McNeese to offer STEM Academy summer program

McNeese State University will offer a new summer program this year for students entering grades first through eighth. The McNeese STEM Academy will replace the previously established Kids College offering science, technology, engineering and math activities to area participants.

“Sixty to 65 percent of jobs your son or daughter will do don’t exist now. How do we prepare those kids today for jobs of tomorrow — science, computing, automation?” Nikos Kiritsis, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, said.

The STEM Academy will focus on teaching young the “why” behind STEM principles in efforts to foster a long-term interest in the field. Studies show that attempting to create a love for STEM and its plentiful career paths in high school is often too late, Kiritis said.

“You need to connect with the younger ages to change the way of thinking and make them understand that they can do this. They can do STEM work,” he said.

Through hands-on projects, field trips and guests from local industry experts, students will learn to relate science and math to their everyday life. “If we give the kids this ammunition to answer the question “Why?” then teaching them science and math will become more fun,” Kiritsis explalined.

The camp will also focus on career exploration allowing students to learn both the craft and path to their dream career. “It’s not only knowing how a bull dozer works, but it’s also knowing if you like that type of work, then how do you become a heavy equipment operator,” Kiritis said.

Among the many topics to be explored are bridge design, rockets and rovers, Lego robotics, play dough chemistry, water resources, earthquakes, recycled material and engineering equipment. Campers will also be able to utilize the campus’s pool and common areas for games and recreation.

The McNeese STEM Academy will be from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in Drew Hall. Participants may attend for a week, month or the whole summer.

Registration is $80 and costs $200 per week. For more information, visit www.mcneese.edu/STEMacademy or call 562-4137.