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Seventh and eighth graders from across Southeast Texas spent the week of June 2 to 6 on the campus of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University participating in L.I.T.E. Camp, a free, week-long engineering camp designed to introduce middle school students to the principles and possibilities of careers in STEM.

L.I.T.E., which stands for ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Intro to Engineering, offers hands-on activities, team projects, and lessons across a range of engineering disciplines. Campers work alongside LU faculty, engineering students, and industry professionals to better understand what engineering is, how it applies to real-world problems, and what it takes to succeed in the field.

“This camp introduces middle school children to engineering, and we take them through each discipline each day,” chemical engineering student volunteer Habi Duraippandian said. “It really opens your eyes to what’s possible in the future.”

Each day is dedicated to a specific branch of engineering, including chemical, civil, mechanical, and electrical, and includes guided experiments, problem-solving challenges, and open Q&A sessions. For many campers, it’s the first time they’ve encountered these concepts.

“We started with chemical engineering on Monday,” Duraippandian said. “We asked them if they’d heard of it, explained the basics, and then did a series of chemical reaction demonstrations. They asked great questions, and it was amazing to watch them absorb the information and immediately start thinking critically.”

Campers are grouped into teams, each with a name, motto, and chant. While this aspect of the camp adds an element of fun, it also reinforces key engineering values such as collaboration, communication, and leadership.

“We were the Big Bad Blizzards,” chemical engineering student Madison Bundick said. “Coming up with our chant and getting in a circle to shout it together, that was the moment we really started working as a team. It was cool to feel that connection.”

The enthusiasm of the students was matched by their college mentors, many of whom participated in similar camps as children.

“I did camps like this when I was a kid,” mechanical engineering student Tristin Bell said. “It wasn’t this exact program, but the experience was foundational. It helped me figure out what I was interested in and gave me a direction early on. That kind of exposure is crucial.”

Bell added, “It’s always a great time helping out the kids and watching them grow and learn these engineering and STEM techniques and technologies.”

Throughout the week, LU engineering students noted how eager the middle schoolers were to engage, asking questions about college life, engineering coursework, and what it’s like to pursue a STEM degree.

“They’re always asking what we do on a daily basis,” Duraippandian said. “It’s rewarding to see their faces light up when they solve a problem or connect a new concept for the first time.”

L.I.T.E. Camp is offered at no cost to participants thanks to the generous support of sponsors ExxonMobil, Motiva, BASF, and TotalEnergies. Students must submit a recent report card and a teacher evaluation to apply. Application materials and additional details can be found on ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University’s website.

To learn more about engineering camps at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University, visit /engineering/k-12-programs/index.html.