Take Flight with the DiscoverU Aerospace Engineering Summer Camp
Take Flight with the DiscoverU Aerospace Engineering Summer Camp
Kennesaw State University - Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET) invites middle and high school students to experience a week of discovery at the DiscoverU Aerospace Engineering summer camp. This weeklong, immersive camp takes place on KSU's Marietta Campus in the Engineering Technology Center and is led by Dr. Stephen Johnston, known as Dr. J.
Dr. J is an engineering educator and researcher with expertise in thermal fluid sciences and design. As an Eagle Scout, he's especially passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Know a student who is fascinated by flight, robotics, or aerospace?
DiscoverU's Aerospace Engineering summer camp offers a hands-on opportunity for students to explore aircraft, design, flight, and innovation in an engaging university setting. They will experience aircraft design/build projects, flight competitions, simulators, robotics lab visits, engage in computer-based modeling, and gain exposure to industry environments including a professional aerospace laboratory visit and a Lockheed Museum tour.
Q&A With Dr. J
What are the main skills that your course offers to DiscoverU participants?
This camp helps students build both problem-solving and teamwork skills. They learn how to apply math and science to real challenges, think critically about how things work, and improve their designs through testing and iteration.
Students have the chance to work in teams on some projects, practicing communication and collaboration. Teams succeed together, and when things don't go as planned, they work together to adapt.
What is the most important thing that DiscoverU Aerospace Engineering students should know?
This camp is about doing engineering, not just learning about it. Students won't need prior experience, just curiosity and a willingness to try, experiment, and learn from mistakes.
What is the most important thing that parents of DiscoverU Aerospace Engineering students should know?
This course emphasizes engaging, structured, and accessible learning. Students will take concepts from short lessons and apply them to solve real-world problems to reinforce their understanding and promote lesson retention. Even if a student is new to engineering, they will be encouraged to explore engineering concepts through guided, hands-on activities.
What is your favorite topic that you teach during DiscoverU?
I really enjoy taking complex concepts like lift and drag calculations and making them simple and tangible for students. For example, we use approachable projects like paper airplanes to explore how small design changes affect performance. Students can experiment, test, and immediately see the results of their decisions, which makes the learning process more engaging and memorable. It's exciting to see them connect the math and physics to something they designed themselves.
Spaces fill quickly. Register today and unlock what's possible with DiscoverU.
Click here to join the waitlist for July 13–17, 2026
For more information, contact the DiscoverU team at discoveru@kennesaw.edu.