Middle school and high school students from across the North Country were able to take part in virtual and in-person STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) camps during Clarkson’s Horizons Program events this summer.
This year’s theme was Resilience: Awareness and Sustainability. The in-person day camps explored topics such as water science, math, and sustainability. The virtual campers learned about data science, coding (Python), survival awareness, and sustainability.
In 2015 the UN issued “The Sustainable Development Goals” to be obtained by 2030. Goal 6 is focused on ensuring access to water and sanitation for all. While water is essential for the health and safety of humanity, unfortunately, not all have access to clean and safe water. Therefore, for their Horizons Day Camp Project, students were tasked to work in small groups to develop a proposal to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. Student groups presented their proposals on the last day of camp.
Horizons also hosted two consecutive week-long overnight camps where the topics were College Admissions and Financial Aid, Entrepreneurship, Negotiation, Public Speaking, Leadership, and Teamwork.
Throughout their stay, students worked through a scenario that highlighted the importance of STEAM disciplines by serving as a team of Civilian Experts for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The scenario surrounded Hurricane Maria that destroyed most of Puerto Rico in 2017, and there was a massive recovery process underway. They “arrived” in Puerto Rico on October 20, 2017, exactly one month after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. Their mission was to figure out how to help a small village stranded due to a bridge being washed away.
They were divided into 5 teams: Team Civil Engineering, Team Medical, Team Public Health, Team Logistics, and Team Governance and Public Relations. They worked throughout the week on their solutions.
They made two presentations: Thursday night: a Shark Tank pitch of something they designed that FEMA could use for future efforts. Friday afternoon: Team presentations of their findings and solutions.
The Clarkson University Horizons program’s mission is to drive genuine and inclusive culture change for middle and high school students from all backgrounds. The aim is to provide tools to help participants excel in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) and attend college well prepared to pursue employment or advanced degrees and eventually assume leadership roles in STEAM.
Through fun and challenging hands-on projects, the Horizons curriculum uses an integrated instructional module in mathematics, science and engineering that is supported by the arts and technology.
The Horizons Program is directed by Dr. Melissa Richards and is one of the K12 outreach programs within the Institute for STEM Education. Participants are taught by a diverse staff of educators and are mentored by program assistants who are undergraduate or graduate college students who excel in STEAM disciplines.
“It was so wonderful to be able to continue to provide this educationally enriching opportunity, especially during these challenging times. This year’s success was due to the extensive planning of many individuals. Special thanks to the participants and their families, the area guidance counselors and educators, and the St Lawrence Lewis BOCES. Many thanks to the Clarkson University Chief Inclusion Office, Events and Marketing, Dining Services, and Housing staff for their logistical support. Furthermore, this year’s instructors, Dr. Taeyoung Kim, Sara Morrison, Brigette Walsh, Jing Qian, Mohammed Hassan, Abrahm DiMarco, Ashley Sweeney, Lauren Fishel, and Katy Collette, STEM Ed Fellow Alicia Lamb, Horizons program assistants and our undergraduate program coordinators Eric Zheng and Vivian Fernandez without whom this program would not have been possible.” said Dr. RichardsFor more information on the Horizons Program go to https://www.clarkson.edu/horizons
https://www.clarkson.edu/news/clarkson-holds-successful-horizons-summer-steam-programs-area-students
