Missouri S&T Summer Camp: Jolt Junkies Reverse Engineering Recently Updated

Retro-Tech Reverse Engineering Summer Camp for Middle School Students

Step into the past to shape the future! At the Retro-Tech Reverse Engineering Camp, middle school students will take apart vintage gadgets—from analog radios to classic gaming consoles—to uncover the engineering and design principles behind them. 

Through hands-on disassembly, analysis, and reassembly, campers will gain a deeper understanding of how technology has evolved while developing critical problem-solving and engineering skills. Join us for a summer of exploration, where nostalgia meets innovation, and curiosity fuels discovery.

Camp Activities

The Jolt Junkies Reverse Engineering Camp is all about hands-on learning. Students will roll up their sleeves, grab tools, and dive into the inner workings of old household appliances. Be prepared to get a little messy—it’s all part of the fun of taking things apart to see how they work.

What Students Will Do:

• Use tools to disassemble old household appliances and analyze their components.
• Investigate the inner workings of vintage gadgets, from analog radios to gaming consoles.
• Apply reverse engineering techniques to explore how devices were originally designed.
• Work with chips, circuits, and wiring to understand the fundamentals of electronics.
• Solve engineering challenges by troubleshooting and reimagining retro-tech.
• Collaborate in teams to dissect, analyze, and rebuild classic devices.

Skills Gained from Reverse Engineering:

• Reverse engineering provides a valuable foundation in STEM and beyond, helping students develop skills that can enhance their academic studies and future careers.
• Critical Thinking: Encourages students to analyze and break down complex systems, a skill that applies to subjects like math, science, and history.
• Problem-Solving: Helps students identify challenges and develop creative solutions, skills useful in scientific inquiries, engineering, and even historical research.
• STEM Concepts: Introduces hands-on applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, reinforcing subjects like physics, computer science, and chemistry.
• Attention to Detail: Strengthens observational skills necessary for close reading, analytical writing, and technical problem-solving.
• Creativity and Innovation: Encourages students to think outside the box, whether designing solutions in engineering or developing new approaches in science and art.
• Collaboration: Builds teamwork skills as students work together to analyze, troubleshoot, and reconstruct retro-tech, fostering cooperation that applies to group projects in any subject.

This unique, interactive camp transforms everyday objects into learning opportunities and sparks curiosity in the next generation of engineers, inventors, and tech enthusiasts. No prior experience is required—just a passion for discovery and a willingness to explore the unknown.

Are you ready to uncover the secrets of retro technology? Join us this summer and start your journey into the world of reverse engineering!

Registration fee includes all meals, housing, and camp materials.