TOMBALL, TX: The Texas Workforce Commission (TWFC) has awarded more than $55,000 to Lone Star College Tomball (LSC-Tomball). The funds were distributed through the Governor’s Summer Merit Program and provided scholarships for youths ages 14 to 21 to attend STEM camps at universities and community colleges, which will prepare them for careers in the high-demand fields of STEM.
STEM is a term that represents fields which fall under Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. “Technology is at the forefront of most innovations and drives just about every career field,” said Katerina Wingfield, LSC-Tomball’s dean of academic affairs. “Exposing our youth to STEM education early gives them a head start for a successful future in the workforce.”
Inspiring young Texans to pursue careers in the STEM field is the goal of the Governor’s Summer Merit Program. In the camps students were introduced to one or more of Texas’s focus industries: advanced technologies and manufacturing, aerospace and defense, biotechnology and life sciences, information and computer technology, petroleum refining and chemical products, and energy.
The LSC-Tomball Sci-STEM Camp was held on the college’s main campus July 18-22 and July 25-29. Over 195 students applied for one of the program’s 80 slots. Sci-STEM campers were selected based on their submitted application and their age/grade level.
During the days, campers participated in coding and robotic lessons with different types of robots (Arduino and MakeBlock), visited the LSC-Tomball Innovation Lab, and participated in a personalized visit to Space Center Houston, where they engaged in small group and hands-on STEM related activities.
Campers received completion certificates and an expanded knowledge of how coding and robotics connect and impact the world. Students developed computational thinking skills, increased their 21st century literacy, and engaged in fun ways with other students their age. “With the grant, the LSC-Tomball camps successfully challenged students, exposed them to creative yet technical ways of thinking, raised their interest in STEM careers and changed lives.” said Wingfield.
In 2019, TWFC awarded LSC-Tomball two grants, one through the Governor’s Summer Merit Program and the other for Camp Code for Girls. In 2020, LSC-Tomball received both grants again; however, due to COVID-19, the camps did not occur.
“It is always a joy to watch young leaders in their development,” said Wingfield. “Following such a difficult couple of years, the engagement at our camps this year was a breath of fresh air and confirmation that the work we do in education cannot and does not stop.”