Free UMaine summer camp allows high schoolers to build parts used in smartphones and spaceships

for students exploring careers in engineering and computing

Thu, 06/18/2026 - 9:00am

ORONO — Through experiments and game-based learning, high school students can learn how to build microchips for powering smartphones, computers and spaceships during a free University of Maine summer camp from July 6 -10, at Barrows Hall, on the University of Maine campus.

The five-day camp caters to students exploring careers in engineering and computing by immersing them in microchips, transistors and of the latest building blocks for modern technology worldwide: semiconductors, according to UMaine, in a news release. By the end of the week, participants will integrate and build and test their own semiconductor system.

In addition to experiments and games, students will also tour Texas Instruments’ South Portland facility, giving them industry exposure, opportunities to interact with experts and a glimpse into future career paths.

The camp is hosted by the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) at UMaine and funded by the National Science Foundation.

As Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts/ and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts/.