Engineering
December 13, 2017
The UPMars STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering & Math] program recently hosted a day-long STEM camp for grade school students in the community. Specifically focusing on students from low-income families, the event provided local children the opportunity to engage in STEM workshops, as well as eat a complete and nutritious meal.
"Since UP Robotics [UPR] and UPMars focus on students from low-income families, this camp is especially prevalent because these students may not get the opportunity to be exposed to these fields without the camp," said Computer Science major Nalani Chun '18, who organized the event. "This is the reason UPR and UPMars raises money - to ensure that this camp is free to students, parents, and chaperones who attend."
Both students and family members received a lunch consisting of a sandwich, soup, chips, juice, and dessert in between participating in a variety of STEM workshops.
"Grade school students get to engage in various areas of STEM through fun, interactive, hands-on workshops for an entire day," added Chun. "These students may not get the chance to experience what it’s like to be an engineer, but through this camp they get to learn what engineers, scientists, and programmers do and also get a little taste of what it's like to be in those fields."
Workshops focused on the subjects of chemistry, physics, environmental science, civil engineering, and computer science. "Each workshop was unique and covered a different area of STEM which is important to get them exposed to many different areas," said Chun. "In each workshop, I would help out with the other volunteers to make sure each student had the help, support, and guidance they needed to complete the task, learn, and have fun."
The STEM Camp is not the only form of outreach that UPMars participates in with local children. The group often hosts weekly after school workshops at elementary schools in the area with each week focusing on a different area of STEM. Throughout the last semester, UPMars has engaged with over 200 students in the local community.
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5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
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503.943.8000
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