STEM CAMP: It's "Virtually" Unstoppable!
Jared Wittekind, Makerspace Coordinator
In the summer of 2019, Building Bridges to Careers facilitated a one-week STEM Camp for students in Appalachia Ohio. The camp highlighted the importance of applied science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Additionally, students had the opportunity to use what they learned in a collaborative setting to construct and program robotic arms that could be assigned specific tasks. The event was a marked success for BB2C and everyone was excited to see what curriculum we would come up with for STEM Camp 2020.
Then COVID-19 happened. Schools closed. Events with more than 10 people were shut down. For all intents and purposes, STEM Camp 2020 was a non-starter.
Not willing to accept defeat so easily, members of our organization and those who helped with STEM Camp last summer had multiple brainstorming sessions. Time after time, the question was asked, “Why not hold STEM Camp virtually?” While we had no clue what that might entail or how exactly to make it work, it was a starting point.
Over several weeks we crafted a curriculum that consisted of teaching 3D design using web-based software. We reached out to our entire list of potential participants individually to pool input and gauge interest. Knowing that there was a distinct possibility that access to technology might hinder participation, we offered to mail STEM project kits to those that couldn’t participate through technology.
The result was an event that was conducted over video chats and live streams in which students designed bridges that were 3D printed and strength tested. Additionally, students were taught the basics of aeronautics and rocketry and applied this knowledge to designing model rocket components that we assembled and launched.
In order to continue in-person STEM activities for students, we also designed laser-cut desktop catapult kits and color-coding curriculum for self-driving robots which we’ve used to host several small groups of students from the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County and the Ely Chapman Educational Foundation. Of course, all our in-person student participants and staff wore masks and maintained social distancing.
This summer, we have had 11 STEM Camp participants as well as 16 students from the Boys & Girls Club and 6 students from Ely Chapman who've experience STEM activities through our Makerspace. Now we know that the creative solutions our team developed allow BB2C the opportunity to bring STEM opportunities to kids, schools, and organizations that might not otherwise have access this year due to COVID-19.
If you're interested in learning more about the STEM activities and opportunities provided to children through our Makerspace, email our Makerspace Coordinator, Jared Wittekind or call him at 740-370-6399, extension 5.