Inspired by Science invites young learners, between the ages of 7-12, to join the virtual STEM summer camp on July 12 – 15, to learn about the wonders of science, technology, engineering and math.
The organization announced that the last day to register for the Inspired by Science camp is June 30 with a fee of $15. Registration is limited to the number of kits they have available.
Campers will get the opportunity to learn about concepts like motion, energy and chemical reactions with hands on activities they can do from home. Participants will get a kit that includes everything they need complete activities and projects and get the chance to use problem solving and critical thinking skills during STEM challenges.
“Generally speaking, we aren’t putting anything crazy in them,” said Deena Antiporda regarding the kits. “We want kids to realize that you can do science with just household items. You know science is everywhere around us. We wanted them to realize it’s that easy to create science and to learn about it.”
This summer Inspired by Science will be mailing out kits for the first time, according to Antiporda, allowing kids from all over the country to participate.
Inspired by Science has held its annual summer camp since 2013. Traditionally the camp was held in person at the New Mexico State University Carlsbad community college but went online due to the pandemic last year. This allowed the program to grow from 100 participants to almost 400 students and included participants from as far as Texas and Washington.
Antiporda said the transition online was a great success and even showed some benefits, but they hope to return to an in-person camp next year.
“It was really different to see kids in their own environment doing science and doing it kind of in a different way. It kind of felt like being outside the classroom, they were more comfortable at home, and they were probably being more adventurous,” Antiporda said.
Lisa Nesbit, an Inspired by Science board member, said she was sad about not getting to work with kids in person this year but was encouraged by seeing how families bonded over their projects.
“I have been with the camp since it started and seeing the kids return year after year is inspiring to just see their love for science and then seeing the new kids that we get each year. They just love it,” Nesbit said.
Inspired by Science wouldn’t be able to host these STEM camps without the help of their sponsors Devon Energy and Nuclear Waste Partnership (NWP) according to Antiporda. The organization received a $10,000 donation from NWP’s parent company, Amentum, as part of an initiative to support the Carlsbad community. Antiporda explained that this allowed them to cover the costs of the kits and online services needed for the online camp.
The camp encourages students to send photos of their projects to increase their chances of winning prizes that will be given at the end of the program.
For more information and to register visit inspiredbyscience.org/summer-21-stem-camp.
Education reporter Claudia Silva can be reached at csilva2@currentargus.com or 575-361-6793.