The Wilson College of Textiles Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP) consists of five one-week sessions for rising high school seniors interested in learning about the textile industry, fashion, engineering, chemistry and marketing.

Non-credit

Residential

Financial Aid

Final project

STEP students will live on our campus, complete a project related to their area of interest in our studios and labs, and attend sessions to learn more about:

• Our five bachelor’s degrees.
  
• The college application process.
  
• Wilson College of Textiles scholarships.
  
• Internship and job opportunities available to Wilson College students.
  

Up to 35 students per week are chosen based on their academic success, interest in the college and extracurricular activities.

Project Group Examples
When each student applies to STEP, they’ll rank their top project interest. Each project group correlates to one of our academic programs, and students will spend part of each day completing a hands-on project in that field of study.
Below are just a few examples of projects that have taken place in the past.
Please note that the projects listed are subject to change each year, and not all project groups will be available during each camp session.

1 - Apparel Design
Students learn about the design process to create a mood board and a 3D digital rendering of their design using CLO. They will then create a garment themed around upcycling, zero-waste or kimonos. Finally, students model their designs on the runway during Friday presentations.

2 - Textile Engineering:
Biomedical Textiles: Students have the opportunity to collect bacteria samples from various surfaces, grow them and apply them to different fabrics to test an antimicrobial finish’s ability to reduce bacteria on different textile surfaces. The information learned can have an impact on textile products used in everyday life as well as hospitals, military personnel and much more.

Protective Textiles: Students in this group learn about those textiles created to keep us safe. The participants will have the opportunity to perform experiments on a variety of fabric to test their fire and water resistance and visit a local fire department to learn why it’s important. The participants also perform trials on a variety of face mask types to asses their efficacy.

Smart Textiles: Students explore the properties of various fibers and textile production methods. They are then tasked with creating a smart textile (a textile that responds to external stimuli). Students create a woven textile design with light-up capabilities. They also construct a McKibben Actuator model, a manmade muscle used in artificial limbs.

3 - Business Management:
Marketing: Students work in groups to develop a marketing plan and analysis for an apparel company or brand that is not a part of the current target market. Students then develop a new sub-brand or brand in order to successfully target that market.

Business Simulation: In teams, students participate in a business simulation that takes them through the start-up and growth of a textile manufacturing business, addressing the relevant decisions for business management. Students learn business strategies, financial planning, business sustainability, and they learn the differences between manufacturing and retail.

4 - Textile Design
Students create their own motifs using hand and digital methods, and then develop innovative repeat patterns for textiles. Emphasis has been placed on students learning CAD design skills, color theory and design principles for printed textile design. In the end, students had the opportunity to have their design digitally printed on cotton fabric, and many have expressed plans to use their design(s) to create things such as tote bags, pencil pouches, pillows, and much more.

5 - Polymer Chemistry
Students identify what a polymer is, how synthetic polymers are made, and where we find polymers in our everyday lives. They explore the polymerization model and create their own model of the molecular structure of polyethylene. Lastly, they learn the history and use of nylon and have the opportunity to make and dye their own nylon rope.

Summer Textile Exploration Pioneer Program (STEPP)
The fifth week of STEP is called the Summer Textile Exploration Pioneer Program (STEPP) and focuses on students from non-metropolitan areas of North Carolina. This program provides resources specifically geared towards students from these regions, such as:

Personalized support to maximize success in the college and scholarship application process.
Tips for writing college and scholarship application essays.
Additional opportunities for parent/guardian engagement.
Financial literacy education.
To qualify for STEPP (July 16-21), a student must be from a non-metropolitan county in North Carolina. The UNC System Strategic Plan says that a non-metropolitan county is any county that the NC State Department of Commerce has included in its Tier 1 or Tier 2 lists. At this time, the university is utilizing the 2016 Tier designations map.

Week 1

Jun 09 - Jun 14

1 week

Residential

450 USD

Week 2

Jun 16 - Jun 21

1 week

Residential

450 USD

Week 3

Jun 23 - Jun 28

1 week

Residential

450 USD

Week 4

Jul 07 - Jul 12

1 week

Residential

450 USD

Week 5 - Textile Pioneer Week

Jul 14 - Jul 19

1 week

Residential

450 USD

Program Cost: $450. The program cost covers lodging, transportation, materials, lunches and dinners during the camp.

Please note: NC State is a cashless university, so students will need to bring a debit or credit card if they are interested in getting ice cream, snacks, coffee or items from the NC State bookstore.

Financial Aid

Partial and full scholarships are available on a need basis.