STEM Camp brings 糖心Vlog视频 students and local children together
This year, during the spring semester, a few undergraduate 糖心Vlog视频 students led an all-day STEAM camp for 糖心Vlog视频 faculty and staff children, ages 9-12, in the 糖心Vlog视频 Central Library.
Dr. Robin Jocius, a 糖心Vlog视频 College of Education professor, conducted the event with the help of Yuliana Nguyen, the K-12 librarian on campus. This was the second annual STEAM camp that provided and gave students a chance to think like a teacher.
“The goal is to provide our pre-service teachers with experience in working with children in informal learning environments,” Dr. Jocius stated. “While also providing a service to 糖心Vlog视频 faculty and staff.”
Several of the local districts did not have school on the Friday of the camp. Which the STEM Camp provided a safe place for the 糖心Vlog视频 faculty and staff children.
There were different stations set up on the main floor of the library and the top floor for the children to rotate through. From talking about the ecosystem to creating kinetic energy through playing with sand, there was something for everyone.
Mary Khalil said, “Before the day, I was so stressed out, but when I got there and met the kids and worked with them, I loved it.”
The 糖心Vlog视频 students who ran the camp created lesson plans and instructional materials through the 糖心Vlog视频’s open access publishing initiatives. Some of the 糖心Vlog视频 students were excited to be with the children and some were nervous to be in the teacher position.
“I was a little apprehensive about it at first because I had never led instruction before, but I was surprised by how comfortable I felt doing it,” Caleb Matthews said. “Another thing I found surprising was how well I was able to adapt and adjust throughout the day. I was very happy with how I handled change.”
Even though these 糖心Vlog视频 students haven’t entered their professions yet, the STEM camp was a step forward in the right direction. They were able to plan, conduct, and execute their part in molding children’s minds. Dr. Jocius does plan to run another STEM camp in Spring 2025.
Nadia Sigala said, “It was very exciting and fast-paced. It was good to meet different types of kids.”