), and a guest speaker from JLG (Hagerstown, MD). 

Whether you’re a beginner curious about robotics or an aspiring engineer looking to deepen your knowledge, this camp is the perfect place to explore your interests and expand your skills in a supportive and innovative environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a community of passionate learners and take your first step into the future of technology! 

Dr. Joao P. Dias is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Shippensburg University’s Morgan School of Engineering, where he has been a dedicated faculty member since Fall 2019. He teaches a variety of core courses in the Mechanical Engineering program, including Engineering Graphics, Mechanics of Materials, Manufacturing Processes, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer, and Machine Design.  

Dr. Dias’s primary research interests lie in automotive engineering, robotics, 3-D printing, and the application of artificial intelligence to solve complex mechanical engineering problems. As a passionate educator, he is deeply committed to enhancing student learning through engaging hands-on activities and real-world engineering applications. 

In addition to his teaching and research, Dr. Dias serves as the faculty advisor for the collegiate chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) at Shippensburg University and the Ship SAE BAJA team, fostering student involvement in automotive innovation and competition. He is also a certified Robotics Integration and Software Foundations instructor, a credential earned from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy. 

Monday 

9:00 am                     

Check-in 

9:15 am-10:15 am

Classroom  

10:15 am-10:30 am 

Break 

10:30 am-12:00 pm

Experience (Hands On) 

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 

Lunch Break (Reisner)  

1:00 pm-2:15 pm

Experience Time (Hands On) 

2:15 pm-2:30 pm     

Break 

2:30 pm-3:15 pm       

Guest Speaker  

3:15 pm                         

Wrap-up 

3:30 pm                 

Dismissal

Tuesday 

9:00 am                     

Check-in 

9:15 am-10:15 am

Classroom  

10:15 am-10:30 am 

Break 

10:30 am-12:00 pm Experience (Hands On) 

12:00 pm – 12:45 pm

Lunch Break (Reisner)  

1:00 pm-3:00 pm       

Field Trip to TBA

2:15 pm-2:30 pm     

Break 

3:00 pm                       

Travel Back to Shippensburg University  

3:30 pm                 

Dismissal

Wednesday 

9:00 am

Check-in 

9:15 am-10:15 am

Classroom  

10:15 am-10:30 am 

Break 

10:30 am-12:00 pm

Experience (Hands On) 

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 

Lunch Break (Reisner)  

1:00 pm-3:15 pm

Experience Time (Hands On) 

2:15 pm-2:30 pm     

Break 

3:15 pm                         

Wrap-up 

3:30 pm                 

Dismissal

Thursday 

9:00 am                     

Check-in 

9:15 am-10:15 am

Classroom  

10:15 am-10:30 am 

Break 

10:30 am-12:00 pm

Experience (Hands On) 

12:00 pm – 12:45 pm 

Lunch Break (Reisner)  

1:00 pm-3:00 pm       

Field Trip to TBA

2:15 pm-2:30 pm     

Break 

3:00 pm                       

Travel Back to Shippensburg University  

3:30 pm                 

Dismissal

Friday 

9:00 am                     

Check-in 

9:15 am-11:45 am

Experience (Hands On)  

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 

Lunch Break (Reisner)  

1:00 pm-2:15 pm

Experience Time (Hands On) 

2:15 pm-2:30 pm     

Break 

2:30 pm – 3:15 pm   

Guest Speaker/Camp Robotics Show/Reception

3:15 pm                         

Wrap-up 

3:30 pm                       

Camp Completion

$250 per student

This cost covers

  • Arduino Kit (students will get to keep their kit after camp concludes)
  • Lunch
  • Site Visits