University of Washington Youth & Teen Programs offers year-round learning through more than 40 camps and courses ranging from astronomy to writer’s workshops, giving students in grades 4-12, like Aman Mittal, a taste of college life.
Eighth-grader Aman Mittal is fascinated by science and engineering. An enthusiastic Lego builder and three-time participant in the Science Olympiad’s roller coaster event, he loves building with his hands and discovering principles he can apply to create real machines and structures.
“I went into the University of Washington’s Youth & Teen Programs summer course, Engineering Challenges, because I thought it would broaden my mind to new science topics,” he says. “And I thought it could help me in the Science Olympiad; that’s how I got interested in the program.”
Aman’s expanding. He’s more open to trying different things because he felt like being on campus for Youth & Teen Programs changed his view of the world in a big way last year.
— Sanjeevini Mittal, Parent, UW Youth & Teen Programs
But when it came time to go to class, Aman had reservations. He questioned why his mother signed him up, wondering if he’d make friends, enjoy the material and have fun. Stepping foot on campus changed his perspective. The campus was bigger than he expected, but he loved it and realized being at camp was bigger than learning a new topic — it could open up a whole new world.
“Aman’s expanding. He’s more open to trying different things because he felt like being on campus for Youth & Teen Programs changed his view of the world in a big way last year,” says Aman’s mother, Sanjeevini Mittal. “I felt like he grew as a teen through this experience, not just from a curriculum perspective but as a whole person.”
Growing Beyond the Classroom
Since Aman lives in Redmond, freeway gridlock and construction made the trip to the UW campus more difficult than expected. The Mittal family determined there must be a better way to get to Aman campus than driving him themselves. So, two days into class, Aman mustered up the courage to take the Metro bus to campus.
“That was the first time I learned how the transit buses work and how to use them to get somewhere because I've never done it before, at least not by myself,” he explains. “It turns out it’s a lot of fun.” Before long, he learned the ins and outs of the system and how to navigate the city on his own. Now an avid rider, he’s venturing out more often and introducing his friends who’ve never taken the bus to public transportation.
Aman Mittal and his mother Sanjeevini Mittal explore the UW campus.
“It opened up Aman’s world,” says Sanjeevini. “There was this sense of independence he got from taking the metro bus. You wouldn’t think things like that matter, but they do to a seventh or eighth grader.”
However, Aman’s growth didn’t stop there. As part of his course, his instructors guided him through the nooks and crannies of camps. An experience that allowed him to navigate labs and other facilities, such as the Kirsten Wind Tunnel, and learn how UW scientists, engineers and designers use them.
It was like a lightbulb went off for Aman. The concepts and principles he learned in class were no longer just words on a textbook page. They became real.
“It was good to get to know people through the program, learn about the science behind different types of things and then apply it to our projects,” he explains. “It opened my eyes and piqued my curiosity to explore more hands-on projects. That’s been one of the biggest impacts of this program.”
Getting a Taste of College Life
The field trips across campus not only allowed Aman to experience and see things he wouldn’t typically see in the classroom, but also helped him to gain perspective on college life. While Aman knew his older brother went to college, he had trouble conceptualizing it since college wasn’t something he’d experienced. Getting to explore the university on his own changed all that.
A lot of growth that came from being on that campus. It really gave him confidence, just going to Seattle, going to a university campus and getting a feel for what that world looks like.
— Sanjeevini Mittal, Parent, UW Youth & Teen Programs
“It was my first time on different parts of the campus. Before, I had seen a part of it, but I never had been on it,” Aman says. “It was fun learning where all the buildings are, exploring around and learning about the campus, too.”
Now, Aman has a window into what his educational experience could be. He knows what the classrooms look like and what complex subjects he and his classmates might banter about. He also has an idea of what campus living and life in the dorms feel like. And along with all that knowledge comes the realization that being at a large university isn’t quite as intimidating as it appears on the surface.
“A lot of growth that came from being on that campus. It really gave him confidence, just going to Seattle, going to a university campus and getting a feel for what that world looks like, which is so different,” Sanjeevini says. “And you could tell it sort of broke down what the word ‘college’ means in his psyche and let him imagine college in a more tangible way.”
No longer hesitant about coming to campus, Aman feels comfortable traveling outside his neighborhood and looks forward to it. Moreover, he has broadened his perspective, becoming more open to trying new and different things. So much so that when their family’s calendar reminder popped up to enroll for the coming year, Aman didn’t have to think twice and jumped at the chance.
“I’m coming back to take more classes this year, such as the Coding in Python course I couldn’t attend last year,” he says. “I’m looking forward to doing that because of how fun the courses were last time.”
You can help youth and teens in your community study topics not offered in schools through a variety of UW summer and after-school enrichment programs.