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Elon University Launches AI Play, a Weeklong Summer Day Camp for Middle Schoolers
Elon University in Elon, North Carolina, has opened a new weeklong summer day camp called AI Play, designed to introduce middle‑school students to artificial intelligence (AI) through hands‑on activities and digital game design. The program, led by the university’s computer science department, was highlighted in a recent broadcast on WXII in Winston‑Salem.
AI Play targets students in grades six through eight and runs during the summer as a day‑camp format. Participants work on projects that blend basic AI concepts with the creation of simple digital games. The curriculum is structured to give campers a practical understanding of how AI technologies operate, rather than focusing solely on theoretical aspects.
Assistant professor of computer science Alexis Goslen, who directs the camp, explained the motivation behind the initiative. According to Goslen, “It is important to introduce kids to the basics of AI because they are exposed to it in their everyday lives.” She added that the camp’s goal is to help students “understand how those technologies are working” so they can make informed decisions about their future engagement with AI.
The camp’s activities include coding exercises, algorithmic problem‑solving, and the use of AI tools to build interactive game elements. Students learn to design simple machine‑learning models that can, for example, predict player choices or generate in‑game responses. By working directly with these tools, campers gain insight into the practical applications of AI in entertainment and beyond.
Elon University’s computer science faculty emphasized that the program is part of a broader effort to promote AI literacy among younger learners. The university’s leadership believes that early exposure to AI concepts can help students develop computational thinking skills that are increasingly valuable in a technology‑driven economy.
The program’s launch was covered by WXII, a local news station in Winston‑Salem, which highlighted the camp’s focus on hands‑on learning and its potential to spark interest in STEM fields. The station’s report noted that the camp’s schedule is designed to fit within the typical summer day‑camp framework, allowing students to return home each evening while still engaging in intensive, project‑based learning.
While the article does not provide enrollment figures or a detailed curriculum outline, it confirms that AI Play is a weeklong, day‑camp program led by the university’s computer science department and directed by assistant professor Alexis Goslen. The initiative reflects a growing trend among universities to offer specialized summer programs that blend AI education with creative digital media.
The program is currently open for registration, and interested families can find more information on Elon University’s official website or by contacting the university’s admissions office.
In summary, Elon University’s AI Play camp offers middle‑school students a structured, hands‑on introduction to artificial intelligence through digital game design. The initiative, led by assistant professor Alexis Goslen, aims to provide students with a foundational understanding of AI technologies and to encourage informed decision‑making about their future engagement with AI.
AI Play targets students in grades six through eight and runs during the summer as a day‑camp format. Participants work on projects that blend basic AI concepts with the creation of simple digital games. The curriculum is structured to give campers a practical understanding of how AI technologies operate, rather than focusing solely on theoretical aspects.
Assistant professor of computer science Alexis Goslen, who directs the camp, explained the motivation behind the initiative. According to Goslen, “It is important to introduce kids to the basics of AI because they are exposed to it in their everyday lives.” She added that the camp’s goal is to help students “understand how those technologies are working” so they can make informed decisions about their future engagement with AI.
The camp’s activities include coding exercises, algorithmic problem‑solving, and the use of AI tools to build interactive game elements. Students learn to design simple machine‑learning models that can, for example, predict player choices or generate in‑game responses. By working directly with these tools, campers gain insight into the practical applications of AI in entertainment and beyond.
Elon University’s computer science faculty emphasized that the program is part of a broader effort to promote AI literacy among younger learners. The university’s leadership believes that early exposure to AI concepts can help students develop computational thinking skills that are increasingly valuable in a technology‑driven economy.
The program’s launch was covered by WXII, a local news station in Winston‑Salem, which highlighted the camp’s focus on hands‑on learning and its potential to spark interest in STEM fields. The station’s report noted that the camp’s schedule is designed to fit within the typical summer day‑camp framework, allowing students to return home each evening while still engaging in intensive, project‑based learning.
While the article does not provide enrollment figures or a detailed curriculum outline, it confirms that AI Play is a weeklong, day‑camp program led by the university’s computer science department and directed by assistant professor Alexis Goslen. The initiative reflects a growing trend among universities to offer specialized summer programs that blend AI education with creative digital media.
The program is currently open for registration, and interested families can find more information on Elon University’s official website or by contacting the university’s admissions office.
In summary, Elon University’s AI Play camp offers middle‑school students a structured, hands‑on introduction to artificial intelligence through digital game design. The initiative, led by assistant professor Alexis Goslen, aims to provide students with a foundational understanding of AI technologies and to encourage informed decision‑making about their future engagement with AI.
