TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- For many kids, learning is not at the top off their minds when it comes to summer vacation. But the Challenger Learning Center is hoping to change that by introducing students to the latest technologies - and helping them create things they never knew were possible.
So what did you do this summer?
Seventh grader Timi Sobanjo is excited to tell the world, "I went to science and tech camp and I'm proud of it!"
Enter the Tallahassee Challenger Learning Center.
The facility offers camps all summer long - but it's the "Tech-Tastic Week" that has dozens of kids gladly giving up their summer vacation.
"It gives the kids a chance to work with some really interesting equipment, so as they get older when they experience these things in high school and college they're not as intimidated. They get to understand the concepts early on so it's not so scary for them in the future," said Miranda Manning, flight director at the Challenger Learning Center.
This summer it's all about the 3D printer. Campers get to work one-on-one with this new technology, getting the chance to see, touch and create.
"Snap! You get that spark and you see the light in their eyes and they finally feel like I've accomplished something," said camp counselor Tiziano Lento.
Manning adds: "Removing the barriers for these kids. Letting them get hands-on and get in there helps to show them that they can kind of set the bar higher for themselves."
It's that early exposure, that counselors say is key.
"There is a need for more people to come and innovate. If they can be inspired enough to say hey I want to check that out, or hey this is fun and maybe I should pay more attention in class," said Lento.
While they may be too young to decide their entire future today, these campers say they'll still walk away from camp knowing they can reach for the stars... even if they have to print them themselves
"I don't know what I want to be when I grow up so I'm looking to see if it might be somewhere in the science and tech field," said Sobanjo.
The Challenger Learning Center's "Tech-Tastic" camp runs through Friday.
For more information on the other camps offered by the center, click here.
