On Monday, the Mechanical Engineering Department and Kawasaki provided a robot exhibition. Justin Sears of Cathedral Elementary expressed awe for the "amazing technology."

In other instances, the organizers designed activities to promote creative thinking. In one activity, the students were given the following scenario: "Due to a variety of factors, the lemon peel disposal has become expensive. A lemonade company is looking for alternative uses of the peel in order to maximize profits. What would you suggest?" Proposals ranged from the highly practical to the zany. However, Associate Professor Bruce Dvorek of UNL Civil Engineering and Biological Systems Engineering noted that good engineers always remain receptive to creative alternatives. Today's seemingly silly ideas can become tomorrow's innovative solutions.

In another room, several students operated a bridge-designing program. Students were able to experiment with suspension, truss, and cantilever bridges. The students could also alter the design by changing the materials used to construct the bridge. If the bridge was well designed, a simulated truck made it to the other end-if not, the truck crashed into the river.

The camp left the students with a positive impression. Jon Christensen, who will enter the seventh grade at Lincoln's Lux Middle School in the fall, attended the camp to learn more about engineering careers. As the camp concluded, Christiansen stated that he wanted to be a mechanical engineer because "they make good money and have fun."

Dr. John Ballard, Associate Dean of Technology and Engineering, and Jane Edwards of Lincoln Southeast High School served as co-directors for the camp. To learn more about the engineering camp, contact Barb Hoppe at bhoppe7577@aol.com.

ABOUT BRIGHT LIGHTS

Finishing its 15th year, the Bright Lights program offers enrichment camps for students having completed grades K through 9. Bright Lights strives to "take learning beyond the classroom by providing youth with unique, motivating, hands-on learning opportunities." According to Barb Hoppe, Bright Lights Director, the program received over 2000 registrations in 2001, a 15 percent increase from the previous year.

This summer, three sessions of weeklong, half-day classes were offered, June 11-15, June 25-29, and July 9-13. Participating students could choose from over 70 different classes in science, art, math, history, music and other fields. Class titles included "Robotics: Exploring Lego Logo" and "Math: Graphing Calculators and Wind Energy." Most of these activities were held at Morley Elementary in Lincoln Nebraska. Junior high students could also attend daylong camps, such as "Medical Explorers" held at Bryan LGH East and "Engineering Day Camp" at UNL (see adjacent article). Next year, the Bright Lights program hopes to add a new class in cooperation with the UNL Architectural College.

Bright Lights is made possible by and continually seeks volunteers. During this school year, Bright Lights needs volunteers willing to assist with office tasks. Teachers are needed for the summer sessions. Those willing to help should contact Barb Hoppe via email, bhoppe7577@aol.com, or by phone, 201-1115 extension 42 as soon as possible.

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