Penn State Altoona Summer Academies
Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601
About
Penn State Altoona Summer Academies offers activities that include rebuilding and racing a SMARS modular rover across a simulated Martian landscape, building and launching rockets to simulate emergency supply drops, and participating in engaging space-science activities. The program also includes hands-on studio experiences in drawing, ceramics, and graphic design, as well as sensory integration play and Sense-ational Endeavors activities that use all six senses. Students may rebuild and reprogram the SMARS modular rover, install firmware and communication pulses to reconnect with Earth, restore rover mobility by calibrating motor offsets, program tracks for rugged Martian terrain, and integrate ultrasonic sensors and mechanical claws to detect obstacles, clear debris, and navigate craters.
• Ages: 8–17 years old
• Schedule: Summer Academies 2026 include one-week sessions such as the VAST Summer Art Studio (Monday through Friday, July 13–17, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) and the Senior Engineering Academy (Monday through Friday, July 20–24, 9:00 a.m.–noon), along with Sense-ational Endeavors sessions running July 13–24 with separate morning and afternoon times.
• Price: VAST Summer Art Studio—$300; Senior Engineering Academy (Grades 6–8)—$175.
Penn State Altoona Summer Academies states that its goal is to help participants reach their educational, personal, and professional goals. Penn State Altoona and Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 collaborate to support the Sense-ational Endeavors Summer Camp. Summer Academies 2026 are open to students in grades 3–12, and topics available include engineering, healthcare, visual art, and Sense-ational Endeavors for children with autism spectrum disorder. Enrollment for the VAST Summer Art Studio is capped at fifteen students, and on the final day of the Senior Engineering Academy, parents are invited to attend and see what students have built, programmed, and accomplished. Partial and full scholarships may be offered depending on financial need and availability.
Last updated July 13, 2026.
• Ages: 8–17 years old
• Schedule: Summer Academies 2026 include one-week sessions such as the VAST Summer Art Studio (Monday through Friday, July 13–17, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) and the Senior Engineering Academy (Monday through Friday, July 20–24, 9:00 a.m.–noon), along with Sense-ational Endeavors sessions running July 13–24 with separate morning and afternoon times.
• Price: VAST Summer Art Studio—$300; Senior Engineering Academy (Grades 6–8)—$175.
Penn State Altoona Summer Academies states that its goal is to help participants reach their educational, personal, and professional goals. Penn State Altoona and Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 collaborate to support the Sense-ational Endeavors Summer Camp. Summer Academies 2026 are open to students in grades 3–12, and topics available include engineering, healthcare, visual art, and Sense-ational Endeavors for children with autism spectrum disorder. Enrollment for the VAST Summer Art Studio is capped at fifteen students, and on the final day of the Senior Engineering Academy, parents are invited to attend and see what students have built, programmed, and accomplished. Partial and full scholarships may be offered depending on financial need and availability.
Last updated July 13, 2026.
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