Unsure if this sounds like your type of summer program?
Don't take just our word that it's a great experience. Check out what the students, professors, and counselors from last year's program have to say! Be sure to also browse the photos from the two portions of the class.
“Being on the IUP campus has helped me gain the new experiences that I wanted. I did things that my past self would've never thought of and actually ended up enjoying it a lot. If I could, I would definitely do this again.”
“I liked that we got the chance to make our ideas a reality by creating them ourselves.”
“SHP was a fantastic experience that taught me how much fun you can have while learning in college. You make so many new friends and it is an incredible place for connection.”
“I liked how hands on it was. I got to be creative.”
“I feel I reinvigorated my interest in engineering and making things through this. For a direct skill increase, I think I am better at utilizing the tools we could use.”
“Every day the students came in buzzing from their morning with Prof. Adkins. Not difficult to work with students who come in excited from a good morning experience!” – Prof. Sell
Check out photos from the STEAMSHOP portion to the right!
“I love the fact that Prof. Adkins left it open for ideas. He really allowed us to do whatever we were passionate about and run with it. Learning how to use Rhino8 was an interesting experience.”
“My favorite portion of STEAMSHOP was the development of my project. It enabled lots of creativity.”
“I feel like I learned so much and gained new skills I didn't know I could have. This course was very fun and helped me learn a lot.”
“I enjoyed being able to try something new. I enjoyed being able to actually build something that I designed.”
“I saw the impact of Prof. Sell's inspiration on the students. They talked about the game and design activities that they did in his portion while they were working in STEAMSHOP.” – Prof. Adkins
Check out photos from the game design portion to the left!
“The biggest challenge I overcame was learning how to collaborate with others, especially balancing collaboration with decisiveness.”
“I loved the teaching and the way things were presented in class. Additionally, it was nice to meet similarly minded people.”
“The most significant thing I learned while in the GAMEJAM part of this course is how to work in a team.”
“Using the laser cutter had to be my favorite part. After realizing how to use it, it was pretty simple and was fun to watch it finish your product. It allowed me to be more creative with my project.”
“I learned that working together with a team involves thoughtfulness about other perspectives and needs.”
What Counselors Say
"I had the honor of watching the students grow throughout our week. By the end of the program, everyone was so close, and it was very fulfilling to know that we had made a positive impact on these students. My favorite thing about the program was when students came up to me and told me how much more comfortable they felt with the idea of moving out of their homes and starting college. This program was such an incredible learning opportunity for everyone involved, and I highly recommend participating in it!”
"One of my favorite memories from SHP was sitting in the dorm lobby, playing cards and listening to national anthems from different countries while everyone voted on their favorites. It was such a simple moment, but there was something really comforting about it—everyone was together, laughing, and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. Another moment that stands out was playing Pictionary earlier in the week. It was a fun way to break the ice, and it gave me a chance to get to know some of the students on a more personal level while having a blast!"
"What stood out most to me throughout the program was how quickly a group of people from such different backgrounds were able to come together. Despite some disagreements, there was always a baseline of mutual respect that felt rare and refreshing. It reminded me that when people are open-minded and genuinely willing to listen, it’s possible to build real community—even in just a week."