From 3D printing to virtual reality, today’s world is full of new tools and technologies to explore. The STEM Achievers program at New Mexico State University gives middle school students from local communities the chance to build new skillsets and gain more access to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
“Young minds at any age benefit greatly from discovery and exposure,” said Katie Calabrese, senior director of the STEM Achievers program. “Statistically, students learn and retain new information through hands-on discovery, which is why the STEM Achievers program is entirely hands-on learning, exposing students to STEM through their own learning paths and self-discovery.”
From Monday, June 29 to Friday, July 10 this summer, the program invites middle school students from Las Cruces to learn about technologies like virtual and augmented reality, coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, drones, 3D printing and 3D design at NMSU. With support from the Department of Computer Science, they’ll participate in hands-on lessons, design projects and practice applying these tools to real-world problems.
Parents in the Las Cruces area can register their middle school student for the program here, and will receive a secondary registration form in the following couple of days. The deadline to register is Friday, June 5. The camp is free and includes lunch and snacks for the students, as well as an end-of-program ceremony with diplomas and a raffle with prizes.
“We’ve noticed that a lot of kids enter the program without having previous exposure to these technologies,” said Arath Ramos Coronado, a program specialist for STEM Achievers. “They leave the camp having a lot more experience and confidence with using the technologies that we offer. A free program like this is a great opportunity to give to our community.”
In addition to hands-on learning, the program emphasizes building up skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. For example, students engage in a “Shark Tank” style activity that allows them to practice developing and presenting an idea to an audience.
“We encourage students to put in the effort and learn soft skills as they’re working with the technologies,” said Angie Hernandez, a senior studying digital film and a STEM Achievers instructor at NMSU. “We want to introduce them to skills like pitching an idea, making a presentation and having an entrepreneurial mindset.
Adan Delval, a program manager in the computer science department, oversees STEM Achievers at NMSU. In addition to supporting middle school students, the program provides college students with a unique opportunity to gain experience with public outreach and education.
“I really think this program has helped me as a professional because it let me get experience in everything,” Ramos Coronado said. “I learned a lot – from teaching to curriculum development to creating partnerships with schools and non-profit organizations. It really helped me grow and know the value of my professional skills.”
“When I first came into the program, I didn’t know what I was capable of,” Hernandez said. “I grew a lot from being in a position to teach other people. Programs like this should be supported a lot more because they’re helping the kids as well as us college students as instructors. It gives us so much experience and it’s a great opportunity.”
“More than 58,000 students have been exposed to our program, leaving middle school minds to continue in their discoveries, learn from findings, and make a path for themselves.” Calabrese said. “This program has impacted more than just the students themselves – it has made an impression on extended family members, community members, fellow educators and ecosystem builders. There is nothing else like this program out there.”
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CUTLINE: The STEM Achievers summer camp program at New Mexico State University gives middle school students a hands-on learning experience with tools and technologies like virtual and augmented reality, coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, drones, 3D printing and 3D design. The camp runs from Monday, June 29 to Friday, July 10. (Courtesy photo)
CUTLINE: Students participating in the STEM Achievers summer camp at New Mexico State University gain hands-on experience with technologies like virtual and augmented reality. (Courtesy photo)
CUTLINE: Students participating in the STEM Achievers summer camp at New Mexico State University gain experience building projects and using new tools to solve complex problems. (Courtesy photo)
