STEAM Design & Engineering Camp Unlock your creativity and problem-solving skills this summer with hands-on design, featuring innovative projects in our Matt’s Maker Space!

To participate in this exciting program, students must be entering grades 9-12 as of Fall 2025 and/or be a 2025 high school graduate.  No prior experience is necessary in order to participate. 

Students should plan to bring their own PC or MacBook with charger daily.

This program is open to the first 16 students who complete the registration and pay their deposit. 

Important Dates:

Residential and Commuter Check-In: Sunday, July 27 from 1 - 4 pm

Program Start Date: Monday, July 28 
Program End Date: Friday, August 1

Residential Move-Out: Friday, August 1 (evening) or Saturday, August 2 (morning)

Program Overview:

The Human-Centered Design & Engineering Summer Camp is a five-day immersive program focused on design thinking, prototyping, and engineering solutions. Each day begins with an interactive icebreaker, followed by structured sessions that introduce students to virtual world-building, empathy-driven design, and hands-on prototyping using both low-tech and high-tech tools such as 3D printing and Hummingbird kits. Students will refine their projects through collaboration, testing, and iteration before preparing for a final showcase where they present their creations. The program also emphasizes storytelling, AI integration, and professional presentations. 

• Learn the fundamentals of human-centered design and problem-solving
• Engage in both low-tech and high-tech prototyping
• Utilize industry-standard tools like Tinkercad, Arduino, and 3D printing
• Collaborate with peers on engineering-based projects
• Develop storytelling techniques to present design solutions
• Showcase final projects in an interactive exhibition

Daily Class Outlook:

Kelly Pascarella, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor of Education

Kelly Pascarella, Ed.D., is an assistant professor in Point Park University's School of Education. She previously served as an adjunct professor and brings 20 years of teaching experience to the classroom. Most recently, she created the Consuming and Producing Successfully (CAPS) program in the Upper St. Clair School District. She also taught fourth grade at Lincoln Elementary School and served as the elementary gifted and math acceleration coordinator in the Mt. Lebanon School District.

Pascarella is the founder of Education Blueprint, a nonprofit professional learning community for PreK-12 educators to find, share, communicate and rate resources that make for the best learning experiences.

In addition to teaching, Dr. Pascarella is a published author. She was a contributing writer for Mother.ly and published "The Climbing Tree," a children's book dedicated to ages 8-18 about the idea of choice and the decisions one makes throughout a lifetime. 

Matt Henderson

Matt Henderson is an innovative educator and STEAM specialist with over 25 years of experience in K–12 and higher education. He currently serves as the STEAM Design Teacher at Boyce Middle School in the Upper St. Clair School District and on faculty at Point Park University, where he develops interdisciplinary, maker-based curricula that promote creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Matt leads several initiatives including robotics programs, summer camps, and technology integration, and he plays a key role in mentoring future educators. A recipient of national awards for educational innovation, he also serves as Department Chair for Expressive Arts and is a board member of Matt’s Maker Space, helping to advance hands-on, student-centered learning across disciplines. 

Dorm & Meals Information:

When applicable, residential students receive 3 meals on weekdays and 2 meals on weekends. Commuters receive a daily lunch buffet. All meals take place in our Lawrence Hall Dining Room.

Available Discounts:
1. A 30% tuition discount is currently offered to Point Park University employees, alumni, and their immediate family members. Family is defined as yourself, your spouse, and/or your children. Dorm and meal plan costs are not available for this discount.

2. Enroll a participant in more than one program or register more than one child from the same family to receive $50.⁰⁰ off your balance. This coupon can only be applied to one program or account.

Welcome to our campus!

All classes will be held on campus at Point Park University.

Address: 
Point Park University
201 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

The option to live on campus is available to students at least 14 years old on the start date of the program.> We will do our best to fulfill roommate requests, but requests are NOT guaranteed. Students will have the opportunity to enter requests during the registration process. 

Each residence hall has multiple points of secure access to student living areas, such as keycards, access codes, and lock and key. Students attending our workshop will stay in Thayer Hall. Thayer Hall offers double and triple occupancy rooms. A packing list will be sent closer to the workshop. Please be aware that bed linens (twin / extra-long linens) will need to be supplied by the student. 

Adult Resident Assistants (RAs) live on campus to supervise students who are minors. Each RA is responsible for eight to ten minors.