Ceramic Engineering & Polymer Discovery
June 24-28, 2012
This is an opportunity to learn about ceramic engineering, to sample life on a college campus and to meet other students with similar interests and academic ability. The emphasis is on having fun and enjoying our beautiful natural surroundings while learning! Check out comments from past campers>>>

Application Deadline: April 13, 2012
View 2011 AU Summer Academic Camps Video>>>
View AU Engineering & Science Summer Programs Brochure>>>

The Program
Traditional and advanced ceramics intersect in this popular academic camp. Students participate in exciting hands-on lab experiences, working alongside faculty.

Ceramic processing lies at the very heart of all ceramic manufacturing processes and has historically been divided by the terms "traditional" and "advanced" ceramics.

• Traditional ceramics are those that are typically based on kaolin (clay) and glass, such as dinnerware and tile.
  
  
• Advanced ceramics do not contain clay.

This summer these two areas will intersect and a ceramic "sun-catcher" will be fabricated using tape casting, lamination, and glazing, capturing aspects of both traditional and advanced ceramic materials and processing techniques!

Polymers, both natural and synthetic, have unique properties based on their chemistry and physics. In this camp, students will:

• understand how the absorbency of diapers relates to contact lenses and environmental cleanup while quantifying and modeling the water uptake.
  
  
• experience the extreme variability of polymer viscosity via student-created slime and consider the effects of viscosity from “molasses in January” to personal armor protection.
  
  
• discover the hidden uses of polymers by selective destruction of consumer electronics, e.g. cell phone, Ipod, Xbox, computer.

As a concluding activity we’ll use cryogenic temperatures to illustrate some key concepts from chemistry & engineering, e.g., to break rubber and make ice cream.

With our dynamic, engaging, talented and caring faculty and staff; terrific facilities; and lovely surroundings, the AU Ceramic Engineering summer program could make this your best summer ever!

Schedule
Students arrive between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday for registration and check-in and they check-out after lunch on Thursday. Students attend classes during the day and have lots of fun participating in planned recreational activities on and off campus each evening. Living, dining and learning together, they have ample opportunity to get to know each other well and develop lasting friendships. View a sample weekly schedule >>>

Further information, including a detailed program schedule and driving directions to campus, will be sent to all students upon acceptance.

Who Can Attend?
This co-ed, overnight summer camp is designed for high school students who have completed their sophomore or junior years. The number of participants is kept small to allow for individualized attention and optimal use of equipment.

Faculty
Classes are taught by distinguished faculty of Alfred University's Inamori School of Engineering, assisted by advanced AU graduate students. Dr. Steve Pilgrim, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and Dr. Bill Carty, Professor of Ceramic Engineering and Materials Science, are Co-Directors of this program and serve as the primary instructors.

Activities
When not in classes, students have lots of fun participating in recreational activities. Living, dining and learning together, students have ample opportunity to get to know each other and develop lasting friendships. Sample activities include:

• Ice-breaker games on the first night to help everyone get acquainted
  
  
• Movies in Nevins Theater
  
  
• Visiting a nearby lake for picnics and campfires
  
  
• Swimming in the University pool
  
  
• Outdoor games such as "Capture the Flag" and "Ultimate Frisbee"
  
  
• Indoor games such as "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," ping pong, board games, basketball, etc.
  
  
• Social gatherings with refreshments & music in the Knight Club
  
  
• Relaxing and socializing at the Terra Cotta Coffee House
  
  
• Farewell party on the last night

Supervision
Out-of-class supervision is provided by our team of Resident Directors (RDs) and Resident Assistants (RAs), who are specially trained to serve as camp counselors, positive role models, mentors and friends. In order to ensure everyone has a safe, healthy and enjoyable time on campus, summer students are expected to abide by the University's summer programs rules & regulations.

Housing and Meals
Students stay in secure University residence halls dedicated to summer campers (2 per room) and must bring their own pillows, blankets and bed/bath linens for the week (bed linens must fit the extra-long twin residence hall beds). Males and females are housed in separate halls. Resident Directors and Resident Assistants will be on-site in the residence halls at all times. Laundry facilities are available in each hall at no charge.

Delicious, all-you-can-eat, cafeteria-style meals are served in the campus dining hall. Our Dining Services chefs do an excellent job in accommodating campers with food allergies and other special requirements.

Tuition, Room and Board
The program fee is $850 (includes a $100 deposit). This covers room and board from dinner on the first day through lunch on the last day, tuition, supervision, materials and recreational activities.

The $100 deposit must be submitted with the application. Payment can be made by check* or credit card. Full payment of the balance is due May 25, 2012.

(Commuter Rate: Students living locally who wish to attend this camp as commuters may do so. The commuter rate, which covers tuition, supervision, program materials and lunch, is $595. Evening recreational activities are not included. Students who wish to commute must check in at registration on Sunday and arrive on campus by 9:00 a.m. for classes Monday-Thursday. They must be picked up no later than 5:00 p.m. each day, except Thursday, when pick-up time is 1:00 p.m. Please be sure to check the "Commuter" box on the application form.)

*There will be a $30 charge for checks returned for insufficient funds.

How to Apply
We will begin accepting applications January 3, 2012. Students who wish to apply must return the following by the application deadline:

• A completed application form
  
  
• Copy of an up-to-date transcript or most recent report card
  
  
• Two letters of recommendation from H.S. teachers (on official school stationery)
  
  
• A one-page essay telling us why you would like to attend this institute (in your own words, with your signature at the bottom)
  
  
• A $100 deposit (non-refundable unless student is not accepted into the program).

Send to: Office of Summer Programs, Alfred University, Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802 or fax to 607.871.2045, or scan and send to us via email by the application deadline: April 13, 2012. (We will continue to accept applications after that date, only if space is available. Please call 607.871.2612 to check availability after the deadline.)

Acceptance
The Summer Programs Admissions Committee will evaluate all applications after the April 13 deadline and determine which students will be accepted. Acceptance/non-acceptance notification will be provided to applicants by April 27. Students requiring an earlier decision should include a note with the application form indicating the date by which they need to be notified.

Accepted students will receive additional materials including medical forms, liability releases, emergency notification forms, etc. These materials must be filled out as soon as possible and must be back in our hands by May 25. Updated immunization information (including dates) is also required at that time. (If you do not have updated immunization information on hand, you may want to acquire this from your physician now to avoid processing delays.)

Cancellation Policy
Refunds, less the $100 non-refundable deposit, will be made for cancellations received by June 1. 50% refunds will be made for cancellations received from June 2-15. We cannot make refunds to students who cancel after June 15 because we must hire staff, purchase materials, arrange for meals and confirm classroom and housing space long before the start of our summer programs. We base all of these arrangements on the number of students accepted into each camp and cannot make changes after contracts are signed and commitments are made.

Financial Aid
Sorry, there are no scholarships or other forms of financial aid available for students in any of our summer programs.

Questions?
For further general information contact the Office of Summer Programs at 607.871.2612. A copy of the institute application is available in pdf form in the "How to Apply" section, above. If you are not able to open it, please contact us and we will send or fax one to you.

For specific information concerning class content please contact Dr. Steve Pilgrim by email, or by calling 607.871.2431.

Comments from Past Campers:

• "I absolutely loved this camp! It was so much fun and very entertaining. They knew how to keep us moving and active." - Emily S. from Norwich, NY
  
  
• "Everything was super awesome!" - Stephen O. from Westport, CT
  
  
• "I liked making new creations in my polymers classes and also enjoyed electronic ceramics!" - Jeannette A. from New York, NY
  
  
• "The classes were very enjoyable. The professors were great and the projects were a lot of fun. I learned many things about polymers and electronic ceramics. This experience helped me narrow down what kind of engineer I may want to be." - Jake W. from Florida, NY
  
  
• "I learned about the different characteristics of polymers as well as how ceramics are used in electronics. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot!" - Patrick C. from LeRoy, NY
  
  
• "The best thing was seeing the really cool demos. I enjoyed learning about polymers and electronic ceramics. I was perfectly satisfied with everything. Thank you!" - Alex C. from Chappaqua, NY
  
  
• "I learned many things about polymers and about ceramic engineering, which I have come to love. I toured the school and I love the environment so much that I want to go here for college. The activity I liked best was the casting and I also liked making the alarms. The professor was very into his work and made the learning in class lots of fun" - Martin M. from Falmouth, MA

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About Alfred
Alfred University is located in the peaceful village of Alfred in western New York State, where summer days are warm and nights are cool and comfortable. Surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful meadows and valleys, Alfred University is the perfect place to spend an enjoyable week learning more about a favorite subject and meeting other students who share your interests!

The campus, a 6-hour drive from New York City, 2 hours from Buffalo and 1 1/4 hours from Rochester, is easily accessible by car or bus from all directions and is located just five miles south of Interstate 86. The nearest major airport is the Rochester International Airport (about 65 miles north). Transportation to and from that airport can be provided for an additional charge if we receive the request by the date indicated in the acceptance notification. After that date students must make their own arrangements with an airport limo service.

To read or print documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded for free.

Program Cancellation: The University may cancel any course or activity at any time because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for other costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.