On July 22, 69 students, their family members and staff of Weber PREP gathered in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms to participate in the closing ceremony for the 8-week long summer camp. The camp covered math, logic and engineering for students going into seventh grade next year.

Jennifer Iverson, whose son Garrett attended the camp, said that the best part of the evening was seeing how excited the kids were to show off what they had learned.

“Programs like WSU PREP are life changing for kids,” Iverson said. “They learn just how fun learning can be, and that is priceless.”

A slideshow was presented using pictures taken by Dana Dellinger, director for the Center of Technology Outreach, and then students came to the front to speak about the various components of the program, including the classes, field trips and speakers. The students also thanked those involved in the program.

Garrett Iverson, son of Jennifer Iverson, had participated in PREP during summer. Garrett said he enjoyed the logic classes. “It helped broaden my ideas of careers I know about and can choose from,” Garrett said.

David Ferro, dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology, was the keynote speaker for the evening and spoke once Dana Dellinger had taken time to speak with the audience.

Ferro spoke about why they had decided to run this program in the first place. Ferro said that they liked that the program was not all show and was hands-on fun.

“The program had homework, quizzes and some pretty difficult concepts [students] had to work through,” Ferro said.

Ferro also spoke to the audience about the importance that these skills have in any walk of life and that the future depends on applying these skills towards good.

Those in attendance were then directed to another room to have refreshments and to see the children present.

The evening was very low pressure, according to Marisa Sharpe, mother of one of the students who had participated in PREP. “Families were lingering and seemed to enjoy watching the kids show what they had learned,” Sharpe said.

Students who had participated in the PREP camp were given the chance to share with family and friends what they had done over the past seven weeks of camp. This included skills in problem solving, logic, math and engineering. “We want to give the students a chance to show off what they’ve learned,” said Dellinger.

One student, Mia Sharpe, had her minion-themed rocket on display for the evening. Marisa Sharpe, Mia’s mother, said that her daughter had built and designed the rocket with a team during the week PREP camp had the kids study rockets.

“They were very, very proud of their design,” said Marisa Sharpe. “The rocket itself didn’t work flawlessly, but it was still a great learning experience, and Mia has finished this camp with a new enthusiasm toward learning and education.”

For more information about WSU PREP and how to get involved next year, visit the WSU PREP website at www.weber.edu/wsuprep.