STEM Summer Camp participants Alma Smith (left) and Jaynae Wright (right) assemble their Lego® Education NXT robot.
Cleveland State Community College is hosting the first Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Summer Camp for middle school students this week. This hands-on experience will teach young students about all science, technology, engineering, math, teamwork and communication skills in a fun and exciting way
The STEM Summer Camp features Lego® Education NXT robot set that students will build. At the end of the camp, the students will be able to identify robotic parts and components; understand assembly processes, sensors, and movement of basic robotics basic movement and sensor application programs; understand advanced programming concepts and commands; apply and utilize creative applications for robotics and identify industrial robotic applications.
This is the first year, using a proven product like LEGO robotics as the mechanism to relate STEM principles and ideas to the students,” stated Allan Gentry, Technology Department Chair. “The first day focused on parts identification, assembly, and testing basic sensors like motion, sound, light, and touch that can be used in robotic programming to change the direction or path of the robot. We will later move on to more detailed programming where the students will be presented with a task and are allowed to use all they have learned to program the robot to perform the task. The energy level has been high and students are making good progress toward our camp goals. I think this is the right age to make STEM a household name again. We can introduce a variety of concepts in an exciting and engaging manner that holds their attention and gets the points across. I really look forward to later in the week when they will have a chance to show off their creative talents.”
STEM Camp participant Alma Smith, said, “I’ve had a lot of fun and have learned a lot so far. I think this camp is really going to prepare us for the future.”
Rick Creasy, Director of Workforce Development, said, “Cleveland State is demonstrating our commitment to training students for 21st Century jobs by conducting our first STEM Camp focusing on robotics. STEM will be critical for students who are preparing for future jobs.”