K-12 program offers nontraditional admissions experiences for school-aged students with interactive campus activities

Dana Storti

Students participate in STEM activities at Rochester Institute of Technology during Camp Tiger prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kids on Campus, a branch of the K-12 University Center at Rochester Institute of Technology, gives school-aged students in the community nontraditional admissions experiences – providing interactive campus involvement that exposes them to STEM disciplines they might be interested in, along with other opportunities provided by RIT. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. Sometimes an "A" is added to the acronym to make STEAM, which includes the arts.

Director Kraig Farrell said the goal is to provide hands-on activities and events to youth by touring campus, providing lunch, and connecting student participants with faculty members and departments, and explore real-time research happening at the university.

“It’s a great way to expose students to RIT and the programs of study here,” Farrell said.

Typically, a half-day event, these opportunities are available during the school year annually from September through June. During the summer, RIT offers Camp Tiger, which is facilitated by the K-12 Center.

Camp Tiger, deemed the longest-running camp model in Monroe County, helps connect university faculty members and departments on campus with local youth through a variety of one- and two-week long academic and sports camps.

“After a two-year hiatus, we’re looking forward to going full-steam ahead to welcoming kids back to campus with these,” Farrell said.

The COVID-19 pandemic not only impacted Camp Tiger, but other Kids-on-Campus activities, which Farrell said limited visitors at RIT.

To learn more about non-admission campus experience for K-12 schools and youth organizations, visit this link: Visit campus. To learn more about Camp Tiger, visit this link: Camp Tiger

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