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Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is an umbrella term used to group together the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Since the term was created in the early 2000s, STEM has since evolved into educational programs developed to prepare primary and secondary students for college, graduate study and careers in the four primary fields.
According to research, 75% of jobs in the fastest growing industries require workers with STEM skills, and considering the demand for a skilled workforce in Southeast Texas, The Texas Academy at Lamar University want to do their part to help develop students’ interest in the STEM fields.
The Texas Academy at Lamar University is hosting a tuition-free STEM camp June 19-23 and June 26-30. To qualify for admission students must be 14 years of age and have a 3.0 grade point average. Each day of camp will focus on a different STEM area. The theme for the camp hosted at Lamar University is “Innovation Collaboration.”
Day 1 begins with science, which includes labs on harmonic motion, homopolar motors, and chemical reactions.
Day 2 focuses on technology, as students will build and compete with VEX robots.
Day 3 includes engineering. Students will make chocolate from the raw cocoa bean, evaluate water and water treatment, take a virtual tour of a plant, make items from plastic pellets, and learn about plastic recycling.
Day 4 of the camp will be math. Campers will experiment with Gilbreath knots, solving veterinarian problems, math patterns using playing cards and algorithmic thinking using Legos. Campers will also be able to take home their Lego character.
Day 5, the final day of camp includes a field trip to tour Industrial Piping Specialist to learn how they support local refineries or ExxonMobil to learn about all the petroleum products they produce. There will also be labs on campus led by a variety of local refineries.
Each afternoon will include problem-solving, leadership and team-building recreation as well as a college readiness workshop.
All labs will be led by Lamar faculty and recreation in the afternoon will be led by Texas Academy and LU Honors students.
In addition to subject-specific learning, STEM aims to foster inquiring minds, logical reasoning and collaboration skills.
Administered by Texas Workforce Commission, the Governor’s Summer Merit Program aims to inspire Texas youth to pursue STEM-related careers. The camps introduce campers to one or more of six industry clusters: advanced technologies and manufacturing, aerospace and defense, biotechnology and life sciences, information and computer technology, petroleum refining and chemical products, and energy.
“We are funded by a grant administered by the Texas Workforce Commission,” said Tracie Craig, associate director of the Texas Academy at Lamar University. “Our community partners include Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas, Junior Achievement, IPS, Neches Federal Credit Union, Valero, DOW, Chevron Phillips, ExxonMobil, BASF, Golden Pass LNG and Motiva.
To sign up or to learn more information, view lamar.edu/texasacademy.