Registration opens for Colorado Mountain College Summer Technology Institute
By Kristin Carlson
As parents plan family vacations, they’re also looking for local opportunities to keep kids engaged and entertained during the long summer days. The Summer Technology Institute at Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge offers young people a chance to explore the digital landscape with a group of experienced guides.
Founder and lead teacher of the Summer Technology Institute, Robert Cartelli, a technology and e-commerce instructor at the college, saw a need to support local schools in their efforts to stay ahead of the technology curve. So, with the help of several expert instructors, he launched the first Summer Technology Institute last July.
“Schools are facing budget cuts on every front,” said Cartelli. “This is a way for us to give kids a place to learn about technology over the summer, while keeping the focus on fun.”
Schools in the Summit School District have recently adopted a STEM initiative, to encourage professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to share their expertise with local students. The Summer Technology Institute, said Cartelli, provides a supplemental opportunity for kids to connect with professional instructors, even when school’s not in session.
Technology Institute offers array of in-depth experience
When Cartelli describes the Summer Technology Institute, he is particularly proud of the diverse projects students tackle in the course of one week.
“They learn the business and creative aspects of the digital world,” he said. “They learn math. They create a website and build a shopping cart. They learn about digital photography and video. It’s an intense but rewarding and fun week for everyone involved.
“I think everyone who came to see the final capstone projects last year was pretty impressed, including the instructors,” he said. “To see those final productions is an absolute inspiration and gift.”
Institute offers quality enrichment for high-performing kids in Summit County
According to Sheri Weinman, an administrative assistant at CMC as well as a mom and vocal supporter of enrichment opportunities for all kids, one of the best things about the Breckenridge summer institute is its accessibility. “For Summit kids, there’s no need to go to the Front Range to get a quality enrichment experience,” she said. “This is right in their backyard.”
Megan Morgan, whose son, Grant, attended the camp last year, said: “The day is so well organized. The kids get breakfast and lunch, they get outside, and it’s a full day, which is great for working parents. Kids are digital natives, so they’re naturals with these skills.”
Cartelli notes that the equipment in the CMC computer lab is new and state-of-the-art, so kids get a chance to try their hands at a range of activities in a cutting-edge facility. He’s quick to add, however, that a key goal of the program is to make sure that kids can employ what they learn even after the week’s immersion ends.
“We’re very conscientious to make sure that the skills and tools that we are working on will go with the kids when they leave,” said Cartelli. “We’ve made a huge effort to use low-cost or free versions of software that most kids can access from home or school.”
Applications due by May 31
Applications are available online at www.summerinstitute.com and must be accompanied by one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach or other adult leader. Deadline for receipt of applications is May 31.
The Summer Technology Institute will run from July 22 through July 26.
Enrollment is limited to 15 students. Student applicants must be entering sixth, seventh or eighth grade in September 2013. Only those with a GPA of 3.0 or a Summit School District average of 4 or better will be considered.
For more information about registration and tuition, call Ronda Westhoff at 970-453-6757 ext. 2620 or email rwesthoff@coloradomtn.edu. For all other queries, contact Robert Cartelli, lead instructor, at 970-453-6757 ext. 2629 or rcartelli@coloradomtn.edu.