Alex Newkirk, 13, wants to be a robotics engineer.

In fact, building robots has become a hobby he and his father enjoy doing together. His latest robot is programmed to be a rubber-band shooter.

A year ago Alex didn't know anything about robots. It was only when he participated in a four-day science camp at Salt Lake Community College that Alex was introduced to the world of robotics and decided that's the direction he wants his future career to take.

"I like to create things that do what I decide to make them do," he said.

Alex was one of 21 youths ages 11-14 who participated in the Salt Lake Community College Summer Science workshop June 25-28. During the workshop students learned principles of sustainability and photography, built robots and learned about DNA.

Sharon DeReamer, director of the SLCC science camps, said they're designed to get youngsters excited about science. Seeing cases like Alex, where science becomes important in a student's future, makes it all worth it.

"This is the fifth year we've put these workshops on," she said. "There's so much excitement that the kids don't want to stop. It literally changes their lives."

The workshops are designed for about 20 students. Around February or March, DeReamer polls professors for ideas of subjects to cover in the classes. As professors come forward, their suggestions are added to the workshop.

Every year the workshop includes a segment on robotics because it's usually a favorite. This year an Applied Science Technology Engineer Camps grant made it possible to purchase new robot kits that DeReamer said the students liked.

Rachel Romero and Amy Harris, both 11, worked as a team to build their robot, programmed to have a two-second hesitation after driving so many feet. Both girls said it took a lot of patience to finish, and they had to read the directions carefully.

"We followed the directions and made the first robot (in the book)," Rachel said. "We started simple and made it bigger and bigger. We had to add a wheel to make it turn."

Regan Eggli and Shelby Chaffos, both 10, programmed their robot to say "Oh no!" if it was within five inches of the wall. Simone Brooks, 13, and Rebecca Park, 12, designed their robot to make a perfect square on the ground.

With a neurospace engineer for a father and a nurse as a mother, Rachel said she couldn't avoid coming to a science camp, but it was OK.

"I love studying science in school," she said, noting the camp helped make it come alive for her.

Salt Lake Community College will hold a science camp for teens July 16-18, at the Miller Campus, 9750 S. 300 West, Sandy. Classes run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The camp will focus on forensic science. Tuition is $125. Call 957-4827 to register.

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E-mail: twalquist@desnews.com