University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

University of Advancing Technology hosts week long STEM coding camp with Coding in Color for third year in a row.

A Week of Workshops

From July 14–18, the University of Advancing Technology (UAT) proudly hosted the third annual Coding in Color Summer Camp—an immersive, overnight tech bootcamp designed to inspire and empower underrepresented high school students through the power of code. Now in its third year, the camp continues to grow in impact, energy, and community reach.

This year’s program followed a thoughtfully structured week of workshops centered around artificial intelligence, programming, ethics, and entrepreneurial thinking. The camp began with an introduction to programming and AI, giving students a foundation in how code and machine learning intersect. As the week progressed, they explored data analysis and model-building, learning how to interpret information and build functional AI systems of their own.

Midweek, students shifted from theory to ethics, engaging in meaningful conversations about the social implications of emerging technology while brainstorming viable business ideas for AI products. From there, they began designing and building their own AI solutions, preparing for a final pitch at the end of the camp. The last day was devoted to refining their projects, culminating in a public presentation where students showcased their work to family, mentors, and members of the community.

Notable Speakers

In addition to the technical curriculum, campers benefited from a series of engaging guest presentations designed to broaden their understanding of the tech industry and higher education opportunities. Kiko Pausch, a Software Developer and Technical Consultant at InfoSol, shared insights into her work with bug fixes and feature development, offering students a real-world view of the software development process. Perla Nava, a Senior Power Platform Solution Architect with over a decade of experience, discussed designing secure, scalable enterprise solutions and navigating leadership as a woman in tech. Brian H. offered students practical advice on how to monetize their tech creations and think entrepreneurially about their work.

UAT’s own staff also contributed their expertise throughout the week. Ashley from Student Services outlined the academic support available to students at the university, while Darla from Financial Aid provided a comprehensive overview of scholarships, grants, and other ways to fund a college education. Jake from Career Services spoke about emerging tech career paths and what students can expect from a future in the industry.

Mini Fun Breaks

Outside of the workshops, campers also got to unwind and connect with each other through a series of fun evening activities hosted by UAT’s Founder's Hall. The residence life team organized events like a movie night in the campus theater, bucket hat decorating, snow cones and socializing, and a spirited Mario Kart tournament and game night in the UAT Think Tank. These moments provided campers with a chance to relax, build friendships, and experience the vibrant student life that UAT has to offer.

Final Presentations

The camp concluded with a new twist this year: a public final presentation in UAT’s theater space. Unlike previous years, students pitched their final projects not just to peers, but also to their families and the wider community. Dayanara from UAT facilitated a session for parents and guests before the student showcase, providing context on the week’s curriculum and the camp’s lasting impact. 

The presentations were a proud moment for everyone involved—a testament to the campers’ hard work and creativity, and a moving example of what’s possible when young people are given the tools and encouragement to lead. This process mirrored UAT's Student Innovation Project process where undergraduates students are required to create an innovation within their field. 

STEM for the Future

As Coding in Color continues to expand its footprint, UAT remains a proud and passionate partner in its mission—to open doors, spark minds, and build a more inclusive future through technology

Coding in Color is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide educational resources for underrepresented students in computing with a primary focus on computer science education in Arizona. (https://codingincolor.net/)

To learn more about how you can join UAT, schedule a tour or visit University of Advancing Technology.