Southwestern Michigan College has been awarded a Bosch Community Fund grant for the eighth Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Summer Camp the third week of June on the Dowagiac campus.
This grant underwrites a two-day STEM summer camp for 120 upper elementary students (grades 4-6).
The camp will collaborate with local schools and SMC, with area teachers and college faculty designing and delivering the curriculum.
High school and college students serve as camp counselors and mentors, providing younger students with hands-on STEM experiences.
The camp aims to spark students’ interest in STEM subjects and expose them to a college learning environment, ultimately inspiring them to pursue STEM education and careers.
Math and Physics Professor Andrew Dohm writes the grants.
“It’s a great age to tap into because of their excitement,” Dohm said. “Their generosity has made it possible for us to offer a STEM Summer Camp to students in our community — an opportunity that has been truly transformative for countless young minds.”
Last summer, 164 campers landed rovers on Mars, coded with artificial intelligence (AI), populated a math-based zoo to learn fractions and tested pH levels.
Hands-on activities stress problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaborative teamwork.
Campers came from Edwardsburg, Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Marcellus, Decatur, Niles, Brandywine, Hartford, Mattawan, Berrien Springs, Coloma, Watervliet, Buchanan, Lakeshore, Eau Claire, Lawton, Paw Paw, Three Rivers and homeschooled students.
“Our group was over 50-percent girls,” Dohm said, “which is the first time that has happened.”
SMC’s grant is one of six, along with St. Joseph Public Schools, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan, Berrien RESA, Lighthouse Education Center and Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library.
Bosch Community Fund’s strategic investments in STEM education will benefit more than 13,260 students, teachers and community members.
There will be a website available for sign-up at the end of May.
