June 16, 2023
LANCASTER, Texas -- More than 160 rising third through eighth-grade students are getting a boost in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) learning this summer through an educational camp. The Lancaster ISD Tiger STEAM Camp is a three-week summer program that provides students with STEAM, social-emotional learning, fine arts, sports, and health and wellness experiences. The camp features a variety of hands-on activities that allow students to explore and engage with STEAM concepts in fun and interactive ways.
"STEAM camp is a fantastic experience that allows the students to come in and interact with other students from different campuses," said Erica Butler, STEAM Camp Coordinator. "It also allows them to heal from any issues they may have experienced during the school year, reflect, and learn tools and strategies to cope with different things as they go into the next school year. STEAM Camp also allows students to learn new collaboration and communication skills, creativity, and develop academically, socially, and emotionally."
Lancaster ISD has partnered with United Way's Heal, Play, Learn program to bring the camp to Lancaster students. STEAM Camp Principal, Miesha Medford, says she's thrilled enrollment and engagement have increased this year.
"We have added new vendors this year, and the students are having a blast learning about DJing and piloting drones," said Medford. "It's been great to see the students thriving in the theater sessions and learning to center themselves with the yoga lessons. There are so many activities for the students to enjoy, and the best part is they're expanding on the STEAM curriculum they've learned during the school year."
Students work on various projects during the camp, from building and programming robots to designing and launching rockets. Lancaster ISD teachers say they will take experiences and lessons from the camp and implement them in their classrooms for the upcoming school year.
"I plan to use some of the chemistry and engineering lessons with my classes this year," said Jennifer Mosely, a fifth-grade science teacher at West Main Elementary. "I've seen the students excel and blossom with these lessons, and it's been a great way for the students to work on collaboration and teamwork and develop those skills."
Throughout the camp, students participate in workshops led by local professionals and enrichment vendors in STEAM fields, allowing them to learn more about potential careers in these areas. Enrichment vendors include Seeds 2 Stem, 2 Inspire Peace, Studio Bella, Bishop Arts Theatre, Quickfire Solutions, Kiddo Fit, Challenge Island, Illuminate STEM, After School All Stars, and Litehouse Wellness.
Belt Line Elementary fourth-grader Brielle Brewer says her favorite part of STEAM Camp is learning to code.
"This week, we have been working on coding a small robot to move back and forth and change colors," said Brewer. "I like that the projects are challenging but not so hard that we can't figure them out. I'm looking forward to learning more about engineering next week."
Rising sixth-grade student Jaidyn Wimbley says his favorite part of camp is working with the instructors.
"The teachers have been the best," said Wimbley. "I've enjoyed the chemistry classes the most because I think science is really fun. This week, we've made toothpaste, perfume, and bath salts during chemistry. Seeing the final projects has been really exciting."
Wimbley says he's looking forward to making more friends and creating more projects.
Camp attendees are learning how to code, work with drones, create artwork, and will get an introduction to music production, including making beats and mixes. They're also doing physical activities like yoga, dance, and obstacle courses in the gym.
Lancaster Middle School eighth-grader Jaia Jones said, "I'm excited to be here and learn about all this cool stuff. It's been a lot of fun, and I hope to use what I learn here to do something STEAM-related in the future. Also, I can't wait to try DJing because it's something new, and it seems like it will be fun."
Lancaster ISD is a K-12 STEAM district, and the STEAM camp is part of a larger effort to encourage and promote STEAM education. By providing students with engaging and immersive experiences, the district's Instructional Services department aims to inspire a new generation of innovators and problem solvers who will be equipped to tackle the challenges of the future.
"We want to make sure the students leave STEAM Camp with a new grasp on soft skills they may have struggled with throughout the years, such as how to communicate, share and handle the equipment properly, in addition to engineering skills, design skills, and other skills that are related to STEAM careers," said Butler.
The Instructional Services department plans to continue the program each summer to reach even more students and provide more opportunities for hands-on STEAM learning. For now, though, they are focused on making this year's camp the best it can be by inspiring each student's love of learning and exploration.
The 2023 Tiger STEAM Camp continues through June 22.
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