Anne Belk Hall on Appalachian State University is usually full of college students studying history, anthropology, and government. However this year, during the week of July 13th, things looked and sounded a little different…
GEAR UP Appalachian’s annual Camp N.A.S.C.A.R (Navigating Automobile Safety Collisions and Robotics) took place in Anne Belk Hall this year, in addition to the inaugural P.R.E.S.S (Publishing, Reporting, Editing, Storytelling, and Sharing) Camp.
These camps brought GEAR UP students from Ashe, Swain, Watauga, and Wilkes counties together to broaden their coding and storytelling skills.
Camp N.A.S.C.A.R campers used CuteBots and MircoBits to compete in different challenges and courses, set by GEAR UP Academic Innovation Specialist and camp co-organizer, Brittany Brady. Some of the challenges included coding their robots to seek magnets, avoid construction paper obstacles, as well as coding them to sing and dance when successfully completing a challenge.
“Camp week was such a great week for our students. One of the most rewarding parts of this year’s camp was watching students transform curiosity and coding difficulties into confidence,” said Brittany. “The grit and determination they exhibited were inspiring, and I can’t wait to see what their futures hold!”
P.R.E.S.S Camp, facilitated by GEAR UP Assistant Director for Student Leadership & Family Outreach, Yolanda Adams, gave students a crash course in storytelling and videomaking.
Students worked on a week-long video project that paired them into teams and matched them with partnering King Street businesses in downtown Boone. Students worked with Anna Bananas, Mountaineer Mania, King Street Flowers & Gifts, and Venture Chocolate and Wine to shoot and edit short promotional videos about their partner businesses.
To prepare for their video-editing challenge, students participated in an editing workshop instructed by filmmaker and Appalachian State University professor Tom Hansell. Students learned filmmaking best practices as well as how to use video editing software.
P.R.E.S.S campers also heard from guest lecturers such as communications specialist Emma Faulkner from the Boone Chamber of Commerce, freelance journalist Luke Barber, as well as radio personalities Mark Norris and Paul Foster of High Country Radio.
During Mark and Paul’s presentation on Tuesday, July 14, students had the chance to announce several songs and give short interviews about their aspirations and camp experience so far.
On Wednesday, both camps travelled to Concord to visit both the NASCAR Production and Research and Development Facilities. Students had the chance to tour the studios where every national and international NASCAR race is broadcast from, explore a first-of-its-kind 3D printing lab, and meet with the professionals behind these facilities.
On Friday, campers gathered with their families to show off the skills they learned throughout the week. N.A.S.C.A.R campers competed in their final, most intensive CuteBot challenge, while P.R.E.S.S campers presented their final promotional videos before a panel of judges made up of the week’s guest lecturers.
Families also participated in a campus tour of Appalachian State University and ate lunch with their campers and the GEAR UP team.
Planning is currently underway for next year’s camp activities.
