(Tribune News Service) — Making slime, lava lamps, elephant toothpaste and 3-D printing were just a few of the activities offered at University of Texas Permian Basin's Engineering Camp.

There is a camp sponsored by XTO Energy and one by the U.S. Army. The one going on now is supported by the Army.

UTPB Professor of Engineering George Nnanna said the camp is aimed at students in grades nine through 12, but the Army made an exception for a couple of students who were not in that range.

Thursday found the 18 campers making magnetic slime.

Adam Zobaa, who had many siblings attending the camp, said his favorite part so far was bacteria.

"We got some E. coli and we added some glow in the dark matter so the E. coli can absorb the matter and next week we shall see it glow in the dark," Adam said.

Michael Tadlock is attending the camp from Post. He has been interested in engineering since the sixth or seventh grade.

"I think it's been really good," Tadlock said of the camp. "I like all the teachers and how they're really interacting with all the classes. There's really a lot to learn. It's really easy to get along with everyone and all the teachers."

He said this was a chance to see if he really wants to pursue the field before going to college.

"It's been really eye-opening," Tadlock said.

Terrell Henderson, who attends George H.W. Bush New Tech Odessa, was there with his sister Zorian.

"I like it. I've enjoyed it. I've been here once before last year and I liked it. I wanted to go back and enjoy it one more time. There's lots of cool people that you meet here from other places (and) other schools as well. You have fun. You have interaction with the teachers as well as experiments. It really helps a lot," Henderson said.

Salma, who attends Odessa Collegiate Academy, and Sarah Zobaa, who goes to Wilson & Young Medal of Honor Middle School, were diligently mixing their slime to the right consistency.

"I really like that it's hands-on," Salma said. "I'm a visual learner. Doing hands-on activities really sets the information and that's what I've really liked about this camp. Plus, they gave me $400. So they're literally paying me to learn, which I think is really nice."

Each student in ninth through 12th grade for the U.S. Army-sponsored camp will receive $400 for the four-week program.

Sarah likes the camp because they learn something new every day.

"I just like coming here, meeting new people, learning new things," Sarah said.

Narendra Boppana, a lecturer at UTPB, was keeping students busy. He's enjoying the expressions on the campers' faces.

"Like right now how they're playing. They mostly like seeing explosions" such as the lava lamp he made last week, pop rockets and elephant toothpaste, Boppana said.

"We're doing fun activities, but at the same time we're teaching them the science, most importantly, and exciting them (about) what engineers do ... That's something I really enjoy. You're teaching them, but in a fun way," Boppana said.

Nnanna said he thinks the camp has gone well this year.

"One of the main differences between this year or last year is that I expanded it to include professors from the sciences," he added.

They included math, biology, physics and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization and employing a maker space. There are roughly 10 professors involved.

As word gets out about the camp, they are drawing more students. Nnanna said they started late this year, but still attracted 18 students. The target was 23.

"That shows that there is interest and one of the students is from out of town and is also participating," Nnanna said.

He added that they are planning to have a separate workshop for teachers and counselors.

"I think that will have a multiplicative effect on the students because the knowledge the teachers, and the counselors will gain, they'll be able to spread across the student population. But we want to engage them; engage the teachers so that they will be able to encourage the students in the area of STEM," Nnanna said.

They also had Kamryn Wesson, communications and recruitment specialist, give a presentation. Nnanna said he invited a representative from admissions and financial aid to talk to students Friday. Last week, they had a representative from the Army.

He said this gives students a change to explore the Army and explore the linkage between STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math, to the Army.

"Because sometimes, there's a misconception that the Army is just about the battlefield," Nnanna added.

He added that they are trying to connect the Army Corps of Engineers, water treatment and cybersecurity.

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