Summer 2018 opportunities for secondary students on college campuses with the objective of increased enrollment in STEM disciplines and interest in STEM careers included the following camps supported by Space Grant: 1) the 27th annual, four day long 2018 Aerospace Career and Education (ACE) Camp held on the campus of SDSU with 21 high school students, and 2) the 41st annual Engineers Week for 530 middle and high school students held on the campus of SDSM&T in February 2018 (although that was not a summer experience).

Hosted on the campus of SDSU every July, the 27th Annual Aerospace Career and Education (ACE) Camp, a four-day residential camp in July 2018, provided 21 high school students the opportunity to get an early start on aviation and aerospace engineering careers. Of the 21 participants from four states (SD, MN, IA, CO), six were female (29%) and 15 male (71%). One student was Native American (5%). Seven counselors (four of which were SDSU aviation students) and 16 volunteers assisted with the 2018 ACE Camp. SDSUs Space Grant subaward supported ACE Camps total budget of $20,116 with $6,773 in NASA funding. Eleven (11) scholarships were awarded to all students who qualified. Student campers flew airplanes, built multiple rockets of different sizes, visited Lake Area Technical Institute (SDSGC affiliate), talked to aviation professionals, studied the principles of aerodynamics, flew a single engine flight simulator, and interacted with Unmanned Aerial Systems and model aircraft builders.

SDSM&T hosted the week-long 41st Annual Engineers Week on campus, including a keynote presentation to 530 middle and high school students and 50 teachers on Feb. 22, 2018 by SDSGCs Tom Durkin regarding NASAs Juno mission to Jupiter titled: By Jove, Its Juno.