Summer Adventure Academies

Can’t wait for summer to unfold?

Check out Ranken’s Summer Adventure Academies for rising middle and high school students!

Students get fun, hands-on experiences with technology, and learn about career paths in technical industries. This program encourages middle and high school students to complete high school and further their education in a STEM-related discipline and ultimately join the technical workforce in their community by earning a STEM degree. More than 2,000 students have participated in the program since 2010.

The basics of Summer Adventure Academy 2024:

• The cost is the same as last year, $200, which is non-refundable.
• Each program will run Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 3:00PM.
• Students must be signed in each morning and signed out at the end of the day.
• Lunch is provided each day, as well as snacks and of course, plenty of water. Campers may also get juice or other beverages at lunchtime or bring their own items of choice.
• None of the programs require special equipment. Ranken will supply all safety equipment, such as eye protection and gloves. We do ask that students wear closed-toe shoes (no sandals or flip-flops, please) and for most programs, long pants are required.
• After registration, and closer to the dates of the Academy, our instructors will send out an introduction with a day-to-day syllabus.

Registration Links (registration forms will be open March 11, 2024)

July 8-12, 2024, 9AM to 3PM Middle School Wentzville
July 8-12, 2024, 9AM to 3PM Middle School Troy
July 8-12, 2024, 9AM to 3PM Middle School Perryville
July 15-19, 2024, 9AM to 3PM Middle School STL
July 22-26, 2024, 9AM to 3PM Middle School STL
July 22-26, 2024, 9AM to 3PM High School STL
July 22-26, 2024, 9AM to 3PM Middle School Ashland
For more information, contact: Julie Lakin at [email protected] or 314-286-3678

2024 SUMMER ADVENTURE ACADEMIES (15^th Annual)

Online registration begins March 11th, 2024 at Noon| Registration fee:  $200

Week 1 – Wentzville Location

Middle School Camp for Rising 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Graders

July 8-12, 2024, 9 AM to 3 PM

All A-Bot Robots – Robots may be the future of technology, and they are definitely fun to make and program!  Students will develop their engineering and technology skills using SPIKE robots, gears, motors, and sensors while building a robot to maneuver through an obstacle course.

Week 1 – Troy Location

Middle School Camp for Rising 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Graders

July 8-12, 2024, 9 AM to 3 PM

Futuristic Farming – Students will be introduced to Aquaponics – growing fish and fresh vegetables in a sustainable way, where they will care for live fish and plants. They will weigh and feed fish in a large aquaponic system. They will plant seeds and harvest foods they can take home with them. They will also discover some futuristic ways that farmers are growing more food with less using drones and automation.

Week 1 – Perryville Location

Middle School Camp for Rising 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Graders

July 8-12, 2024, 9AM to 3PM

Heavy Metals – Use raw metal to create your own designs! Students will learn the fundamentals of welding, from simple techniques to more complex ones. Students will design and fabricate their own metal masterpiece.

Remote Control Race Engineering – Students model a motorsports team while working to optimize the performance of a FastTrack RC (remote control) Car through inspection and modifications. Take the challenge!

Week 2 – Saint Louis Location

Middle School Camps for Rising 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Graders

July 15-19, 2024, 9AM to 3PM

Airbrushing Paint FX – Channel your inner artist at our custom automotive painting and airbrushing camp! Students will learn popular airbrushing techniques on a variety of surfaces.

Design and Engineering – Campers will learn about machining and the engineering design process. Explore how your idea can come to life with Mastercam and Solidworks software.

Heavy Metals – Use raw metal to create your own designs! Students will learn the fundamentals of welding, from simple techniques to more complex ones. Students will design and fabricate their own metal masterpiece.

“MakerSpace” Dream Makers –  In this project-based learning environment, students will use Tinkercad to invent 3-D printed items and learn the benefits of working both independently and collaboratively.  Students will take part in a competition that they helped create and will go home with a personally designed keepsake.  This camp promises to be a fun-filled week of learning activities.

Rolling Robots – Learn coding with fun activities using Sphero, the round robot. Create programs to guide Sphero through challenging obstacle courses and routines utilizing tablet technology. Find your future in programming and app development in this unique camp.

Summer Racers – Want to know how a real race team works?   Our summer racers will build their own car, practice team building skills, and learn about automotive careers. Students will learn how a go-kart works, how to use tools, how pit stops win a race, and how to drive a real go-kart safely!

Wood Works – Design it and build it! Students will construct their own project from start to finish using a variety of woodworking, power tools, and machine tools. This program will familiarize students with fundamental construction techniques, shop and safety skills, and provide them with fun, constructive entertainment.

Week 3 –Saint Louis Location

Middle School Camp for Rising 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Graders

July 22-26, 2024, 9 AM to 3 PM (St. Louis Location)

Summer Racers – Want to know how a real race team works?   Our summer racers will build their own car, practice team building skills, and learn about automotive careers.  Students will learn how a go-kart works, how to use tools, how pit stops win a race, and how to drive a real go-kart safely!

Week 3 – Saint Louis Location

High School Camps for Rising 9^th thru 12^th Graders

July 22-26, 2024, 9AM to 3PM

Heavy Metals – Use raw metal to create your own designs! Students will learn the fundamentals of welding, from simple techniques to more complex ones. Students will design and fabricate their own metal masterpiece.

TETRIX Robotics Technology – Build your own robot and apply engineering design principles while expanding your technical building and logical thinking skills.  Learn programming design and how input/output devices can affect the behavior of a robot. A robotic challenge will test your skills.

 Adventures in Architecture – Experience architecture and the built environment through designing, sketching, drafting, and model building. Get hands-on experience with laser cutting & computer aided drafting.

Week 3 – Ashland Location

Middle School Camp for Rising 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Graders

July 22-26, 2024, 9AM to 3PM

Heavy Metals – Use raw metal to create your own designs! Students will learn the fundamentals of welding, from simple techniques to more complex ones. Students will design and fabricate their own metal masterpiece.

All A-Bot Robots – Robots may be the future of technology, and they are definitely fun to make and program!  Students will develop their engineering and technology skills using SPIKE robots, gears, motors, and sensors while building a robot to maneuver through an obstacle course.